The Review and Herald
1910
January 6, 1910
At the Iowa and Kansas Camp-Meetings
W. C. White
At Nevada, Iowa, from August 19-24, 1909, Mrs. White and her helpers were entertained at the home of Brother and Sister J. M. Whitney. The camp-meeting here was located in a beautiful grove near the new sanitarium, and was one of the largest ever held by the Iowa Conference. Over fifteen hundred were encamped on the ground. RH January 6, 1910, par. 1
On Sabbath morning, August 21, Mrs. White spoke to a large congregation, reading part of the sixth chapter of Matthew, and drawing from these scriptures lessons of self-denial, trust, and co-operation. She said: RH January 6, 1910, par. 2
“The riches of this world will never advance us in the knowledge of God or in a Christian experience. The Saviour bids us seek for the true riches that are laid up in store for the righteous. To one who came to Him saying, ‘I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest,’ Christ replied, ‘Foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.’ Christ owned nothing in this world, and yet the world was his. Let us study his holy, self-denying example. RH January 6, 1910, par. 3
“We have no time to spend on the vanities and follies of this world. There is a world to be saved, and we should carefully consider the example we give to those around us, conforming our lives to the life of him who became a child of humanity that he might give a perfect example to every human being. From a study of his life and labors and his struggles with temptation, we are to learn how to become partakers of the divine nature, and overcome the corruption that is in the world through lust. Nowhere shall we find anything that will help our spiritual life as will a study of the life of Christ. And as we seek to walk in his footsteps, there will come to us a supply of divine grace such as sustained him under every circumstance. RH January 6, 1910, par. 4
“There are many who profess to be followers of Christ who do not have an eye single to his glory. They have their own ideas and standards, and they keep these before them instead of the standard of the Word of God. What we need is pure and undefiled religion. We need to plead for the righteousness that comes to the truly converted soul who accepts the life of the Redeemer as his example. Let us not think that we can pass through this world doing just as we please, and yet be accepted by God as followers of his Son. The gates of the city of God will never be thrown open to those who have not lifted the cross and followed after Christ in self-denial and self-sacrifice. RH January 6, 1910, par. 5
“We are to present to the world a life of overcoming,—overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. But in order to do this, we must seek the Lord daily that our natural temperaments and desires may be brought under the converting power of the Holy Spirit, and into harmony with the life of Christ. When you submit to these conditions, you will realize Christ's power and sufficiency. Denying self, and walking humbly with God, you will experience the truth of the words of the Saviour, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’ ‘He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.’ RH January 6, 1910, par. 6
“My brethren and sisters, there is a world to be saved. What are you doing to co-operate with Christ, to represent his spirit? Are you seeking to become acquainted with those who need your help? Are you using your opportunities and advantages and means in winning souls to Christ? You may say, I am not a minister, and therefore can not preach the truth. You may not be a minister in the generally accepted sense of the word. You may never be called to stand in the desk. Nevertheless you can be a minister for Christ. If you will watch for the opportunities that present themselves for speaking a word to this soul and to that, God will speak through you to win hearts to him. Christ took human nature that you might approach him and learn how to labor for your fellow men. Make use of your knowledge in bringing souls to Christ. Drop a word here and a word there that will lift up the Saviour before men, and lead them to higher and holier purposes. RH January 6, 1910, par. 7
“Christ worked for us when we were unbelievers. Should we not labor for our friends and neighbors who do not believe? Christ expects you to become acquainted with the spiritual needs of these souls, and to work for them in meekness and lowliness of heart. Time is passing. Satan is boasting to his evil agencies that he will take possession of the world; and he encourages them to work through every possible means for the accomplishment of this purpose. At this time the followers of Christ should bring a strong counter-influence to meet the influence of evil. RH January 6, 1910, par. 8
“May God help us to understand that we must be laborers together with him. Let us begin right here to be co-workers with Heaven. Let us put away the foolish reading-matter, and study the Word of God. Let us commit its precious promises to memory, so that, when we are deprived of our Bibles, we may still be in possession of the Word of God. Let us cultivate the attributes of earnestness, bringing into all our labors for others the simplicity of true godliness. When this experience of overcoming is ours, our labors for others will not be without fruit. Our position in life may be ever so humble, but through the co-operation of heavenly agencies, we may take with us through the gates of the city of God many who have accepted the truth through our efforts.” RH January 6, 1910, par. 9
Leaving Nevada, Iowa, Tuesday, August 24, Mrs. White reached Council Grove, Kan., the following day, where another camp-meeting was in session. Here she spent four days, and spoke four times, three times to the English and once to the German believers. RH January 6, 1910, par. 10
Again Mrs. White impressed upon her hearers the need for consecrated labor: RH January 6, 1910, par. 11
“It is coming to be seen and felt by religionists in every community, that in the hearts of the majority of men there is little respect for truth and righteousness. Unbelief in God and his Word is everywhere manifest. Those who are not for him are against him. Satan is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, seeking to gain control of human minds. And he leads his followers to believe that he will be conqueror, because of the large numbers who are uniting with him. While such conditions prevail in the world, we are not to shut ourselves in our homes, and think that assent to truth is all that is required of us. Christ gave himself a sacrifice for the sins of the world. The gift of God in Jesus Christ should awaken in the heart of every believer the spirit of self-sacrifice, leading us to deny ourselves of anything that will further the cause of God in the earth. RH January 6, 1910, par. 12
“If you have the riches of the grace of Christ in your heart, you will not keep them to yourselves while the salvation of souls depends upon a knowledge of the way of salvation that you can give. These may not come to you and tell you their heart-longings; but many are hungry, unsatisfied; and Christ died that they might have the riches of his grace. What are you going to do that these souls may share the blessings that you enjoy? You are called to be laborers together with God. You may never be called to the desk to preach, but you have a work to do,—the most blessed work that mortals can do. You may co-operate with the Holy Spirit of God in convincing men of sin and revealing to them the righteousness of Christ. RH January 6, 1910, par. 13
“I see before me many who occupy humble positions in life, who, perhaps, do not understand all that God requires of them. You are to devote yourselves to the service of God. ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.’ You are to let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Simplicity is of the highest value in the sight of heaven. Learn to labor according to Christ's methods. RH January 6, 1910, par. 14
“My brethren and sisters, present the truths of the third angel's message to your neighbors and friends who do not understand them, and who see nothing to interest them in the Word of God. You can tell them of the hope of immortality. You can pray with them and for them. Some of you can gather your neighbors’ children together and tell them the stories of the Bible, explaining their meaning in simple language. Let the Word speak for itself, and let your works be of such a character that they will not exert an influence contrary to the faith you profess. If you will come into this position of consecration to the work of God, he will multiply your influence for good.” RH January 6, 1910, par. 15
Mrs. White's words to the German believers were full of hope and courage. Elder F. W. Spies read from the book of Acts the record of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, and Mrs. White said: RH January 6, 1910, par. 16
“I have a deep interest that all our people in all languages shall receive a large measure of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are living in the last days, and there is a large work to be done among the people of all languages. Therefore every soul who believes the truth for this time, whatever his country or speech, should have an intelligent knowledge of the truths of the third angel's message, that he may be able to do an intelligent work for God. The Lord will open the understanding of all who will come into right relation to him. RH January 6, 1910, par. 17
“The scripture that our brother has read to you shows that a mighty power is at work in our world, and that Heaven will co-operate with those who will do the work of the Lord. It is the one Lord, the one faith, the one baptism. Let us draw in even cords. Let us keep our hearts humble, and draw close to the Great Teacher. If we have the truth in the heart, we shall feel that it is a positive necessity that we seek to enlighten others. If we will do as the disciples did before the day of Pentecost,—pray and believe, and come into harmony with one another and with the Word,—the Lord will work with us, opening the understanding and the hearts of those whom we seek to reach, and bringing them to a knowledge of the truth for this time. This work will be acknowledged in the courts of heaven. RH January 6, 1910, par. 18
“My brethren and sisters, have courage in God; have faith in Christ. Put on the robe of Christ's righteousness, and let the light of heaven come into heart and mind. The Lord says, Go forward. Do not shut up yourselves to yourselves, but labor and sacrifice that others may know the preciousness of a living Saviour. You are God's children. Learn of him as little children, that he may work in you and through you. Through your instrumentality the grace of God may come into many hearts.” RH January 6, 1910, par. 19
Sanitarium, Cal.