Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)

Lt 32, 1909

Lindsay, H. W.

St. Helena, California

January 21, 1909

Previously unpublished.

Mr. H. W. Lindsay
Paradise Valley Sanitarium
National City, California

Dear Brother Lindsay:

I hope you will not be discouraged, but have faith in God. At times your experience may be hard to understand; but wait upon God; “hope thou in Him.” [See Psalm 42:5.] He understands all about us and His work. Let us have faith in God, and fear not. I entreat you to believe and pray. Seek to work out the Lord’s plans. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 1

There is a large work to be done in San Diego. Many of the souls that are crowding into that territory are to be saved. But I saw some standing in the way and speaking words of discouragement regarding the work. Those who take upon themselves the responsibility of carrying matters after their own human devisings will one day see their actions in a different light. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 2

Influences have been at work to divert means from the Paradise Valley Sanitarium. Influence has also been used to seek to draw Brother and Sister Cummings from their work in that place by sowing the seeds of unbelief and distrust. The work that has been attempted is of a character to confuse the mind by the insinuations of doubt. Men and women who would use their powers for such a work as this need to learn lessons concerning the right use of their capabilities; they need educating regarding the higher life; they need to learn to form characters for the future, immortal life. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 3

The Lord has spoken regarding the Paradise Valley Sanitarium, saying that every hand raised to hinder the work in that place, every action that would weaken confidence in the work there, is counterworking the Lord’s plans and the Lord’s methods for the accomplishment of His work for that part of the field. Some, in order to secure influence to the institution where they were working, have misquoted the words that were spoken to encourage the work in San Diego; and in so doing they have exerted an influence that would tear down that which the Lord would establish and weaken that which he would have gather strength. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 4

God calls upon those who take part in our sanitarium work to labor honestly and unselfishly. God has workers fitted for His work in every place; and He requires that His workers shall act their part faithfully and unselfishly in every institution and in every enterprise. They are to keep themselves under the rule of God. They are not to seek to increase the influence of the institution where they are laboring, and seek to gain glory to themselves, by working against the interests of other institutions. Such actions the Lord regards as fraud, and such He calls it. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 5

Let those who labor in any of our institutions act a noble, honorable part. Seventh-day Adventists are to honor their positions of trust, and live out their faith, exerting continually an influence that is true, and rendering allegiance to the precepts of the law of God. By precept and example, the workers are to instruct those who come within the reach of their influence to obey the words of Christ, teachings that magnified the righteous principles which are the basis of God’s law. By such instruction they will reprove those who see no wrong in defrauding another in order that selfish interests may be advanced. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 6

The children of the workers connected with our institutions are to be trained according to the divine precepts. Like Abraham of old, God’s people today are to command their children and their household after them, to keep the way of the Lord. We need to bear in mind that if we would have our names retained in the book of life, we must maintain a discipline over ourselves that will keep us from indulging selfish propensities. Right action, honest dealing must be seen in our sanitariums and in every enterprise that has for its object the advancement of the work of the third angel’s message. In the place of introducing our own ways, we are to follow the Lord’s way. Righteous plans and actions will be the sure fruit of true godliness. The Judge of all the earth will reward every man according to his works. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 7

I have words to speak to those who would bribe our workers by flattery and by presenting the idea that they are not appreciated where they are. There is need of constant watchfulness and prayer, of self-denial and self-sacrifice on the part of physicians and nurses and helpers. These workers have a sacred work to do for believers and unbelievers, a work whose results will tell for time and for eternity. Self-denial revealed in the lives of professed Christians is a sermon to those who do not believe. Our standard of piety is marked by the world. Righteous acts will be accepted as the unmistakable proofs of our faith. If the truth is held in its purity, true godliness will appear in the lives of all who labor in any line of the work. The truths of the Word of God will exert a sanctifying influence upon the life. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 8

I am instructed to keep these truths before the people. Let not selfish principles be interwoven with the work of those who have a part to act in sanitarium work. It is a work of sacred trust to have a care for the sick. The worker will often stand as the minister of Christ to the patients, to teach them the truths of the Word, and to point them to the love of God. They must not allow themselves to dwell under a cloud. Our religion, if brought into the daily life, will reveal the sacredness of the truths of the Word of God, and this will bring joy and peace and righteousness into the institution. We will be ministers of righteousness, because we have accepted the precious sanctification that there is in the truth of the Word. Not one selfish thread will be drawn into the web that we are weaving for time and for eternity. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 9

We must not suppose that because we are earnestly seeking to practice the virtues of Christ, that we shall always meet with appreciation. We are fighting for a crown of life which, if we are faithful, the enemy cannot take from us; and in the conflict we shall have to meet statements that are unjust and unrighteous. Satan is putting forth every effort to defeat us; he does not want us to gain the victory. But the higher education which it is our privilege to be acquiring daily will strengthen the soul for righteous action. This strife for the crown of life is an individual work. There are many laboring under the delusion that a profession of Christianity is all that is required of them. O that these would come to understand that Christ’s character must appear in the lives of His professed followers, that His children are to represent their faith and exalt the truth by a well-ordered life and a godly conversation. Such lives will have the daily approbation of heaven. The names of these believers will stand forth in the books of heaven accepted; their lives will be justified by their acceptance of the merits of the Redeemer. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 10

I will write no more upon this subject now. You are at liberty to read this to whomsoever you will. Do not allow your mind to become confused. 24LtMs, Lt 32, 1909, par. 11