Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 10 (1895)

Lt 101, 1895

Family at Granville, Australia

Armadale, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

November 2, 1895

Portions of this letter are published in 1MR 346-347.

Dear Children:

Little flock—thus Christ called His chosen: thus I call you. I love you, and shall be pleased to meet you again. We hope after the camp meeting at Tasmania to return to our home. We will then meet and have a visit, and then we will probably begin to move. I have had much writing to do for the last mail. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 1

Since the camp meeting closed, I have addressed large congregations twenty times. Our own people in the suburbs do not attend the meetings here, because during the week they have their own business to attend to, and on Sabbath meetings are held in their own place of assembly. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 2

I never attended a camp meeting in all respects like this one in Armadale. There has been a continual interest up to the present time. Last night (Sunday) the tent was full. Elder Prescott spoke. In the afternoon I spoke to a goodly number. The Lord gave me strength and grace and clearness of mind, and I praise His holy name for this. It is a great encouragement to me to know that I am sustained as I attempt to present the truth as it is in Jesus. The people were mostly outsiders. Oh, if they will appropriate to their individual cases that which they hear, if they will become wise unto salvation, how we will rejoice! Quite a number have taken their position to obey the Sabbath. Three weeks ago nineteen were baptized, and soon there will be another baptism. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 3

Today has been very hot, and we may hear of some having sunstroke. We are now witnessing a sandstorm. May Lacey White has just returned from Melbourne. I feel grateful that she was not out in the storm. We have only had one slight shower since coming to Melbourne, but the sky looks very much as though we were going to have rain. I hope it will come, for all nature is crying for rain. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 4

November 25

After writing the above, we have had thunder and lightning and a slight shower. Everything in this part of Australia is dried up, and great suffering must be the result. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 5

I am gratified to hear so good a report of you. I think of how the Lord would be glorified to reign over a loving, obedient people. He has made their obedience to His commandments a test of their love to Him. The importance that the Holy Spirit has placed upon duty is great. He has revealed His will, and will be glorified in those who carefully study His Word that they may learn what is in it, and walk in cheerful, holy obedience to His commandments. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 6

There is a word that is to be kept prominent before the eye and mind of those who love Christ—that word is obedience. The Word which the Lord spoke to His ancient people is to be obeyed by us as much as by those to whom it was spoken. Obedience involves every covenant mercy, and is the only way we can show our love to our gracious heavenly Father. Let us listen to Him, for He says, “Now therefore if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then shall ye be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people, for all the earth is mine, and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation.” Exodus 19:5, 6. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 7

What is the test of our love? “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” [John 14:15.] Dear children—little flock—let your obedience be the point of faith and the dictate of love. Let it be genuine service to God, an evidence that you love Jesus. How pleased is the Lord to see you—His little flock—truthful, upright, honest in all things! How pleased is your Father in heaven to listen to the fervent prayer rising from each heart: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? Is there any precept of thy word slighted, any command that I disobey? Am I inclined to be untruthful in little things? Am I seeking to form right habits? Is the spirit I cherish in accordance with the mind and will of my pattern—Jesus Christ? Is there any secret excuse I am making for my neglect of duty, for my disobedience?” 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 8

Can you each say, “Lord Thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee, Thou hast given Thy precious life for me, and this is certain evidence of Thy great love. Help me, Oh Lord, to appreciate that love, to think in gratitude of the precious Saviour, who has taken our sins upon His own soul, and has given us His righteousness if we by faith take the precious gift.” 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 9

In turn He asks of each of you, Willie McCann, Ella May and Mabel White, Edith and Nettie, that you give Him your hearts. Give Him, in return for His great love, cheerful recognition of your obligation to God. Keep His commandments and follow His footsteps. Let your prayer be, “Take my poor heart, and let it be thine, wholly and entirely thine, now and forever.” 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 10

Jesus loves you, dear children. You are His little flock. He wants each one of you to form a beautiful character. There will always be temptations coming to you, individually, to cherish and strengthen by indulgence the weak, defective element in your characters. You may never again have as precious an opportunity of being associated as you are now. So you should seek to be very kind to one another, to be thoughtful of your words and actions, lest you sow in one another’s hearts seeds which will become tares, thistles, and other obnoxious plants. These words will not only grieve the hearts of one another, but they will grieve the heart of Jesus Christ. Let not the enemy sow the seeds of envy, of fretting, of complaining, or of thinking evil one of another. A seed of jealousy is ready to spring into life at any moment, and will endeavor to gain the mastery. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 11

Now little flock, remember that you are Christ’s children. You are bought with a price. Let the love of Christ Jesus constrain you. Seek to be helpful to one another. You now have a precious opportunity to learn the very things that you need to learn to make you useful. Especially Edith and Ella, be sure to give to the younger children a good example in cheerful, willing obedience, and remember you may never have a better opportunity to learn. Be careful to do just as Sister Hamilton tells you. Let there not be a whit of vainglorying over one another. Cultivate love for each other, for you are Christ’s property. Let no impatience come in to spoil the disposition. Bear in mind that you can form cheap, objectionable traits of character that will make you unlovely. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 12

Now in the strength and grace which Jesus your Saviour desires to give you, do your best, cling to Jesus, ask Him for help. He loves to have you trust in Him, love Him, and obey Him. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 13

Well, daylight is here, and I must close. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 14

With much love for all. 10LtMs, Lt 101, 1895, par. 15