Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 187, 1903

White, W. C.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

August 17, 1903

This letter is published in entirety in 17MR 316-322. +^Note

Dear son Willie,—

I am trying to keep up good courage in the Lord. I am beginning to feel sorry that I have not visited Healdsburg before this time. I would go today, if I were prepared for the journey. I must look to the Lord every moment. His hand will I hold by faith and will not let go. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 1

I am unable to sleep after two o’clock. Some things trouble me exceedingly, but I must not lay my burdens upon any other soul. When I think of the spiritual blindness of many who profess to believe the truth, my heart is made very sad. Many cannot see afar off and have forgotten that they were purged from their old sins. How can it be possible for them to forget and to go back to their old practices wherein they stood condemned before God? How can they afford to go upon the enemy’s ground, where they are subject to his temptations? 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 2

In every city, and in all parts of the world, we hear of “reforms, reforms.” But what are the world’s reforms? Men seek to bear rule over their fellow men, and the results show that these so-called reforms are instigated by a power from beneath. An intense desire to rule has been taking possession of men’s minds. And the rulers themselves are controlled by the prince of the power of the air. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 3

I am troubled in regard to the publishing work. I ask if the same men Brethren Evans and Rhodes, who have occupied responsible positions in the office of publication at Battle Creek, are to be leaders in the publishing work in Washington. In the past, Brother Sisley, with his strong spirit, too often stood on the negative side. He has done many strange things, and his course has been an education to others in the office who were carrying responsibilities. Had he been thoroughly under the guidance of the Lord, he might have exerted an influence that would have molded and fashioned others in accordance with the pure principles of Bible truth. But for many years he refused to yield himself to the will and way of God. The precious grace of Jesus Christ was not revealed through him. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 4

August 25, 1903

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye My joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. ... Wherefore, My beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in My presence only, but now much more in My absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.” [Philippians 2:1-8, 12-16.] 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 5

This is the best instruction that can be given at this time. Will our leading brethren earnestly take heed, and work to fulfil this instruction? It is so clear that there is no excuse for any one to walk contrary to the will of God. Who is ready and willing thankfully to obey these words, which at this time are of such great importance to us? 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 6

Our people need to read and study the whole of this chapter—the second chapter of Philippians—and read also the third chapter. Let not the lessons of these chapters be disregarded. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 7

“What things were gain to me,” Paul writes, “those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith; that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” [Verses 7-15.] 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 8

These words came not from a human mind. They are truths that were declared in vision to the apostle Paul, to whom God gave many revelations. They are recorded for the benefit of all who desire to be sincere, earnest, whole-hearted Christians, obedient to all God’s requirements. They are the fundamental principles of the law that declares the whole duty of man. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 9

Human beings are Christ’s property—the purchase of His blood. By creation and redemption they belong to Him; therefore He claims their undivided service. But many, unsanctified, unwilling to submit to God, cherish evil hereditary and cultivated traits of character. So much of self and so little of Christ is cherished in the heart, that they do the will and works of the archdeceiver. They are not laborers together with God. They need to be converted. Those who would be teachers need first learn to do the will of God. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 10

To every one who will serve Him, Christ has given his individual task. Each is to discharge with faithfulness the trust committed to him, and all are to help one another. Never are we to forget that as human beings we belong to a common brotherhood. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 11

We are to strive daily through the grace of God to discharge every responsibility that rests upon us. We are to study the Word, that we may learn how best to honor and glorify God, who “so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 12

God would have the rulers of the nations know that He is the supreme Ruler. Those who preside over the affairs of nations should realize that there is a King of kings. The man who does not know God as his Father and Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of the infinite God cannot rule wisely. He who has been placed where he has authority over others should seek the Lord for wisdom, that he may govern wisely the subjects of God’s kingdom. An earthly ruler cannot exercise authority wisely or set an example that is safe to follow, unless he obtains wisdom from the God who is too wise to err and too good to do injustice to His human subjects. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 13

In the law of the kingdom of the God who rules the sinless inhabitants of heaven are to be found the principles that should lie at the foundation of the laws of earthly governments. The laws of these governments should be in harmony with the law of Jehovah, the standard by which all created beings are to be judged. No man should be forced to act in harmony with human laws that are in direct opposition to the law that God has given. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 14

The law of God, with its binding claims and its solemn injunctions, should be clearly and distinctly set forth, just as it is given in the decalogue. We should make efforts to call together large congregations to hear the words of the gospel minister. And those who preach the Word of the Lord should speak the truth. They should bring their hearers, as it were, to the foot of Sinai, to listen to the words spoken by God amidst scenes of awful grandeur. These words are as changeless and eternal as the throne of Jehovah. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 15

Those who have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit will not fail to urge the claims of the law of God and to impress upon the rulers and the subjects of earthly nations the importance of obeying the commandments of God. Let all understand that they are working in harmony either with the Lord or with the great rebel, the enemy of God and man. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 16

By the repetition of the solemn words spoken by the Monarch of the universe, and the presentation of His claims upon the human family, many will be impressed. While some will refuse to listen and will turn away, many will be aroused as the words of God are spoken through His appointed agencies. Sinners will tremble. Many will awake to a sense of their duty and will find from experience that “the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” [Psalm 19:7.] 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 17

The rulers of the nations need to plant their feet upon the platform of eternal truth. They should not be allowed, because of ignorance, to build their houses on the sand. These men are not to be worshiped as gods. They are accountable to God for their course of action. To Him they must answer if they become a savor of death unto death to those who are under their jurisdiction. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 18

As men are impressed with the importance of the law of God and the solemnity of the scenes connected with its proclamation, as in imagination they stand in the presence of God and His Son, they will say as did Moses, when he beheld the majesty of God and thought of the high and holy principles of the law and of his own impurity, “I exceedingly fear and quake.” [Hebrews 12:21.] 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 19

Some may turn away, saying, “I am exceedingly afraid. Let not God speak to me any more.” [See Exodus 20:19.] And when they are removed from the immediate glory of the mountain, they will begin to criticize the sternness of the requirements of the law. They will say, “Prophesy unto us smooth things. It fills us with terror to look at our lives in the light of that law.” [See Isaiah 30:10.] 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 20

The sermon on the mount is an exposition of the law of God. We need to become more familiar with this Scripture. We need to study the following words: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” [Matthew 5:17-20.] 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 21

Here is the gospel message that is to be preached to the world. The grand result at which we are to aim is freedom from sin. Not one dishonest action, in kings or nobles, ministers or teachers, will be overlooked by the Lord. At Sinai God gave His people a solemn, sacred charge. It is of the utmost importance that we faithfully obey the law of God. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 22

There are many who profess to be loyal and true to God. But how many of these are keeping every precept of the law of Jehovah? 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 23

I have a message for the presidents of our schools. Have you exalted the law of Christ’s kingdom by giving to it willing obedience? If you are not of yourselves under the control of the Ruler of the universe, how can you obey His law, as required in His Word? We know that it is the determined purpose of some to be obedient to every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Such men and women will be given power of intellect to see the difference between righteousness and unrighteousness. They have the faith that works by love and purifies the soul, and they reveal God to the world. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 24

To those in charge of our schools I would say, Are you making God and His law your delight? Are the principles that you follow sound and pure and unadulterated? Are you keeping yourselves, in the life-practice, under the control of God? Do you see the necessity of obeying Him in every particular? If you are tempted to appropriate the money coming into the school in ways that bring no special benefit to the school, your standard of principle needs to be carefully criticized, that the time may not come when you will have to be criticized and found wanting. Who is your bookkeeper? Who is your treasurer? Who is your business manager? Are they careful and competent? Look to this. It is possible for thousands of dollars to be misappropriated, apparently without any one’s understanding how, and the school be losing continually. Those in charge may feel this keenly, supposing they have done their best. But why do debts accumulate? Let those in charge of a school find out each month the true financial standing of the school. 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 25

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall”—not when you walk deliberately into the snare of the enemy, but when you fall unawares—“into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” [James 1:2-7.] 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 26

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” [Verses 19-27.] 18LtMs, Lt 187, 1903, par. 27