Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 136, 1903

White, W. C.

St. Helena, California

July 8, 1903

Portions of this letter are published in 5MR 438.

My dear son Willie,—

On Sunday afternoon at half-past three, we left our home for Healdsburg. Our double surrey was still at the shop, so we borrowed Mrs. Nelson’s carriage and took Ladybird and the Bakery horse. Dores drove. Brother Boeker went with us to Healdsburg and then went on by train. A strong wind blew the dust round us in clouds, yet the ride seemed to rest me. We had gone about half way when we met a wind as cold as if it had come straight from snow-covered mountains. We all suffered more or less; for we had not expected such a cold wind and were not prepared for it. I think Dores must have suffered a great deal; for he had on only his thin clothes and had brought no overcoat. For part of the way he got out of the carriage and ran to keep warm. I do not think that any of us took cold. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 1

We went to Brother and Sister Mills’s, and found Brother and Sister C. H. Jones there. I was glad to see them. I had a long conversation with them that night, and I told them about some of the matters that had been resting on my mind. It has been presented to me that satanic agencies are working in ways that man does not expect. At times he puts on the robes of an angel of light, and many receive him as such a being. If we will link ourselves closely with Christ, Satan will have no power to overcome us. As we draw near to God, He draws near to us, and lifts up for us a standard against the enemy. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 2

I have been shown that some, even of those who teach the Word of God, would be in great danger of being overcome. I saw some linking their arms in the arm of Satan, while he talked most earnestly with them, telling them of the many things that needed to be changed in the church. Afterward his words were repeated by those to whom he had talked. They were delighted with what seemed to them to be clearer perception and better methods of working. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 3

I say to all, Be on your guard; for as an angel of light Satan is walking among every church, trying to win the members to his side. I am bidden to give to the people of God the warning, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked.” [Galatians 6:7.] 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 4

Christ explains, in the parable of the sower and the seed, the need of guarding against the enemy. “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not,” He says, “then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart.” [Matthew 13:19.] After one has heard the truth, he is in great need of personal labor. Questions arise in his mind. Satan is watching for an opportunity to lead him to doubt. The enemy chooses agencies whom he sends to him to misstate the words of the one who gave the message. “Then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart.” The tempted one opens his mind to the evil agencies and yields to the tempter. Thus Satan turns the truth of God into a lie. The one that was convicted loses the blessed influence that if cherished would have meant eternal life to him. Satan takes possession of the heart, and it becomes hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 5

I had a long conversation with Brother C. H. Jones and Brother Mills about many things, of which I will write you at another time. I told them that we cause the enemy to rejoice when we allow him to keep our minds fixed on perplexities. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 6

I attended meeting at the College at nine o’clock on Monday morning. I told the brethren that on no account were the industries that had been started at Healdsburg College to be discontinued. It is of the utmost importance that industrial lines of work shall be carried forward in our schools. The students will find that in genuine muscular exercise there is a great blessing. Let teachers and students be of good courage. Let them put energy into their work. And if at times they make an apparent failure, let them try again. Let them learn how to gain control of self, how to work together in love and harmony, how to conquer difficulties. Let them strive for sweetness of temper. This is a grace that the Lord Jesus will highly commend. If they learn these lessons, they will have gained a grand victory. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 7

In many minds the question will rise, Can industrial work in our schools be made to pay, and if it cannot, should it be carried on? Thus minds are brought into confusion and unrest. Let us not lean to our own understanding in this matter, but follow the directions that God has given. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 8

The books of the school may show that the school has suffered some financial loss by carrying on industrial lines of work, but if in these lines of work the students have learned lessons that will strengthen their character building, the books of heaven will show again far exceeding the financial loss. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 9

If after carrying on manual training work for one year, the managers of the school find that there has been a financial loss, let them find out the reason for this loss, and guard against it in the future. Let not a reckless spirit of censure prevail. Let no word of censure be spoken. How grieved Christ is when words of censure are spoken to those who have done their best! In the Lord’s Word there is encouragement as well as caution. Let all act their part to make the industrial work a success. God forbid that the hands of those who are trying to carry forward this line of work should be weakened. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 10

I related some incidents that happened in our experience at Avondale, and I think this helped matters somewhat. I told the managers of the school to gird on the armor for another effort, and to plan and work carefully, following the very best methods. There will be apparent drawbacks in the work, but this should not discourage us. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 11

I advised Brother Cady to stay at his post in the school until he was sure that there was a man found who was better qualified than he to fill it. 18LtMs, Lt 136, 1903, par. 12