Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Lt 291, 1904

Hayward, O. M.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

October 12, 1904

Portions of this letter are published in MM 292-293; LLM 49-50.

Dr. O. M. Hayward

Dear Brother,—

Your letter came last evening and was put under my door. I woke at two and rose and dressed. I then read your letter and will now try to write a few lines. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 1

I do not think that we had any conversation in regard to locating the sanitarium on the farm that has been purchased for school purposes. If you had mentioned the matter to me, I would have opened my mind to you freely. Matters cannot always be satisfactorily explained by letter. I do not wish you to suppose that we would urge you to locate near the school merely for the advantages of co-operation. We ask you to consider well the natural advantages of the place. We are glad to know that there is a possibility that the Boscobel school buildings may yet be secured. If you can rent for a time it will be easier to decide on a permanent location later. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 2

If the Lord has ever spoken by me, He speaks when I say that the workers engaged in educational lines, in ministerial lines, and in medical missionary lines must stand as a unit, all laboring under the supervision of God, one helping the other, each blessing each. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 3

I have a deep interest in the work that you are doing in Nashville. I pray that the sanitarium shall be placed where God would have it. Be guarded on one point. Do not place it where the noise of the street cars can be heard; for this would retard the recovery of the sick. Quiet and peace are of the highest value in a sanitarium. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 4

I have been instructed that our schools and sanitariums should be out of the cities, but not so far out that the work cannot be carried forward advantageously. Those connected with them are to labor with earnest alacrity. The work that is done under the ministration of the Holy Spirit, out of love for God and for humanity, will bear the signature of God and will make its impression on human minds. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 5

We do not look upon you, my brother, as a man who has put only half of his heart into this grand work. We take the opposite view of this, knowing that you put heart, mind, soul, and strength into your work. The only fear that I have had in regard to you is that you will try to carry too heavy a burden. Those who put their whole souls into the medical missionary work, who labor untiringly in peril, in privation, in watchings oft, in weariness and painfulness, are in danger of forgetting that they must be faithful guardians of their own mental and physical powers. They are not to allow themselves to be overtaxed. But they are filled with zeal and earnestness, and they sometimes move inadvisedly, putting themselves under too heavy a strain. Unless such workers make a change, the result will be that sickness will come upon them, and they will break down. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 6

While God’s workers are to be filled with a noble enthusiasm, and with a determination to follow the example of the divine worker, the great Medical Missionary, they are not to crowd too many things into the day’s work. If they do, they will soon have to leave the work entirely, broken down because they have tried to carry too heavy a load. My brother, it is right for you to make the best use of the advantages given you of God in earnest efforts for the relief of suffering and for the saving of souls. But do not sacrifice your health. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 7

We have a calling as much higher than common, selfish interests as the heavens are higher than the earth. But this thought should not lead the willing, hardworking servants of God to carry all the burdens they can possibly bear without periods of rest. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 8

How grand it would be if, among all who are engaged in carrying out God’s wonderful plan for the salvation of souls, there were no idlers! How much more would be accomplished if every one would say, “God holds me accountable to be wide-awake and to let my efforts speak in favor of the truth I profess to believe. I am to be a practical worker, not a daydreamer.” It is because there are so many daydreamers that true workers have to carry double burdens. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 9

It is the part of a medical missionary to minister to the needs of the soul as well as to the needs of the body. The precious truth of Christ’s power to save, spoken of in season, will give hope and courage and may save both soul and body. The Lord waters and watches over the seed thus sown. The promises of the Bible, repeated to those who are sick and discouraged, will be the means of saving many souls. The Holy Spirit co-operates with the worker who labors in the fear and love of God. God gives such workers wisdom and success. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 10

We need as workers to keep looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. As workers together with God, we are to draw souls to Christ. We are to remember that we each have a special part to act in the Master’s service. O how much good the members of the church might accomplish if they realized the responsibility resting upon them to point those with whom they come in contact to the Redeemer. When church members shall disinterestedly engage in the work given them of God, a much stronger influence will be exerted in behalf of souls ready to die, and much stronger efforts will be put forth in medical missionary lines. When every member of the church does his part faithfully, the workers in the field will be helped and encouraged, and the cause of God will move forward with power. Let the ministers of the gospel and the workers in medical missionary lines labor in perfect harmony. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 11

May God help you, my brother, to be cheerful, to look on the bright side. Study the twelfth chapter of Romans. It points out the unity, the sympathy, the kindness, the unselfish love that is to exist amongst God’s workers. 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 12

“As we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office; so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.” “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” [Verses 4, 5, 9-15, 21.] 19LtMs, Lt 291, 1904, par. 13