Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 11, 1889

Testimony to Leaders

Harbor Heights, Michigan

August 10, 1889

Previously unpublished. +^Note

During the special crisis in Minneapolis, light was given to me upon many things which I was not permitted to mention. The two years that I stood in Battle Creek to bear my testimony, the conflict was most severe, but light was constantly given me. I copy something from an article read before the council in Battle Creek. 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 1

There is need to take heed just now. There is need of examining the evils existing in our institutions, especially in the Review and Herald office. These evils seem scarcely to be noticed, yet men who are not right with God are deviating from the principles which God has defined. Any deviation from these principles will be followed by the sure result. The seed sown will produce a harvest of the same kind. 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 2

The principles of truth are unchangeable. Enshrouded in the pillar of cloud, Jesus Christ gave Moses truth, which is to be respected and obeyed. The Lord is our Judge, Lawgiver, and King. All are under His watchcare and are to be ruled by Him. There can be no sinless departure from the principles He has laid down. We are to appreciate these principles, for they flow from the heart of Infinite Love. Naught but blessings follow those who reverentially obey. But God is not brought into our plans as He should be. Truth and righteousness are being perverted. Human wisdom is crowded in, and God’s wisdom is being made to stand aside, to be cavilled at. 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 3

In our homes and institutions faith and works must be combined. God’s wisdom must permeate all lines of business. A great reformation must take place. God desires everything pertaining to His service to be conducted on right principles. There is not to be one standard for those bearing responsibilities and another for the workmen. It is thought that the workmen are under control, and will do just as they are told. But there must be no tampering with the conscience. Duty must be faithfully done by all. Those holding high positions must work with conscientiousness and fidelity. God expects them to set a right example, seeking to train others in right lines. Said Christ, “For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth.” [John 17:19.] 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 4

If those in positions of trust have the love of God in the heart, and the fear of God before them, they will be kind, considerate, patient. By precept and example they will show that when dealing with their erring fellow creatures, they follow Christ’s example. Superiors, inferiors, and equals are all amenable to one law, the Ten Commandments. Old and young are to fear God with the whole heart. For master and servant the standard is: He will keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. The curse of God and not His blessing will be upon those who do not meet this standard. 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 5

Proud, reckless actions are to be excluded from the practices of the teachers in our schools and the managers in our institutions. But this is not being done, and God is displeased. But the way in which some men have disregarded and will continue to disregard Bible principles, because they are not willing to be worked by the Holy Spirit, is no criterion for us. We are not to ask, What will man think or say of me if I pursue this or that line of conduct? We are to ask instead, What has God said? 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 6

The Word of the eternal God is our guide. Through this Word we have been made wise unto salvation. This word is ever to be in our hearts and on our lips. “It is written” is to be our anchor. Those who make God’s Word their Counsellor realize the weakness of the human heart, and the power of the grace of God to subdue every unsanctified, unholy impulse. They are almost constantly in prayer, and they have the guardianship of holy angels. When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of God lifts up a standard for them. There is harmony in the heart, for the precious, powerful principles of truth bear sway. The faith that works by love and purifies the soul is revealed. 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 7

Men in positions of responsibility have concealed facts and made misstatements in their dealings with authors. Fraud is practiced. Advantage is taken of those who do not understand the secret plottings. Every such transaction is recorded in the books of heaven. Every dollar thus gained means a financial loss five times greater; for God accepts nothing gained in this way. Men have been selfish and dishonest. Certain ones have confederated together, while refusing to unite with other brethren in the most holy faith. The Lord declares, “Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all those to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” [Isaiah 8:9.] 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 8

God calls upon His people to guard one another’s interests, to be true and faithful to each other, to be as frank and open as the day, refusing to defraud. This is Christian principle and true brotherhood. The Lord will work with those who are true hearted. But no one can enjoy the blessings of the covenant without exercising repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” [Hebrews 12:14.] Men and women are the channels through which God’s grace flows to the world, and He calls upon all to put on Christ and reveal His attributes. 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 9

A daily converted man is a vessel unto honor. He keeps the Lord’s will ever before him. His constant aim and object is to serve God, and the Lord marks the sincere desire to serve Him. Let the cry go forth from unfeigned lips, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my reins, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” [Psalm 139:23, 24.] “Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly, but the proud he knoweth afar off.” “The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever. Forsake not the work of thy hands.” [Psalm 138:6, 8.] 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 10

Those who walk in crooked paths, turning away from the light given by God, are deceived by the enemy. Unless they search earnestly to know the will of God, they can never enter the kingdom of heaven. God cannot bless them while they grasp every advantage for themselves. Some to whom responsibilities have been entrusted have spoken in an improper manner, exalting self, and speaking vainly of their accomplishments. Do these men realize the meaning of Christ’s words, “For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth”? [John 17:19.] He who searcheth the heart and trieth the reins requires truth in the inmost parts. Profession is nothing with God. He looks for fruit. 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 11

Christ stands at the head of humanity to win men back to their allegiance. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” [John 1:12-14.] 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 12

I am constrained to address the men to whom God has entrusted sacred things. Regard God with holy fear. Pray that you may be born again. If you have this new birth, you will not delight yourself, as many of you have been guilty of doing, in the crooked ways of your own desires, but in the Lord. You will desire to be under His authority. You will strive constantly to reach a higher standard. Be not only Bible readers, but earnest Bible students, that you may know what God requires of you. You need an experimental knowledge of how to do His will. Christ is our teacher. He is made unto us “wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” [1 Corinthians 1:30.] Let every teacher in our schools and every manager in our institutions study what it is essential for them to do in order to obtain pardon, comfort, and hope. 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 13

“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called, but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” [Verses 26-31.] 6LtMs, Ms 11, 1889, par. 14