Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 6, 1901

Brethren in Positions of Responsibility

St. Helena, California

January 16, 1901

Previously unpublished.

To my brethren in positions of responsibility,—

I have just received a letter from Edson in which he gives an account of the colored brother, Barry, and asks my advice as to what he shall do with him. I shall advise him to put into practice the lesson Christ gave in answer to the question, Who is my neighbor? I advise all who have anything to do with the Lord’s service to read this instruction, and then go and do likewise. Let those who have had better advantages and more favorable circumstances than the colored race, praise the Lord for His goodness, and show the most tender, pitying love for the poor souls Satan has tried to discourage and draw under his banner. 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 1

It is proper that Brother Barry should be encouraged and set to work. The Lord will test those who are in responsible positions, to see if they will yoke up with Christ and manifest His compassion and love. Those in whose hearts Christ is an abiding guest will surely reveal the fruits of righteousness in their lives. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” [Matthew 7:20.] 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 2

The priest and the Levite saw the wounded, suffering man, but they passed by on the other side. The Samaritan, when he saw him, “had compassion on him,” and cared for him. [Luke 10:33, 34.] Those who are following in the footsteps of Jesus will act the part of the good Samaritan in their dealings with the discouraged and oppressed. 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 3

I will try to act my part by giving one hundred dollars to clear Brother Barry’s path. There is hope for the man. I am instructed by Christ, “What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the Sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much is a man better than a sheep?” [Matthew 12:11, 12.] We cannot afford to imperil one soul for whom Christ has paid so great a price. 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 4

To those who may look on, not caring to go to Brother Barry as a brother should go to a brother, to learn the particulars of the case and where he made mistakes, I would say, Be sure he feels his position more keenly than even you would make him feel it. My brethren, put yourselves in his place. When, after you have gone out of the way and done wickedly, you repent, does not God pardon your transgressions? Here is a colored man, who has passed through severe trials. Do you suppose that God has no helping hand for him? He says, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” [Mark 2:17.] 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 5

If we turn from those who err, having no heart to feel for them, the time will come when we shall be in distress, not knowing which way to turn. We shall be brought over the same ground over which we have caused our brethren to pass. 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 6

Let those in responsible positions think of the past chapters in the experience of those who have robbed the Southern field and never, never repeat this experience. Let them rather make restitution, restoring fourfold to the Southern field. Let them do this heartily, as a mistake that must be remedied. Let them not multiply robbery toward a people already robbed and trodden underfoot of men. 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 7

It becomes you who are stewards of the Lord’s goods to make a clean record, showing that repentance which needeth not to be repented of. I know just how the Lord looks upon the transactions of the past as regards the Southern field. O that these transactions might be blotted out, that the actors may not have their names blotted from the Book of Life. 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 8

God looks at the Southern field in a light in which very few look at it. Men have done this field a great wrong, and as a result, their beclouded sense of right will not allow them to regard their transactions and the sure consequence of these transactions as God regards them. 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 9

If in the first place the error had been corrected in the right way, if restitution had been made to the Southern field of the money taken from it by selfishness and covetousness, how different would be the showing today. But thorough repentance, which leads to purifying, cleansing work, has not yet been shown, and I dare not hold my peace. I am determined to do all in my power to help the Southern field, that it may suffer as little as possible from the misappropriation of the means which it should have had, by which the work for the whites as well as the blacks in the South would have been advanced. The result of hindering this work, eternity alone will reveal. It would be very proper for our brethren to make every effort toward restitution, instead of letting it be seen that they think the course pursued in the past was justifiable. 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 10

If possible, wipe out that disgraceful blot. Be sure that your repentance is of the kind that needeth not to be repented of. Why should you not act toward Brother Barry the part of forgiveness which Christ has told you to act. Are you not God’s stewards, dealing with His goods? “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] Brother Barry also has been bought with a price. He is God’s property. It is the duty of those in responsible positions to make straight paths for their feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. God beholds every transaction of our lives. Nothing is hidden from His eye. He is merciful and forbearing, having long forbearance with the impenitent and stubborn. He does not readily give them up. Nothing so greatly displeases Him as for men to act in a hard, unforgiving manner toward one who has acknowledged his wrong. To those who stand by and say to such a one, “I will not help you in any way,” God will say, “I will punish you.” “He shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy.” [James 2:13.] 16LtMs, Lt 6, 1901, par. 11