Manuscript Releases, vol. 18 [Nos. 1301-1359]

MR No. 1329—Miscellaneous Diary Entries

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California, August 31, 1902

The Christ-Life—This morning I am grateful to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that I slept well during the night and that the peace of the Saviour abides in my heart. I awoke at three o'clock with peace of mind and with the assurance that my talk on the Sabbath was just what our people needed. Everyone should understand the Scriptures. “What saith the law?” Christ inquires. “How readest thou?” 18MR 174.1

The Lord blessed me in speaking. I had not the least sense of weariness. I felt so grateful to my heavenly Father for the assurance that I could give to others from a “Thus saith the Lord” and “It is written” that, while speaking, my own soul was refreshed. No one spoke an encouraging word to me. I did not need any. I was refreshed and deeply impressed that we should dwell more upon the sacred claims of the Lord. He expects from us entire obedience to His commandments. His law, written with His own finger upon tables of stone, is the foundation of all truth. 18MR 174.2

Our world, wicked as it is, seared and marred by the curse, has been trodden by the Son of God, the Majesty of heaven. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 18MR 174.3

Christ came to do the will of His heavenly Father, and He fulfilled His mission. He came in perfect love, as the full expression of the heart and mind of God. He was the brightness of the Father's glory, the express image of His person; and yet in personal appearance He was as a humble man, meek and lowly. Day after day, from childhood to manhood, He might have been seen going to and from His daily toil. He worked with Joseph at the carpenter's bench, sharing the burdens of the family. 18MR 174.4

In His trade He was perfect. By His hands no sham work was ever done. In perfection of workmanship He is an example to every carpenter. From His lips there never fell a word that should not have been uttered. While laboring, He observed the work done by His fellow workers, and encouraged everyone to do his best. 18MR 175.1

Jesus was always kind and tender toward children, even when but a child Himself. Never was a child repulsed by Him. Little children were drawn to Him, for His face and eyes lighted up with smiles for them. He loved little children, and soothed their childish griefs and disappointments and injuries. 18MR 175.2

Christ went about doing good, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, comforting the downcast. None in need of succor went from Him without finding sympathy—sympathy shown not only in word but in deed. In His presence every stricken, sorrowing heart was soothed and lightened. He did not think of Himself or seek His own interests. He lived to benefit others, to bring relief to the suffering and oppressed. The unwearied servant of man's necessity, He was blessed Himself in relieving others. His heart of love was a fountain of blessings that ever flowed forth to gladden hearts. 18MR 175.3

The sons and daughters of woe were the subjects of the Great Physician's ministry, and He always smiled in acknowledgment of expressions of gratitude for relief from pain, however rough and uncouth these expressions might be. It was His joy to lift the burdens of the sin-stricken, suffering world. 18MR 175.4

Every heart should be filled with gratitude for such a Saviour. My heart is stirred. I love Jesus. I contemplate His matchless charms, and desire to practice His virtues day by day. Let us lose sight of self by looking to Him. My heart longs to see the men and women of the world—without God, without hope—becoming hungry for that which will inspire them with hope in regard to the future life. 18MR 176.1

How great a mistake is being made by those who claim to believe that the Lord is soon coming, in that they feel but little burden for the many souls around them in need of spiritual help—souls to whom they speak no word in season. Kind, sympathetic words should be spoken to those so much in need of the right instruction. 18MR 176.2

Are you individually able to say, “I am laboring together with Jesus Christ; I have chosen to do His will, not mine. He declares: “Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” This is the condition of discipleship. What are you doing to save souls from ruin, to restore God's moral image in man? 18MR 176.3

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Shall we remember these words? We know that God is true, and that all His ways are just and right. All God expects of us is to live each day as if it were our last on earth, surrendering ourselves to Him to do His will. As He is perfect in knowledge, so is He perfect in wisdom. The best use and improvement of knowledge is to heed the instruction of Christ, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” - 18MR 176.4