Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 51, 1907

An Expression of Gratitude

Berkeley, California

September 10, 1906

Previously unpublished.

I am grateful this morning for my heavenly Father’s grace and for His salvation. I open my Bible to the one hundred and eighteenth Psalm. 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 1

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: because His mercy endureth forever. Let Israel now say that His mercy endureth forever. Let the house of Aaron now say, that His mercy endureth forever. Let them now that fear the Lord say, that His mercy endureth forever. I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. ... 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 2

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” [Verses 1-5, 8, 9.] 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 3

Such is the language of my soul. I thank the Lord for the strength He has given me and for a clear conception of His will. Oh, that His people would awake, that we might see more of His saving grace. To our people I must continue to bear the message, There is a higher standard to be reached. 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 4

God’s Chosen People

If the “first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, He saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in My covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people.” [Hebrews 8:7-10.] 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 5

Such had been God’s purpose for Israel among the nations of the earth. According to the terms of the covenant, they were to be, in contrast to all other nations, a people especially consecrated to the service of the true God. The laws by which they were to be governed had been given them by God Himself. They were to live under His immediate protection. He would dwell among them, and they were to have assess freely to the throne of His grace. His purpose for His people is expressed in the words: 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 6

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the things of the Spirit.” [Romans 8:1-4.] 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 7

God has ever a chosen people, a people in whom He will rejoice. He has a tender regard for all who serve Him in humility of mind. But no man can stand before God in truth and righteousness, while disregarding the divine laws. God cannot work through those who turn aside from His requirements, and who in self-exaltation glorify themselves. 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 8

To all who yield themselves to God in willing and entire obedience, He will say, “Thou art My people.” And the response will be, “Thou art our God.” [Hosea 2:23.] He regards them as His treasure, above all people that dwell on the face of the earth. 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 9

God’s chosen people are to stand as a peculiar people, separate from all the false pretense and the evil practices of the world. Neither in spirit, nor word, nor action will they deny their heavenly Sovereign. From the world they are to be distinguished by their kindness, by their love for their fellow men. They will be ever careful, lest by any means they injure the influence of the Lord’s chosen servants. 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 10

It is not in the province of man to estimate the influence of his fellow workers. Let no one stand aloof from his brethren, by his attitude virtually saying, I am holier than thou. We cannot read the human heart. God will not acknowledge with approval the efforts of any to measure themselves with others by human standards. He is the Judge, by whom every man is to be judged according as his work shall be. He alone can discern between the wood, hay, and stubble of human devising, and the gold, silver, and precious stones of the true doctrines of the grace that come through Jesus Christ. Let His truth alone be exalted. 22LtMs, Ms 51, 1907, par. 11