Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 213, 1903

Friends at Berrien Springs

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

October 9, 1903

Portions of this letter are published in ML 61; 2MR 44-45.

My dear friends at Berrien Springs,—

If you were nearer to us, we should call upon you and speak to you face to face. But this cannot be. We pray for you all, and we sympathize with you all. In your many trials and difficulties, remember that you have a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother—One who understands your situation better than it is possible for you to understand it. The precious Saviour is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, and He will not suffer us to be tempted above that we are able. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 1

Let us seek the answer to our prayers where alone it can be found—from Him who has said, “Ask, and ye shall receive.” [John 16:24.] After the Saviour had ascended to heaven, the gift of the Spirit was sent in answer to the prayers of the disciples. It came like a rushing, mighty wind and filled the whole house where they were assembled. It came with copiousness and power, as if for ages it had been restrained, pent up, waiting an opportunity to pour forth its gracious influence and power. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 2

When the Spirit descended on the disciples, there were dwelling in Jerusalem “devout men, out of every nation under heaven;” and the disciples were given power to speak to these men in their own tongues. [Acts 2:5, 6.] Thus was borne the testimony that God’s field is the world. The gospel is not confined to a certain limited territory, to some particular country or province. Of the Spirit, Christ said, “He shall convince the world of sin.” [John 16:8.] 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 3

What instrumentalities were to be employed for the doing of this work? Those to whom the power of the Spirit had been promised, and upon whom, on the day of Pentecost, it rested. By their influence, under the sanctification of the Spirit, the gospel was to go forth to the ends of the earth. Human lips, touched with holy fire, were to proclaim a saving truth, calling out from the world a people who were to be as kings and priests unto God. The truth that sanctifies the receiver was to be proclaimed, with God’s power behind the human instrument, convincing the world of sin, converting sinners, and bringing to them the righteousness of Christ. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 4

What was the result of the outpouring of the Spirit?—Thousands were converted in day. The sword of the Spirit, newly edged with power and bathed in the lightnings of heaven, cut its way through unbelief, overcoming satanic agencies and magnifying the Lord as possessing supreme power. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 5

Everywhere the gospel was proclaimed. Those who proclaimed it had no grievous complaints to make. The hearts of the disciples were surcharged with a benevolence so full, so deep, so far-reaching, that it impelled them to go to the ends of the earth, testifying, God forbid that we should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. As they proclaimed the gospel as the power of God unto salvation, hearts yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit. New territory was daily added to the church. In every place converts confessed Christ. Those who had been the bitterest opponents of the truth became her champions. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 6

The teachers of the truth lifted up the Man of Calvary, repeating His lessons. The Spirit of the great Medical Missionary animated the whole company of believers and spoke through them. The peace of Christ shone forth from their faces. They realized that they were the property of the Redeemer, and they consecrated their lives to Him for service. Their very features bore evidence to the voluntary surrender that they had made. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 7

Many of those who received the message of salvation were set apart by the Lord for positions of sacred trust. God prepared them for the work that He had for them. And will not those who today are truly converted be given a work to do for the Master? God will endow men and women today with power, as He endowed those who heard the message on the day of Pentecost. The impartation of the Spirit is for all who will take God at His word. At this very hour His grace and His Spirit are for those who need them. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 8

Notice that it was after the disciples had come into perfect unity, when they were no longer striving for the highest place, that the outpouring of the Spirit came. They were of one accord. All differences had been put away. One subject of emulation swallowed up all others—who should most closely follow Christ’s example of self-denial and self-sacrifice? Who should do the most for the enlargement of His kingdom? And after the Spirit had been poured out, the testimony was the same. Mark the Word of God: “The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.” [Acts 4:32.] The Spirit of Him who died that we might live animated the entire congregation of believers. Every spiritual pulse beat in harmony. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 9

The disciples prepared themselves for their work. They met together, and put away all differences. They believed Christ’s promise that the blessing would be given, and they prayed in faith. They did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden for the salvation of souls. The gospel was to be carried to the uttermost parts of the earth, and they claimed the endowment of the power that Christ had promised. Then it was that the Holy Spirit was poured out, and thousands were converted in a day. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 10

So may it be now. Instead of man’s speculations, let the Word of God be preached. Let Christians put away their dissensions and give themselves to God for the saving of the lost. Let them ask in faith for the blessing, and it will come. The outpouring of the Spirit in apostolic days was the former rain, and glorious was the result. But the latter rain will be more abundant. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 11

The work of the Spirit had been clearly defined by Christ. “He shall not speak of Himself,” He said. “He shall glorify Me.” [John 16:13, 14.] As Christ came to glorify the Father by the revelation of His infinite love, so the Spirit came to glorify Christ. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 12

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] The measure of God’s love is the measure of His power. He sent His Son to represent Himself. Christ’s life was an expression of the character of God. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 13

Who can estimate the guilt of those who refuse to receive Christ, who are not willing to look and live, who give the strength of body, mind, and soul to earthly things, turning away from Him who is the Light and Life of men. Those who do this crucify the Son of God afresh and put Him to open shame. 18LtMs, Lt 213, 1903, par. 14