Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 116, 1902

Sermon/“Cry aloud, spare not ...”

St. Helena, California

August 30, 1902

Portions of this manuscript are published in 3BC 1143; 4BC 1144, 1151; Ev 240. +^Note

Sabbath Morning, August 30, 1902

Sermon, Mrs. E. G. White, Sanitarium Chapel, St. Helena, California,

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of Me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 1

“Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and Thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and Thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors. Behold ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his hand as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord?” [Isaiah 58:1-5.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 2

The Lord takes no delight in pretended mourning, or in ceremonies performed to hide the deficiencies of the soul. He would have every one of His children look unto Him, estimate His blessings, and come to Him with thanksgiving in the heart. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 3

Constantly we should be learning His goodness, His love, His compassion, in order that we may manifest these attributes toward those with whom we come in daily contact. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 4

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 5

“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.” [Verses 6-8.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 6

In this life we are following on to know the Lord. We are to do just what He did during His ministry. We are in the world to improve every opportunity to help those in need of help. We are here to relieve the necessities, spiritual and physical, of the high and the low, the rich and the poor. When we are ever ready to do this, “we are laborers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] God is building with us, and we ourselves are building in connection with Him. We are not to expect some great reward in this life. Our reward is with Christ. We are to look to Him, following His example. In order that we may work for Him intelligently, we must study the record of His work while on this earth. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 7

“Thy righteousness shall go before thee.” [Isaiah 58:8.] This does not say that righteousness is within ourselves. Christ, our righteousness, has led the way. He has marked out the path that we should travel. We have no excuse for not being in a position to uplift the bowed down and the oppressed. We should be so earnestly engaged in this work, that our attention will be taken from ourselves. As we help the needy, lift the fallen, and cheer the faint-hearted, our righteousness goes before us, and the glory of the Lord is our rearward. As we follow on to know the Lord, His glory follows us. Thus we walk in His footsteps and become His helping hand. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 8

“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am.” [Verse 9.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 9

While I was in Australia, many wrote to me, requesting special prayer in their behalf. But was it necessary for them to send letters thousands of miles, asking me to present their cases to the Lord? The Lord was as near to them as He was to me. He is here with us today. Constantly His eye is upon us. His ears are open to our prayers. He sees us as we go out and as we come in. He desires us to acknowledge His presence, and to call upon Him when we are in need. By praise and thanksgiving let all with whom we associate know that we have received the answer to our prayers. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 10

“If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity”—nearly every church is guilty of these things—“and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; ...” [Verses 9, 10.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 11

All around us are afflicted souls. Let us search out these suffering ones, and speak a word in season to comfort their hearts. Here and there—everywhere—we shall find them. Let us ever be channels through which may flow to them the refreshing waters of compassion. To those who minister to the necessities of the hungry and the afflicted, the promise is, “Then shall thy light rise in obscurity.” [Verse 10.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 12

Many are in obscurity. They have lost their bearings. They know not what course to pursue. Let the perplexed ones search out others who are in perplexity, and speak to them words of hope and encouragement. When they begin to do this work, the light of heaven will reveal to them the path that they should follow. By their words of consolation to the afflicted they themselves will be consoled. By helping others, they themselves will be helped out of their difficulties. Joy takes the place of sadness and gloom. The heart, filled with the Spirit of God, glows with warmth toward every fellow being. Every such an one is no longer in darkness; for his “darkness” is “as the noon day.” [Verse 10.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 13

How often men and women have come to me, saying, “O if I only knew what to do! Tell me, Sister White, what course to pursue.” The following Scripture is an answer to such question, a healing balm for every one: “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in.” [Verses 11, 12.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 14

This is the position in which we, as Seventh-day Adventists, are standing. We are standing in the breach, working to restore in the hearts of men and women respect for God’s law. We are trying to point out to others the true, genuine Sabbath that should be observed by the people of God. We do not intend to keep our peace when we see a fellow being walking contrary to the law of God. To those who are accepting a spurious Sabbath, we will not say, “We have no light for you;” for we have. God’s law has been broken and forsaken, and human laws have been constructed to take the place of His commandments. Our work is to “build up the old waste places;” to “raise up the foundations of many generations.” [Verse 12.] His paths, which are to be restored, are safe paths; for He says, “Keep My commandments, and live; and My law as the apple of thine eye.” [Proverbs 7:2.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 15

That the portion of the law to be restored is the Sabbath commandment—is shown by the following verses: “Thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy Father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Isaiah 58:12-14.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 16

Never need any one fear that observance of the true Sabbath will result in starvation. These promises are a sufficient answer to all the excuses that man may invent for refusing to keep the Sabbath. Even if, after beginning to keep God’s law, it seems impossible to support one’s family, let every doubting soul realize that God has promised to care for those who obey His commandments. By keeping His law, we break the yoke of bondage, and live in freedom, delighting ourselves in the Lord. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 17

God tells His ministering servants to point out these things. “Cry aloud,” He says, “spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Verse 1.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 18

In the fourth of Deuteronomy we read: “Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live.” [Verse 1.] There is some joy in living even this life; but O, the joy in the life to come is so much higher, that the pleasures of this life seem insignificant in comparison. In this world we are living as probationers. Every day we are fixing our destiny for weal or for woe. We are daily to answer the question, “Will I obey God and live? or will I transgress His commandments and finally be blotted out of existence?” My brother, my sister, what is your choice? 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 19

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you,” the Lord declares, “Neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you. Your eyes have seen what the Lord did because of Baal-peor: for all the men that followed Baal-peor, the Lord thy God hath destroyed them from among you.” [Verses 2, 3.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 20

As the Lord tested the Israelites, so today He is testing us with His sacred truth. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 21

“But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive every one of you this day. Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your”—ignorance? [Verses 4-6.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 22

After you begin to keep the commandments, some of your former friends will say, “How foolish you are to be so singular, so different from the world!” But has not God said, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, ... and touch not the unclean thing”? “I will receive you,” He declares, “and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters.” [2 Corinthians 6:17, 18.] Is not this assurance enough to satisfy you? What more do you want? Do you feel afraid that if you keep the Sabbath, some one else will know it? Are you fearful that you may demean yourself by connecting with the God of heaven? I do not feel this way; and I desire to tell everybody that I am not ashamed to obey the Lord and to be His child. I desire all to know that I am connected with a people who are in harmony with God, who believe His Word, and who serve Him with undivided affections—a people who keep His commandments and live. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 23

Through Moses the Lord declared to the Israelites that to keep and to do His commandments was their wisdom, not their ignorance. “This is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon Him for?” [Deuteronomy 4:6, 7.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 24

Compare the promise in Isaiah, “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am,” with the promise, “For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon Him for?” [Isaiah 58:9; Deuteronomy 4:7.] It is only as obedient children that we can lay hold on these promises. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 25

“And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons: specially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me, Gather Me the people together, and I will make them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.” [Verses 8-10.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 26

I might read passage after passage from Deuteronomy, giving similar instruction in regard to God’s law. Very many do not realize how important it is to obey the truth. We are to obey the truth in order that we may be representatives of God. He has created us to glorify His name. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 27

In the thirty-first chapter of Exodus, the Lord, through His servant Moses, gives very important instruction in regard to the observance of the Sabbath day. “The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the Lord that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh (not the first; He does not mention the first) is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord: whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He rested, and was refreshed.” [Verses 12-17.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 28

With these Scriptures I desire to link other passages, to show that in order to receive the Lord’s blessing, we must stand in the right position before Him. Let us read the fortieth of Isaiah: “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God shall stand forever.” [Verses 3-8.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 29

“O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain: O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arm shall rule for Him: behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.” [Verses 9, 10.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 30

Whenever He comes to us, His reward is with Him. He does not leave it in heaven, but gives it to us every day. Daily He gives us confidence and light and blessing. Daily our hearts beat in unison with His great heart of love. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 31

“He shall feed His flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 32

“Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counselor hath taught Him? With whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and showed to Him the way of understanding?” [Verses 11-14.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 33

Men sometimes suppose that they discover new truths; but they cannot teach God anything. Our God is a God of infinite knowledge. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 34

“Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, He taketh up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before Him are as nothing; and they are counted to Him less than nothing, and vanity. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 35

“To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto Him? The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains. He that is so impoverished that he hath no oblation chooseth a tree that will not rot; he seeketh unto him a cunning workman to prepare a graven image, that shall not be moved. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 36

“Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: that bringeth the princes to nothing; He maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Yea, they shall not be planted; yea, they shall not be sown: yea, their stock shall not take root in the earth: and He shall also blow upon them, and they shall wither, and the whirlwind shall take them away as stubble. To whom then will ye liken Me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth. Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God?” [Verses 15-27.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 37

These questions are directed to us as truly as they were to the Israelites. Can we answer them? 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 38

“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding.” [Verse 28.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 39

The next few verses are especially comforting to the afflicted ones: “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” [Verses 29-31.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 40

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. ... I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the Lord, and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” [Isaiah 41:10, 13, 14.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 41

Keep these promises in mind. Realize that the Lord God of heaven is ready to uplift every soul that is cast down. He dwells with the humble-hearted ones, as is stated in the fifty-seventh chapter of Isaiah: “Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him: I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways and will heal him: I will lead him, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; peace, peace to him that is afar off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord: and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” [Verses 15-21.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 42

He who is high and holy is willing to heal those who come to Him with repentance and confession. The prophet further declares: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save: neither is His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” [Isaiah 59:1, 2.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 43

But there is hope for the wicked. God is calling them to Himself. He bids them come. He desires to shed upon them the light of His countenance. To every sin-sick soul He is saying: “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him: and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” [Isaiah 55:6, 7.] Let us accept His promise. Let us point others to the One so willing to pardon them. We see so many in misery and distress. To such we can bring happiness by leading them to accept God’s promises and to appropriate them to themselves. The Lord will hide the sins and blot out the iniquities of those who accept Him with heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. May God help every one of us to do this; for when we find Him, we shall be able to praise Him, glorifying and honoring His name. Then shall we be able to say, “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountains: O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid: say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God.” [Isaiah 40:9.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 44

Having repented of the sin that has stood between us and our God, we can see His matchless charms and realize His boundless love for us. His arms are ever outstretched to receive repentant sinners. Shall we not praise Him and glorify His name? How much glory do we give Him for the blessings He bestows upon us? How much glory has He received for His work of transformation in this Sanitarium? I am glad that He has been working so manifestly. I am glad that His Holy Spirit is cherished in your hearts. Are you acknowledging His goodness, praising Him with the voice of melody? Will you not henceforth praise Him more than you have praised Him in the past? Will you not lift up your soul to Him often, that you may gain strength through communion with Him? Let no one be ashamed to say, with the Psalmist: “I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” [Psalm 18:1, 2.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 45

As you confess before men and women your confidence in the Lord, additional strength is imparted to you. Determine to praise Him. With firm determination comes increased will power; and soon you will find that you cannot help praising Him. With David you will say: “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. ... The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me.” [Verses 3, 20.] Those who use their hands to work iniquity and to deal unjustly cannot expect the blessing of the Lord to rest upon them; but those who keep their hands from evildoing can declare: “I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His judgments were before me, and I did not put away His statutes from me. I was also upright before Him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity.” [Verses 21-23.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 46

Are you in trouble? Go to Jesus. Seek the Lord while He may be found. Satan may surround you with darkness; but let your faith pierce through the darkness into the sunlight of Christ’s presence. In the name of the Lord, take hold of His strength. “Let him take hold of My strength,” He pleads with every trembling suppliant, “that he may make peace with Me, and he shall make peace with Me.” [Isaiah 27:5.] Are you not thankful for this promise? Christ is a never-failing source of strength to those who trust in Him. So thankful do I feel for His love to me, that at times I can hardly sleep at night. Often I want to get up and walk the floor, praising the Lord. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 47

The Psalmist continues: “With the merciful thou wilt show Thyself merciful.” [Psalm 18:25.] Let us begin to put into practice the instruction given us in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah, showing mercy to those who are afflicted. “With an upright man Thou wilt show Thyself upright.” God will reward men according to their uprightness. “With the pure Thou wilt show Thyself pure; and with the froward Thou wilt show Thyself froward”—that is, as God meets us where we are, so we are to meet men where they are. [Psalm 18:25, 26.] Let us not, by refusing to meet our fellow men where they are, place ourselves outside the compass of God’s love and mercy. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 48

The next few verses are especially comforting to the afflicted: “For thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. For Thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by Thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.” [Verses 27-29.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 49

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and His circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” [Psalm 19:1-11.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 50

Let us never again fail to offer thanksgiving and praise to God for His goodness. All through the Psalms are words of praise and adoration; all through are exhortations to be joyful in the Lord. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 51

“Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright.” [Psalm 33:1.] If praise is comely for the upright, why should we not praise the Lord in our assemblies? Would it not be well for the silent ones to break the seal that closes their lips by words of praise? Fashion, custom, say, Keep silent. But by keeping silent we forget God and His mercy toward us. Shall we not return unto our God, with repentance for our backsliding, and learn to praise Him more and more? 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 52

“Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto Him a new song: play skilfully with a loud noise. For the word of the Lord is right; and all His works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” [Verses 2-6.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 53

Let us catch the spirit of praise and thanksgiving. Forgetting our own difficulties and troubles, let us praise God for freedom from sin and for an opportunity to live for the glory of His name. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 54

“O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible.” [Psalm 47:1, 2.] Notwithstanding the terror with which He can strike the hearts of transgressors, He looks upon them with compassion and longs to see them turn to Him and be saved from their transgressions. “He is a great King over all the earth. He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. He shall choose our inheritance for us. ... Sing praises to God, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” [Verses 2-4, 6, 7.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 55

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” [Psalm 46:1.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 56

Let us all take hold of these promises, and unite in thanksgiving to God. Let us praise Him aloud in the midst of the congregation. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 57

“Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: sing forth the honor of His name: make His praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible art Thou in Thy works! through the greatness of Thy power shall Thine enemies submit themselves unto Thee.” [Psalm 66:1-3.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 58

“Praise waiteth for Thee, O God, in Zion: and unto Thee shall the vow be performed. O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come.” [Psalm 65:1, 2.] 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 59

I might read chapter after chapter similar to the Scriptures I have chosen; but I will let you search the Word of God for yourselves. Let us learn to praise the Lord in every place and under all circumstances. I remember that my father used to stand up in praise meetings, when they were becoming a little dry, and say: “What doth much increase the store? When I praise Him, He gives me more.” Thus he always made it his practice to praise God. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 60

My brethren and sisters, you have every reason to praise the Lord. Let praise flow from your lips—praise for what He has done for you. Has He not been working mightily in this place? Have you not seen of the salvation of God? I have felt His presence here; I have seen of His salvation, and have been made glad. Let us honor the Majesty of heaven for His wonderful works to the children of men. Let us acknowledge that He is exalted above all the powers of earth, above all the powers of the nations. Sometime we shall more fully understand what this means. God will help us to bring light and life and health to those who come to this Sanitarium. He will help us to show them how to plant their feet upon the eternal Foundation, the eternal Rock, which can never be moved. 17LtMs, Ms 116, 1902, par. 61