Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 48, 1910

White, W. C.

Loma Linda, California

April 2, 1910

Portions of this letter are published in 9MR 145.

Elder W. C. White

My dear son:

I am pleased that you have written to me so often and kept me informed as to where you were. It is very pleasant here. Today is the Sabbath. I spoke on the lawn this forenoon for an hour to an attentive audience, though I was not feeling very strong. We expect to remain here a portion of this week, and after spending a day or two at Fernando, go on to San Diego and Paradise Valley. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 1

The converting power of truth needs to take hold upon human minds. Men who have been placed in positions of responsibility need to be worked by the Holy Spirit. But while self swells to large proportions, the Holy Spirit can make no impression upon human minds and hearts. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 2

There needs to be a thorough study of the conditions at Takoma Park. Great care should be exercised as to the character of the workers and of their families. There needs to be in our important centers such an influence as was in the ancient schools of the prophets. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 3

The leaders in our work should be men in such a living connection with God that they can understand His will and preserve their integrity. The eternal principles of truth are to govern the households of those who have a part to act in the working out of the Lord’s plans. In their families the study of the Bible should be given prominence, and its teachings should exert a decided influence. There is no position in life, no phase of human experience, that should not be influenced by the principles of the Word of God. It is to be studied and obeyed, in order to give to men in positions of trust a preparation to mold the work in right lines. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 4

In the publishing houses at Washington, Nashville, and Mountain View, the religious phase of the work must be kept uppermost. The workers in the office need to be cleansed, refined, purified; for unless they maintain an active connection with heaven, unconverted self will be revealed in the business transactions. The principles of heaven must be the molding influence in all our institutions. The Word of God is to be the man of our counsel. Then Christlike principles will be brought into every business transaction; for heavenly influences will impart keen perception and sanctified judgment. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 5

An institution will be honored when the men connected with it honor God and keep His law. Those with whom they deal should be able to make no complaint of fraudulent transactions. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 6

In some of our institutions there are manifested strange works that are foreign to the heavenly order. When the work of God is carried forward otherwise than in sanctification and truth and righteousness, we may well tremble for the result. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 7

At Takoma Park there is gathered together a mixed company, some of whom do not understand the nature of the work that is to be carried forward in deeply spiritual lines. The Lord has spoken and called for a reformatory work to be done, but all hearts are not prepared to receive His messages. Let the fortieth and forty-second chapters of Isaiah be studied in connection. I am also bidden to call the attention of our people to a study of the book of Second Peter. There is need that the truths presented in these chapters be considered. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 8

Men of clear understanding are needed now. No haphazard work is to be done. Let our brethren bear in mind the testimonies given during the recent General Conference in Washington. God calls upon men who will be worked by the Holy Spirit to lead out in a work of thorough reformation. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 9

It will be well for us to consider what is soon to come upon the earth. Let those who have, as men of supposed knowledge and understanding, been placed in responsible positions, study the future of the people of God. This is no time for trifling or for self-seeking. If the times in which we are living fail to impress our minds seriously, what can reach us? Do not the Scriptures call for a more pure and holy work than we have as yet seen? 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 10

Those who will humble their hearts before God, and make earnest work of repentance, may, if they will continue the work of soul-cleansing, be enabled to reach a higher standard than they have yet attained. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 11

During the meeting in Washington, a work should have been done in the hearts of the people that was not done. Hours should have been given to heart-searching that would have led to the breaking up of the fallow ground of the hearts of those who were at the meeting. This would have given them insight to understand the work so essential to be done by them in repentance and confession. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 12

There are men who have for years felt that the opinions they hold are never to be given up, when these very opinions will lead them into actions that will cause them to be unacceptable to God. It was the cherishing and strengthening of wrong ideas that developed the character of Lucifer. He refused to alter his opinions, and the Lord could not accept of him. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 13

The church must not be spoiled through the plans of men who think their judgment infallible. Strange things will arise to confuse the minds of God’s people. Deceiving angels will present to the minds of men pleasing sophistries, and some will receive and seek to immortalize theories that would lead to results injurious to the Lord’s work. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 14

In the second and third chapters of Second Peter, and in the First Epistle of John, we read of men who caused much trouble in the early church. Let all be on their guard; for similar conditions must be met today. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 15

There must be a decided change in the spiritual condition of the company at Takoma Park. If some who have followed their own unsanctified impressions were to leave Washington, and for a time at least engage in physical labor a portion of each day, a more healthful life current might help to quicken their spiritual life and make them better able to mold and fashion the work after the Lord’s order. 25LtMs, Lt 48, 1910, par. 16