Spalding and Magan Collection

Help the Workers

Sanitarium, Napa Co., Cal.,

January 19, 1907.

Elder A. G. Daniells,
Takoma Park Station,
Washington, D. C.:

Dear Brother,

Today I have been carrying a heavy burden on my heart. Last night some matters of special importance were opened up before me. I seemed to be passing through a severe conflict. I was addressing a company of men and women and presenting to them the dangers of our people. I spoke of our great need of being much with God in prayer. I had words of encouragement to give to different ones. SpM 395.2

Words of instruction were given to me to speak to you and Elder Evans, and Elder Washburn. I said, You have a work to do to encourage the school work in Madison, Tenn. There are but few teachers among us who have had experience in carrying forward the work in hard places. The workers who have been striving to carry out the mind and will of God in Madison have not received the encouragement they should have had. Unless Brother Sutherland is relieved of some of the pressure that is upon him he will fall under the burden. SpM 395.3

You may ask what is needed? I answer it is encouragement. Brethren Sutherland and Magan have had a severe lesson in the past. The Lord sent them correction and instruction, and they received the message from the Lord and made confession. It was a grievous mistake to plan to center so many interests in Battle Creek. Shall we be influenced by those who say that the men who made that mistake can not be trusted? SpM 395.4

When I was in Washington I entreated Brethren Sutherland and Magan to believe that God had forgiven their mistakes, and I since tried by my help and encouragement to have them realize that the Lord had placed them on vantage ground. SpM 395.5

It is your privilege, Brother Daniells, and the privilege of those who have wide influence in the work, to let these brethren understand that they have your confidence and encouragement in the work they are bravely doing. Brother Sutherland is in a precarious state of health. We can not afford to lose him. We need his experience in the school work. The brethren who have influence should do all in their power to hold up the hands of these workers by encouraging and supporting the work of the Madison school. Means should be appropriated to the needs of the work in Madison,—that the labor of the teachers may not be so hard in the future. SpM 395.6