Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 23 (1908)

Ms 91, 1908

A Revival Needed

Los Angeles, California

August 20, 1908

This manuscript is published in entirety in Lake Union Herald 11/04/1908. +^Note

A message has been given me for our responsible men throughout the field, and I dare not remain silent. Words were spoken to me in the night season that brought a heavy burden on my soul. The messenger said, Arouse the watchmen to set at work many laborers who will diligently strive for the salvation of souls. Let the light shine forth to every place. It is not so much expensive facilities that are most needed now, but humble, faithful men and women who have the fear of God before them and the spirit of revival in their hearts. 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 1

We are in the last days of this earth’s history. Our work is reformatory. Those who take a part in it have no excuse for indolence or ignorance. We are to work according to the directions given in the Word of God, and in harmony with the light He is sending through the agency of His Holy Spirit. How earnestly we should strive to come up to all our high privileges, and to meet the standard set for us in Christ Jesus. The only hope of producing a harvest of souls for the courts of God is in unselfish labor. We must open the truths of the Bible to the people, that they may be warned of their dangers and be sanctified through the truth. The life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit must come into every soul. 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 2

Whenever an interest has been created by our general meetings, our labors should be continued for the sowing of the seeds of truth. Satan and his army are zealous for the sowing of the seeds of evil; and if God’s servants would defeat his purposes, their hearts must be converted and sanctified, and their lives must be devoted to the upbuilding of the cause of truth in the dark places of the earth. Warnings and appeals must be given in clear and forcible language. The arbitrary dictation and forbiddings that have sometimes restricted and hindered the work and confused the senses of the Lord’s messengers, so that some have not dared to move forward in a work that is essential to be done, must cease. The truth will magnify itself when it is presented by lips that are sanctified. 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 3

It is one of Satan’s boldest schemes to hold the minds and harden the hearts of those who give themselves to the work. Now in order that they may understand what has been done to hinder the outworking of infinite love, there will need to be on the part of some a thorough work of self-examination, for their own religious interest, and a discarding of the experiences of the past from our present and future work. Let our ministers be wide-awake; let them consecrate mind and heart in simplicity and meekness to the work of undoing every wrong that in the past they have allowed to exist, to the injury of many souls, “redeeming the time because the days are evil.” [Ephesians 5:16.] 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 4

Heavenly angels are looking in pity on our unwarned cities. They look with wonder upon those who profess to be working for the upbuilding of the kingdom of Christ in the earth. Can they say “Well done, good and faithful servant,” to those who are not earnest and faithful? [Matthew 25:23.] My brethren, let us consider the needs of the cities. Let us lay off our needless adornments, our unnecessary indulgences, that through our self-sacrifice souls may be won to Christ. Let us begin the work without delay, that those who have long been left in ignorance of the truth for this time may speedily hear the message of warning, the last the world will receive. 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 5

The Influence of Godly Women

Wonderful is the mission of the wives and mothers and the younger women workers. If they will, they can exert an influence for good to all around them. By modesty in dress and circumspect deportment, they may bear witness to the truth in its simplicity. They may let their light so shine before all, that others will see their good works and glorify the Father which is in heaven. A truly converted woman will exert a powerful transforming influence for good. Connected with her husband, she may aid him in his work and become the means of encouragement and blessing to him. When the will and way are brought into subjection to the Spirit of God, there is no limit to the good that can be accomplished. 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 6

The apostle writes, making mention of certain women who labored with him: “My brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I entreat thee also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 7

“Finally, my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, or if there be any praise, think on these things.” [Philippians 4:1-8.] 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 8

An Inspired Picture of Our Mission

The mission of the people of God in this age is outlined in the words of inspiration that describe the work of the Messiah: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord hath anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord; and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn, to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” [Isaiah 61:1-3.] 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 9

“And they shall build up the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.” [Verse 4.] 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 10

The Neglected Cities Must Be Worked

There is an extensive work to be done in imparting a knowledge of the gospel message in all our cities of America, and especially in the southern states in America; and not only in America, but in all parts of the world. Many of them are lying in darkness. As we see the increase of iniquity in the earth, we know that there was never greater need of the exercise of Christlike virtue and compassion, never greater need of humble, faithful labor for those who are perishing in ignorance and sin. The knowledge of Christ, the Word and wisdom of God, the essence of truth was never more greatly needed. Never was there greater need that the truth should go forth as a lamp that burneth. 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 11

We are far behind in doing for our cities the work that God has given us to do. Souls who should now have the light of truth are still in ignorance of it. The Word of God is represented as a light. His servants are declared to be light-bearers. “A city that is set on a hill,” the Saviour said, “cannot be hid. ... Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The light is to be set on high, not hidden under a bushel. It is to be placed where it can give light to all who are in the house. [Matthew 5:14-16.] 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 12

But before the precious light can shine to all that are in the house, there is needed a spirit of reconversion in many of our people. For years the Lord has been dishonored, the glory due to Him has been withheld, because of the way in which the needs of the cities have been disregarded and neglected. Cities have been left unworked that should have been given faithful and wise labor, and souls who might have been converted are still in ignorance of the saving message. 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 13

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” [Isaiah 60:1-3.] 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 14

Wake up, brethren, wake up and answer: “For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.” [Isaiah 62:1.] 23LtMs, Ms 91, 1908, par. 15