Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 138, 1900

Palmer, [E. R.]; Robinson, Brother; Hughes, Brother; Farnsworth, Brother and Sister [E. W.]

St. Helena, California

October 30, 1900

Previously unpublished.

Dear Brethren Palmer, Robinson, and Hughes, and Brother and Sister Farnsworth:

I feel thankful to our heavenly Father for His great kindness and love to me and mine. In His great goodness He has placed us in a healthful location, without one thought or plan on our part. It was as if He addressed us, saying, There is your home; take possession, and My peace shall be with you. I do thank the Lord with heart and soul and voice. 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 1

In planning to lessen my financial responsibilities, I have decided to pay all the monies I have borrowed in Australia. But as I see the necessities of the work at Avondale, I decide to still keep these monies, and lend two hundred pounds to the Retreat to help buy the Hamilton Business from the Sydney Sanitarium; and also to lend two hundred pounds to the Sanitary Supply Business, which Brother Crothers is endeavoring to establish. 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 2

The interest paid to me on these loans will cover what I want to pay to the individuals. 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 3

I have a request to make of you all, that you show some interest in Brother Crothers. When you see a man who has been useful in the work, and has lost his health, though his course seem inconsistent, do not withdraw from him your sympathy and your brotherly kindness, and act as though you did not want anything to do with him; but consider thyself, lest thou also be tempted. We all need more of the tenderness of Jesus Christ. 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 4

One night, while in Cooranbong, I had a dream that concerned Brother Crothers. He was in need of help, and he did not receive it from us who ought to have helped him. He was seeking to steady himself by leaning on the arm of one of his brethren, but the arm was withdrawn. He then tried to clasp the arm of Brother Farnsworth, but he withdrew himself, saying to one of the brethren, “I want no connection with him; I wish he were away from the Press, for he is not calculated to do the work that needs to be done.” 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 5

Then One drew near and took the hand of Brother Crothers, and placing it upon His own arm, said, “All we are brethren.” [See Matthew 23:8.] Looking upon several who were beholding the actions of indifference, and who were withdrawing from Brother Crothers, he said solemnly, “Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” [Hebrews 12:12, 13.] To Brother Crothers he said, “Lean hard, I will guide you.” 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 6

Again I slept and dreamed that we were in an assembly, and One was our Instructor, our heavenly Messenger. The Lord gave most precious instruction, but it is impossible for me now to find what I had written. What I wrote in regard to the matter I will send to you as soon as it is found, but I have felt that I must speak a word of caution at this time. 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 7

Brother Crothers has been passing through severe trials, and no one is to make his case unnecessarily hard. Words were spoken to the effect that the Lord had not cast off Brother Crothers, and the Lord would be pleased to have his brethren make a chance for him, by being pitiful and courteous. As every one shall give account of himself to God, “Let us not therefore judge one another any more, but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” [Romans 14:13.] There is a work to be done for Brother Crothers. We are to give him our earnest interest to get him above thinking of himself. The best way to do this is to be kind, patient, speaking pitifully and tenderly. Correct his errors, and never make sport of his infirmities, or of any man’s weakness. 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 8

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself, but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” [Romans 15:1-6.] 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 9

The Lord will observe all our acts of self-denial and self-sacrifice for others. He will bless every soul who will try to help the very ones who need help. We do not want Satan to triumph in pursuing a course which will lead any man to sink in the mire of temptation, because no one will help the men who might be helped. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” [Romans 13:10.] 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 10

Brother and Sister Farnsworth, I write this to you because I want you always to be fully on the Lord’s side. I love you both. I also often feel annoyed with Brother Crothers’ ways, but I am sure he is a child of God, notwithstanding he has some most disagreeable ways. Please talk with him interestedly, and try to help him to help himself. We do not want to drive him to take any unwise course. We want him to be free, and we believe that the grace of God will enable this tempted, tried soul to overcome and stand on vantage ground. 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 11

I have decided to give him a chance to help himself, as well as to help in the work where I think he can do well if he has a chance. At any rate I am willing to venture something. Will you help me to make a success of this work which I am enlisting to do? You can all help me. I feel interested in you all, and I know you are interested in me, and I ask you, in the name of Jesus Christ, to seek to spread your robe of patience and charity over this brother, whom I know God acknowledges as His child. 15LtMs, Lt 138, 1900, par. 12