Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 77, 1901

Palmer, [E. R.]

St. Helena, California

July 10, 1901

Previously unpublished. +^Note

Dear Brother Palmer,—

I would be much pleased to see you and converse with you. The Lord is very merciful, full of compassion and love. My brother, you need to be guarded in your work. Do not become over-weary in doing the work committed to you by the Lord. You need to cultivate a spirit of tenderness for those who have erred, and who, in trying to find their way back to soundness of mind and to correct principles, have hard battles to fight. You are in possession of valuable traits of character, but at times you are strongly tempted to say to those who have erred things that you have no right to say. Bear in mind that wherever you may be, you are not to lord it over any soul. God has not given you any such work to do. At times you are hard, dictatorial, unmerciful, and overbearing. You need then to take rest, not to work upon the supposition that you are set to correct the erring; for you will wound and bruise souls to their everlasting harm. Beware of taking souls in your hands to chastise them. 16LtMs, Lt 77, 1901, par. 1

Will you, my brother, guard yourself? Take no power into your own hands that will lead you to do some very grievous thing. It is your strength and wisdom to keep silent. 16LtMs, Lt 77, 1901, par. 2

I have something which I would be glad to communicate to you, but I have not the strength now. You will often meet with souls under the stress of temptation. You know not how severely Satan is wrestling with them. If you are strengthening your heart with all diligence, if you are practicing the virtues of Christ, not one word will escape your lips which will hurt and bruise a fellow being. The humiliation of Christ is an example for you. Bear in mind, my brother whom I love in the Lord, His mercy and long-suffering. 16LtMs, Lt 77, 1901, par. 3

How often do we trace to their Source our costly mercies and blessings? We do not appreciate them because they are so common. But every mercy brought to us is of infinite greatness. How seldom do we consider that all the joys we have ever had, all the sweet assurances we have ever received, all the success which has crowned our efforts, comes through the humiliation and shame and reproach of the Saviour. This only has made it possible for any soul to receive the grace of Christ. 16LtMs, Lt 77, 1901, par. 4

The Lord calls upon those who have long known the truth to have that faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Truth is no truth to us unless its principles are deeply wrought into our souls and revealed in our spirit and in our words. Much patience is to be revealed in our connection with the work of the divine Teacher. The meekness and lowliness of heart, which is so becoming to the saints, must be intelligently appreciated as the means ordained by God to perfect His people, making them pure, holy, undefiled, prepared for the heavenly mansions. God desires every one to become a member of the royal family, a child of the heavenly King, by partaking with Christ in His suffering, bearing His yoke, and learning His meekness and lowliness of heart. 16LtMs, Lt 77, 1901, par. 5

My dear brother, be sure that you make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way. The Lord calls upon every soul to remember that Christ is the Restorer. Satan is the destroyer. We cannot afford to speak one discouraging word to souls that are weak on some, yes, many points, yet who, with encouragement, with brotherly assistance, with the help of loving arms to lift up the hands that hang down, may be inspired with faith and courage and hope, filled with a desire to pursue the upward grace [course?] until they shall come off more than conquerors through the help of their brethren and through the help of Jesus Christ who knows how to succor all who are tempted. O, how thankful we should be for the words, “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” [Hebrews 4:14-16.] 16LtMs, Lt 77, 1901, par. 6

God help you, my brother, to have the kindness and gentleness of Christ. Do not forget that you are not to become self-confident. This is your great temptation. As we contemplate the goodness of God to us individually, let us be very humble and meek and lowly in heart. Remember that the grace of Christ is given, not to exalt us, but to exalt Him who died for us. 16LtMs, Lt 77, 1901, par. 7

My brother, I write this because some scenes have been presented before me where, in a number of instances, you have spoken as if you had special authority to hew and square as you felt inclined. Change this spirit. Unless you do this, the result will be very sad to yourself. You need the sweetness of Christ in all your movements, the humility of Christ in all your service. Then you will represent the Saviour as the chiefest among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely. 16LtMs, Lt 77, 1901, par. 8