Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Ms 77, 1912

A Message to All Who Minister in the Sacred Work of God

St. Helena, California

August 5, 1912

Previously unpublished.

I am charged with a message to all who minister in the sacred work of God. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 1

The Lord is not glorified as He should be by those who are connected with His work in the earth. Every soul who has had light needs to improve in intelligence, advancing in an understanding of the Scriptures, that the treasures of Scripture may be imparted not only in word and doctrine, but by well-ordered lives and godly examples. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 2

“Search the Scriptures,” for in them is the truth that will stand the test of trial. [John 5:39.] 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 3

Parents need to be daily converted. Unless there is a decided change in the way children are managed in connection with home discipline, unless children are dealt with in accordance with the principles revealed in the Word, many souls will be lost because of the neglect of fathers and mothers to obtain a correct knowledge of right methods of discipline. In word and in action, parents should ever reveal that they are converted to God and are living in obedience to His word. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 4

Would to God that both ministers and people might labor unitedly for the salvation of the children within our ranks! Let every family take up their work in the home and not take one step on forbidden ground. Among our people are many who are unprepared to set a right example before their children until first they seek the Lord individually for daily conversion; for unless those who have once given themselves to the Lord keep advancing daily, unless they follow on to know the Lord in their life experience, they will be bringing into the training of their children objectionable features that are not in harmony with the teachings of the gospel. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 5

Let fathers and mothers search their own hearts diligently. Let them inquire, Am I following the divine pattern? Am I daily wrestling against pride of heart and against hasty speech? Am I on the Lord’s side, earnestly engaged in resisting selfishness in order that I may live in harmony with the teachings of Christ? 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 6

Let fathers and mothers, in their ministry in the home, unitedly view the cross of Christ. Let them unitedly live to the honor and glory of God and learn lessons that will be for their eternal welfare. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 7

Every good deed is a seed sown. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 8

In the night season I am instructing families that unless they become Christlike in their religious life, they will never practice the Christian virtues that will bring to them the commendation, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” [Matthew 25:21.] Wake up, fathers and mothers, for Christ’s sake wake up. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 9

Scenes have been presented before me. Within the past few weeks, scene after scene has been presented before me. Many of those professing godliness are in great peril. God has given me my work, and at the judgment I must give an account of the way in which I have done this work. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 10

All who have chosen their own way and have allowed their children to do after their own ideas will finally lose their souls. All should consider how much they might have done but have not done. Wake up, fathers and mothers, wake up. Now is your opportunity to form characters that will stand the test of the judgment. Fathers and mothers, it is too late for any one to remain unconverted and yet attempt the nice work of training children in the home. Let all who have departed from the simplicity of true godliness, in word or in act, now return and humble their hearts before God and repent of their backslidings. Take hold of the work wholeheartedly, and begin at once to redeem the time. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 11

Let no one entertain the thought that Sister White regrets having borne plain testimonies to both ministers and people. For some time I have been unable to sleep more than a few hours during the night season. Those who have risen up against the plain testimonies I have given must meet these testimonies in the great day when all accounts are to be settled. The testimonies I have borne in large assemblies have been of God, and yet some have taken the liberty of criticizing these testimonies. Those who have refused to be converted have met with great loss. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 12

I call upon every church to heed the counsel God has given. Those who refuse to carry out the Lord’s plans are in danger of having their light go out in darkness. Even in some of our colleges there has been an effort to make of none effect the light God has given me for them in decided reproofs. Let none turn from these reproofs because of their desire to do their own will. I solemnly declare that we have no time in which to trifle. I am charged with a most solemn message to our ministers to seek the Lord. He has sent you messages of reproof and also of counsel. I call upon all who have the light that has been given them in publications to read and understand. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 13

I am charged to call upon our churches to consider the solemnity of eternal realities. I am to charge our people to obtain a knowledge of the sacred Scriptures. God’s holy Word is to be engraved upon heart and soul and expressed in word and act. A knowledge of the Scriptures and of the terms of salvation will satisfy the craving of the soul and, if obeyed, enable all who seek for life and immortality to become the sons and daughters of God, fitted to become associates of the angels of heaven. Many need to have clear revelations of what God is and of what He requires His followers to be. Many need to keep before them daily the divine Pattern as revealed in His Word. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 14

Nothing will impart vigor to all the mental faculties so much as to require students to grasp the stupendous, awful facts of revelation. We need to train our minds to grapple with difficult problems. The mind, if sanctified through obedience to the truth, will be enabled to grasp the grand and lofty themes that have been given for the contemplation and enjoyment of mankind. God has given us, in His Word, that which will prepare us to enjoy the realities of immortality; and as the mind is fixed on these glorious themes, it is adapted and strengthened to form proper conceptions of the sublimity of heavenly things. Let us all act our part in this school of daily experience in the things of God. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 15

*****

Sanitarium, California

August 6, 1912

What a work is before us! I see so much to be done, that at times a terror of soul comes over me for families that are so greatly in need of a more thorough education in the things that pertain to their eternal welfare. Many parents are failing to yield themselves fully to God day by day. They are not daily reconverted and are not following on to know the Lord more perfectly. Because of this neglect, I am often unable to sleep after my usual time. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 16

Our ministers have a most solemn work to do in the earth. Daily they are in need of being brought into so close a relationship with God that they will be able to proclaim the truth with intensity of spirit. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 17

Elder Haskell, I am charged with a message for you and your wife. The Lord would have you most earnest in bringing the sacred truths of God’s Word before the people. If in your present location you do not have all the help you need to make the truth stand out with convincing power, change to another place. The Lord would have you proclaim a message that is decided, clear, and forcible. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 18

I did hope to be able to speak in Portland, Maine, and in other places, this summer. But here are my unpublished writings, to which I must give all the attention possible, in order that we may get them before the people. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 19

I am deeply impressed that our ministers need to experience daily thorough conversion of heart. I am unable to sleep more than a few hours during the night. My heart is drawn out in most earnest prayer to God. I arise at four o’clock, while others are sleeping, and my soul is stirred with an intensity so great that I cannot sleep half the hours I am in bed. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 20

Now, Elder Haskell, the Lord would have you and Sister Haskell give the message where it will move the people. Try it. Move out. Let the message God has given us be proclaimed. I cannot sleep for intensity of feeling over the situation. The people are not aroused as they should be. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 21

I am busily occupied, arranging and completing matter that should be published and placed in the hands of the people. I appreciate the help that I have to assist in this work. I am charged to lose no time, but to prepare for publication many of the decided warnings God has given me. Among my helpers are some who were with me in Australia. Much that I have written in former years has been carefully preserved, and this can appear even if I should have to cease my work. The writings will remain. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 22

I wish we might be united with you and your wife for a time, but I dare not leave my work now, while I am able to labor with experienced helpers in an effort to place before the people in acceptable form many important matters. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 23

Brother and Sister Haskell, the Lord will strengthen you. Proclaim the messages of truth decidedly, and yet winningly. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 24

I had thought I might have the privilege of proclaiming testing messages personally before large congregations in the State of Maine, but I must guard against overtaxing my physical and mental powers. I am now in my eighty-fourth year. I do thank the Lord that He does strengthen me. I am so thankful that my courage in the Lord is good. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 25

Now, Brother and Sister Haskell, do not confine yourselves too much to one or two places. Branch out, and may the Lord keep you. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 26

I am so grateful for the helpers that I have, especially those who were with me in Australia, in whom I have much confidence. It is in the Lord’s providence that some of the same workers that were my helpers in Australia are with me here with others who have united with us in later years. While in Australia, the Lord gave us some precious experiences, which have strengthened our confidence in the third angel’s message and have fitted us to do an important work in America at this time. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 27

Brother and Sister Haskell, be of good courage in the Lord. We are intensely interested that you shall see of the salvation of God in Portland, Maine, in even greater measure than you have yet seen it. Be strong and of good courage. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 28

It is nearly bedtime now. Good night. 25LtMs, Ms 77, 1912, par. 29