Ms 69, 1906

The Medical Work in Boulder

St. Helena, California

August 30, 1906

Previously unpublished. +^Note

I feel very desirous that our sanitarium in Boulder shall now be placed on vantage ground. May we not see among our brethren and sisters in Colorado an earnest and a united effort in behalf of this institution? The history of this sanitarium is the story of a struggle against many discouragements. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 1

The building was erected by borrowed money. Those who had in charge the work of building did not plan wisely, and a much larger sum than necessary was expended. The means that was invested in this one large building might have sufficed for the erection of two moderate-sized sanitariums in needy places. Thus, from the very beginning, the work has been burdened with a heavy indebtedness. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 2

In later years the circulation of a report that consumptives were still received in the sanitarium was for a time very detrimental to its success. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 3

For years the institution struggled along, unable even to meet its running expenses. But of late the patronage has been greatly increased; and by exercise of the strictest economy, several thousand dollars has been saved and sent to lessen its indebtedness to the General Conference. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 4

Our brethren in Boulder are struggling against other difficulties. A rival medical institution has been opened near the Boulder Sanitarium. This is a private institution, operated for personal profit. Here are influences working counter to the light that God has given regarding health reform, influences that are not in harmony with the methods upon which the Lord desires His sanitariums to be conducted. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 5

The principles of health reform should be strictly maintained. We have received definite instruction that in our sanitariums we are not to put before the patients flesh meats, tea, or coffee. Many who come to these institutions are suffering from diseases that have been caused by the use of these and other injurious foods and drinks, and they need wise instruction in regard to healthful living. But the influence of those who are trying to conduct our sanitarium in harmony with correct principles is counterworked by the efforts of one who, while professing to believe the truth, has not walked in all the light that God has given. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 6

At one time the question was considered of selling the Boulder Sanitarium to those who were engaged in private medical practice. I was instructed that were this to be done, the Lord would be greatly dishonored; for those who desired to purchase the institution were not fitted to carry forward the work to the glory of God. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 7

The Lord is rapidly closing up His work in our world. Those who are to be fitted for heaven must overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. By good works they will testify to their faith; for faith without works is dead. They will separate themselves from the evil practices of the world that is lying in wickedness. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 8

Exceedingly dangerous may be the influence of one who stands in a position of trust and responsibility and, though professing to believe the truth, fails to live in harmony with his profession. The judgment and plans of such an one cannot be safely followed. He cannot be regarded as one whom the Lord is guiding and directing. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 9

Obedience to God’s commandments is to stand as a mark to distinguish between believers and unbelievers. There has ever been a clear distinction between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not; between the sons of God and the children of men. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 10

“I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. ... Ye shall be holy unto Me; for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be Mine.” [Leviticus 20:24, 26.] 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 11

“Lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.” [Numbers 23:9.] 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 12

God has a spiritual people. They are few in number, but they will manifest their faith by their works. They will be the Lord’s light-bearers to the world. Their experience is not a mere pretense. They do not practice worldly policy. By the whole tenor of their pursuits and the current of their affections, they stand distinct from the world. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 13

The friendship of the world is enmity to God. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” [1 John 5:4.] This faith works by love and purifies the soul. The Lord calls upon all those who profess to be Christians to reveal to the world characters that will distinguish them from unbelievers. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 14

God, in His infinite wisdom, ever bases His precepts upon conditions that are altogether sufficient for perfect obedience. Great encouragement is given. “I will dwell in you, and walk in you, and will be your God,” He declares. [See 2 Corinthians 6:16.] The keeping of His law is presented as our reasonable service. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 15

The Lord is calling upon our brethren in Colorado to reach a higher standard. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 16

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and I will walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 17

“Wherefore come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 18

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh, and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” [2 Corinthians 6:14-18; 7:1.] 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 19

Last night I seemed to be speaking to a large congregation, beseeching them to wake out of sleep, to give no place to the devil, to overcome their evil tempers, their selfishness, their evil surmising, and their covetousness. God is greatly dishonored by the lives of those who profess to be children of God, but who by their unwise words and actions give occasion for reproach to the sacred truth. In the strength of the Lord Jesus, I entreat of you to manifest the graces of Christian character. The truth will soon triumph. We are to live on the plan of addition: 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 20

“Add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 21

“For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and can not see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 22

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be administered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 23

“Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.” [2 Peter 1:5-12.] 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 24

In these words is presented our spiritual life in insurance policy: “If ye do these things ye shall never fall, for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” [Verses 10, 11.] 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 25

Who will now work decidedly to obtain this eternal life insurance policy? Everlasting life is promise to all who will be diligent to make their calling and election sure. 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 26

As we work on the plan of addition, God will work for us on the plan of multiplication: 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 27

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you, through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” [Verses 2-4.] 21LtMs, Ms 69, 1906, par. 28