Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 3a, 1901

Caro, E. R.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

January 3, 1901

Variant of Lt 3, 1901. Portions of this letter are published in 5Bio 52. +^Note

Dear brother,—

I have just returned from Oakland. On Friday, December 21, I went to San Francisco, where I was to spend the Week of Prayer. On Sabbath afternoon I spoke to the church there, although I was so weak that I had to cling to the pulpit with both hands to steady myself. I asked the Lord to give me strength to speak to the people. He heard my prayer, and strengthened me. I had great freedom in speaking from Revelation 2:1-5. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 1

The deep moving of the Spirit of God came upon me, and the people were strongly impressed with the message borne. After I had finished speaking, all who desired to give themselves to the Lord were invited to come forward. A large number responded, and prayer was offered for them. Several who came forward were persons who had recently heard the advent message, and were in the valley of decision. May the Lord strengthen the good impression made upon them, and may they give themselves wholly to Him. Oh, how I long to see souls converted and singing a new song, even praise to our God. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 2

One day Brother Pearson drove us to Strawberry Hill, one of the beautiful parts of the city, and then to our Vegetarian Restaurant, on Market St., near the heart of the city. Here we met Brother E. G. Fulton and his wife, who with a willing company of helpers are serving about five hundred <persons> a day. The building is narrow, and will accommodate about fifty persons at once. But everything about the place was clean, wholesome, and attractive. We were pleased to see that right principles were observed in the selection and preparation of all the foods. There was not a particle of meat, poultry, fish, or anything that requires the sacrifice of life. We were also pleased to learn that this restaurant is wholly closed on the Sabbath. At first the complaints and pleadings of regular boarders were listened to, and some meals were served on the Sabbath. Many declared that the enterprise could not be maintained if it closed its doors on Saturday. But since the Sabbath closing, a special blessing has manifestly rested upon the work. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 3

We are glad that an effort is being made to provide those who wish to change their diet with food which is wholesome, nourishing, and palatable. The only thing I regretted on this occasion was the inability of the managers to accommodate many of those who wished to patronize the institution. If more of these restaurants could be carried on by our people, what a blessing it would be. By the practical demonstration of the best methods of preparing wholesome, palatable food without flesh-meat, many would learn valuable lessons. They would become acquainted with health principles. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 4

I wish that some of those who have means tied up in [banks] could be led to study the situation, and devise means whereby this work of establishing vegetarian restaurants could be enlarged, so that more people might be benefited. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 5

In saying that the Retreat should take over the Newcastle work, I have followed the light given me. The proposition that the Sydney Sanitarium should control the Newcastle work was not in the order of God. Had this proposition been followed, the work in Newcastle would have been bound about. You should not seek to take this extra responsibility. You have not been appointed to act as a manager, but as a physician. You are not to feel that you are qualified to manage the sanitariums which may be established in Australia. This is not in the order of God. You are to counsel with the officers of the Union Conference. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 6

You should not feel authorized to follow your own judgment in choosing persons to fill positions in the Sanitarium or bath-houses; for you are not the best judge. You fail to read character aright. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 7

You cannot be depended on as a safe judge of people. You would suppose certain persons fitted to fill certain positions, when older and more experienced man would read beneath the surface and see that if these persons should be placed in these positions, they would either prove inefficient, or would influence others in a way that would bring about results difficult to counteract. In your trips through the Colonies, you see certain persons whom you suppose to be just the ones for certain positions. But do not call any such person to fill a position until you have talked the matter over with experienced counsellors. The Lord has men who have an understanding of the work, and with these you should counsel. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 8

Lay your plans before the men who have carried responsibilities in the work in Australia. This will bring you peace and rest. You and Brother Sharp need to counsel with those who have had an experience in dealing with human minds, who can better judge of people and their qualifications than it is possible for you to. Be cautious, Dr. Caro. Do not feel at liberty to move independently, as you have sometimes done in the past, <to your own hurt and to the injury of the cause of God.> There is safety in counselling together. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 9

I think that this has been presented to you again and again. <And again I am instructed to say to you,> a wrong order of things must not be brought into the institutions erected at so great a cost of <money,> anxiety and care. In no case is the work in medical missionary lines, which God has outlined to be done in Australia, to be left for you to manage; for you have not the qualifications which would fit you for this work. The work of a physician is enough for any man to carry. God has given us men who are fitted to act as managers, who have had experience in this line, and who are men of prayer, men who study the Word. Those who are appointed to act as managers in our institutions must be men who will consult their brethren. They must be men who will watch unto prayer. God will use men who walk humbly before Him, who keep His fear before them, and tremble at His word. But self-confidence, if encouraged, will lead to disastrous results. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 10

Christ’s prayer for His disciples, “For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified through the truth” has been left on record for us. [John 17:19.] You need to realize that you have much to learn, that you need a higher, holier sanctification of soul, body, and spirit before you can be a leader. There is great need for you to walk in humility of mind. Do not lay plans in accordance with your own wisdom. Thus you will imperil the cause and hinder its advancement. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 11

He who assumes the grave responsibilities of a physician needs to take counsel with God and with his older and more experienced brethren. Unless he walks in the light, keeping his soul purified, elevated, and ennobled through the truth, he will reap the consequence of failing to understand his own strength and his need of gaining his reputation by the sanctifying, glorious power of the truth. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 12

No one can transgress God’s laws without suffering the consequence. God calls upon physicians to walk before Him in truth and righteousness. He will co-operate with all who do this. But when a physician trusts in his own sharpness, Satan leads him into strange paths, where the footsteps of Christ are not seen. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 13

God will work with every Christian physician. And to Him the physician is to give the honor and glory for the success that attends his work. The only safety for physicians is in walking and working in humility and faith. The physician who does not put his trust in God will use his profession to hide many unrighteous deeds. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 14

You must not suppose that because the patients at the Sanitarium have your instruction in regard to present truth, they do not need the help of God’s delegated ministers, whom the Lord has used and will still use to do His work. You have not as deep a knowledge of the Scriptures as you should have, because you have not made the work of God your first consideration. If the work of ripening off the people of God were left in your hands, many would bear the impress of half-done, superficial work. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 15

You are wholly dependent upon the Great Physician for the ability and power to do good work. Cling to Jesus. He will give you sharpness of intellect to discern with readiness, and steadiness of nerve to execute with precision. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 16

I write you this, but I have not liberty, at the present time, to say all that I might say. Will you read the article entitled, “Responsibilities of Physicians,” found in Testimony No. 32, p. 198 [195]. Read this through carefully, and follow the instruction it contains. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 17

My much-beloved brother, you need to realize that in some respects your ideas are contrary to the lessons God has given in His Word. Our Saviour has left us all an example of self-denial and self-sacrifice. But this lesson you have not learned by experience. You have carried out your own ideas and plans, to the injury of the work. <This God has opened before me, and I dare not withhold it.> 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 18

During your experience in Sydney as a physician, your example has not always been correct. You established yourself in an expensive house. Why?—To make such a display that people would think you a wonderfully successful <and popular> physician. Having started in this way, everything else must correspond. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 19

While you were at Ann Arbor, you gained wrong ideas in this respect. It would have been better if those sent from our schools to Ann Arbor had never had any connection with that institution. The education in drug medication, and the false religious theories, have brought forth a class of practitioners who need to unlearn much [that] they have learned. They need to obtain an altogether different experience before they can say in word and in deed, We are medical missionaries. Till they obtain such an experience, the Great Physician does not acknowledge them as medical missionaries. They come onto the platform of action unprepared for the high and holy work which needs to be done at this time. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 20

The Lord has placed you in a position where you can bear responsibilities if you have that wisdom gained from on high by most earnest prayer. God will hear your supplications if you will seek Him earnestly. You have made some excellent movements. But again, you are in danger, by your impressions and prejudices, of creating difficulties hard to remedy. Link up with men older and more experienced than yourself, men who can give you advice and counsel, even if you are a physician. Do not feel that it is your work to manage the sanitariums which may be established in Australia. When you reveal by your life and influence that you consider, that you ask wisdom of God, that you have gained an experience different from the experience which you have had in the past, you will be a man who can be depended on in emergencies. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 21

I am very anxious that you shall not feel that God has given you the work of a director. You are a physician, not a manager. It is possible for a physician to assume far more responsibility than he should. Do not cast aside my words, as some physicians have done. Remember that a refusal to receive light does not alter facts. The truth will stand and will be vindicated. I hope and pray that you will link up with your brethren. Never feel that it is your prerogative to disparage the ministers of the gospel and exalt physicians as infallible. God help you to avoid this fatal mistake. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 22

The words that some have spoken against the chosen ministers of God have been spoken against Christ. The sarcastic references made by physicians to those ministers who did not entertain the same ideas as they themselves, with reference to the so-called medical missionary work, have had their influence. God will work in His own time and His own way to counteract the leaven that has thus been introduced; but at what a cost has this influence been exerted. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 23

The effect of this influence will not be fully known until the judgment sits and the books are opened. Then it will be seen that souls who might have stood firm as overcomers were confused and led into crooked paths. The sacred truth for this time has been covered with disrespectful statements. Principles have been presented which are entirely contrary to the teaching of Christ. Statement have been made which have confused minds with regard to the truth of God’s Word, and some will never disentangle themselves from the seductive error into which they have fallen. They will never see the true bearing of the last closing message. Their influence is lost to the cause at the very time that it is most needed. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 24

God has given His people talents to use and improve. He desires them by co-operation with Him to grow up into the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus. Through the testimonies which He has been giving to His people, He has presented truth line upon line. Many rejoiced in the light, but Satan came in; and working through the misnamed medical missionary work, he led them to cast under their feet the work of presenting the truth as it is in Jesus. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 25

The work of God is a great work. Wise men are needed to keep Bible principles free from a particle of worldly policy. Every worker is being tested. Paul speaks of those who bring to the foundation wood, hay, and stubble. [1 Corinthians 3:12.] This represents those who bring in as truth that which is not truth, even their own suppositions and fabrications. If those souls are saved, it will be as by fire, because they conscientiously thought they were working in harmony with the Word. They will be as brands snatched out of the burning. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 26

The work which might have been pure, elevated, and noble has been mingled with fallacies brought in by men. Thus the beauty of the truth has been marred. Nothing stands forth untainted by selfishness. The mingling of these fallacies with the work of God makes that which should stand out clearly and distinctly before the world a jumble of conflicting principles in its practical working. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 27

O, how many there are who have yet to learn to manifest Christlike patience and forbearance in the home and in the church. What is the lesson that should be learned by those connected with our schools, our publishing houses, our sanitariums? “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” [Philippians 2:3.] “Be kindly affectioned one to another, with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another.” [Romans 12:10.] 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 28

My brother, when will you learn this lesson? It is not houses, lands, carriages, expensive furniture, outward display, which make a man stand high in the sight of a holy God and the ministering angels. God looks at the heart. He reads every purpose of the mind. He knows the motives which prompt to action. He reads between every line of writing sent out. He can distinguish between the true and the false. He places His seal upon the deeds that are done and the books that are written in humility and contrition of heart. He values sincerity and purity of principle above everything else. 16LtMs, Lt 3a, 1901, par. 29