A Place Called Oakwood

34—A Blessed Place

Context: In this open letter to those recently assembled at the Oakwood School, Mrs. White unburdens her heart.

August 23, 1908

I cannot rest because of the many representations made to me, showing that our people are in danger of losing precious opportunities of working earnestly and wisely for the proclamation of the third angel's message. Satan with all his agencies is working to hold God's people back from giving all their powers to His service. But as a people we are to be active and decidedly in earnest, improving every opportunity to increase our usefulness in religious lines. We are to be “not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Possessing true godliness and knowledge of the Word of God, every church member may become a working agency, laboring with dignity and confidence, yet with humble dependence, remembering the words of Christ to His first disciples, “I send you forth as lambs in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” We need to exercise wisdom in all our ways if we would work in the name and fear of God. Unfeigned faith is what we need, for faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” PCO 54.3

I have visited the Huntsville School, and I believe that it has many advantages for the carrying on of the work of an all-round education. It is the privilege of those who labor there to make it a blessed place of preparation for usefulness in the work of God. PCO 55.1

I am praying that every soul of you will fill the place that the Lord designs for you. He will work for each one according to his faith. There is a picture representing a bullock standing between a plow and an altar, and with the picture is the inscription, “Ready for either.” Thus we should be ready to tread the weary furrow or to bleed on the altar of sacrifice. This singleness of purpose, this devotion to duty, is to be expressed in the life of every child of God. This was the position our Saviour occupied while upon the earth; it is the position that every follower of His will occupy. PCO 55.2

The salvation made sure to the human race through the sacrifice of Christ was intended alike for all races and nationalities. There are some of all nationalities who are never inclined to draw in even cords with their fellow men. They want to be a ruling power. And unless the power of God is recognized and appreciated, and believers work intelligently for the accomplishment of God's purpose for all mankind, God will leave them to their own ways, and will use other instruments through which to accomplish His plans. And those who refuse to do the work laid upon them will finally be found on the enemy's side, warring against order and discipline. PCO 55.3

Abridged

Source: Letter 244, 1908; Manuscript Releases 2:82-83 PCO 55.4