Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 164, 1900

Caro, Sister [E. R.]

Steamer Moana

September 1, 1900

Portions of this letter are published in FLB 30; MM 10; 5Bio 18. +^Note

My Dear Sister:

Everything on the water is pleasant and beautiful this morning. I thank the Lord that during this voyage I have only been seasick for a short time during the first night. So far I have slept well. Yesterday, on account of the rain, the canvas was put up round the decks, and this kept away the air somewhat. This morning I am on the deck in my steamer chair, and I see with gladness that the sailors are removing the canvas. We now have a full view of the ever-changing, restless, beautiful sea. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 1

Dear Sister Caro, I feel a great longing that you may understand the words, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” [John 3:16-21.] 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 2

Life is a manifestation of God’s love. It is a talent which God has committed to our care, and it is a very costly talent, as viewed in the light of the sacrifice of God’s Son. It is an expression of the ownership of God. We are His by creation, and doubly His by redemption. We derive our life from Him. He is the Creator and the Source of all life. He is the Author of the higher life which He desires the beings formed in His image [to have]. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 3

Man is the highest and noblest of all God’s creatures. In the beginning man was made in the image of God. God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. ... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him, male and female created he them.” [Genesis 1:26, 27.] God formed us for His glory, and He desires us in every word and act to acknowledge this. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 4

All nature is alive. Through its varied forms of life it speaks to those who have ears to hear and hearts to understand of Him who is the source of all life. Nature reveals the wonderful working of the Master Artist. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 5

Those who have a knowledge of God, who understand their relation to Him, will carefully study the mystery of life and its responsibilities. Life is to be regarded as a most solemn, sacred trust. God desires us to place upon ourselves the estimate He has placed upon us. Individually we shall be called to give an account in the judgment for the way in which we have treated the talent bought for us at so great a cost. No one with reasoning ability will be excused for neglecting to return to God His own. Improve your talents by use. Double them by using them in God’s service. As you do this, you will reveal to a world sunken in sin a character in accordance with the character of God. Those who do not live the life of Christ here below fail of reaching the mark of the prize of their high calling. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 6

God has made every provision to enable us to reach the standard which He has placed before us. Christ died in order that we might be partakers of His divine nature, and thus escape the corruption that is in the world. God wants us to live on the plan of addition outlined in the first chapter of Second Peter. Constantly we are to press onward and upward. Our religion is to be progressive. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 7

God claims our highest service. He calls, my sister, for what you have for years refused to give Him—your holiest and highest service. He desires you to acknowledge your relationship to Him, to realize that you are His. Take His yoke upon you. Link your life with His. Live out the high and holy principles He came to this earth to reveal. Accept the invitation, “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.” [Matthew 11:29, 30.] When you accept this gracious invitation, you are sustained by One who has an inexhaustible supply of grace. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 8

My sister, remember that you are kept by the power of God. Give yourself to Him. No one needs to tell you how to do this. God is drawing you to Himself. Give up your will, your mind, your whole being, in submission to Him. He is knocking at the door of your heart, waiting to enter. Will you let Him in? 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 9

It is impossible to please God and gain the friendship of the world at the same time. Can you be satisfied with the friendship of the world, with the good which you suppose you get from the service of the world? Christ has made every provision that you should be a partaker of the divine nature. He desires you to apply yourself diligently to gaining that knowledge which will enable you to co-operate with God in the work He would have you do to bless humanity. His example is worthy of your imitation. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 10

Do not bind yourself to the world with the cords of ambition. It is the privilege of you and your husband to go forward and upward. But God cannot entrust your husband with responsibilities unless he yokes up with Christ, and learn in all humility the meekness and lowliness of the Saviour. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 11

I am more desirous than you can realize that your husband shall obtain an experience which will make him a man fit to be trusted by God as His steward. This experience he does not now possess. He has not that experience which would enable him to bear healthfully and solidly the responsibilities essential in properly establishing the medical work. His example would be a hindrance to successful management. He cannot be trusted to carry the responsibilities which he supposes he is capable of carrying. He seeks to embrace too much, and he weaves self into his work. He has not been educated to understand the true value of economy. His education has given him a wrong idea regarding the use of means. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 12

You both need to look to Jesus. Keep your eyes fixed on Him. When you decide that the best thing you can do is to wear the yoke of Christ, looking ever to the divine Pattern, you will make safe paths for your feet, and your work will show satisfactory results. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 13

My sister, when you linked your life with that of your husband, you should have determined to keep pace with him, standing by his side as a wise helper, with whom he could counsel regarding his work. You should have united with him in the work. You should now say, I have received Christ as my personal Saviour. I am a joint heir with Him to an immortal inheritance. I shall not strive to meet the world’s standard of outward display. I shall not expend means to make an appearance. If God will forgive me for the part I have acted in the past, in living in a style beyond my means, I will come to my senses and make a change. I will try to be a humble child of God, that I may win His approval. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 14

Remember that Christ left His exalted position in heaven, laying aside His royal robe and kingly crown, and clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might help those in need of help. He says to us, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] These are the terms of discipleship. For our sake Christ became poor, that we might come into possession of eternal riches. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 15

To live beyond your means is not the way to secure influence, but to lose influence. God is not pleased with pretense. Christ is your example and my example. “Learn of me,” He says. [Matthew 11:29.] There are stepping stones on which you may safely plant your feet in following Christ. But those who enter the service of the world are not following Christ. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 16

The experienced laborers in the cause in Australia need as helpers consecrated, level-minded workers, not workers who are like wheels which do not fit into the other wheels of the machinery. An ambition to serve God is wholly necessary. But an ambition fed by worldly ideas will bring failure after failure, and this our cause cannot afford. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 17

I have written thus plainly, Sister Caro, with the hope that it may lead you to give your heart to God. I greatly desire to see you and your husband working upon the Bible plan. God calls for you to come to Him. He has never directed you to go to the world for wisdom and success. In Him you live and move and have your being. If you expect to engage in the work of God for these last days, you must meet God, not on your own ground, but on His ground. You must comply with the conditions on which He proposes to deal with His human agents. You are to give cordial assent to His terms. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 18

When a physician promises to do all in his power to save the life of a sufferer, he does so on condition that the patient complies with his directions. If Brother Caro would enjoy full confidence in God, he must allow himself to be guided by the principles laid down in His Word. My brother and sister, do not take yourselves in your own hands, for this will result in the loss of your souls. Do not be a law unto yourselves. With such an imperfect relationship to Christ, you cannot be a help to the cause of God under trying circumstances. You must have an altogether different experience. You must help each other to learn the meaning of submission to divine authority. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 19

My brother and sister, you need to learn the first principles of the Christ-life. Just so long as you continue to look to the world for success, you will be weak. Do not think that you must work on worldly methods in order to secure proper recognition. Christ calls upon you to trust Him. The gospel testifies that God in His boundless love for man assumed humanity in the person of His Son. Christ has made a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. He will co-operate freely and willingly with those who receive Him as their Saviour. He is not far from any of us. He will gladly receive all who will renounce the favors and friendship of the world and make Him their all and in all. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 20

To acknowledge Christ as King; to submit to His authority; to consult His will; to make His law the rule of life; to be bound by His requirements; to make His life the Pattern; to obey the stern precepts of His Word; to deny self for His glory, to be willing to make any and every sacrifice for His service; this is the duty and the privilege of the Christian. Christ enjoins His followers to be ready to part with all for His sake. This is contrary to human inclinations, and thus Christ tests His disciples. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 21

If Christ is received at all, it must be as King. If He enters the soul, it must be to reign. Those who indulge self do not know the meaning of true service. The Christlife is not their life. Those who follow their own devising, walking away from Christ into worldly practices, will never, never be called by God as leaders of His people. Such ones could not properly establish the medical missionary work, which means so much, for they could not be depended on. They would not make straight paths for their feet, and the lame would be turned out of the way. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 22

The prodigal son was welcomed to his father’s house. But in order to enjoy the privileges of a son, he must comply with the conditions of sonship. The Lord calls upon all to walk in accordance with His word. Christ says, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I have commanded you.” [John 15:14.] Our friendship with God is measured by His dominion over us. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 23

Dr. Caro, my heart longs to see you fully united with Christ. But there are many things which you will have to unlearn and relearn aright. In some things you have been a law unto yourself. As a physician, you need an altogether different experience in order not to misrepresent the people of God in your dealing with patients. There needs to be an understanding as to what constitutes medical missionary work. This work is not always properly done. Thus people are given opportunity to cast blame upon Seventh-day Adventists. Unless there is a change, we shall as a people do harm and not good. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 24

I have a strong hope that you will both consecrate yourselves entirely to God. Dr. Caro needs all the help his wife can give him, and Sister Caro needs all the help her husband can give her. You both need to live the Christian religion, to seek the Lord unitedly, to break the fetters which bind you to the world. Your present embarrassments are the result of a cultivation of wrong principles. You need now to consider that eternal life can only be obtained at the sacrifice of your false ideas as to the way of gaining success. My brother, you and your wife should place yourselves under the most favorable influences for learning what constitutes true godliness. Then you should practice the knowledge you gain. 15LtMs, Lt 164, 1900, par. 25