Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 409, 1904

Lacey, Nora

National City Sanitarium, San Diego, California

November 23, 1904

Previously unpublished.

Dear Sister Nora [Lacey],

I feel quite anxious to hear from you. I thought we should see Sister Gray and her two sons about this time. I had a talk with Sister Simpson, but she seems to be so full of business that I could only get a few minutes with her. She expressed herself quite freely that she would be pleased to have you take hold right where you left off, but I had no other opportunity for a word [with her] and I shall venture to write to you. 19LtMs, Lt 409, 1904, par. 1

I have not mingled with the family since one week ago last Sunday. I had a letter partly written to you, but the several colds I had contracted in Omaha while speaking under the tent were coming on strong. When we left for College View, there again they did not give us an opportunity to ride until one cold, windy morning, and then I was chilled through and immediately commenced the difficulty of coughing and raising [phlegm]. If I could have rested then, [I] might have broken it up, but after laboring hard in Battle Creek then I spoke in Fresno. Once there, we stopped off at Hanford. Riding back after speaking was fixing me for this cold. 19LtMs, Lt 409, 1904, par. 2

I was solicited to speak under the tent where Brother Simpson was laboring Sabbath. The Lord sustained me. I spoke to about twelve hundred people [who were] deeply interested. Seventy-five dollars was raised for Huntsville necessities. Then, on Sunday, a large congregation assembled. After speaking upon the subject, the proposition was made to pass around the hat for another trial. I know quite a number of outsiders contributed. Then a colored lady, well-dressed, presented a twenty-dollar bill to be changed and she put in five, so that we had in all one hundred and forty-five dollars. I thought this was doing nobly, for they had just made first payment on the sanitarium, and an addition had to be put up for the bathrooms running up three stories. I expect some begrudged the collection, but I knew the necessities of the case; therefore, I was glad, knowing their deep poverty in Huntsville. 19LtMs, Lt 409, 1904, par. 3

Why, they must have almost everything. They have land, one good house, and the school buildings, is all. I hope the hearts of the people in every place are open to give liberally, for my heart ached for them. A house to be built for orphan children, and a sanitarium—small in dimensions—should be provided for every school, and Huntsville comes first. Then there is to be a sanitarium for the colored people near Nashville. Means have come in so slowly that it seems as if the work was becoming palsied. 19LtMs, Lt 409, 1904, par. 4

Oh, how little do many understand that if the gospel message goes to the world sacrificing is to be done on every hand. Who was He who made the infinite sacrifice for the human race? Who was He who left the royal ministration, laid off the royal crown, laid aside His royal robe, and clothed His divinity with humanity that humanity might touch the humanity of Christ, and by this infinite condescension humanity might become partakers of His divine nature, “having escaped the corruption that is the world through lust” [2 Peter 1:4]? 19LtMs, Lt 409, 1904, par. 5

The tide of divine love flowing forth from the heart of God to our world found its rest and channel through Christ. Thus was opened a course, a channel, through which His divine love should flow. His sufferings, His death in our stead, flowed forth with unabated strength to reach His people, carrying away all their sins, shedding its cleansing streams abroad in hearts opened to receive it, thus giving a realizing sense of God's love for sinners to draw them to Christ. “That the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them” [John 17:26]. 19LtMs, Lt 409, 1904, par. 6

But I just now stop my scribbling. I felt I must write you a line and ask you in regard to Dr. Simpson's proposition. 19LtMs, Lt 409, 1904, par. 7

Love to you, dear child. 19LtMs, Lt 409, 1904, par. 8