Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)
Lt 176, 1903
Kellogg, H. W.
“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California
August 9, 1903
Portions of this letter are published in Ev 387-388; LS 411-412; PM 280-281. +Note
H. W. Kellogg
My dear brother,—
I wish to ask you if you can lend me two thousand dollars for one year. I have been obliged to pay back a loan that I did not think I should have to pay for some time. For several months I have received very little from the sale of my books, with the exception of one hundred and seventy-five dollars from Australia. I have not money with which to meet my current expenses. My workers have not been paid for some time. Sara had a little in the bank, and this she drew out and used to meet bills for me. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 1
I need means now to use in getting out important books. Can you lend me two thousand dollars? If you can, I shall be greatly relieved, and very thankful. I do not know of any one else on whom I can call for money. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 2
My health is good, and I am able to do much writing. I thank the Lord for this. I have decided not to attend so many camp-meetings, but to give my time to my writing. Brother Osborne, a teacher in Healdsburg College, has written asking me to attend the Teachers’ Institute, soon to be held there, and speak to the teachers. But I shall have to refuse. I must be at home with my workers. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 3
I greatly desire to write on the life of Solomon and on the history following his reign. And I desire, too, to write on the life of Paul and his work in connection with the other apostles. At times the thought of this neglected work keeps me awake at night. The writing that I desire to do on my books is greatly hindered because I am obliged to write many letters to those who are endeavoring to establish the work on a right basis and many letters to those in despondency and sorrow. Then, too, I have to spend much time in contradicting fabulous reports. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 4
For instance: After the General Conference held this year in Oakland, the report was circulated that Sister White had taken her stand against Brother Magan and Brother Sutherland. These reports came to Sister Magan at a time when she was in a worn-out condition. She worried about them, and as a result, her mind became unbalanced, and she has been out of her mind for some time. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 5
Oh, how cruel the work of those who have imagined that I had said something against Brother Magan and Brother Sutherland, and then circulated their own sentiments as coming from me. They are guilty in the sight of the Lord of great sin. They have spoken against Christ in the person of His saints. Their tongue-persecution is the enemy’s work. It has hindered the efforts of one who has tried to do all that he could to advance the cause of God. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 6
I have never said anything disparaging about Brother Magan or Brother Sutherland. In one talk, given before a few in the Pacific Press chapel, I spoke of the good work that they had done, but said that they were working beyond their strength and were taxing their physical and mental powers too severely. I said that Brother Magan’s sickness was the result of overwork. I said that the Lord would send them helpers who could assist them, and that they must divide their work and rest when nature demanded rest. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 7
I have always been shown that the work at Berrien Springs is a good work, acceptable in the sight of God, and that those in charge of it must be helped, not hindered. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 8
Last night I received a letter saying that the report was being carried all over the East that New York is to be destroyed by a tidal wave, and that Sister White had said so. But I never said any such thing. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 9
Some time ago Elder Luther Warren got out some very startling notices regarding the destruction of New York. I wrote immediately to the ones in charge of the work there saying that it was not wise to publish such notices, that thus an excitement might be aroused, which would result in a fanatical movement, hurting the cause of God. It is enough to present the truth of the Word of God to the people. Startling notices are detrimental to the progress of His work. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 10
Now comes the word that I have declared that New York is to be swept away by a tidal wave. This I have never said. I have said, as I looked at the great buildings going up there, story after story, “What terrible scenes will take place when the Lord shall arise to shake terribly the earth. Then the words of (Revelation 18:1-3) will be fulfilled. The whole of the eighteenth chapter of Revelation is a warning of what is coming on the earth. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 11
But I have no light in particular in regard to what is coming on New York, only that I know that one day the great buildings there will be thrown down by the turning and overturning of God’s power. From the light given me, I know that destruction is in the world. One word from the Lord, one touch of His mighty power, and those massive structures will fall. Scenes will take place, the fearfulness of which we cannot imagine. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 12
But I have sent cautions to the brethren working in New York, saying that these flaming, terrifying notices should not be published. When my brethren go to extremes, it reacts on me, and I have to bear the reproach of being called a false prophet. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 13
Think you that if I had said that New York was to be destroyed by a tidal wave, I should have urged the purchase of property only sixty miles away from this city, as a sanitarium site, and a place from which New York could be worked? 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 14
Who can question that we are living in perilous times? When Christ portrayed the destruction of Jerusalem, He looked down the ages and included in His description the still more awful destruction of the world. And He declares, “As the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” [Matthew 24:37-39.] 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 15
The destroying angels are today executing their commission. Death will come in all places. This is why I am so anxious for our cities to be warned. There is a work to be done by canvassing in our cities that has not yet been done. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 16
In His teaching Christ has given lessons of great value in regard to the last days. O that men and women would learn their danger before it is everlastingly too late. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 17
The day of the Lord is coming as a thief, not on those who are spiritually awake, but on those who are half-asleep, listless and indifferent. The blessing of God rests on the workers who warn those that are unready to meet Him. Holiness is connected with mercy, as the effect is connected with its cause. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 18
True believers are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works. This result is accomplished through the consecration of the whole being, body, soul, and spirit, to God. As man submits to the molding and fashioning of God, his life reveals good works. He works on the plan of addition, and God works for him on the plan of multiplication. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 19
The truth fills the believing soul with overflowing gratitude and at the same time keeps him low in the deepest humiliation. Constantly the language of his heart is, “Not unto us, not unto us, but unto Thy name be the glory.” [Psalm 115:1.] 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 20
If the churches continue in their present condition, they will be renounced by God. Now is our time to work, not under the great deceiver, but as a people who see their danger and make earnest work for repentance. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 21
“These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 22
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” [Revelation 3:14-21.] 18LtMs, Lt 176, 1903, par. 23