Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 187, 1899

Diary, June 1899

June 14-30, 1899

Previously unpublished.

Wednesday, June 14, 1899

I thank the Lord for a good night’s rest. I slept until half past two o’clock a.m. It was a cold morning but I did not build a fire. After three o’clock I took my pen in hand and employed it earnestly until quarter to seven. 14LtMs, Ms 187, 1899, par. 1

Dr. Caro called upon me soliciting an interview. We conversed together in regard to the future prospects of the sanitarium. The General Conference Bulletin gave us great encouragement that something would be done, but at the present time we can only say our disappointment is great and we only trust in God. He can and will work for us. I feel the most severely over the disappointment of our faithful workers in the sanitarium, who are working under great inconvenience. We are telling the whole story to the Lord. Although He knows all about the matter, yet it is our duty to ask counsel of the Lord and not to be in any way discouraged. 14LtMs, Ms 187, 1899, par. 2

I devoted some time to conversation with Doctor Caro, but the future seems cloudy. May our Lord be gracious and help us to do Him service acceptably. The sanitarium in this country, in New South Wales, will, if we can establish it, be a means of bringing light to many souls who are now in darkness and know not the truth as it is revealed in the Word. 14LtMs, Ms 187, 1899, par. 3

We see in every church there must be a true line of education in all points. The trumpet must give a certain sound, proclaiming the gospel message for this time. The ministry of the Word is essential. As the truth takes hold of the heart and character, it beautifies and elevates and ennobles individuality of character; and yet, like the branches of the true vine, the creative wisdom of God has a marked variety in nature and there will be a variety in the work the church is designed to accomplish. Diversity of talent will be seen because the Word of God speaks, instructing in every age but no less so in 1899. The great and important work is the missionary work to be done in building up the structure of the human habitations, and the restoration will go forward in the divine lines and by diversity of instrumentalities. There are sharp, strong messages to be borne. There are to be sons of consolation, but the message of the third angel must be carried, the banner of truth uplifted, for conversion is in it. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. Isaiah chapters 59, 60. 14LtMs, Ms 187, 1899, par. 4

Tuesday, June 27, 1899

We arose early, half past two. We must consider the case of Brother and Sister Paap. They are searching for a place in which to locate. We found them in Brother Palmer’s house. Brother Palmer was going to Morisset to see Mr. Healer, the owner of land. They desired to purchase twenty acres, and on this land build houses to rent. We took Sister Paap to Dora station. Her husband would meet her there. It seemed to be best, they thought, to locate in Maitland. In thus doing there would be a plant in that beautiful place. Camp meeting will be in that place the coming season, and we hope to see a good work done in Maitland. 14LtMs, Ms 187, 1899, par. 5

Wednesday, June 28, 1899

I was blessed with sleep last night, for which I am very thankful. My heart was drawn out to God in earnest prayer for the Lord to visit us and teach us how to advise and how to give wise counsel. We need wisdom from God. “Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink.” Oh, that every family might consider this, and hunger and thirst for “righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify one another.” Romans 14:16-19. 14LtMs, Ms 187, 1899, par. 6

Thursday, June 29, 1899

I praise the Lord for His goodness and mercy to me, that my mind is clear. There are many things I wish to do while my life lasts. O Lord, I pray Thee to help me, to strengthen me, and give me wisdom this day. My soul longs after God, the knowledge of the living God, and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. 14LtMs, Ms 187, 1899, par. 7

Sara and I rode in our carriage to the school to see Brother Palmer and give him the letter sent me from Sister Check in reference to her son. The principal was compelled to send him home to his mother. He did not dare go home until he had seen his mother. She was very sorry he had come back and wished him to return to the school. She wrote us a good, sensible letter, but we have not the least hope of benefiting the poor lad. He is not converted as his mother supposed. He had no respect for the principal or the managers in the school. He is a spoiled child. May the Lord pity the mother and the poor, foolish boy. We returned from the school building and from the disagreeable errand. 14LtMs, Ms 187, 1899, par. 8

Friday, June 30, 1899

I slept until three o’clock, then commenced my writing and also reading of Testimonies written in 1894, which are just the subject needed for the present emergency in planning how the school shall be run in America. Their plans are to have the several teachers take classes, each teacher carry through the class assigned him wholly, and not one teacher educate in one line of study and then another teacher take the same class and educate in another line of study. One teacher is to take the charge of the whole education in all lessons. My advice is, This is not wisdom. The plea is, Christ taught upon every subject and we are to teach as Christ taught. But there is something to be thought of in this important plea. 14LtMs, Ms 187, 1899, par. 9

Christ was the perfection of wisdom, and while we may all learn in the school of Christ we have not all, or any one of us, perfection of wisdom. We fall far short, and we need constantly to be learning of Christ how we can grow up to full stature in Christ Jesus. We are in constant danger of being one-sided in character. All cannot be teachers in every line of study and be perfection as was Christ in every respect. We can, through the Holy Spirit’s power, become complete in Christ Jesus, but there is not one we can lay our hand upon and say he can teach as Christ taught. He may make it his earnest effort to teach the truth as it is in Jesus, and through watchfulness and prayer advance—for the Christian life is a life of progress, looking unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. Each step forward is a step in advance heavenward. 14LtMs, Ms 187, 1899, par. 10