Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)
Lt 127, 1902
Irwin, Brother and Sister [G. A.]
“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California
July 18, 1902
Portions of this letter are published in 2MR 157. +Note
Dear brother and sister Irwin,—
Let us give praise to Him that loved us, “and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father.” [Revelation 1:5, 6.] We need the freshness and comfort of hope in Christ. If ever we expect to witness the miracle-working power of God, we must obey the words, “Be still, and know that I am God.” [Psalm 46:10.] I pray that we shall gain the power to see God by faith. Many, because they cannot see God in person, have a dwarfed sense of His power. But he who asks for a miraculous revelation of God knows not what he asks. It would be impossible for God fully to reveal Himself to human beings. Even to Moses He could not do this. Were He to reveal Himself to us in His completeness, we could not live. To Moses He declared, “No man can see my face, and live.” [Exodus 33:20.] 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 1
We are to make request of God as if He were close by our side, though hidden from sight. Enoch walked with God in an age fully as corrupt as the present age. I do not ask God to manifest Himself personally to us; for I know that we could not bear the sight. I am willing to walk with Him in the darkness, the shrouding of His presence. I am so thankful that He loves us, and that He gave Jesus to die for us. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 2
Let us pray as little children of the Lord; for this we are, even though our hair be gray. Let us seek the Lord earnestly and walk humbly before Him. We are finite; God in infinite. Let us come to Jesus just as we are. He has invited us to wear His yoke and learn of Him. Let us seek Him humbly, patiently, fervently. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 3
We must have divine guidance. This is necessary to success in the Christian life. The world is filled with wickedness, and, in order to overcome, we must be partakers of the divine nature. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 4
The warfare is unceasing. There is no time now to lay off the armor. We must not think that after gaining one victory we shall be free from the assaults of the enemy. Again and again he assails us. Constantly we must resist him, ever putting our trust in Christ. The Saviour will bestow on us the strength necessary to enable us to overcome. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 5
Let us not be satisfied with a meager supply of grace. Let us not rest satisfied until we feel a joy that we cannot restrain. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 6
Last Sabbath I spoke in the Sanitarium chapel to a congregation of most interested listeners. I rejoice to tell you, Brother and Sister Irwin, that the spiritual atmosphere of the Sanitarium is clearing. Changes have been made in the institution, and now there is hope that those who come for treatment will receive spiritual help. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 7
I will send you, when it is ready, a copy of the talk that I gave on Sabbath. Clarence reports my talks and writes them out. He is a great help to me and is just the one that I need in my work. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 8
On Monday I was called upon to speak to our people on the church-school work. The Lord gave me a tongue and utterance. Thank Him with me, Brother and Sister Irwin, that my voice is as clear as ever it was. I will send you a copy of this talk also. The next morning I attended a council meeting at the Sanitarium and spoke for an hour. The Lord helped me and blessed the words spoken. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 9
I have all faith in God. I know the perfection of His government. He works at my right hand and at my left. While I am writing out important matter, He is beside me, helping me. He lays out my work before me, and when I am puzzled for a fit word with which to express my thought, He brings it clearly and distinctly to my mind. I feel that every time I ask, even while I am still speaking, He responds, “Here am I.” 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 10
I love the Word of God. It is my constant lesson book. There is nothing in the world more precious to me. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 11
Sister Davis has just come from the Sanitarium where she has been attending meeting. She says that Elder A. T. Jones gave an excellent discourse. He is being softened by the grace of Christ. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 12
Dr. Winegar has charge of the Young People’s Work at the Sanitarium, and her efforts are greatly appreciated. Each Sabbath afternoon she conducts a young people’s meeting. There are generally about thirty or forty present, and often some of the patients attend. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 13
We expect to see the salvation of God. Christ is on the giving hand. “His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, ... that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience ... brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity; for if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. ... Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” [2 Peter 1:3-8, 10, 11.] 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 14
Is not this promise broad enough? When we are tempted to complain, let us ask ourselves what we shall gain by murmuring. God requires us to obey His commandments, and perfect must be our obedience. Then we shall gain the reward. “An entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” [Verse 11.] Believe this precious promise, and break forth into praise and song. Remember that you are striving for a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Thank God for His love and goodness. Do not allow anything to separate you from Him. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 15
We miss you and should be very glad indeed to have you with us in the work here, if this were the will of the Lord. God bless and strengthen you. 17LtMs, Lt 127, 1902, par. 16