Manuscript Releases, vol. 6 [Nos. 347-418]

MR No. 378—Materials in Ellen G. White in Europe, by D.A. Delafield

MR No. 379—Enlisting the Laymen in Seeking Lost Sheep

Brethren and sisters, God has given to every man his work. He calls upon church members in every place to dedicate themselves to the Lord and to His service. Let us go forth, and present the truth from house to house, to souls who are starving for the bread of life. We must come into line. 6MR 194.1

“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.” These words teach us how the field is to be supplied with workers who will labor for the salvation of souls.—Manuscript 55, 1907, 1. (“The Work in Washington, D.C.,” May 30, 1907.) 6MR 194.2

I have some things to say to you. Do not exhaust your strength by giving long discourses. Search the Scriptures. Seek God in earnest prayer, that when you stand before the people, you may realize the solemn weight of the message which you are about to bear. Talk to the people in simplicity. Let your discourses be short. Handle only a few points, saving your vitality for house to house work. 6MR 194.3

Ministers too often stand before the people and deliver lengthy discourses, which in order to do good, need to be divided into three parts. The minds of the people are wearied by such discourses, and the truth loses its effect upon them. Keep humble. In your ministry plead for the presence of the Holy Spirit; for nothing can be done without its aid. Never forget that you are a steward of the grace of God and a servant of the church for Christ's sake. Mingle no selfishness with your work; pray that self may be covered with the garment of Christ's righteousness. 6MR 194.4

Come close to the people in your work. If you can become better acquainted with them by canvassing, do that work. If you can bring the riches of the grace of Christ into their family circles, if, by simple, earnest prayer you can grasp the throne of the Infinite, and then flash the light you have received into the homes you enter, you are doing missionary work of the highest order.—Letter 95, 1896, pp. 1, 2. (To G. B. Starr, August 11, 1896.) 6MR 195.1

Here at Mountain View many publications are being printed, to warn the world; but this printed matter cannot take the place of the voice of the living preacher. Both are necessary.... 6MR 195.2

The responsibility for doing this work rests not upon the ministry alone. Hundreds of church members who have a knowledge of saving truth, might set themselves to work in their immediate neighborhoods and surrounding settlements. Wherever practicable, it is well for such workers to go out two and two, as did the early disciples. Take up this work brethren and sisters. Carry along some books and papers, and make God your trust. Let no one, by arbitrary forbiddings, seek to hinder this line of house to house work. There is a world to be warned, and every agency for the accomplishment of the Lord's work in the earth must be set in operation and wisely directed and encouraged. Wake up the watchmen; for the end is near.... 6MR 195.3

Those who are connected with our offices of publication need especially to carry a burden for souls and to study ways and means of doing personal work in the highways and hedges.... 6MR 195.4

Doubtless there are some in our larger churches, and in our printing establishments, who will feel inclined to express objections against a message that would stir up those who are now doing but little personal work for souls. But I cannot hold my peace. I have been instructed to say, The Lord calls upon those who understand the truth, to spend time in opening the Scriptures to others.... 6MR 195.5

Let those who are living in Takoma Park awake to an understanding of the times and of their privileges. Many who are living in our large centers need to be reconverted; and until they are reconverted, they can never feel the necessity of giving to the scattered sheep the message for this time. Let our people in every church arouse, and begin to work in earnest.—Manuscript 53, 1910, 1, 3-5, 9, 11. (“Wake Up the Watchmen,” January 28, 1910.) 6MR 196.1

Let the luster of our piety, the energy, the earnestness of our faith, the practical godliness brought into our life and our own souls subdued by the love of God, lead us to expostulate and entreat to save the soul from death. If we neglect this personal effort and do not habitually and perseveringly urge upon the sinner his danger, we are guilty before God.... 6MR 196.2

Would that the members of the church would feel their true heavenly calling and feel, as I have been shown they should, their duty to be living, acting, working members of the church.... 6MR 196.3

May the Lord be near us and guide us, is my prayer.—Letter 60, 1886, pp. 9, 10. (To Elder and Mrs. John Corliss, December 25, 1886.) 6MR 196.4

There are many who speak of coming to Christ who will leave the matter indistinct and indefinite. The question is asked “What shall I do to be saved?” And Christ answers the question positively. He asks, “What is written in the Law?” And the answer comes to this, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy strength and with all thy mind and thy neighbor as thyself.” Luke 10:25-27. Now we can see that the conditions are not made on emotions but it is by taking a distinct course that is laid out for us. It is a very important question with every one of us what we shall do in order to be saved. 6MR 196.5

How particular are you men of business that all your business transactions are made according to law. How careful are you that you shall not invest your money and it prove to be a bad investment. Well; these business matters only relate to temporal matters but here the matter which concerns our eternal interest is such as will last through eternity. And it is not safe to run any risk in regard to our soul's salvation. We want an intelligent knowledge upon that which pertains to our eternal welfare. There is an eternal reward that is presented to those that shall find eternal life. 6MR 197.1

You think much of your pieces of land that you have here in this earth, but we read of a building that is made by God and not by human hands that is for the obedient and we want that inheritance that is not corruptible. We want a home on the earth made new. All that we have in this life is uncertain. We may meet with losses and discouragements but in that home all is made new and shall be forever and ever. How short-sighted must mortals be to place their affections on this life and lose sight of the things eternal! How important that we understand the conditions of obtaining this eternal inheritance!—Manuscript 17, 1887, 2, 3. (“Godliness,” Sermon, June 11, 1887.) 6MR 197.2

In our efforts to reach the people, there is danger of adopting methods that will not produce the best results. Plans may be followed which seem to excite much interest for the time; but the effect proves that the work is not abiding. The use of the gospel wagon may accomplish some good; but in most cases the after results will be disappointing. People will be attracted by the music, and will listen to the addresses and appeals that are made. But the workers pass rapidly from place to place, and there is not time for persons to become established in the faith. The impressions made are soon effaced. Little seed has been sown that springs up and bears fruit. When the season is ended, there will be few sheaves to be gathered. Experience will show that the results are not proportionate to the expenditure. The work is too much like that of carrying a torch through a district in the night. The places where the torch-bearer goes are light; but not many tapers are kindled from his torch, and when he has gone his way, the darkness is almost as great as before.... 6MR 198.1

There are in the ministry men of faith and experience, men who can say, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; ... that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you.” These men are to instruct others. The plan of calling workers away from their fields of labor to attend ministerial institutes is not as a rule the best for this time. Let men be trained by actual labor, under the instruction of experienced workers.—Manuscript 3, 1899, 5, 12. (“The Work for this Time,” January 25, 1899.) 6MR 198.2

The spiritual life of the church can only be kept alive as the members make personal efforts to win souls to Christ.... 6MR 199.1

The work of the minister is incomplete if he does not educate the souls newly come to the faith to be laborers together with God, visiting and praying with families, showing to the world what Jesus has done for them. God's word declares, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” These words are addressed not only to the minister, but to every follower of Christ. 6MR 199.2

There are sluggards all through our churches, who frame excuses for their idleness. God calls not only on the minister, but on every soul connected with him, to be a worker in his vineyard. “Herein is my Father glorified,” Christ says, “that ye bear much fruit.” By his own life Jesus has paid for your earnest, hearty cooperation. He expects you to work, every one who has passed from death unto life. If you do not work as faithful missionaries, you are untrue to your trust, and you disappoint your Saviour.—Manuscript 48, 1899, 4, 5. (“Work in Christ's Lines,” March 29, 1899.) 6MR 199.3

No man should think that it is his duty to enter the field as a minister unless he is willing to educate and train himself to act as a shepherd to the flock.—Letter 3, 1892, p. 2. (To Brother Curtis, January 16, 1892.) 6MR 199.4

I received your letter, and thank you for writing me. I have been passing through a most severe ordeal of mental suffering, as I have been impressed with the thought of the advantage that some will take, and thus imperil their souls, because they will take a false position in reference to the operation of the Holy Spirit upon the human agent, on account of the fact that there is some evidence that you have not made exactly straight paths for your feet. This has been my great fear for you. 6MR 199.5

I have trembled for you; because the people were looking to you, and hanging upon your words and were not doing as they should have done,—they were not catching the precious rays of light that shone from the word of God. They were not cooperating with God, and did not feel the truth burning in their own hearts, that they might impart the same to others. Some have done this, but many have lost the freshness, the power and glory of the truth, because they did not let its light shine forth to those who were in darkness of error. 6MR 200.1

We are to labor interestedly for the whole human family. Much more time has been devoted to instructing those who already know the truth, than is consistent to devote to them; for in this way the ignorant, and those who are in error, and who know not of the light heaven has sent, and the provision heaven has made for the salvation of their souls, are robbed of the message of the gospel. 6MR 200.2

Christ said, “I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” We should do very much more to carry the light into “regions beyond” that sinners may be converted to the truth. Many of those who profess to believe the truth, have heard a great deal from the Scriptures, have had golden opportunities and valuable privileges. Because of the abundance of privileges that have been given them they have not valued them as they should, or appropriated the truth to their souls as they should. Had the people had less instruction, and had unbelievers had a great deal more, it would have been more after the order of God. The living testimony should have been borne, and regular organized efforts should have been made in every church, and persons should have been set to work for those who are unbelievers. Christian growth is promoted by active work for others. 6MR 200.3

I was bidden to look and behold what continuous efforts had been put forth and how precious time and money had been consumed in educating ministers in Bible truth, and instructing them how to work, and yet how small a number had responded to the light that had been given; how few had been led to tremble at the word, and to arouse from their dormant, sluggish, spiritual state, to take in the fact that there is a world to be warned, and that there are souls who are perishing out of Christ. The sanction of heaven cannot be given to misuse of light and truth or to spiritual inactivity. Of those who have not improved their privileges it is written in the books of heaven, “Thou wicked and slothful servant, ... thou oughtest therefore to have put My money to the exchangers, and then at My coming I should have received Mine own with usury.” Matthew 25:26, 27. Those who have been privileged to have the truth brought before them, should, irrespective of circumstances, receive the truth into good and honest hearts, and go to work as faithful stewards of the grace of Christ. 6MR 201.1

They should have imparted to their fellowmen the rich gift that heaven had bestowed upon them. Those who are nigh, and those who are afar off, need the same light and knowledge that you have received, that they all as workers together with God may be sharers of the triumphs of the truth. 6MR 201.2

There must be no compromise in which principle is sacrificed for policy. Every sincere hearer and believer of the truth is required of God to make manifest the principles of truth before the world and before the angels. The believers must manifest an intense solicitude in order that the principles of his faith may be set forth clean and pure before all men. Christians are to reveal the fact that the truth has wrought for the purification of their characters, and the elevation of their minds. He who has heard the truth, who has realized that the light of heaven has shone upon his soul, and who has not walked in the light, has hid his talent in the earth. There must needs be stirring testimonies given, that will lead men to take hold of the truth, in order that the transforming power of the truth may be seen upon their lives and character. 6MR 202.1

If the truth is received in the heart, and valued as a heavenly gift, it will be a working element, that will work from the heart, and its workings will be apparent in the outward life. The ministers who have had the privilege of attending ministerial institutes one upon another and have not used the grand principles of truth set before them, in not letting their light shine forth in steady rays to others, will lose the light they already have because they have not diffused it to others. 6MR 202.2

The Bible truths of justification and righteousness by faith have been set before large numbers of people. Some have been animated and delighted with the truth for a short time, but they do not appropriate the truth, and their minds and hearts are not purified from their sins. They do not cultivate an abiding faith, nor drink the rich and living draught placed to their lips, and they soon lose the impression made upon their hearts. 6MR 202.3

Shall we not seek to arouse the sluggish sensibilities of those who know the truth, and impress upon them their duty to practice it themselves, and to teach it to those who know it not. In this work the angels of God will cooperate with them, and those who are dead in trespasses and sins will be convicted and converted. The truth will become a living, working principle in their own hearts, and as they communicate to others that which they have received, the angels of God will communicate fresh and new light to the Christlike workers. Those who wish to know the reality of Bible truth in their own experience should impart it to the poor souls who are in the darkness of error. 6MR 203.1

Christ is the source of all light and efficiency, and all the honor, all the praise, and all the gratitude offerings belong to Jesus who is the giver of every good gift. If you would be inspired with the most lofty ambition to secure the highest spiritual attainments, draw your inspiration from Jesus Christ. Glory not in self, or in success; but consecrate everything to him who has loved us, and washed us from our sin in His own most precious blood. Lift Him up, the Man of Calvary. 6MR 203.2

You have been doing this; but do it more purely, more devotedly, more entirely. Do not be discouraged in the least; but I tell you as I have done before, be careful; weed out from your discourses all needless, extravagant words that will be caught up by those who have a disposition to carry things to the extreme. Give them no excuse for doing this for their extravagance will react upon you sometime. But so long as you and Elder Waggoner shall live, give the trumpet a certain sound, and be yourselves living epistles known and read of all men. 6MR 203.3

May the Lord give you wisdom, and give wisdom to all who are teaching the truth to others in Biblical institutes, or in any other place, that they may know how to communicate that which they have learned to perishing souls. If those who have heard the precious truth, which has been spoken in the demonstration of the Spirit, will lay hold upon God by living faith, and be vitalized by His Holy Spirit, and take up the work right where they are, lifting up Jesus before their own family that all may behold Him, they will do the very work that God calls upon them to do. Those who take up their home responsibilities, will also trade upon the Lord's goods by extending their efforts into the neighborhood and into the church. They will increase in tact and wisdom; for the Holy Spirit will cooperate with a willing, God-fearing, humble worker. 6MR 204.1

Warnings must be given, and entreaties must be made, dangers must be pointed out, and the landmarks of truth must be made plain. God will not give any man this work unless he is making a practical application of the truth to his own soul, and revealing the fact that he has the faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Oh, how precious are these words, “I write unto you, little children, (those newly come to the faith) because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.” 1 John 2:12. 6MR 204.2

Brethren Jones and Prescott you have expressed ardent faith and joy in the Lord. This you have a right to do. You may encourage souls who enlist in the army of the Lord to rejoice in the Lord, and to joy in the God of their salvation. You may encourage them to have their hearts aglow with the love of God, as they see how rich is His treasure of truth and grace for those who believe in Him. Impress upon them the fact that if they would keep fresh and strong their first love, they must give to others who are not in the faith the knowledge which they have received; for as God works in them to will and to do of his good pleasure, they must work out their salvation with fear and trembling. Heavenly agencies are working with human agencies, and the doer of the word is justified before God. There can be no more pleasant tiding to ascend to God, than the tidings that sinners are turning from error to truth, from sin to righteousness. Every one must pray to God and believe that God is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. 6MR 204.3

“I write unto you, fathers because ye have known Him that is from the beginning.” 1 John 2:14. These are the old disciples who are the warriors of the faith. “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:1-4. 6MR 205.1

Every channel that God has used through which to communicate truth is to be respected. God has appointed human agents whom He has made channels through which the waters of life have flowed down through the ages of the past to our times. God has made them the depositories of sacred truth, and they have been co-laborers with Jesus Christ diffusing the light and truth that has made the church what it is today. 6MR 205.2

Let God alone specify the mistakes that they have made; but let us be silent concerning what we may think is a defect. We have enough to do to learn the lessons He would have us learn. Increased light has come to us from God as we have searched the living oracles. We have discovered gems that were more precious than gold and silver, and many of these rich treasures have been pointed out to us by men who are now laid away in the grave. Let us not depreciate one of God's workmen. If God in His great mercy has traced the imperfection of any of His workmen, it is for the purpose of leading the church to shun his defects, and to imitate his virtues. 6MR 206.1

Let us cherish the truth which has been spoken to us and the counsel that has been given to us by men through whom God has manifested His will in a marked manner. Let us be grateful that there were men who appropriated the grace of Christ, and bore the burden in the heat of the day, whose lips are now silent. The Lord Jesus bade John to write of them, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” We should be careful how we handle the names of the precious and blessed ones who sleep in Jesus. 6MR 206.2

It has been at very great cost that the truth has been brought before the people. The third angel's message was established through very great difficulties; for every conceivable obstruction was in the way of its proclamation at first. Those who have seen the truth at a later date, who have had no experimental knowledge as to what it cost to become a Seventh-day Adventist when all the believers could be numbered within a small compass, should be guarded in their expressions in regard to the men through whom the Lord wrought as pioneers in His work. These men gave not only themselves, but all that they possessed to advance the precious truth. It cost them more than it costs many today who take it upon themselves to speak so freely of the mistakes the servants of God made in their youth and inexperience. The Lord loved them and valued them; for they had fervor and honesty of soul, and He took them by the hand and led them in safe paths, planting their inexperienced feet upon the Rock of Ages. 6MR 206.3

Now let every one who loves God, love and respect those whom God has loved and honoured. “Them that honor Me, I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 2:30. 6MR 207.1

These are the words of the Lord, and they point out the fact that we should not lightly esteem those who honor God.—Letter 39, 1894. (To A. T. Jones, June 7, 1894.) 6MR 207.2

Released September 16, 1974.