Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 192, 1903

Jones, A. T.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

August 28, 1903

Portions of this letter are published in 4MR 354-355. +^Note

Elder A. T. Jones

Dear Brother,—

Since my last conversation with you, many things have been opened before me. Tuesday morning, scene after scene was presented to me portraying the condition of things from the destruction of Sodom to the close of this earth’s history. So much was revealed to me that I can now write only jots and tittles of these things; but after I shall do this, the Holy Spirit will help me to present them more fully. I have several manuscripts already copied. But Maggie and Sara have accompanied Jessie to Oakland, and they will remain away one week. This deprivation of Maggie’s help just now I shall feel indeed. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 1

Letters have come to me from several inquiring in regard to a college’s being started again in Battle Creek. Dr. Kellogg has written to the leading men and the elders of churches in our various conferences, asking them to send him the names and addresses of the most promising young men and young women in their churches, with whom he expects to communicate, inviting them to come to Battle Creek to take the nurses’ course or the medical course, and telling them of the advantages for special training that they will have there. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 2

The Lord has given me light in regard to this matter. He has instructed me to say that the most promising of our young people, who are desirous of engaging in medical missionary work, are needed to assist us in opening the work without delay in Washington City and in the other cities of the land. We are to labor earnestly in these places. The money that is now being called for to use in building up the work at Battle Creek should be used in places where nothing has been done to establish memorials for God. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 3

So many of our young people are not to be placed under Dr. Kellogg’s influence. This has been decidedly presented to me. Institutions in other places are to give them a training that is all-sufficient to meet the Lord’s requirements. God will give them capability and understanding. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 4

Dr. Kellogg has a large number of worldly, tourist patients to look after, and he now desires to obtain the services of as many as possible of our brightest young men and young women. But these youth are needed to do a special work in places where as yet nothing has been done. I respond thus to the inquiries in regard to the letters that are being sent to all our churches, soliciting the names of our young people. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 5

God has pointed out to us certain fields that must be worked. We need God-fearing youth for service in these fields. It is not wise to allow our young people to obtain their experience by connecting with an institution where there are from seven to nine hundred worldly patients. Many of these men and women who are patronizing the Battle Creek Sanitarium bring the evil angels with them into this institution. Dr. Kellogg cannot manage this multitude of worldlings; and the plan of introducing our very best young people into this institution, to care for and mingle with this class of patients, is one of Satan’s most subtle snares. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 6

Those who go to Battle Creek to act as helpers in the Sanitarium suppose that Dr. Kellogg is sound in the faith. So long has he walked apart from God, that he knows not that he has been walking and working after the counsel of one who worked in a deceptive manner in heaven until he was cast out. He who once was one of the covering cherubs refused to yield his will to God’s will; and when he was compelled to leave the heavenly courts, his apostasy had become so widespread that he took one-third of the heavenly family with him. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 7

In the Word we are warned against following a similar course. Concerning those who choose to follow their own will, Jude declares: “Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. ... And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of His saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 8

“Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” [Jude 11, 14-25.] 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 9

Brother Jones, the Lord would have us reason from cause to effect. I wish to state that from the light given in the scenes presented before me, I know that men have been and will be seduced by the enemy’s appearing to them as an angel of light. He will be accepted, because his flattery is pleasing to the ear. We need now to be on our guard, lest we be deluded by the speech of men who have been and are still under the deceptive influence of our unseen foes, the powers of darkness. These men are warned and entreated by the Lord to walk in the light, yet they persistently follow their own course of action. Their hearts become assimilated to the methods of the archdeceiver, their lips speak deceitful words, and they have no power to flee from the enemy’s snares. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 10

The pomposity that has been revealed in threatenings to appeal to “the law, the law,” is offensive to God. How does He regard such exhibitions? Has any one who speaks thus been learning of the meek and lowly Jesus?—No; the mind and heart and soul remain unchanged. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 11

We cannot be doing the will of God, if, knowing these things, we allow innocent youth to suppose that these physicians are working under the leading of the Spirit of God, and that the Lord will vindicate their course as leaders. God does not work with them, neither will He work with any others who are not firm in the message for this time, which is to be brought before the people in distinct lines. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 12

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” [1 John 1:1-6.] 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 13

Are not these words plain and distinct?

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” [Verses 7-10.] 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 14

Since God is light, we must walk in the light. God would have all His people stand on the high platform of eternal truth and, through faith, in union and communion with the Father and the Son. Then upon each mind will be distinctly impressed the sinfulness of a lack of unity. The Lord will unite with a united people to lead them by His Holy Spirit into all truth. There is unity with God the Father; there is unity with His Son Jesus; and the result is communion one with another, “that your joy may be full” through full fellowship with God and Christ. [Verses 3, 4.] God is light; His nature is light; in and through Him there is no darkness at all. Since He is light, we must walk in the light, and not in darkness. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 15

I write you these things, because those who are dealing with human minds are in great need of the Spirit of the heavenly Teacher. Darkness comes upon every man who does not open the windows of his soul heavenward to receive the rays of the Sun of righteousness. Light from heaven, clear and distinct, we need and must have, in order to live the truth and prepare for a home above. Only those who know and practice the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, and who constantly walk in the light of His countenance, are safe educators now. If sanctified through the truth, those who carry the last message of warning and mercy to a guilty world will act in accordance with the principles of truth. Knowing and obeying the truth, they cannot be otherwise than in fellowship one with another. Through confession and reformation they will remove everything that divides hearts. And He who forgives our sins cleanses us from all the rubbish that has been accumulating around us through human devising—rubbish that encouraged alienation and strife and that perpetuated difficulties because of our refusal to submit to Christ’s yoke. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 16

The soul needs cleansing. The love of the truth sanctifies the soul. Sanctification is not the work of a moment; it is the result of a yielding of the heart to Christ, an acceptance of the conditions of salvation—a process that God will carry forward day by day, steadily, progressively, never ending, but ever blending heart with heart, soul with soul; a refining process going on day by day, in God’s own way, in doing His will, until all true believers are complete in Him. This is the work that is to be done by every believer. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 17

However strongly we may take the position that the medical missionary work should be bound up firmly with the gospel ministry, it seems that no change is wrought in Dr. Kellogg. We might as well refrain for a time from repeating this statement; for it seems that he will co-operate with the ministry only so long as every minister sustains him in his propositions and devisings. We are now to cease contending with one another. Decided efforts are now to be made by our ministers to carry on medical missionary work in connection with the gospel ministry, as Christ has instructed us to do. We are to go straight forward with the Lord’s work, no longer allowing ourselves to be handicapped or hindered by manmade plans, but placing the Lord’s work in right lines, along which it can advance with freedom. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 18

Unless Dr. Kellogg shall come to the feet of Jesus as a little child, and receive instruction from Him, there will be continual friction so long as we endeavor to co-operate with him. The Lord desires us to make decided movements to bind up the work in a straight, intelligent manner. We are no longer to permit ourselves to be distressingly hindered. God calls upon His gospel medical missionaries to break every yoke. They are to comply with the conditions that Christ has outlined. He invited those who are bearing heavy burdens to come to Him. “Come unto Me,” He says, “all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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.” [Matthew 11:28, 29.] We need not be hindered by binding contracts, or bonds, or lawyer-framed documents. Everything of this order is dishonoring to the One who owns us. “Ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” [1 Corinthians 6:20.] 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 19

I am instructed to say, We are not to be drawn aside from our real work. Evangelistic work and medical missionary work are to be cemented. Let every one consider that he has one Master, Christ Jesus, and that every man-made yoke is to be broken. My brother, my sister, God has appointed you to His service, and He sends you out to labor irrespective of written documents. Your Bible is your letter of recommendation; your own sanctified life is your influence. Bind yourself to no institution. For years I have been instructed that your teachers are not your owners. Enter into no written agreements by which you would bind yourselves and your services for years to any living man or set of men. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 20

When Christ said to the fishermen, Leave your nets, and follow Me, they left their nets, and followed Jesus. When He said to Matthew, “Follow Me,” he arose from the seat of customs and followed Him. [Matthew 4:18-20; 9:9.] So long as men desire to be in a position where they can control other minds, they have yet to learn a new lesson. Let every one realize that he is bought with a price and cannot bind himself to any living human being for one or two years, or a greater or shorter period of time. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 21

If Christ appoints a man to a certain work, this is the work that he should do. But no one is to bind himself to do a work that another man shall appoint him to do; because the Lord may see that he is not fitted so well for this work as for some other work. He Himself will teach every man his work. Those who believe the truth will not be at a loss to understand what they should do. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 22

The use that is made of the talents given to each individual is a test by which character is measured. God deals personally with individuals. Every worker is His property, and the talents entrusted are to be used in the Lord’s service, and are in no way to be diverted from the purpose God would have accomplished, to please any man. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 23

When we consider how much money has been misapplied in accordance with the counsel of unconsecrated men who profess to be in God’s service, our hearts are filled with sadness, and at times are greatly pained, because these unwise investments have given evidence that the wisdom of these men was not sanctified. The divine Master has entrusted His stewards with means, and He will require proper returns. He will scrutinize closely the improvement that has been made of every talent. The Master will call by name, one by one, all His stewards to whom He has entrusted talents. If a steward has followed his human judgment by using selfishly the Lord’s talents, absorbing everything received, and not producing returns whereby facilities may be provided for advancing the Lord’s work in the byways and the highways, he must give an account for his unfaithful stewardship. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 24

God designed that all parts of His vineyard should be worked and that no part should be left barren. Yet today there are fields lying within our reach that have received scarcely any labor and that are practically destitute of memorials. At the same time, special documents bearing the signature of men in leading positions of responsibility specify that none of the means earned in one institution shall go outside the State in which this institution is located, but that this means shall be used for improvements within the State! Thus facilities so greatly needed in the barren fields are kept in places where they are not needed. This is a yoke that man has placed upon his own neck, directly in opposition to God’s arrangements. Here is where man has endeavored to place himself where God should be; and as the result, property is bound up in a certain location. Men have devised this restriction themselves, and they will have to answer to God for it at the time when every case shall stand as open as the day before the eyes of an all-seeing God. Then those whose senses are now blinded will discern the results of the ingenuity of human agencies in their effort to carry out their own will and way. God sees beneath the surface. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 25

We are trading on talents, God’s talents, for time and for eternity. Christ has placed in the hands of men the wages of His own sufferings and the price of His own blood, to secure the true and the faithful in willing servitude and obedience. Who realizes the responsibility of the trust committed to him? Does each person feel that he is handling his Lord’s goods, and that he must put into circulation the talent of means, in order to prepare the way to work the fields still standing before God in all their barrenness? Often has the Lord called the attention of His people to these unworked fields; but men have not regarded the talents entrusted to them as a loan to be used freely, unselfishly, cheerfully, to cause these barren places to become filled with fruitful trees of righteousness through the knowledge of God and His Word. How much better it would be, if they would consecrate to His service the gifts He has entrusted to their hands! 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 26

All the talents held by men are sacred trusts, to be used to advance God’s work in our world. Do we realize that we are stewards indeed, not only of property and of means, but of the grace of Christ? As faithful stewards, we should improve every talent we receive, be it of small value or of greater worth, and consecrate it to the Master’s service. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 27

The Lord calls upon His servants to exercise every power to save souls that are ready to perish. They have no right to bind up means, God’s means, but should put it into circulation, to be used for the salvation of souls. Those who have the talent of means should be alert to see the necessities of the cause and work with devoted interest to promote the glory of God. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 28

None are to think that we can buy heaven by returning to the Lord His own. The day of trust is given us in which to bring returns to the Lord’s treasury. The day of reckoning is the Lord’s. We are not to appropriate to our individual selves merit for diligent, wise trading, but are to give to the Lord all the glory. The Lord delivers to us our pound, and when we speak of the gain accumulated by trading, we are to give all the credit to the One whose pound we have handled. No gain could we have received without the deposit. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 29

No partiality is to be manifested by investing means overabundantly in one proud undertaking, to reveal to all what “I can do”; for the means accumulated by the men in service to God is to be invested where it will continue to accumulate. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 30

The whole vineyard belongs to God. The capital belongs to the Giver; and the Lord should receive all the glory of investing without partiality, without hypocrisy. Let every dollar be invested carefully. Let various means be devised to make the Lord’s vineyard yield returns. A superabundance in one place is not to be used by the stewards in that place because it is in their hands to handle. They are not to close their eyes to the many urgent necessities of other places that are brought to their notice. Yet some are selfishly, covetously providing the portion of the vineyard they work, with every facility, endeavoring to make a grand display, when, by dividing their talents and sharing them with other portions of the vineyard, the sterile ground would be worked and made usable and would produce fruit to the glory of God. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 31

Selfishness is a bitter root springing up in hearts, spoiling characters, and developing into covetousness, which is idolatry. Selfishness can be avoided by those who are faithful in the use they make of the Lord’s entrusted capital. Every penny that they hold in their hands they owe to the benevolent trust reposed in them. They are so to use their means that they will reveal to many the great love of Christ Jesus. Through them is to be revealed His saving grace, His mercy, His compassion, and His great love. Thus many souls will be led to magnify and glorify God. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 32

The Lord is greatly displeased with the selfish partiality, which is covetousness, in carrying on a work that will make the greatest possible showing in one place to the hindrance of the Lord’s work in another place. All these things will come in review before Him, and many, upon close investigation, will be found bankrupt for eternity. The first attempt at selfish devising leads to many works of deception, which in the day of reckoning will be revealed. Then, too, will come to light the hiding of the one talent, the accusation made against God that He is a hard Master gathering where He has not strewn and reaping where He has not sown. False testimony indeed! Those who have acted with deception and unfairness, creating difficulties so that the most needy fields could not be benefited by the increase of their talents, will in the day of Judgment stand in their true light—unconverted, unconsecrated men who have acted out their natural temperaments. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 33

And to those who have realized that their sacred trust must be handled with cleansed hands and purified hearts, and have dealt honestly and truly, God speaks the words of encouragement: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” [Matthew 25:21.] As the Master utters these words of approval, His countenance beams with joy. 18LtMs, Lt 192, 1903, par. 34