Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 24 (1909)
Lt 44, 1909
White, J. E.; White, Emma
St. Helena, California
February 24, 1909
Previously unpublished. +Note
Elder J. E. White
1713 Cass Street
Nashville, Tennessee
Dear Children Edson and Emma:
I will try in the future to send my letters to you as soon as they can be copied and mailed. There are many letters to be read and answered, and many manuscripts to be examined, and sometimes your letters are laid on one side amid the press of work, and for a time are overlooked. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 1
Last night I spent a wakeful night. I have been having a siege of influenza. For two weeks this has been upon me, and I have suffered much discomfort from it. Last night, although I could not sleep much, I suffered no pain. It seemed, when I did lose consciousness in sleep, that I was giving earnest, solemn warnings to our churches concerning the work that is before us. Every soul should now be making decided efforts to come into harmony with that last recorded prayer of Christ’s for His disciples. The whole of this seventeenth chapter of John is of deepest interest. We are instructed to study this chapter, that we may comprehend its teachings. Here is placed before us in clear lines what is the higher education. O how earnest should every one of us who claim to believe the truth for this time be in seeking for a thorough, deep experience in the things of God. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 2
“I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world,” Christ prayed, “but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth.” “As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world; and for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone; but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee; that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” [Verses 15-21.] 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 3
“And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, as We are: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 4
“Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me be with Me where I am; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.” [Verses 22-24.] 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 5
Every verse in this chapter contains instruction of the highest and most essential kind—instruction that every church should have. If there are higher attainments to be reached than are here brought to view, where shall we learn about them. Christ here presents eternal principles for our study, that we may answer His prayer in our own experience. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 6
“Father, the hour is come,” the Saviour prayed, “glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee. As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 7
“I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work that Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Thou Me with Thine own self with the glory that I had with Thee before the world was. I have manifested Thy name unto the men whom Thou gavest Me out of the world; Thine they were, and Thou gavest them Me; and they have kept Thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever Thou hast given Me are of Thee. For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 8
“I pray for them; I pray not for the world, but for them which Thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me; that they may be one, as We are.” [Verses 1-11.] 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 9
I ask you to read prayerfully every verse of this chapter; and if you are perplexed to know what means the higher education, read these words again, and study the teachings and works of Christ. No higher education can be presented in any educational institution than is comprehended in the prayer of Christ. And this prayer, comprehensive as it is, may be understood by all who seek for knowledge and understanding in spiritual things. O that the teachings of this prayer might be brought more fully into the religious life of our people, and its refining, purifying, unselfish principles be truly appreciated! I am instructed to keep before the people the need of our having high motives and purposes. The aim of Christ’s life was to receive of the Father, that He might give, by precept and by unselfish service, that which would save men and women from sinning and turn the rebellious into paths of righteousness. “For their sakes I sanctify Myself,” He said, “that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” [Verse 19.] 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 10
Christ stood before the human race as the representative of God. “He that hath seen Me,” He said, “hath seen the Father.” [John 14:9.] The church of Christ on earth should represent Christ’s character. The Saviour devoted all the powers of His being to the work of redemption. For this He withdrew Himself from the glories of heaven and set His feet in the path of humiliation and trial. He humbled Himself that He might uplift mankind. As He took up His earthly work and saw the duties and trials that confronted Him, He did not fail nor become discouraged. His great desire was to establish the cross between divinity and humanity, that man might be reconciled to God. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 11
Christ declared it His work to fulfil the law and to make it honorable. Those who in their earthly life continue to transgress the law of God cannot promote His glory in the world, and such can have no entrance into that city whose Builder and Maker is God. But the Christian need have no fears for the final outcome of his experience; if he follows the pattern set for him in the life of Christ, his will be eternal life, a life that measures with the life of God. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 12
“I am come,” the Saviour said, “that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” [John 10:10; 3:16, 17.] Never was there such depth of meaning in any words as in those of the Saviour as He stood before the world, the cross in view, and declared, “I am come.” “He that sent Me is true.” [John 7:28.] Christ was sent from heaven with the gift of eternal life for all who would receive it. The message was true; and it cost the life of Him who brought it. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 13
The question was put to Christ at one time, If Your doctrine is true, if You are, as You claim, the Son of God, why do You come to the world like this? Had it been possible for men to be redeemed with a smaller sacrifice than was made, the Son of God would not have taken the guilt of the transgressors upon His sinless soul. But the spotless Son of God was the only offering that could atone; none but His life would save the sinner from ruin. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 14
The authority of God is supreme, and He is true. Christ gives all who accept Him power to live the truth under the most trying circumstances. Those who have broken the law are sinners, but God says to them, I gave My only begotten Son to die for sinners. He bore the penalty of the sins of the world. He is sufficient for your redemption. If you will plant your feet upon the platform of obedience, if you will repent, and accept the merits of the Son of God, you may have the hope of eternal life. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 15
There are some of whom Christ says today, Ye will not come unto Me that ye might have life—eternal life which My Father will give to all who believe. I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The soul who will take God and His Word, and obey His law, may live. To such the assurance is given, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” [Isaiah 1:18.] 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 16
The science of overcoming as Christ overcame is the science of salvation to all. If we will unite with Christ in the work of developing Christian character, if we will maintain an unwavering faith in God and in the truths of His Word, we will be given strength to overcome every evil thing in the life. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 17
Christ is grieved today at the manifestation of unchristian spirits and unchristian actions among His professed followers. Many while professing to be His followers bring reproach upon His cause by their unchristlike words and deportment. I am instructed to say to our people, Guard your words and actions. Let every messenger of the Lord comprehend the truth as it is in Jesus; then they will become laborers together with God. It is the power of God and that alone that can soften and subdue our hearts and expel the worldliness and pride that exist among us. 24LtMs, Lt 44, 1909, par. 18