Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 51a, 1894

Mills, Brother

Per Ardua, Williams St., Granville, New South Wales, Australia

May 17, 1894

Previously unpublished.

Dear Brother Mills,

I am usually well. I designed to write you in the last mail, but unexpected matters pressed so strongly upon me that I failed to write. 9LtMs, Lt 51a, 1894, par. 1

Will you please tell me if there is no sale for my horse and my carriage! The work here is onward, and that calls for money. You say you have bought back the things you sold. Would that we could see it our privilege to return and use them, but we cannot turn our faces toward America or Africa until we shall see the truth more deeply and widely planted in this country. We work, I might say constantly, giving but few hours to sleep, nearly every night. I am up from one, two, and three o’clock writing. 9LtMs, Lt 51a, 1894, par. 2

The health and strength that the Lord has given me produces in my heart thankful love to Jesus, and I do love His law, and I want the Holy Spirit to implant in my heart a willing obedience to every precept of God’s holy law. I love Jesus just because He first loved me, and the contemplation of His pardoning love produces a thankful heart and love to Jesus. I love Jesus as my personal Saviour. I have the promises which God has given. I love the example of Christ. 9LtMs, Lt 51a, 1894, par. 3

I am full of gratitude that perfect pardon of all our transgressions may be secured through the faith of Jesus Christ. If we fight the good fight of faith, He will carry us on from step to step, onward and upward, from one degree of conformity to His image to another, until we reach the full stature of the likeness of Christ. From glory to glory means from strength to strength. 9LtMs, Lt 51a, 1894, par. 4

I would be pleased to see you, and all your family, and others dear to us in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9LtMs, Lt 51a, 1894, par. 5

It is essential that we not only know the truth but practice it, for soon the garments of heaviness will be exchanged for the wedding garment, that we may witness the coronation of our King. 9LtMs, Lt 51a, 1894, par. 6

Like the ancient worthies, we receive the promises by faith. The faithful anciently “received the promises having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims in the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from which they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” [Hebrews 11:13-16.] 9LtMs, Lt 51a, 1894, par. 7

Those who live in these last days upon whom the ends of the world are come should have faith greatly increased. They should watch and wait and pray for their Lord’s appearing, and the promises dear to the ancient children of God should be doubly dear to all who believe. We need always to be grateful, to never doubt, never distrust the goodness of God, but waken melody in the soul for all His goodness and mercy to the children of men. We need to watch and wait and work as well. We must plead the sacrifice made on the cross and make diligent efforts to save souls that are perishing out of Christ. Human nature must change. It must be transformed through the grace given him. 9LtMs, Lt 51a, 1894, par. 8

I must close this letter. I will now say good bye, pray for us who are battling to advance the truth through difficulties. 9LtMs, Lt 51a, 1894, par. 9

In much love. 9LtMs, Lt 51a, 1894, par. 10