Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Lt 108, 1910

Daniells, A. G.

St. Helena, California

September 1, 1910

Portions of this letter are published in MM 140. +^Note

Elder A. G. Daniells

My dear Brother:

We have just been getting a number of letters ready for the mail. And now I wish to write to you. I have become worn with sleepless nights, and with the apparent failure of my effort to make my ministering brethren understand the largeness of our work and its necessities at this time. I fear that I have been unable to present the matter in the forcible way in which it has been presented to me. I have written and written with an intensity and a burden that but few realize. I have felt at times that unless this burden should be lifted, I could not live. Some nights I lie awake for many hours in an agony of distress because there are those who, notwithstanding the light that has been given, are indifferent regarding the work to be done. This sense of the true state of things has been a grievous trial to me. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 1

But I rejoice to see that some are now awaking; for this I praise God with heart and soul and voice. Let the ministers in all our conferences look with sincere heart and soul to the Lord Jesus, to learn of Him the message that is to be borne. The work now to be done is to sound the message of present truth to those who have never heard it. I praise the Lord that there is an awakening amongst our brethren. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 2

The question of the wages that the laborers should receive is one point that will need most careful investigation and consideration. When a minister and his wife are laboring together, each one acting a part, they should both receive wages. If they both do faithful work, it is proper to regard both of them as laborers together with God. The Lord is a just God, and it is His purpose that each faithful laborer shall be given a stated sum, so that he may have the privilege of appropriating and using it as his judgment, sanctified to the Lord, shall dictate. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 3

In some cases great discouragement has come upon certain laborers because the wife has been scarcely taken into account by those entrusted with the work of paying the laborers. The wife of the minister who has a part to act in connection with her husband should receive something for her work so that she may give to the work where she sees the greatest need. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 4

In some cases the wife of the minister has been ignored, and injustice has been done her. I have a message for those who have done this. When both husband and wife are working with intensity of desire to save perishing souls, it is not just or right to withhold the wages that should be paid to the wife. Her time is of value, and she should be given encouragement. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 5

Let the work now move forward as it should, in order and justice. The woman who carries burdens side by side with her husband should also have her share of means to use; for often she sees where help is much needed. She should be given the wage that she justly earns. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 6

The minister and his wife who are truly converted, and who give themselves wholly to the work of the Lord, are daily becoming more and more intelligent and efficient in their labor for others. They can open the Scriptures to souls in such a way as to bring light to minds in darkness. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 7

Women can learn what needs to be done to reach other women. There are women who are especially adapted for the work of giving Bible readings, and they are very successful in presenting the Word of God in its simplicity to others. They become a great blessing in reaching mothers and their daughters. This is a sacred work, and those engaged in it should receive encouragement. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 8

In the medical missionary work to be done, women should give treatment to women. A man and his wife who are both physicians can accomplish great good by laboring together. The wife can visit other women, and when she finds suffering and disease, she can consult with her husband as to the best method of helping the sufferers. We should have more women physicians than we have. When women who are sick are treated and cared for by women, a door through which Satan tries to enter is closed against him. Many cases have been presented to me where Satan has entered through this door to ruin families. Let him not obtain any advantage upon any point. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 9

I wish all to understand this matter. There should be in our sanitariums women physicians who can stand by their husbands, and who can do the examining of women patients and give them treatment. Many more sensible, thoroughly converted women should become intelligent physicians. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 10

I am instructed that our sanitariums must have women physicians as well as men physicians. But I can merely touch upon this matter now. May the Lord instruct minds. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 11

The wives of our doctors should become intelligent in regard to the laws of healthful living. If they have children, they should diligently educate them to be the Lord’s helping hand. They should watch unto prayer, that when opportunity offers, they can speak words in the sickroom that will prove a blessing. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 12

Your sister in Christ. 25LtMs, Lt 108, 1910, par. 13