The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters

August 30, 1892

North Fitzroy,

August 30, 1892

Elder Uriah Smith Battle Creek, Michigan

Dear Brother,

I am deeply interested that in every move you make, you should have the Lord with you. God bestows upon His people great blessings in giving them faithful, upright ministers. In all ages He has wrought through human instrumentalities to give decided messages of warning to His people, that they may be aroused and convicted of their sins, and be led to repent and reform. But at the very time when He is thus empowering men by His Holy Spirit to cry aloud, to spare not, to lift up the voice like a trumpet, and to show His people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins, there are other influences at work to counteract the work of God through His appointed agencies. There are those to whom this Scripture is applicable, “They have healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.” ... PC 145.2

It is sin in some form that brings variance and disunion. The affections need transforming, a personal experience of the renewing power of Christ must be obtained. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace;” The apostle speaking to Christian believers, called by God's grace says, “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sins.” Here are conditions plainly stated, If we walk in the light as He is in the light, the sure result will follow; We have fellowship one with another.... PC 146.1

True Christianity will always be aggressive, and wherever it exists, it will arouse enmity. All who live a conscientious life, who bear testimony of the claims of God, of the evil of sin, of the judgment to come, will be called the disturbers of Israel. PC 146.2

Those whose testimony awaken the apprehension of the soul, offend pride, and arouse opposition. The hatred of evil against good exists as surely now as in the days of Christ, when the multitude cried, “Away with Him!” “Release unto us Barabbas.” There is no kind of evil in our world, but that some have an interest in maintaining it. Evil is ever warring against good. And since we know that the conflict with the prince of darkness is constant, and must be severe, let us be united in the warfare. Cease to war against those of your own faith. Let no one help Satan in his work.... PC 146.3

The first thing recorded in Scripture history after the fall was the persecution of Abel. And the last thing in Scripture prophecy is the persecution against those who refuse to receive the mark of the beast. We should be the last people on the earth to indulge in the slightest degree the spirit of persecution against those who are bearing the message of God to the world. This is the most terrible feature of unchristlikeness that has manifested itself among us since the Minneapolis meeting. Sometime it will be seen in its true bearing, with all the burden of woe that has resulted from it. PC 146.4

A passive piety will not answer for this time; let the passiveness be manifested where it is needed, in patience, kindness, and forbearance. But we must bear a decided message of warning to the world. The Prince of Peace thus proclaimed His work, “I come not to send peace on earth but a sword.” Evil must be assailed; falsehood and error must be made to appear in their true character; sin must be denounced; and the testimony of every believer in the truth must be as one. All your little differences, which arouse the combative spirit among brethren, are devices of Satan to divert minds from the great and fearful issue before us. The true peace will come among God's people when through united zeal and earnest prayer the false peace that exists to a large degree is disturbed. Now there is earnest work to do. Now is the time [to] manifest your soldierly qualities; let the Lord's people present a united front to the foes of God and truth and righteousness.... PC 146.5

When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the early church, “The whole multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.” The spirit of Christ made them one. This is the fruit of abiding in Christ. But if dissensions, envy, jealousy, and strife are the fruit we bear, it is not possible that we are abiding in Christ. To draw nourishment from the Living Vine is the same that Christ represents as eating His flesh and drinking His blood. And if we are feeding upon Him, we shall manifest His spirit. PC 147.1

Jesus longs to bestow the heavenly endowment in large measure upon His people. Prayers are ascending to God daily for the fulfillment of the promise, and not one of the prayers put up in faith is lost. Christ ascended on high, leading captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. When after Christ's ascension the Spirit came down as promised, like a rushing, mighty wind, filling the whole place where the disciples were assembled, what was the effect? Thousands were converted in a day. We have taught, we have expected that an angel is to come down from heaven, that the earth will be lighted with his glory. Then we shall behold an ingathering of souls similar to that witnessed on the day of Pentecost. PC 147.2

But this [mighty] angel comes bearing no soft, smooth, message, but words that are calculated to stir the hearts of men to their very depths. That angel is represented as crying mightily with a strong voice, saying, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” “Come out of her, My people that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Are we indeed as the human agencies, to cooperate with the divine instrumentalities in sounding the message of this mighty angel who is to lighten the earth with his glory? ... PC 147.3

(Signed)

Ellen G. White -