Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Lt 360, 1908

Cummings, Sister [R. S.]

St. Helena, California

December 16, 1908

Previously unpublished.

Mrs. R. S. Cummings
Paradise Valley Sanitarium
National City, California

Dear Sister:

I have commenced several letters to you that have not been finished because of other important questions arising that demanded immediate attention. I will begin once more and will say that I have read your mother’s letters with much interest. I have known of the work which she mentions, but I shall not spend the few minutes in which I have to write in dwelling upon vexing matters. If men claiming to be doing the work of the Lord follow their own impulse to deal unjustly, they themselves will be the losers. I am sorry for them and will pray that they may be converted from every wrong position. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 1

I had told my son something of what was being done to break up the work at Paradise Valley, but we both had confidence in you and your husband, that you would be loyal to your appointed work. Your work at Paradise Valley has been satisfactory. We believe that you realize the importance of your position and that you will be faithful in your work. In accepting your position at Paradise Valley, you pledged to work as in the presence of God and holy angels. We have the fullest confidence in you that you will be true to this pledge, refusing to be bought or sold. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 2

I am glad that you have Brother Harmon Lindsay with you, for he is a man of experience. Do not let him become discouraged; for I fear that you will not find another to fill his place who has so large an experience in the work of the third angel’s message. The Lord will be with Brother Lindsay if he will follow on in faith and hope to know the Lord. God will be with him and give him rich blessings. Our brother has known sorrow; but if he will walk humbly with God, He will be his strength and healer. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 3

I shall pray for you all, for I am deeply interested in the Paradise Valley Sanitarium. I shall pray that the light of the Lord may shine upon this institution and that God will work through your efforts. Let us ever remember that we are doing our work for eternity. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 4

I had some fears that representations might be made to you that would have influence with you, but W. C. White said, “We will not allow our minds to distrust Brother and Sister Cummings.” And I agree with my son. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 5

I am writing to the best of my ability to encourage our workers to bear responsibilities. I will send you copies of some things that have been written to individuals. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 6

We have often spoken of the praying season we had with your mother at our last visit to Paradise Valley Sanitarium. The blessing of the Lord rested on me largely at that time; and while I was praying for your mother, I received healing for myself. I have not yet lost the influence of that precious meeting. The Lord is good and full of mercy and compassion. We have every encouragement to trust in Him and to continue to believe. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 7

I believe your mother should have a change in her labors. Her past work is one that wears upon the nerves, and we advise her to make the change that has been recommended. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 8

I have just been reading in one of the testimonies given me by the Lord that in working to benefit and bless others a sense of satisfaction if experienced. The Lord creates peace in the soul. This is of more value than gold. Every faithful performance of duty stands registered in the books of heaven and receives more than an earthly reward. It is a sacred duty that we owe to God to receive His grace that we may give it to others. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 9

My sister, the Lord points out our duties, and we are to walk in the way He marks out. Pure, Christlike love is simple in its operations. There is one thing we should do much more than we do. We should praise the Lord more often. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth God. Do you not think that if we praised the Lord more often, our spiritual sight would be keener to discern the blessings of the Lord? 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 10

I would say to you, Be of good courage in the Lord. Take rest and peace in Christ. Let us offer our grateful praise to Him who is the author of all our blessings. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 11

I am writing this by lamplight, and now I must close. Tell Brother Lindsay that I will write to him later. In love to all the household of faith. 23LtMs, Lt 360, 1908, par. 12