The Review and Herald
March 25, 1884
“Apples of Gold”
Solomon declares that “a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Such the reader will find to be the following words from the pen of Sr. White. It was a private letter, but the friends among whom it has circulated have found so much comfort and encouragement in it that we are induced to take the liberty to make public the following extract for the benefit of our readers in general: RH March 25, 1884, par. 1
“I feel continually grateful to God for his merciful kindness. When I think how weak and feeble I was when I started on my eastern journey, and how the Lord sustained and blessed me, and returned me home in safety, my heart is filled to overflowing with his great love. As I write upon my book I feel intensely moved. I want to get it out as soon as possible, for our people need it so much. I shall complete it next month, if the Lord gives me health as he has done. I have been unable to sleep nights for thinking of the important things to take place. Three hours, and sometimes five, is the most I get of sleep; my mind is stirred so deeply I cannot rest. Write, write, write, I feel that I must and not delay. RH March 25, 1884, par. 2
“Great things are before us, and we want to call the people from their indifference to get ready. Things that are eternal crowd upon my vision day and night; the things that are temporal fade from my sight. We are not now to cast away our confidence, but to have firm assurance, firmer than ever before. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us, and he will help us to the end. We will look to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord hath done, to comfort and to save us from the hand of the destroyer. We want to have fresh in our memory every tear the Lord has wiped from our eyes, every pain he has soothed, every anxiety removed, every fear dispelled, every want supplied, every mercy bestowed, and thus strengthen ourselves for all that is before us through the remainder of our pilgrimage. We can but look onward to new perplexities in the coming conflict, but we may look on what is past as well as what is to come, and say,—Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” The trial will not exceed the strength which shall be given us to bear. Then let us take up our work just where we find it, without one word of repining, believing nothing can come but that strength will come proportionate to the trial. RH March 25, 1884, par. 3
“Our children are in the hands of God. Our faith must awaken to grasp the promises; and we must not repine, nor be mournful, for then we dishonor God. We must encourage a cheerful, hopeful frame of mind. Our present peace must not be disturbed by anticipated trials; for God will never leave nor forsake one soul who trusts in him. God is better unto us than our fears. If we would encourage a diligent remembrance and recital of our mercies, counting up instances in which God has wrought for us, in which he has interposed his power and his grace when sorely perplexed, sustaining us when falling, comforting us when sorrowing, we would see that it is unbelief to distrust God or to be filled with anxiety. Let mercies be remembered and enjoyed daily. We must daily live by faith. RH March 25, 1884, par. 4
“I do not know what called out these remarks, only the thought that many will look away from present duties, present comfort and blessings, and be borrowing trouble in regard to the future crisis. This will be making a time of trouble beforehand, and we will receive no grace for any such anticipated troubles. Rejoice in God always. Today praise God for his grace, and continue to praise him every day; and then when the scenes of sore conflicts come, having learned the lesson of holy confidence, of blessed trust, we place our hands in the hands of Christ, our feet on the rock, and we are secure from storm and tempest.” RH March 25, 1884, par. 5