Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 49, 1886

Conradi, L. R.

Basel, Switzerland

August 30, 1886

This letter is published in entirety in 21MR 219-221.

Elder L. R. Conradi

Dear Brother in Christ Jesus:

We were made very sorry to hear that you were in prison. We anticipated nothing of the kind when you left us, and we cannot make it seem real now. We have not forgotten you, but we have presented your case to the highest tribunal—the Great Sovereign of the worlds. The Lord whom we serve will deliver you in His own good time. 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 1

We feel sorry to have your wife in constant worriment and anxiety, but the Lord will not leave you. Jesus the precious Saviour will give you peace and the consolation of His Holy Spirit. Jesus, in giving His commission to His disciples, bade them go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all nations, tongues, and people. From His divine lips came these words, “Lo I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” [Matthew 28:20.] 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 2

Although we cannot see and understand why the good you meant to do your fellow men in Russia was interrupted, yet this is one among the things that shall work together for good to them that love the Lord. My dear brother, wherever you are you can make for yourself friends. We can see now more clearly some of the difficulties that lie in the way of those who would obey God. Men are finite; God is infinite. The Heavens do rule. 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 3

We may not now be able to reconcile this fact with circumstances, but God works in a mysterious way His wonders to perform. God is working, we will not doubt, to bring light before many who otherwise would never have received knowledge of it. He works to diffuse blessings to His people scattered throughout our world. Do not for a moment think that God’s hand is against you. Keep up good courage, and remember that the Lord is Supreme Ruler. God suffers sin to develop itself in crimes and cruelties, yet He will not leave those who love Him to confusion. 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 4

Think of the love of God manifested to man. Think what Jesus the Prince of Life suffered in this world, the just for the unjust, that He might save men from death and misery. God governs the world. He is Omnipotent. Be sure then whatever His wisdom desires, or His love inspires, His power will execute. “O Lord God of Hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto Thee? or to Thy faithfulness round about Thee? Thou rulest the raging of the sea; when the waves thereof arise, Thou stillest them. ... Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne; mercy and truth shall go before Thy face.” [Psalm 89:8, 9, 14.] 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 5

God reigns, and notwithstanding His majesty, He loves the most helpless, the most suffering ones among His children. God is showing us evidences of His power, and truth will triumph. God will uproot every error in doctrine. Every truth will be immortal. Commit the keeping of your soul to God as unto a faithful Creator. The angels of God are round about you. Have faith in God. Remember Jesus your Redeemer, and see what He endured. When the apostles of Christ were thrust into prison, angels of God came within the prison walls and ministered unto them. Oh, the tenderness, the compassion of God. He says, “Can a woman forget her sucking child? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” [Isaiah 49:15.] 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 6

Daniel was placed in the den of lions, the three worthies were cast into a burning fiery furnace, but Jesus was with them and the flames could not harm them. Oh, trust in God. You are guilty of no crime, only that of seeking to make men kind, and obedient, truthful, and loyal, and with this consciousness you can lift up holy hands without doubting. Wherever God has an obedient child, there is an element of power wielded for God and the truth. Because men are misjudged and condemned and cast into the silent prison, it is no evidence that God does not reign. He says that those who believe on Him shall suffer persecution. The greater the opposition of right and righteousness, the more will the Lord let His precious light shine forth. 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 7

Just put your trust in Jesus, and remember that you are suffering for His sake and that He will not leave nor forsake you. Have faith in God. Our prayers are going up daily to God in your behalf. We will have special care for your wife and child. Those who have put you in prison have done an unjust thing. Instead of enclosing you in prison walls, if they had known you and been acquainted with your work, they would have sent you two throughout the length and breadth of the domain, telling you to proclaim to all people, to all subjects and to all tongues, that there is a living God, that there is salvation for the sinner. 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 8

The truth cannot be advanced by force. The weapons of our warfare are mighty because they are not carnal. May the Lord give you grace to bear with meekness anything that men may do unto you. 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 9

Says Paul, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [Romans 8:35-39.] 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 10

You are not ignorant that Jesus gave His precious blood for you. You have a shepherd full of kindness, full of care, and of mercy and tenderness; then believe you may trust Him every moment. 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 11

Jesus identifies His interest with suffering humanity. That which is done to you to make you suffer is done to Christ in the person of His saints. We believe God is working in your behalf. Only cling with unwavering faith to the promise. May God bless you two brethren who are imprisoned for the truth’s sake, and remember we are praying for your deliverance. 4LtMs, Lt 49, 1886, par. 12