The Review and Herald
February 23, 1905
Notes of Travel—No. 4
Labors in Central California
Friday morning, October 28, we left St. Helena for southern California. We had been at home less than three weeks, and the need of completing unfinished books was urgent. But there were two new sanitariums in southern California in which I was deeply interested, and I hoped to be able to help our brethren who had the burden of the work in arranging for the opening and successful operation of these two sanitariums. RH February 23, 1905, par. 1
We spent the Sabbath in Fresno. I spoke to the church there on Sabbath afternoon. The large meeting-house was well filled, and the Lord helped me to bear my testimony. Here we met Dr. G. A. Hare, from Washington, who had been called back to his old home by the sickness of his mother. He told us of the advancement of the work at Takoma Park, and of the excellent place secured for treatment rooms in the city of Washington. RH February 23, 1905, par. 2
We intended to go on to Los Angeles Saturday night, but we were unable to secure accommodations on the train, so we stayed over, and on Sunday went to the Hanford-Lamore district, intending to spend the day visiting old friends. On our arrival there, we found a missionary convention in progress, and the brethren asked us to stay with them for a few days. This we consented to do, and I spoke each afternoon while I was there, twice in Hanford, once in Lamore, and once in Armona. RH February 23, 1905, par. 3
On Sunday afternoon, when I spoke at Hanford, the Lord gave me much liberty, and I think that a good impression was made. I dwelt especially on the words, “Let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” RH February 23, 1905, par. 4
I sought earnestly to carry the minds of those present from the things of this world to the things of eternity. I sought to impress them with the thought that those who are saved must now prepare for the heavenly mansions by washing their robes, and making them white in the blood of the Lamb. I urged the fathers present to realize the duty resting upon them to train their children for God. I told them that this work is of infinitely more importance than all the advantages that they gain by undue devotion to the things of this world. Those parents who set their affections on the things of earth rob themselves and their children of a place in the mansions that Christ has gone to prepare for those who love him. RH February 23, 1905, par. 5
It was at an infinite sacrifice that Christ redeemed the human race. But in his parting conversation with his disciples, he made no reference to the suffering that he had endured and must still endure. He did not speak of the humiliation that was before him, but sought to bring to their minds that which would strengthen their faith, leading them to look forward to the joys that await the overcomer. RH February 23, 1905, par. 6
Adam sinned, and his posterity became sinners. Christ came to this world, and died on the cross of Calvary, that human beings might not “perish, but have everlasting life.” O how diligent and faithful we should be, in view of the great sacrifice that has been made for us! How earnestly we should strive to separate from all sin, and through Christ become partakers of the divine nature. RH February 23, 1905, par. 7
On Tuesday afternoon I spoke at Lamore. I spoke of the great opportunities offered God's people to present the truth for this time to those who know it not. This truth must be proclaimed throughout the world. It is positively necessary that we become more deeply interested in the work that must be done to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. RH February 23, 1905, par. 8
“How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent?” Those who know the truth must give of their means to send it to those who know it not. They must not be so engrossed in worldly business that they have little time to keep their souls refreshed and strengthened with the bread of heaven, of which they must eat daily if they would prepare for the future immortal life. RH February 23, 1905, par. 9
I endeavored to set before those present the necessity for strict economy in the outlay of means, that they may have something to bring to the Lord, saying, Of thine own we freely give thee. Thus they are to offer God thanksgiving for the blessings received from him. Thus, too, they are to lay up for themselves treasure beside the throne of God. Hear the words of the Great Teacher; “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” RH February 23, 1905, par. 10
“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! RH February 23, 1905, par. 11
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and Mammon. RH February 23, 1905, par. 12
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought”—no anxious, troubled, complaining thought—“for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? RH February 23, 1905, par. 13
“Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your Heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? And which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” RH February 23, 1905, par. 14
In these words the great Master speaks to every one. There are many who spend upon dress large sums of money,—money that ought to be used in feeding and clothing those who are suffering from hunger and cold. Many of those for whom Christ died have but little even of the cheapest, most common clothing, while others are spending thousands of dollars in the effort to satisfy the never-ending demands of fashion. RH February 23, 1905, par. 15
Even among those who profess to be children of God there are those who spend more than is necessary upon dress. God's children should be neatly and tastefully clothed, but they should leave off all unnecessary trimmings, and lay aside the means thus saved for the advancement of the cause of God. RH February 23, 1905, par. 16
Parents, learn the lesson of self-denial, and teach this lesson to your children. Every dime that you can spare is needed now in the work that must be done. The necessities of the suffering must be relieved; the naked must be clothed, and the hungry fed. The truth for this time must be proclaimed to those who know it not. By denying ourselves of that which is not necessary, we may all have a part in this great work. RH February 23, 1905, par. 17
We are Christ's witnesses, and we are not to allow worldly interests and plans to absorb our time and attention. There are higher interests at stake. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” RH February 23, 1905, par. 18
Christ gave himself willingly and cheerfully to the carrying out of the will of God. He became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. In view of all that he has done, should we feel it a hardship to deny self? Shall we draw back from being partakers of Christ's sufferings? His death ought to stir every fiber of our being, making us willing to consecrate to his work all that we have and are. As we think of what he has done for us, our hearts should be filled with gratitude and love, and we should renounce all selfishness. What duty could the heart refuse to perform, under the constraining influence of the love of God and Christ? “I am crucified with Christ,” the apostle declares; “nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” RH February 23, 1905, par. 19
Let us relate ourselves to God in self-denying, self-sacrificing obedience. Faith in Christ always leads to this. The Saviour died to redeem us from all iniquity, and to purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. There is to be perfect conformity, in thought, word, and deed, to the will of God. Heaven is for those only who have purified their souls through obedience to the truth. It is a place where unsullied purity alone can dwell. “Every man that hath this hope in him”—the hope of seeing Christ—“purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” RH February 23, 1905, par. 20
In perfect obedience there is perfect happiness. “These things have I spoken unto you,” Christ said, “that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” May the Lord bless his people, and strengthen their faith, and lead them onward to the heights to which they have not yet attained. He gave Christ to die for us, that we might be purified from all iniquity. He has promised to pour out his Spirit upon us, that we may be sanctified through the truth. He has given us his Word, that through obedience to its teachings we may be made holy. This is the will of God, even our sanctification. RH February 23, 1905, par. 21