Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 267, 1903

Brunson, John A.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

December 16, 1903

Previously unpublished.

My dear Brother Brunson,—

My heart is burdened for you. I hope that you will receive the message that I have been instructed to give you. Last night I was praying for you, and after sleeping for a time I was instructed to call your attention to some passages of Scripture! 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 1

“Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it (His commandments) that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.” [Deuteronomy 6:3-9.] 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 2

The figurative language here used reveals the necessity of our minds’ dwelling continually upon the words that reveal the will of God. Obedience to the law includes refraining from unnecessary labor on the Lord’s holy day. And every member of the family should be made acquainted with the requirements and restrictions that God has given in His law. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 3

The spirit of restraint is being removed from the transgressors in the earth. The deceptive powers are at work to take the world captive. Men do not recognize the influence of [the] author of sin and rebellion. We know that the end is near. Soon the world in her iniquity will pass beyond God’s mercy. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 4

As we look at the awful condition of the inhabitants of our world today, we see the results of transgressing the law of God. His commandments were given in love, to prevent the sorrow and misery that come because of sin. Obedience to their requirements leads to temperance, industry, economy, and all the virtues that are conducive to long life, health, happiness, and peace. We are under obligation to God to become familiar with His law. For our own happiness and for the good of society, we should be a living testimony to the fact that the law of God’s kingdom is life and health and prosperity to the obedient. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 5

God knows what is for the best good of His children. Would you not feel sad if your children should leave you and refuse to obey your words? Then remember that you are one of God’s little children. He longs to have you turn fully to Him. He wants to embrace your whole family in His tender, compassionate love. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 6

Adam and Eve fell under the sophistry of the enemy. But “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] In view of this great sacrifice made on our behalf, shall we not accept the terms of God’s mercy? Eternal life is worth more than anything in this world. The Lord is looking with compassion upon you, my brother. Will you not take time to study the precious Word of God? 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 7

Children are the property of God. Fathers and mothers are carefully to train them to obey every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. They are to do their duty as faithful instructors. If they themselves set an example of disobedience, their children will be led to transgress the law of God that was given for their life. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 8

Parents should become familiar with the truths of God’s Word, that when the inquiring minds of children seek to understand duty, the parents may teach them and guard them and lead them step by step in all the instruction of God. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 9

The father is to be the priest and house-band; the mother, the teacher of the children. She is to lean upon the large affections of her husband. And both should be united in the faith. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 10

“Thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love upon you, nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: but because the Lord loved you, and because He would keep the oath which He had sworn unto your fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations; and repayeth them that hate Him to their face, to destroy them: He will not be slack to him that hateth Him, He will repay him to his face. Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.” [Deuteronomy 7:6-11.] 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 11

I feel a special interest that you shall understand the truth and not be led astray by the enemy. If you separate from the Seventh-day Adventist people, it will be sad indeed. You can do a good work, if you will see and turn away from your errors. You may yet recover yourself. But obedience to God is the only hope of your salvation. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 12

The Lord knows all about your perplexities. If you will trust fully in Him, He will be to you a sanctuary. But do not try to maintain the interpretations of the Word that you formerly held, for they are not truth. Set yourself to work in co-operation with God. You need to come to the light, and then your views will be altogether different from those you now hold. Pray to your heavenly Father in the name of Jesus. He loves you, but He wants you to give up the theories and doctrines you hold that are contrary to His Word. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 13

My brother, you need to care for your health. Do not preach too long at a time. You should make some changes in your diet. Light physical exercise in the open air will be a great blessing to you. Carefully abstain from everything that you know will work an injury to your body. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 14

Lay your case before the great Physician, and He will have compassion on you. Put your trust in the Lord. Cast your helpless soul upon Him who gave His precious life for you. Temporal as well as spiritual blessings are the gift of God. We want you to live and to improve in health, that you may be a help to your family. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 15

I would gladly do anything in my power for the improvement of your health. And if I feel sympathy and love for you and your family, think how much greater is the love of Christ, whose you are by creation and by redemption. “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price.” It is for your present and eternal good that under all circumstances you “glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.] 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 16

“And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the Lord, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the Lord’s thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. ... For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward; He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; Him shalt thou serve, and to Him shalt thou cleave, and swear by His name. He is thy praise, and He is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things which thine eyes have seen.” [Deuteronomy 10:12-14, 17-21.] 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 17

These words are spoken to you as verily as to oft-backsliding Israel. The most important work you can do at present is to become acquainted with God’s Word, that you may obey His commandments. The ten commandments are an expression of the character of God, and they reveal His will for you. If you seek Him, the grace of Christ will be given that you may stand on vantage ground. 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 18

I leave this message with you, and pray that God will cause you to know where you are standing, that you may walk in the light. The Lord says to you, Go labor in My vineyard. Give Me your heart’s best service, and I will bestow upon you My grace and My love. Satan has tried to lure you into false paths. Will you not close your heart to his subtle temptations and plant yourself firmly upon the platform of eternal truth? 18LtMs, Lt 267, 1903, par. 19