Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 75, 1905

Palmer, E. R.; Ballenger, E. S.

“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California

February 20, 1905

This letter is published in entirety in 15MR 312-317.

Dear Brethren Palmer and Ballenger,—

We are well pleased with the reports that Brother Ballenger has sent us of the work of the Paradise Valley Sanitarium. What we see being accomplished there is a fulfilment of what I have been instructed we might expect. For this we thank the Lord, and take courage for the future, believing that the Lord will bless and guide. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 1

The patronage you are receiving, even before you are fully prepared to accommodate patients, has exceeded my expectations. The Lord has been good to us, and we must ever bear in mind that this sanitarium is to be made a means of communicating truth to those who know it not. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 2

Treatment rooms should be fitted up soon. Let them be, as was suggested when we were there, outside the main building. Were they inside the sanitarium, the steam from them would make an unhealthful atmosphere, which would pervade the rooms of the patients. Let us take every precaution to make everything connected with the Paradise Valley Sanitarium healthful and wholesome. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 3

We are made sad as we see in many places so much left undone that should be done. But the Lord will use in the accomplishment of His work means that we do not now see. He will raise up from among the common people men and women to do His work, even as of old He called fishermen to be His disciples. There will soon be an awakening that will surprise many. Those who do not realize the necessity of what is to be done will be passed by, and the heavenly messengers will work with those who are called the common people, fitting them to carrying the truth to many places. Now is the time for us to awake and do what we can. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 4

I have received a letter from Brother Burrill of Canada, in which he speaks of the Sunday question that is soon to be met there. He says that they especially need Brother Robinson to help them in meeting this issue. He is a native-born Canadian and can be a great help to them at this time. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 5

Brother Burrill has written to me because he understood that I had encouraged Brother Robinson to come to San Diego. At first I could remember nothing in regard to the matter. But after I received Brother Ballenger’s letter, stating the Brother Robinson was expected in San Diego soon to act as business manager of the sanitarium, I remember that Brother Robinson was one whose name had been mentioned in some of our councils. I think he was presented as one who was not well and who needed a change of climate. I asked if he were qualified to act as manager. When it was stated that he seemed to have the qualifications necessary for the place, I think I said, “Then by all means let him come.” But I did not present this as light that had been given me by the Lord. It was merely my personal judgment, formed from your presentation of the case. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 6

Brother Burrill also stated that Elder W. W. Simpson is a Canadian, and that such men as he are needed in Canada. He seems to think that it is not right that Elder Simpson should be held in Los Angeles. I know nothing in regard to Elder Simpson’s case, except that he has been used by the Lord in His work in Los Angeles and that he has been greatly blessed. Over one hundred have taken their stand for the truth as a result of his labors. At the close of his last series of tent-meetings, he thought of changing his field of labor; but he received a petition signed by many of the citizens of Los Angeles, asking him to remain and continue his meetings. The Lord has given Brother Simpson a spirit of adaptability, with wisdom to plan and carry out his work; and He has blessed him in the bringing out of leaflets, notices, and charts that have aroused the interest of the people. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 7

I would say, Let Brother Simpson labor where his message is evidently accomplishing great good. Those who have come to his meetings have given freely of their means to sustain the work that he has carried forward. At this time, when there is such urgent need of workers in Los Angeles, when the brethren are seeking to establish a sanitarium there, I dare not say to Elder Simpson, You must go back to Canada. And, besides, such a move might not be best for his health. For the present let him remain in Los Angeles; for the Lord is giving him marked success in bearing the message to the people. Let him give the trumpet a certain sound, arousing those who have never heard the truth. May the Lord encourage him to remain in Los Angeles until the church members are aroused to gird on the armor and show that they have a burden to give the message. Our ministers are not to hover over the churches. They are to proclaim the truth, as Elder Simpson is doing. Let those who know not the truth be given an opportunity to hear the reasons of our faith. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 8

I believe that Brother Simpson is presenting the truth as God would have many others present it. Some of the brethren in Los Angeles felt that he should do more in the church there. When this was suggested to me, I thought of the answer that Christ gave when the priests and rulers reproached Him for eating with publicans and sinners. “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” He declared. [Mark 2:17.] Let the work now being accomplished for those who have never before heard the truth lead our ministers and church members in Los Angeles to arouse; let them take hold, as they see that God is working. Let them make diligent work in repenting of their coldness and indifference and selfishness. As the church is by repentance cleansed from this neglect, and the members are converted, they will heartily engage in laboring from house to house. By teaching those who are seeking for the light of truth, they themselves will receive a valuable education. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 9

Let no one, by precept or example, seek to draw Elder Simpson from his God-appointed work. Let all take hold with him in an effort to carry the work in clear lines. The members of the Los Angeles church need to heed every message that comes to them, bidding them arouse from their stupor. If they will earnestly seek the Lord, He will give them light and life and the quickening power of the Holy Spirit. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 10

The message that I have to bear to the church in Los Angeles is, Awake, and put on the whole armor of God. There is selfishness in the church that must be rooted out. Seek the Lord earnestly. Reveal in your lives the sanctifying power of the truth. Co-operate with the evangelist that the Lord has placed amongst you. God would have you work as fishers of men. Pray much, and practice self-denial, that you may help in establishing the sanitarium at Glendale, which is struggling to make a beginning. Seek to make it an institution after God’s order. Some can do more than others, but all can do something. There are those who, if they will deny self, may do much more than they have done, and if all will take hold in earnest, the Glendale Sanitarium may be made a praise in the earth. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 11

In the securing of buildings for sanitarium work in Southern California, we see the gracious leading of God. These buildings have been secured at a very small cost, and the Lord would now have His people build up and strengthen the work. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 12

The Glendale Sanitarium must be furnished and equipped. There is a great work to be done for that institution. Do not discourage those who are trying to do what they can to carry on the work. Help Brother Burden and those who are placed in charge of the sanitarium work, that they may do all that needs to be done. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 13

I make a special appeal to the church in Los Angeles. God expects you, as a church, to be purified and refined. Put away all accusing and dissension, lay aside all fault-finding and jealousy, and let every one come up to the help of the Lord. You need to arise and trim your lamps, that they may give a clearer light. All should appreciate what is being done to bring the truth before unbelievers. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 14

Let the older members be an example to those who have recently come into the truth. I entreat those who have been long in the truth not to hurt the new converts by living irreligious lives. Lay aside all murmuring, and do thorough work in your own hearts. Break up the fallow ground of your hearts, and seek to know what you can do to advance the work in Los Angeles. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 15

Temptations are being brought in by men who have been long in the truth. The truths that we received in 1841, ’42, ’43, and ’44 are now to be studied and proclaimed. The messages of the first, second, and third angels will in the future be proclaimed with a loud voice. They will be given with earnest determination and in the power of the Spirit. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 16

The members of the Los Angeles church need to have a deep work of grace done in their own hearts. Let every one build over against his own house. The messages given by Elder Simpson, which convert sinners, should be sufficient to arouse you also. Awake, awake, and give to the unconverted evidence that you believe the truth of heavenly origin. Unless you do awake, the world will not believe that you practice the truth that you profess to hold. 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 17

Pray earnestly. Read and study the prayer of Christ, as given in the seventeenth chapter of John, and then seek to live lives that will answer that prayer. Read also the messages given in the third chapter of Revelation. God sent His angel from heaven to give these messages. The message to the Laodicean church belongs to the church in Los Angeles and to our churches generally. Will they arouse and do the work that God has given them to do? 20LtMs, Lt 75, 1905, par. 18