Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 174, 1898

Diary

Gladstone, Australia

November 2-4, 1898

Previously unpublished.

November 2, 1898

Gladstone

We, Sara, W. C. White, Brother Chapman, and I are on our way from Brisbane to Rockhampton. I am feeling a little better, though still quite weak. I could not eat yesterday, and so far have not been able to eat today. We arrived at Gladstone at twelve o’clock today, and drove a mile and a half to a house which had a very unfavorable appearance. But Willie said there was a room on it in which we could be made comfortable, and we were glad to be anywhere where we could lie down. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 1

Sara is quite sure that I made a wrong move in coming to Rockhampton. She is sure that I have taken too much upon me. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 2

We shall soon be on the boat again. The boat is a small, flat one. The stream is narrow. The land is not out of sight any of the time. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 3

I almost wish that I had not started on this trip. I fear that it will prove too long and too trying a journey. Rockhampton is one hundred and sixty miles from Brisbane. But it will soon all be in the past. Tonight we shall travel on the boat. We may have to sleep on the floor, but I am well provided with comfortable mattresses, even if I have no spring bed. We shall manage in some way. The Lord sees us, and He sends His peace into our hearts. I am so thankful for this. One soul saved would be worth more than all the gold in this world. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 4

November 3

Rockhampton. We passed through another night on our journey to this place. All the bed we had was the seat around the cabin. We thought we were to be the only lady passengers, but just as the boat was about to start, two women hurried on board. One of them had five children, all boys, one a baby in arms. There was a little nursemaid to care for the younger children and the baby. I admired this girl’s patience and her faithful interest in the children. I could not see that she manifested one particle of selfishness. All through the night she watched every movement of the baby. Mother, nursemaid and the children all sat on the floor together, for it was not safe for the children to sit on the seat. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 5

In the morning a brother met us at the wharf in his wagonette, and drove us to Brother Zeibig’s, a distance of four miles. We found the road a very interesting one. In this place nearly all the houses are built ten feet from the ground, on piles. They look strange enough. The people say that this is the most healthful way to build, for a blue fog, which is poisonous rises from the ground, and the houses must be built so as to be above it. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 6

I am very much afflicted, and if I can get rested before I have to speak, I shall be very thankful. I was sorry to learn that notices had been circulated everywhere that I would speak this evening. I have been too sick to think of such a thing. But if I do not fill this appointment, the cause of God will be reproached, and I shall try to do my best. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 7

November 4

I have had a restless night. Yesterday my mind was troubled for fear that I would not be able to speak to the people, but I held fast by faith to Him who has said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” [Matthew 28:20.] The meeting passed off very well. I had freedom in speaking. May the Lord bless the seed sown. I know that many were touched by the words spoken. Tears were shed as I presented the evils of intemperance. God grant that the people may be led to consider seriously the curse of the wine cup and the evil of tobacco-using. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 8

The use of strong drink enervates the brain and weakens the nerve power, making it impossible to distinguish between right and wrong. This is plainly shown in the case of Nadab and Abihu. These men had been honored by God. We read, “Then went up Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel. And they saw the God of Israel; and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in its clearness.” [Exodus 24:9, 10.] 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 9

Thus were the sons of Aaron honored. But by drinking wine they benumbed the brain and confused the intellect, so that when they went up to minister before God, they took common fire, instead of taking the sacred fire which by divine power was kept burning day and night. The record says, “Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censor, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people will I be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.” [Leviticus 10:1-3.] 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 10

“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine, nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die; it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations; and that ye may put difference between holy and unholy; and between clean and unclean; and that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the Lord hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses.” [Verses 8-11.] 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 11

Those who have ought to do with sacred things should do nothing that will mar the perfection of their work. Let them remember that a heavenly Watcher constantly beholds their work and the spirit which they bring into it. He will not work a miracle to keep men from the consequence of a deliberate departure from light. Those who disregard His directions in order to indulge appetite must bear the result of their course of action. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 12

Fathers and mothers, are determining the future of your children. Your habits will be theirs. A well-disciplined family is a power on the side of right. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 13

Remember that God has given you the talent of speech to be used for His glory. Use not this talent as Satan used it, to deceive our first parents and work against God. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 14

*****

In the night season some things have been presented to me which pain my heart. I was speaking to our people in Battle Creek, and the power and spirit of God was upon me. I had a message for the people, and I was led to speak decidedly. I showed the people that the enemy was seeking to make of little account the ministry of the Word. A message is to be borne, even the third angel’s message. The churches are not awake to their responsibilities. Every church member is to do service for God. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 15

God gave John a message to be borne to the churches at this stage of the earth’s history. Upon the Isle of Patmos, to which he had been banished to silence his testimony, the Lord found his faithful servant. That which he gave him is called, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass, and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John, who bare record of the word of God and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand.” [Revelation 1:1-3.] 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 16

These words are to be studied and acted upon. To give this message is the work of every minister of the gospel. The power of the Holy Spirit must rest upon the human messenger, that with great boldness he may declare the words given to him. God’s workers are to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 13LtMs, Ms 174, 1898, par. 17