Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 12a, 1910

Cottrell, H. W.

Mountain View, California

January 27, 1910

Portions of this letter are published in LLM 487-489. Extracted from Lt 18, 1910. +^Note

Dear Brother [Cottrell]:

When a man in responsibility takes the position that it is his privilege to form opinions that he need never give up, no matter what circumstances may arise, and no matter what further light may shine on his pathway, that man is in grave peril of making mistakes. No man’s judgment is to be regarded as a safe and infallible guide. There is a certainty in sanctified submission to the will of God, and this is the only certainty that any man has the right to stand by. Any other position of certainty than this of humble submission to the will of God is unsafe and is liable to lead a man to lose his hold on God and mar his religious experience. 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 1

Many trials come to all who are called to engage in the work of God. Those who have the responsibility of locating and fostering our sanitariums and training schools need the advice and counsel of men of sound judgment—men who trust not in their own supposed wisdom, but who stand ready to advance by faith in the opening providences of God, and who constantly look to the Lord for wisdom and guidance. ... 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 2

Seventh-day Adventists have been set as watchmen and light-bearers in our churches everywhere and especially in the cities. As God’s people we have been entrusted with the work of saving souls. Upon us is shining wonderful light. In years past the first and the second angels’ messages have been proclaimed, and now the third angel’s message is being given to the churches that have fallen. The Lord is opening the way in a remarkable manner for His people to give the warning message to those who have never yet heard the truth for this time. No other work that we might do is as important as is this. The third angel’s message means much to us all. It means much to unbelievers also whether they shall receive and believe and live out this third angel’s message, which includes the other two messages of Revelation fourteen, and the proclamation of which makes prominent the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 3

Solemn is the message we have to proclaim. As a people we should guard against anything that would hinder the progress of this message. With courage and unfailing perseverance, we are to bear the responsibility that has been placed upon us. Faithfully we are to warn the world, and exalt the Sabbath of Jehovah—that Sabbath which was instituted in Eden, observed by patriarchs, proclaimed from Sinai’s height, and emphasized at the time of the giving of the two tables of stone to Moses when “the Lord spake unto Moses, saying: 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 4

“Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily, My Sabbaths ye shall keep; for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto Me; every one that defileth it shall surely be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord; whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.” [Exodus 31:12-17.] 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 5

In this our age of the world, we claim to be, in a special sense, the Lord’s chosen people, as did Israel of old. And we are indeed the Lord’s covenant-keeping people, pledged by our baptismal vows to walk in newness of life and in obedience to all the commandments of Holy Writ. The Lord God of Israel is our God, whom we serve. Throughout the ages the Sabbath of Jehovah has lost none of its meaning. It is still a sign between God and His people, and will ever remain a sign. 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 6

Those who have the responsibility of locating and keeping in operation our sanitariums and schools are ever to bear in mind that these institutions are to be regarded as divinely appointed agencies for the restoration of the entire man—physical, mental, and spiritual. In planning for the establishment of sanitariums in places where God has designated we should do a special work, we are to allow no selfishness, no personal ambition, to mar the work. Over and over again I have repeated that the establishment and maintenance of sanitariums is ordained of God for the advancement of His cause in the earth. While Christ was on this earth, He ministered to the needs of suffering humanity. He is our example. We are to labor intelligently; and in planning for the extension of sanitarium work, we are to seek to secure the very places that God indicates are most suitable for carrying forward this line of our work. 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 7

In the providence of God, there come to this people in time of need favorable opportunities to secure valuable facilities that can be utilized wisely for the rapid advancement of the cause. At times the Lord has specified that we should come into possession of property in certain localities where we needed to gain entrance for the proclamation of the third angel’s message. 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 8

The idea that we are not to purchase any such properties unless first the money is in hand is not in accordance with the mind of God. Again and again in years past the Lord has tested our faith by opening the way for us to secure places, possessing advantages, at a cost far below their real value, and at a time when we had no money. We have at such times met the situation by borrowing money on interest, and advancing in harmony with the command of our divine Leader, who bade us advance in faith. 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 9

These experiences have been attended with many perplexing problems; but the Lord has helped us through them all, and His name has been glorified. Had we hesitated, the precious cause would have been retarded rather than advanced, and in many cases opportunities would have been given our enemies to triumph over our failure to secure these advantages placed within our reach. In such matters as these, we are to learn to walk by faith when necessary, as some have walked in the past. 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 10

Light has been given that it is best to establish our sanitariums outside the cities. Some of our physicians have spoken in favor of locating our sanitariums in the cities. It is difficult to understand why any one should plan to establish a large sanitarium in a city. The very atmosphere of the cities is objectionable. We must conduct our sanitarium work in places suitable for the recovery of the sick. The more attractive the surroundings, the better. In the gardens of nature the sick rapidly find something to please. Their thoughts are uplifted to the Creator. Let us thank God that so many of our sanitariums are established in pleasing country locations, and yet within easy reach of important centers of population, where there are many people to whom we are to communicate a knowledge of saving truth. 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 11

It is the favorable situation of the property that makes Loma Linda an ideal place for the recovery of the sick and for the warning of many who might otherwise never hear the truth for this time. It is God’s plan that Loma Linda shall be not only a sanitarium, but a special center for the training of gospel medical missionary evangelists. 25LtMs, Lt 12a, 1910, par. 12