Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 21, 1898

Kellogg, Brother and Sister [J. H.]

“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

February 13, 1898

Portions of this letter are published in AH 367-368, 383; 4Bio 395.

Dr. J. H. Kellogg
Sanitarium
Battle Creek

Dear Brother and Sister Kellogg:

It would give me great satisfaction to have a long visit with you. I have much to say to you, and you have much to say to me. Sometimes I have a strong impression that I shall again bear my testimony upon the old field of battle—Battle Creek. I am very grateful to my heavenly Father for the great love He has expressed in so many ways for us and our work in this country. The work has been hampered by the want of means. We have to walk by faith in every onward movement. We see that there is a work to be done in advanced lines, and we do not dare to wait until all obstructions are removed. We advance, we remove every hindrance in our path, calling upon the Lord for His help at every step. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 1

How fast time passes! How much there is to be done! How limited are our means! If we could only with our voice reach by earnest appeals of warning, not only those who are nigh, but those who are afar off! Waste not your pennies and your shillings in purchasing unnecessary things. You may think these little sums do not amount to much, but these many littles will prove a great whole. If we could, we would plead for the means that is spent in needless things, in dress and selfish indulgence. Poverty in every shape is on every hand. And God has made it our duty to relieve suffering humanity in every way possible. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 2

The Lord would have His people thoughtful and caretaking. He would have them study economy in everything, and waste nothing. There are those who are indulging themselves in decorating their homes. O if they were only imbued with the self-denial of their Lord and Saviour! He walked the earth, His divinity clothed with humanity. Who was He? The Son of the infinite God. Who was He? The Majesty of heaven, the Lord in human form. If in this missionary field, we could have the means that is expended in frivolous things, in the adornment of houses, and in dress, we could build a hospital in Cooranbong, we could make better provision for the poor. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 3

We have now come to the place where we must advance in the medical missionary work. We have been anxiously waiting for the help of Brother John Wessels, but he has disappointed us. He says that he cannot come. We are now handicapped on every side. We are in need of means. We feel perplexed, but we must cry unto God. We must make our wants known unto the Most High. He has means, and it is in the hands of His stewards. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 4

If our own people would only put into the cause of God the money that has been lent them on trust, that portion which they spend in selfish gratification, in idolatry, they would lay up treasure in heaven, and would be doing the very work God required them to do. But like the rich man in the parable, they live sumptuously. The money God has lent them on trust, to be used to His name’s glory, they spend extravagantly. They do not stop to consider their accountability to God. They do not stop to consider that there is to be a reckoning day not far hence, when they must give an account of their stewardship. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 5

We need to walk very humble with God. What said our Saviour? “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” [Mark 8:34.] Why will parents refuse to help their children to follow the self-denying, self-sacrificing Redeemer? Why will they prove unfaithful stewards, while souls are perishing in their sins, and families are suffering for want of help to help themselves? In my next letter, I may have time to relate some of the experiences we are just now passing through in helping a family to rise from depression, suffering, and want. Although the work and cause of God needs means for its advancement, yet these are things, brought to our immediate notice, that we cannot and will not neglect. These people must have temporal help; then we can give them spiritual help. We help them, hoping for nothing in return. But if they can, they will return to us every dollar. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 6

I have just subscribed £25 to help a worthy family, twelve in number including father and mother. We are securing a little farm for them. There are seven boys and three girls. The father is a first class carpenter, an excellent Christian man, living in Prospect, near Parramatta. He could not get work where he was, because of the Sabbath. His wife is a hardworking, neat, tidy housewife. She came to visit her husband by his request. They have a little son who fell and injured his knee. His father sent to have him come, as he wanted the help that Sister Sara McEnterfer could give. She found the knee very bad. It has been in this condition for six months. She has been treating it for one week, and we believe it is greatly improved. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 7

This brother wants to get his family on a piece of land, but has been unable to get work. He is now helping on the boys’ dormitory of the school building. He also helped in building our chapel here. I have been with Brother James and Sara to view the land, and have selected a spot for him, containing nineteen acres. I did not know how to spare the money, but felt that it must be done. The place will come to about five hundred dollars, and I have advanced £25 of this. They all have courage now to take hold together, and go to work to secure a home. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 8

I have known this family since 1894, and have helped them in various ways. They are a very intelligent family, but have not been able to master the misfortunes of poverty. They desire that their children shall attend the school, and I shall have the help of others in paying their tuition. They live on the most meager fare. The little boy of ten years we keep, and are giving him treatment. It will cost something to move them all, and set them up; but it must be done. This is the second family we have taken hold of, to help out of the deepest poverty, to get a home of their own. We must go further with this family, and help them to build a home. The husband is elder of the church in Prospect, four miles from Parramatta. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 9

I will not burden you with more details. But this is our work. And when we know that many have means which they use only to please themselves, we feel sad, knowing that a time is coming when it will be said to them, Give an account of thy stewardship. We must now open the work in Newcastle. I pledged myself to take hold of this work, investing means if I have it to invest. But I must stop writing. I have been up since half past two o’clock. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 10

Brother and Sister Kellogg, the Lord is coming, and the people must be warned. A good work has been done in Stanmore, and many souls have taken their stand for the truth. The interest has not abated. The work from house to house is still going on. On the evening of the 12th, I received a letter from Elder Haskell, stating that the lot for church is now procured, and that the building is to go up. This will cost money, but those who have recently embraced the truth are giving of their means. I have paid £25 toward this, and expect to pay more. Brother Haskell has paid £25; Brother Humphries paid £25. I wish you could have seen this brother’s face when he made his pledge. He looked as happy as if a gift had been made to him. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 11

Well, the work is advancing. We want to take hold of the medical missionary work, but our lack of means holds us back. Oh, cannot something be done to lead human beings to deny the idol self, to lift the cross of self-sacrifice? We know that in taking hold of this work, we shall advance the truth. May the Lord help me, is my prayer. If my books have a ready sale when they get into the market, I see work that will call for every dollar of it in this new field. Why do so many forget that we are not our own, that we are bought with a price? 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 12

The unused talent of the slothful servant was brought into account just as much as were those that had been used, and had increased by use. It was God’s money that was withheld. Our lifework is bound up with the second advent of our Lord. We are trading with our Lord’s money, and on His return He will reckon with His servants, to know how much every man has gained by trading. The reckoning is to be as individual as was the bestowment of the talents, and proportionate results will be expected from their use. “My reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” [Revelation 22:12.] 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 13

But I must not write further. I had many things in mind to say, which I cannot say. We mean to work and watch and wait and pray. The Lord will help us, praise His holy name! Our life is a talent of precious value. Ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 14

In much love to you all as a family, 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 15

Your sister in Jesus Christ. 13LtMs, Lt 21, 1898, par. 16