1895-96 White SpecialTestimoniesToMinistersAndWorkers n9

SPECIAL TESTIMONIES .IQ MINISTERS Mill .-WO-.RKERS;; ; ; ; ; ; -.
Numbers 3, l~, 5l' 6 & 7

Tracts By Ellen G~ W&~ite
Wr'.tt~n
and
Issued From Battle Creek9 Michigan -
Beginning J"luy 23., 1895.
Re-printed 1958
HEALTH RESEARCH MOKELUMNE HILL, CALIFORNIA
Digitized by the Center for Adventist Research

SPECIAL TESTIMONIES FOR MII\I"'ISTERS
AND ·WORKERSo--NO. 9
IT -w~l be· seed. that the Testimonies contained in this leaflet point
out serious defects, ~and call for decided reforms, in the work throughout.
It is ~o:ped that ~the counsel herein given ·will be carefully studied and
sincer'e ly ·p racticed by ·all. · . . . ..
: <t .f ~' • • • : • • •
Several times of late, the Lord has been obliged to state that his
TestDnonies nave been really disregarded by those who thought they believ-
ed them. He ~ays, 11~ reproofs ~warnings from the~~ been~
ed, ·~ interpreted · ~ :~ - ~ !?.;i ~ devices .2f ~· 11 One device · to
evade them, he says, was to rlframe . flimsy: :. excuses~ 11 He says they were . in.:.
terpreted and made void, by men Hputt:iJ!g their .2!!.!1 construction upon ~P
saying that they did not mean ·thus and so.H He .says the Testimo~es have
been Harg\ied away7 ~ sa.:;s;:
"They mean.iust ~ stated; II but that ~-tthose
whom the Lord has.:-vrarned, feel that ~he warning means something ~; they
explain it i£ signify exactly the opposite · £!~ which~ Lord has ~· ·~' .
- . . .· .. ~
This is a most 'serious.. matter G It is therefore hoped that such things ::}·
shall n~~l] forever cease. It is hoped 'tha:t ~ Testimonies, and i~deed · ,y '.. :::
all others, shall be received as from the Lord, and be carefully and. prayer-
fully st~died by all· concerned, to lmow what Hthe Lord- has saido 11 And';_h av-
ing found what the ·Lord has said, then let U:s allmJ it to II mean . ~ust as . . '-·~-·
stated, 11 and yie_ld to it ~n~ · -~ollow it accordinglyo · ·· ~
Of Moses · it is written that HHe gave God credit for wisdom to knovv
what _he meant, and firmness of purpose to mean what he said; and therefore . ;:~
Moses acted as seeing ,the Invisible." It was nby faith" tha:t Moses 11 en~ · · .· .:
dured as: ~ seeing hinl who is invisible. 11 It is therefore faith to give God •::'.:.:
credit for wisdom to know what he means when he speaks, and for fir.wness
of purpose to mean vvhat he says~ And llthey Y'[hich be of faith are blessed
lNi th faithful Abraham. u ·
So let. it be with every one of us, is the earnest prayer of the
~ CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.. · ~
,,
Battle· cr~ek, Mich., April s, 1897.
All Ye Are Brethren.

BThou Sb~lt Have. !\To Other Gods Before Me. "
.:::· .~ .•.·.. 29'! t :
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God ·t.o ~e· Iilquired Of • • • · • • • • • •.· ·• • ' · ~ · • • • • • .• • . • . : ~ . • :: ~ :• ·) :j :-, :30~:t:··
( • •• J ; •• , ~ . , .. ... ~'!-
The Lord Has a Contr9versy with His· Peopl~ - . • • • • • 303 ' .
tt Give Me Thine Heart. 11 · --- • • • ..

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.ste~s and Business :Matters .• . • .• ,:..•_.,"~ '$16 .
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Gocfi .s Clci'iriiS on His Ste;,vards. • • ::.-.. ·:,• '·· -e- • -~·. •.!. ' ! , .. • ' ~.~ : .rl ~;·:· .-;~~:--~)~:...·~ ~~.3~9~
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The Preciousness of Christ to His . Followers() -~ - • • • • • • • ·• . ~ • • (" 3'23

Digitized by the-284~
Center ...
for ..Adventist
. Research
.. - ..
ALL YE ARE BRETHREN.
----....:..-,_....
MARCH 8, 1895 •
. .>:.I MUST speak to· my :brethren nigh and· afar off~ I ·- cannot holc~: --Hr:/ - :
peace~ · -'They ··are no:t worldng on correct principles. ">Those ·who·· starid in : '_
(
responsible positions must not feel that their position of imPortance ·:: ·· · ·: ···
\' makes them men of infallible judgment. ·
·,.
· All--the works .of· men are un:der the Lordi s juri-s diction. It will be·· :=· '
al~og~t,he~ );af~ _.for· men t _o· consider that there is knowledge with the Most ·
High.· · Th6'se who·. trus.t in God -and his wisdom, and not in their own 1' ·.. are··. . ·- ··
walldhg ±n: s_afe paths. hey ¥rill never feel that they are authorized to · .
nn.tz.zl~ :~even ..the Q~ ·that· treads out the grain; and hmi offensive it is for ·· · _ .-
men to · control the humah ·agent who is in partnership with God, <and whom·.....:·_--·_: ~
the Lor~ · Jesus has irivited, ueome unto me 1 a~ ye that~ .and ·are heavi~ .· ·.
laden;. .:_: ~d'- I wil_l · give . you rest. Take my yoke ~pon you, and learn -of me;--_··.· ·.
fo~-- _I .~m meek -and __ lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest urito· your . souls ·. ~ - _-~---
For M;y: yoke is easy, and My burden i's light. 11 nwe _are . laborers together .
wi:tl;t God: ye are God Is husbandry, ye are God's building." · ··
. -~~ . ;'':.: ;, . . . .. :. r..~·:.~·~
· · · ::· Lord has not pl:J.ced any one of his human agencies under the ·'
i Th~
di-otation:~.and . control of those who · are themselves but erring mortals. He .. · · _.
has not ~·placed upon men the power to s·a y, You shall do this, and· you shall ·- -·
not do · ·t hat. But there is a power ·exercised in Battle Creek · that God has ·
not given, and he will judge those · who assume ~his authority. They have
somewhat- of ·the, same spirit that led Uzzah to lay his hand on the a-rk to
steady· it, : as though God<was not able to care for his sacred· symbols ~ Far ,,·
less of rilanl-s power · and:.:authority should be exercised toward 'Qod1 S · human
agencies.; ··.-.Brethren, ·leave -God to rule. ·.
·. , ....
THE WORK 'FOR THIS TIME
The great work for this ·time demands that men shall .go everywhere' ·
nigh and afar off, into the highways and hedges, to · diffuse light, hold-
ing forth the words of life. _a s God laid upon one man or a council of
men to ta.ke this work into their hands, as though the workers, God t s own
property, were to be under their control?(.. · · :. · · ·, .· · ·'
The business connected with the work of God in any and every branch,
requires men who are working in harmony with -God; for power and success in
the work can be attained only through the co-operation of the human and the
divine. Without the best of evid.enc_e that pne understands heavenly and
eternal things, he should not be authorized to minister in matters connec-
ted·'with the work which .conceli'ns the salvation of souls .for whom· Christ ·:· - ~ ::_~..
has died.~ Unsanctified hands and brains have haci altogether . to~:(much __ pow~~- ..
entrusted ~to :Chem; and very ·unwise moves ·have [?e~n ma4e, that are not . in· · ·
acc()rdance with .the will and ways of God. < , • '.I •
.' '• . ~ . . ...

No .man . ~s a proper judge · of another man's duty. . Man is · responsi_~le
to qoo; ,.cu).d . as i'ini~e, ~rring .meri . tak~ ~n their hands t~e j Ul;'isdic~~on .· o~. . , .
their -fellow men, as if the Lord co~ssioned them to lift up and cast
down, ·.· all·heaven is . filled with . indignation. ~There are strange prin~ples . -·
being established in regard to -the -control of the minds and works of men, ·
by h-uinart judges) as · though these finite men were gods. ~ ., .'. ·.. · - . :·- ·: ,'
.... ,..
•..,

.. e
And how is it with some who are bearing these sacred responsibilities?
Men who are not spiritually minded, v;ho are not consecrated to God, have no
commission to perform, nor authority to exercise, in regard to the willing
or doing of their fellow men. But unless men are daily in communion with
God:, ·.instead of seeldp.g him vdth a4. their heart for a fitness - fpr . th_~ ; work,
tney will assume the power of dictation .over the consciep.~e of others o . A .
sense of · the divine presence would· awe and ~\l.bdue the soul, but this they --.
have not. _Without the love of burning in the soul, love to men grows cold.
Their hearts are not touched at the si:ght of hurilan woe. Selfishness has
left its defiling imprint on ~fe and character, and some ··will never lose
this image and superscription. f
. · · Is ·the working of_the cause of God to be entrusted to such hands? Are

~puls - for whom Christ has died, to be manipulated at the ·will of men who
have refused the light given them of heaven? We should be afraid of man• ·
made laws, and of plans and methods that are not in accordance with the
principles of the word of God ·concerning manta relation to his fellowo
11 All ye are brethren. 11
THE PRESENT ORDER OF THINGS MUST CHANGE,
or .the wrath of God vdll fall upon his instrwnentalities that are not work-
ing in Christ's lines. Has God given any one of you a commission to lord
it over his'heritage? This kind of work has been coming. in for years. God
sees it all, and he is displeased with it. When men come in between God
and his human agents, · they dishonor God, and wrong the souls of those who
need true encouragement and sJr;mpathy and love. I am constrained to appeal
to our workers: Whatever your ·position, do not depend on men, or make .. ·
flesh your arm.
I am urged . by tne Spirit of God to ;say to you who have a connection .-

with the Lord's work, Never forget that you are wholly dependent upon'God;
and if you pass one hour or one moment .without relying upon his grace,
without keeping the heart open to receive the wisdom that is not earth-born,
being sure that without Corist ye can do nothing, you will be unable to
distingqish between the comn~n and the sacred fire. Words: of a very for-
bidden character will flash fr9m your lips to destroy hope and courage ~ct
faith~ -Thus it is written in the books of heaven: Your words v1ere not il:l;
spired of God, but of the enemy that· wounded and bruis~d Ohrist in the ·per-.
son of his purchased possessiono Souls of infinite value ·were treated in-
differently, turned from, left to struggle under temptation, and forced -on
Satant s .. battle-ground.
.. Joht s professed friends were miserable comforters, makin.g his ·cp.se . .-- ·_·
more bitter .and unbearable, and Job was not guilty as they supposed~· Those
who are under the pain and distress- ~ of their own ·wrong-doing, ·wl)ile S~tan
is seekip.g to drive -them .to dE?~pair, are the .very onys _who _need_. help. _, the .
most.~ The intense ago:p.y -·of the soul that. has been 9vercol'!le py Satalj. and . -.
is feeling worsted and helpless •-how . little is it 9omprehended by · thos_e ..
who shoUld rrieet the erring one. with tender. compassion! ... :
. . . .. ' : ...
. >Most'.:. pitiable i .$ the-..condition of one who is suffering under ,remorse;

he is ·as· one. :stunned, st~ggering, s.i nldng into the dust • . And many :who
suppose themselves to be · ~ighteous, become exasperating comforters; they
deal · harshly with these souls. In manifest-i ng this hardne~s of heart in
offending and oppressing, they are :doing the very same work which Satan
delights in doingo The tried, tempted- soul cannot see anything clearly.
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The mind is confused; he knows not just what steps to take. o, then, .let
no ·1'lord -be spoken to cause deeper paint
.'
HOW TO DEAL 'WITH ·THE ERRING.
Our Savi6ur said: nWhoso shall ·offend one of these little ones which
believe . in me, it were better. for him that a millstone ·were hanged about his
neck, · and that he_were dro·wned in the depth of the . sea. Woe Wlto the world ..·
because of offenses come: . but woe to ~ ~ by whom the offense cometh! :·
• • • Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say un-
to you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father
which is in heaven\') For the Son of man i~ come to save that which was lost.
How think ye? if a man l1ave an htmdred sheep, and~ of them be gone as- ·..:
tray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, · :
and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily
I say Wlt.o you, he rejoiceth more of .t hat sheep, than of the ninety _and ._ .· .
nine which went not astray. E"J'en so it is not the will of your Father w~c.h
is in heaven, tha.t one of the~e little ones should perish.n
. .
11
1 came ·n ot, u said Christ, "t.o ,call the righteous. (.yo.\\ .who feel no need
of repentance), but sinners to repentance." Those who are laborers together
with God will'work in Christ's lines. There -is many a pOQl';' :·s oul who is
misunderstoodD unappreciated, full of distress and agony, _.,~a lqst, stray- .
ing ·. sheep~ His mind is beclouded 1 }le cannot find . : God, and a;lmq~t hopeles,s · ·_:_
unbelief takes - posse~sion of him• .Yet he has an ,-~~ense, longing desire
for pardon and peace. ·
As this picture before - yo~, the _inquiry .may be made, · '~e . there no
.Christians to whom such a one can go for relief? This questiqn, God ·ans-
wers, "I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first
love • · ·Remember therefore from whence thou art f~llen, · and repent 1 and do
the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, .and will remove
thy candlestick out of his ·place, except thou repent.u A cold, . hard-heart-.
ed · pharisaism has taken -possession· of· many of the professed. .followers of
Christ~ and the love. of Jesu_ s is dead.•
. . .
•- And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith
11
he :that hath the seven Spirits of God; and the seven .stars; · I know thy
werks, that thou .hast a name that thou · livest, and an dead. Be watchful,·
ana strengthen the things which remain; that .are ready to die: for 1 have
not -f ound thy works perfect before God.-" Here .the problem is .solved, The
persons here described have had light that would have prompted them to al-
together different works, if they had followed that light, and had strength-
ened the· things that remained that were ready to die.·.. The light which was
glowing iri their own hearts when Jesus spoke to their souls, ttThy sins .b e ·
forgiven thee, tt they might have kept alive by helping those who needed · he~p~ .
. ~. ~ . :
.···
,. The .work to· be done is plainly specified: 11 Be watchful, and st~engthen
the thirigs which remain, that are ·ready to Qie: for I have not foun4 thy
works perfect before· God. Remember. therefore how thou hast receive-d apd ... ·:.
heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I
will, ·come · on ..thee -.as· a thief', and thou shalt. not know what· hour I will· come
upon thee.~.~ ~ .·Many·· . have heard and received the word of life, and ~ave ---been '··.
strongly moved .by the truth, but have allowed their souls to·become cold.,_...
their ·-raith. dim, through self-righteousness, self:-importance, and p~de in -,;·
the posse.ssi!ori of a lmowledge of truth which they fail to practice. : .The
truth .}Vhich··is.· not .put in practic.~, .loses its power. The heart . is - c~osed ·
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to it-s· diVine influence; ·and :triose who should ~· be· worker's . for CHrist' are: . .
idle' and . souls whom .. t'h~y mi~ht h-elp·: are: left' in~ .discouragement and· dp._r~i..:
n~~. ~ ··and de·s pair'o. · ·: · · · · ·. ,._. .... .. ·. .·.:: ·~ . :· ·'. · · ·· ·_.; ·.· =.:·. · . : · · ~· .·.· ..'. ·.· f· ..· ~ .: ;. ·.
•• r ••• • · ·;_ _i.
'' :, · I
· a.~e soUls who' are'"s't'a r\ring for sympathy) starving for 'the_bre~d. - ~
,_. · '-Th~·re
of life; but they have n0 confidence to make known their great need. · · Th6se
who bear the responsibilities in connection with the work of God should
W1derst~d that they are under the most solemn · obligation to help these
soulsf ~d. they · would -be prepared to help them, if they themselves had re~:
tallied th~ ·: soft, subduing influence of the love of Christ e Do these poor .·
soulsV·:r·ea'd!y to die, look to them for help? -No; · they did this until· they
coUld'· have· no hope of help· from· ·t hat quarter. They see not. a hand stretched
out to · save. · · - ....
:. -. . . ·
The matter has been presented t ·o me thus: A drowning man, vainly . .

struggling with the waves1 ·. discovers a boat, and with his last · remamirig . · · '.·
strength succeeds in · reaching it, and lays hold upon its s'ideo In 'his· w~i~~
ness he · cannot speak, but ·the agony upon his · face would excite · pity 'in ilny ·. :.
heart that was touched with human tenderness. But do the occupants of the
boat stretch out their hands to lift him in? --Nol All heaven looks on as
these mep beat off the feeble, ·clinging hands, and a suffering fellow beli1g
sihks.' beneath ths waves, to rise no more. This scene has been enacted over
and·: '6\re~ :· again. It has been witnessed by One who gave his life for the ·:·
ran:~<;>m · · ~r -· ·just such souls, The Lord ·!:las reached dovm his ov1n nand to s_O:~e·~ ::
The.:tord hiirlSelf has done the work which he left .for- man to do, in reveal:...·· ·.=-
ing· the Pity and compassion' of Christ toward sinners. Jesus says, UA ne,;i :::·
comm.ancirilent I ··g ive unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, ::,
that ye···also love one anothero 11 ·Calvary reveals to every one of us the
depths of that love~
There are souls in their darlmess, full of remorse and pain and anguish,
who still feel that God is just and good~ The Lord is keeping alive the
spark of hope in their'hearts. 'The poor, darkened soul feels, If I could ·
only appear before God, and plead my case, he would pi~y for Christts sake,
and'this · horrible fear · and agony would be relieved. · He has · rudely -repul-
sed, reproved, taunted, by his supposed friends. Sometimes the reproaches
heaped upon his head have well-nigh .destroyed the last spark of hopeA The
soul that is c·o nscious of sincere and honest intentions· finds he has less
to fear from God than from men · Who have hearts o'f steel. The soUl wrench-
ed with human agony turns· away from the misjudgment and condemnation of men
·who · cannot- read the heart, yet have taken it upon them to judge their fellow
men.. He turns _to One who is 1dthout a shadow· of misapprehension, One who
knows all the impulses of the heart, who is acquainted ·with all'the cir--
ct:imstances of temptation. God 'Imows every deed of the past life 1 ·and ·yet ·
in consideration of all this, 'the troubled soul is ready to trust his cas·e
with God, knov~ing that · he is a God of mercy and compassion.
LET US FALL INTO THE HAND OF GOD.

~I • : : ;
When David was ·bidden to choose the punishment ·ror his siri, he 'said-, :'·:
Let us fall now into the hahd of the Lord; ·for his mercie:s 'are great: ·and .
11
let me not faJ.l ·into the hand of man •." He ielt ·· that God knew· the struggle ' ·;
and· ~anguish of
tne 'f ioul. . When .one ; is enabied ·-t 6 ·catch a glimpie· of the .
character of God, he sees not in him the heartless, vindictive spirit roam.~ ·:.

fasted by human agents; he: sees · that affliction and trial God's 'at>- are
pointed means of disciplining his children, and teaching :them ·his· way'~
that ·they may lay hold of his grace. "Vfuo is among you that fea.reth the ·
Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servan.t, that walketh ·in darlmess, and
hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon'his
God. 11 As the poor backsliding ·one .is led to ·the river of Godls love, he
exclaims, When he hath tried me, I shall · come forth as gold purified. The
su:ff.e.r ing soul is made patient t trustful,· ·triwnphant in ·God im~er adv~r~e .
circUffist.ances. · : ·
,
.
. .
'"Wherefore in all things it . behooved him to be made like unto his·
brethren, that he ·might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things ·
pertaining ·t o God, to make reconciliation fer the sins of the people·. . For ,.
in. that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is- able to succor them
.t hat are tempted." useeing then that we have a great high priest, that is ·
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our· pro-
fession. For we hc.v e not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling:' of our·. inlirmi.ties; but was in all points tempted like as vre are,
yet ·without sin. Let us ' therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
tp.at we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of :need. 11 11 Take
heed, brethren, lest there be ·in any of you an evil heart .or ·unbelief, in
departing .from ·the living God~u ·
•• J
When finite, erring man gives ·evidence that he regai'ds . himself ..as of
greater importance than God, when he thinks himself righteous, y.et ·'does not
manifest the tenderness of spirit that characterized the life · of our· -Lord
J~sus, we may lmovr that ·U nless he repents, the candlestick'1vi ll qUickly be
removed -out of its place, .All heaven.'is astonished at the :·terrible indif- ·
ference .of the human'agents • . Hen who are themselves tempted .to fall into
sin, and need pardon, are yet full of self-sufficienc y, and-·are unfeeling
toward a brother who is ensnared by the enemy, and whose need and · peril. v
should call out Christlike sympathy and effort to plant his feet ·on the
solid Rock.
A FATAL -DECEPTION
~- There is a most fearful, · fatal deception ·upon hwnan minds. · Because
men ·are in positions of trust, connected With the· work of God, they are ·· ..
exalted in their own estimation, and do -not ·discern that other souls, fully ·
as precious in the sight of God as their own, · are neglectedi: and handled ~ -
rou-ghly, and ·bruised, and wounded, ' · ~and left to die. · ; ··
'.: _,. The converting power of God must come upon men who handle sacred··th:i.n:gs,
yet who are Jlllable, through some cause best· known to God, to distinguish
between the·· sacred fire of GQd 1 s ovm kindling, · and the st~anga-'· fire whic~
they' offer.·e . That strange fire is as dishonoring to GQd·-·as;· was· that present-
ed ·by ·Nadab and Abihu;. The sacred -fire of God's· love lvOuld make men tender.····
and kind and sympathetic toward those iri peril.. Those who indulge in sharp;
overbearing words, are really saying, I am holier than thou. Do you not
see my exalted position?
·,
But the position does not make the man. It is the integrity of ch~r
acte~, :.·
the :Spirit ·of Christ, that makes him -thankful, unselfish,· Without . .
partiality.. and without hypocrisy., --it is thi~ that ·i s · of:·vBJ.ue with GOd. :. · ;
, To ·those whose·; life is hid with ·Christ in God, _, the Lord says=, .i•:Behoid, I ..
have graven thee upon the . •palms of my.hands; 'thy walls :are . 'c ontinually. be-
fore .me. 1 ~" · · · ·
-2S9- ·
For all-·in: N,sponsib le positions : I :hav~ .a message: spoken ·by· the to.outh·; ~: :
of th~ . Lord,_ -the fi-fty-fif th· chapter~ of:-- Is~iaho ·study. this chapter, and ::-:.
let not any human being consider .that h~ ;. j;s .;above · his fellow· workers becaU:sa
greater responsi bilities are involved in his branch of the work. If he is
like Daniel, seeldJlg .f,6r th_e power that comes alone from God, that he may
represent , not himself, 11ot his imperfect ions in selfish and fraudulen t prac-
tices, but the truth in righteous ness, he will not possess a vestige of
pride or self-impo rtance; but will be weighed with the spirit of wisdom from
God. ' ' .;, ' ' ' ' -__ , . , -
THE SACRED AND THE STRANGE FIRE.
He will represent the sacrednes s of the work, he 1T.ill magnify the truth,
and will ever present before men and angels the holy perfwue of ·the char-
acter of Christ. This is the sacred fire of God t s own ld.ndling. .Anyt!1ing
aside from this is strange fire, abhorrent to God, and the more offensive
as one's position in the work involves larger r~sponsibilities.
I have a message from God to the sinners in Zion, the ones whom Christ
addressed : 11 Be watchful, and strengthe n the things which remain, that are
ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before G6d.n You ·
need to offer always the sacred fire; for then Christ's works, his love,·
his mercy, his righteous ness, will ascend before God, as a cloud of holy,
fragrant incense, v;holly acceptabl e.
But strange fire has been'offe red in the use of harsh words, in self-
imp6rtanc e, in self~exaltation, in·self-ri ghteousn ess, in arbitrary author-
ity, in domineering, in oppressio n, in restrictin g'the liberty of God's
people, binding them about by your plans ·and rules, which God has not fram-
ed, neither have they come into his mind. All these things are strange
fire, unacknowledged by God, and are a continual misrepres entation of his
character .
I have a message for you: 11 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found,
call ye upon him while he is near: let the wicked forsake his way 1 ·and
the unrighteo us man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and
he 1vill have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he ·will abundantl y par-
don. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your 'ways my ways,
saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, ·so are my
ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as
the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither,
but watereth the earth' and maketh' it bring forth and bud, that it may
give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my uord be that
goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it
shall accomplish that ·which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing
vJhereto I sent it. 11
liJudgment is turned away'backward, and justice standeth· afar off: for
truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth fail-
eth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord
saw it, and it displease d him that there was no judgment. And he saw- that
there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercess or: therefore his
arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteous ness, it sustained him.
For he put on righteous ness as a breastpla te, and an helraet of salvation
upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and
was clad with zeal-as a cloak. • • • So shall they fear the name of the
Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the
-290~ -
enel'I\Y· ·shall come 1n· like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord sli.all lift up a
standa,rd· against. him. And·· the redeemer ·: shali.-come Zion.,- ·and unto _them ·to·
that turn ·from tr.ansgression ~u··· Jacob, ·. saitn ··the Lorch II .
MRS• ·E.- -G.· WHITE •

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GODS. BEFORE ~ •.u .
• • ..,. _. J
GRANVILLE, N9 S. W• ,
SEPI'Th1BER, 1895.
t '
~ .. -
I 00 .not find rest' in spirit. Scene after scene is presen ted · in . syin- . _:
bols before me, and I find no rest · until I begin to write out . . the matter~
· .:·
At the center of the .·Hork matter s are being_ shaped so that every othe:r;- in-
stituti on is folloui ng in the same course . -And the Genera l Confere nce.: fs - ·_
· .· :
itself becoming corrupt ed with wrong sentim ents and princip les. In ~he··
· · .----
workin g of plans, the same princip les are .manife st ·that have contro lled
matters at Battle Creel~ for quite a length of time.
I have .been shovn1 that the Jewish nation wer~ not brough t sudden ly
into ;their conditi on of though t and practic eo From genera tion_to genera
-
tion they were worldn g on ~ false theorie s, carryin g out princip les opposed
to the truth; and combin ing with their religio n, though ts -,· and, _plans that
were the produc t of human minds: human inventi ons were made suprem e.
·· -. · The holy princip les that God has given are represe nted as the sacred
fire, but common fire has been used in place of the saqred . Plans ·contra
ry
to truth and righteo usness are introdu ced in a subtle manri:er ·on . the ·p iea··
that this must be done, and that must be done, ttbecaus e it· is for the ad-
vru).cement of the cause of 'God, 11 But it is the devisin g of :men that leads
to oppres sion, injusti ce; and wicked ness. The cause of ·God is free from
every taint of injusti ce. It can gain no advanta ge by _robbing the member
s
of the family -of God of their individ uality ·or their rights . All such
practic es ar~ abhorr ent to God,. He inspire s no such practic es as have been
.. :·
entere d into l>y your counci ls- in regard to the public ation ·o f books •.
····· .The Lord accepts no such·· transac t.i dh-sf·p rosper ity .\nll not attend these
rr..oves o Men connec ted "~Nith· his work have beeri dealing unjust ly, and it i:s
· -: · ·
time to call . a halt. Let men ae·&l with nien· upon the princip les or' the~· · t_
en
commandments, and not ignore these · princip les in busines·s 'transa ctio-n s·.-: ·
· .
False propos itions are assurned as-trut h and righteo usness , and th~n every~
thing is· worked in such a V1ay a·s to· ca~ry out these propos itions, which•
·are
not ..:in accorda nce \-'lith the vdll of Godj but ·a re :a misrep resenta tion of ·his
charac ter.· ·.
:
·'·The great and holy and mercif ul · God -vdil never be in league "vdt11 dis-
honest practic es; not a single touch of injusti ce· will ~e· Vindic ate. Men:
have taken unfair advanta ge of those whom they suppose d to be under the:ir
jurisdi ction·:· ,· They were -determ ined to bring the individ uals -to ·thei~ _·t -erms;
they 'V>rould>ruin 6r rule. ::.-·-'_T here will be·:na materi al change ·until a deci~ed
, l ···
movement :is· made to : br'ing in a diff~rent order of things . · · ·
.. -, l • .-
.: · ' ...... :
. ~ '
: .· · ·! .
Let no plans of methods be adbpted in·· any of our ,i1i.stit ·u tions·' t _h a't ·
will bind mind or talent under the contro l of human judgme nt; for this is
not in Godts · order. God has given to men talents of ~fluence which belong
to him alone, and no greate r dislfon or·. can be
done to God than for· one fin-
ite agent to bring other ments ·talent s under his absolu te contro l, even
though ithe: benefi ts of the . same be used to the . advanta ge of the . c~us'Eh .
such: arran~em(3nt~ o~e 'man-'s rrtiJld,·is ·:ruled by anothe r mants 'm.ind, 'and the~In
.)~· _;
human agency is separa ted from God, and exi>osed to tempta tion. Satants
~ -292-
meth6ds tend to one end .;,... to make men the slaves of men. Arid when this is
done 1 confusion and distrust, ·j ealousies -and evj.l surmisings, are the result.
SUch · a course destroys faith in Qod, and in the . principles which are to con-
trol, to purge from guile and every species o£ selfishness and hypocrisy.
'niE lnGH-HANDED roWER

I .Jo ' f', '
that h&s been developed, , as though position has made men gods, makes me
afraid, and 'OUght tq caus'e fear. It is a curse wherever and by whomsoever
it is exercised. This · lording it over God's heritage will cr~te such a ~
disgust of man•s jurisdiction that a ·state ·ot insubordination will res~lt• .
The people are: learning that men in high positions· of responsibili~y cannot , _ ~·
be ·trusted":. t,c); mold and fashion other men t s l'Qinds and characters. The r~ .· ·,.·
sult. W±+l .b~ ·<(loss of confidence even in tqe .martagement of .f aithful men. ·_· ..
But the ~oro will raise up laborers ·who realize._tl:leir · own riotl~ingiless with- _ -
out special help from GOd. · · '· ·· ·
Age after age Jesus ha~ been delivering his goods to his church. At ~
the time of the-· first advent of Christ to our world, the men who composed
the Sa$edr:i.nl" ~x~rcised their authority. in controlling men according to . .-. · :·.
thei~ vq.n~ ...Thu;s the souls whom -Christ h~d given his life-to . *'~e~ from the..<~
bondage· of - ~~~1¥1, we:re brought under bon.dage to ~in another form. . : ::•.• --- ~
Do we individually . ~ realize o~ true position, _that -as· God•sl~ired . se~ ·
vants we . are not to bargain av~ay Our at_ewardship? :we _have an ind~vidual _ . ,_. ___
account~bi~ty before ·the heavenly universe, to administer the trust com-; +- . ·i
lni.tted ·us o.t -God. :~ Our own .hearts are_to be stirred. eur ·hands .are to 'have . _.
something·.·t o 'iriipatt of the·. income that God entrusts to ·'1.\S• . The humbles·t ot·. :..·.
us may be agents'.1'or God 1 using our gifts for his name's ·glory. He who
ilnproves his talents to th~ be;3t of- his ability may pres.e nt to God his · offe~
ing as a consecra.t'ed gift that shall be as fragrant incense before him. It . - ~.
is the duty of every one t6 see that his talents are turned to · advantage ~s . ·
a gift that: he must . ~eturn,
.
'having
.. .
done _h is· best to improve it.. - ·
+'he spirit of d0m:inatiol1 is eXtending to :_ the _pr~sid~nts of our Conte~

ences. If a man is sanguine of his -own powers and seeks to exercise. domin-.. · .
ion over his breth~en, feeling that he is invested· with authority 'to ·make ···.·
his ·vii l l the ruling power, the_. best and only safe course is to remove him, :· .,
lest great harin be done, and ne lose his own soul, and imper;U the souls of ' ..
others. _· u~ ye are brethreh~" This disposition ~o lord it over GOd's ~
hei'itage tA till cause a reaction unless these men change their course • .. Those .
in authority shoUld manifest the Spirit of Christ • . They should deal as he .--.
would deal with every case that requires attention. They should go weighted '·
n ith the aoly Spirit • . A man•s. position doe~ not make him one _jot or tittle
gre~er . in· the sight of God; it is· character alone that God values. . ... .
· 'i'h~ goodness, mercy, _and love of God 'tA Tere .proclaimed by Christ to ._.
_·This was God's character. When men who profess tq serve--God i~ ··. ~
Mos~s.-.
nore ms '=parental character, and'· depart from honor and"righteousness in, ._. \ -
dealing with their fel;Lo\v -·m.en,·, Satan exults, for he has inspired: them With ..
his att~ibutes
··. ··, -..
•. . Th.e y... are .follov4ng-
. .. . . : .
~ ' . •
· · ,
} ! ' \ ' · " ·;

- .-. . -~ \ ~ .
-~:_._ · ~~ THE_TRACK OF ~OMANISU • ..~
Those ,who are enj'ol~ed . to represent the attributes of the ~ Lprd·, s . char-
acter, step from the Bible p~tf'orm, and _in_their ~~human judgment devise
• • ! '; • . • . •
.., _·_· : ····· ··. : -. ~-'· ·..;.29~·~ . --·: -... .. · ~~ . .. ..
..-· .Adventist
Digitized by the Center for . Research
rules and resolutions to force the will of others. The devisings for forcing
men to follow the prescriptions of other 'men, are· institut:L'1g an o~der of _..
things that overrides sympathy and· tender compassron; that blinds the eyes -
to mercy,- justice and the love of God~ Moral influence _and personal respop;-
sibility are ·trodden under footn · ·
The righteousness of Christ by faith has been ignored by some; for it
is contrary to their spirit~ and their whole life-experience. Rule, rule,
has been their course of action. · Satan has had an opportunity of represent-
ing himself. When one who professes to be a representative of Christ en-
gages in sharp dealing, and in pressing men into hard places, those who
are thus ·o ppressed ·will either break every fetter of restraint, or they
vd11 be led · to regard God as a hard master. They cherish hard feeling~ ·
agai-nst God, and the soul is alienated from him, just as Satan planned· it·
should be. · ·
This hard-heartedness on the part of men ·who claim t6 believe the

truth, -Satan charges to -the influence of the truth itself. and-thus :men be.;.
come di-s gusted, and turn from the truth3 For this reason no man shoUld ' · -
have ·a ·r esponsible connection with our institutions-who. thinks it no im-
portant :ma.tter whether. he has a heart of flesh or a heart of steel.
Men -· think they are representing the justice of God, but they do not
represent his t ·e ndernes s and the·· great love wherewith he has loved us.
The~r liuma~ ~vention, oTiginating with: the specious devices of Satan,
appears fair enough to the blinded eyes of men, because it is inherent in
~heir natureo A lie, believed, practiced, becomes a truth to them. Thus
the purpose of the satanic agencies is accomplished, that men should reach
these conclusions through the working of their mv.n inventive minds.
But how do men fall into such error? .:.:.::By ~tarting ·with · false premises,
and then bringing everything to bear to prove the error true. In some · cases
the first principles have a measure of truth interwoven with the error, ·
but it does not · lead to any just action, and this is why men are misled.
In order to reign and become a power, they employ Satants methods to justi-
fy their .own .principles. They exalt themselves as men of superior judg- -
ment, and they have stood as representatives of God. These are false goqs • .
_________.._.._........ _......~----
September 24 ..
Everything in our world is in agitation. Corniilg events cast their · · ·
shadows beforeft The signs of the times are ominous, indeed. There is
assurance in nothing that is human or earthly. The vri.nds are b~ing held
by the· ·rour angels; a moment of respite has been graciouslJr given us of
Godo ·_, · Eveij/'p9wer lent us · of God, whether _p hysical, ·mental, or moral, is -·
to :--he s~cre_dly· cherished to do the work assigned us for our fellow men ·'
who are ._-'p ei-ishing in· their· ignorance. 7he warning is to go forth to a.g .. /
parts of the._. world. There ·must · ~e . no delayo
....... : ...
Rapidly ~re meri ranging themselves under the banner they have · chos~n,
restlessly wai~ing . and watching_the movements of t~eir _ ~e~ders. There.- are
are those 'who.. .·....are:._wat;ching
,; ::' .'·. . :
and _wai~ing ~d· working
' ..
f~r o~ L?rd,t_$ apl?eaping;
. '"" . .. .• '·
-294-. .
while the other party ai~e rapidly falling into · line under the··· generalship
of the first great · apostate. · They look· foiw' ·a God in hu.manity, and Satari , "
personifies the ·0ne they seek~ · ·EUltitudes · tvill be so· deluded through
their ·rejection of truth, that they ·w ill accept 'the counterfeit. Htirilan-
ity is hailed as God. · ·
. . One has ·Come from the ·heavenly courts . to represent God in human form.
The . Son of· God was made man, : and dwelt·· ?ffiong us. "In him TJas life; and
the life . was the ·light of men~ lmd :the light shineth in · darkness; and ···
the· ·darkness comprehended it ·not~ • ·• • That was the true Light 1 which
lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and ' the
't'J orld was ~de by him, and the world knew him noi:.. He ·came unto his own, ··
and his ·.6wn · received him not. But as many as received him, to them · gave
he power to · become ·: the sons of God. 11 · · ·
There are but two parties. Satan works with his crooked, deceiving
powerj and through strong delusions he catches all who do riot · abide in . the
truth, who . have turned avlay their ears from the truth, .and have turned . ·.
unto fables. · Satan .himself abode · not in the truth; he is the mystery- ·or .··: ... .
iniquity. Through his subtilty he gives to his soul-destroying errors ; .- · ·
the appearance · of . ·truth. Het'ein· is their power to deceive • . It is ·because ·
they are a counterfeit of the truth that Spiritualism, theosophy, and the
like deceptions gain . such power- over the minds of men. Herein i ·s the . ·
masterly worldng of Satan. He pretends to be the . savior of man, ..the ; ben~
factor of the huma~ . race, an.d thus he more rea:dily lures his ·victims to· . . . -:.:
destruction.
... :·
.:... ~ ·we are ·warned in the lJOrd of God that sleepless vigilance is the.'·.
price of safety. Only in the straight path of truth and ·r ighteousness ·. ,
can we escape the tempter•s power. But the world is ensnared. Satanta
skill is exercised in devising plans 'and methods· ·without number to · accom-
plish hi·s purposes. · Dissimulation has 'become a fine art with him·' and· he
works in the guise: of an angel of light. God's eye alone discerns his
schemes to contaminate the world with false and ruinous principles bearing .
on their face the · appearance of· genuine goodnesso He ·uorks to restrict ::.. ".~
religious liberty, and t0 bring into .the religious ~·1orld a · species ·of ·. ... : : ;:
slavery• Organizations~ institutions, unless kept by the_ power ·of God, .
will work under Satan's dictation to bring men under the control of men;
and fraud and guile will bear the semblance of zeal fol" truth, and for the
advancement of the kingdom of God. · ·:Vfuatever ·in our practise is not as
open as day, belongs to the methods of the prince of evil. His methods
are practised even among Seventh-day Adventists, who claim to ...have. ad.;..· ,.
vanced truth.
If ·nien resist the 1iJarn.irigs the Lord . sends them, they become .:even
leaders ·in evil practise; such men assume. to exercise .the prerogatives .of ·
God-"!-they presume to do that which God himself will not do in seeking· to ·
control .the ·:minds of .men, They introduce their ovm methods and plans, and ·
through iheir :. rilisconceptions of GOd, they weaken the faith . of others in
the truth, · and bring in false principles that will Hork like lea,ren to. -.:
taint and corrupt our institutions and churches • Jmything t .he lowers .
man's conception of righteousness and equity and impartial judgment
any device or precept that brings God's human agents under the control of
human minds, impairs their faith 'in God; it separates the soul from GOd;
for it leads away from the path of strict integrity and righteousness •
.. God.,.will. not : vindi.~ate any dev.i ce whereby ·man shall ·in the siigiri:.e's t .. .
; degree ... rule . or· . PPPr~ss ·his :fellow men. . The only hop~ for::·f~~ien~ ~n i~ .: to ... ::
-295-.'.. ·.'
'· . ;~ . .'
look tc> Je'sus; and receive him ·as· the· only' Saviour. As soon as man begins '·
to make ·an iron rule for other ·men, as soon as he begins to harness up · ·· ··
and drive me_n according · to his· own mi.nd, ·he dishonors God, and imperils · ·
his -own soul and the soul$ of his brethren. 'Sinful man can find hope
and righteous ness only in God; and no human being is r i ghteous any longer ·
tijen he has faith in God, and maintains a vital connectio n v1ith him., · A
fiow.e f··.·6 f the field must have its l~oc)t·· ·iri the so.il; it ·ruust. have air, 4ew.
showers, and sunshineoi It r1ill flourish only as it receives these ad- ·
vantages, · and all are from God. ··s o 1·Jith men. · Vie receive from God that · ·
Yvhich ministers to the life of the soul. ·We are warned not to trust in . .
man, nor to make f lesh our ·armo A curse is pronounce d upon all who do
this.
JESUS AND NICODEMUS

Nicodemus sought an interview with Jesus at night, saying, nRabhi,
we lffiow that·: thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can' do these
miracles that thou do est, except God be with him. 11 All this was · :true, as
far as · it went; but ·what ·· said Jesus?--H e· "answered and said'unto him,
Ve~.ily, verily, I say u.nto thee, Except a man be born again, he ·cannot
see the kingdom of Gode 11 Here was a man in a high position of trust, a
man who was looked up to as one educated in Jewish customs, one whose
rrd..nd was stored ·with vvisdoms He was indeed in possessio n of talents of. ; ·. · ·
no ordinary character . He would not go to Jesus by day, for this v1ould · ....
make. him a subject of remark. · It would be too humiliati ng for a ruler of ·
the Jews to acknowled ge himself in sympathy ~ith the despised Nazarene.
Nicodemus thinks, I will ascertain for myself the mission and claims of
this teacher, whether he is indeed the Light to lighten the Gentiles, and
the Glory of Israelo ·
Jesus virtually says to i\ticodemus : :It is not contr.o versy that· · ,~ill .
help your case; ·it is not · arguments that will bring light to the_ ~oul..
You must have· a new heart, or you cannot discern the kingdom of ·heaven.
It is :. 'r iot grea~t'er evidence- t hat will bring you into a right position; ·.
but new purposes, new springs of action: You must be born again. Until
this change takes place, making all things new, the strongest evidences
that. could .b e 'presented u ould be useless. The want is in your 0 'ID heart: 1
everyth.i hg . 'm ust be changed~ or yo_u cannot see the kingdom of God.
·. ·· This \vas a very hunrlliatin g statenten:t to 'NicodemU.s, and -.Jith a fe.e ling
of· ''irritatio n he· takes 'up the words of Christ, saying, 11 How can a
born· · 1'Jh~n he is old?H Her· was not spiritual ly rid.nded enough to· 'discern the
be man
meaning of the -vJords of
Christ. But the · Saviour. ·did ' not meet argwnent with .·
argu_mento · Raising his hand iri solernri; ·qUi·et : aiglrl~·y, he·. · pre·s ses home t~e .
truth with greater assurance , 11 Verily; ·ve·r i1y, . I ·say unto thee, Except a
man be born of water and of t he Spirit;: ·he cannot enter· into the .kingdom
of God. That which is born of··the flesh is flesh; and that i,:!hich is born
of the Spirit is s.pirito Harvel not .that 1 ~~id unto .thee, . Y~ must be
born again. The vJind bloweth TJhere it listeth., and thou· hear~st the ·
Sound thereof .t but Canst not tell V.Jhenc~ , it cometh, and Y·lh~-:i::he·r it .goet,h:
so is every one that is born of the Spirit.; 11 Nicodemus said unto him,
"How can these 'things be~u .· · ·· · ·~ .,,
.. '· . . .. . . ,
Some · gleams of the truth were penet.ratin g the· ruler's mind. Chr'istts
w·o rds filled him with awe, and led to the inquiry, 11 Hov1 can these things'
be?" With deep earnestne ss Jesus answered~ 11 Art thou a master of Israel,
and knowest not these things? 11 His words convey to Nicodemus the lesson
-296-
that; · inst~ad of feeling irritated over the plain words of . truth, al'id in..;
dulgmg irony, he should have a far ·more hwnble opinion of himself, .b e- ·
cause of his spiritual ignorance. Yet the .. words of · C.Q.rist were -spoken~
with such solemn dignity~ and both look and tone expressed su~h earnest - .. ·. '
love · to hl.m tha:t· he ~las not . offended as he realized h_is hwniliating . posi- ·
tion.
. .
Surely ·one entrusted uith the· religiotfs interests of the·· people should.·-
not be ~ ignorant of truth s.o impo;rtant for them to understand as the condi..;.
tion of entrance into .the kingdom··-of heaven. · nverily, verily, ·I-- say . ~to :-_ · ·
thee, 11 - contillued Jesus, HVfe speak .that we do knovv, and t -estify .that v1e .
have seen; and ye receive not our ·witness. If r · have told you earthly
things, an.d ye believe not, hmv shall ye believe, if I tell you of
heavenly things.?"
THIS. LESSON IS FOR US TO-DAY ··. ~· . . .. ,
· This lesson to Nicodemus ._ I · present as highly applicable to those who .·'. ·:·:
are to-day in responsible positions as -rulers in . Israel, and whose voices ·· ;·:
are often · heard in council giving ·evidence of the same spirit i:.hat -l\l-ic9- ·- -:· · .;..
demus pos~essed.. · Will the lesson · given to the chief l!ller have the same -
influence· ·upon .their heart and life? . Nicodenru.s was converted·: as · the result ·
of this -interview • .The words of Chri:st Are spoken just as verily -to presi-
dents :dt. conferences, elders of churches, and those occupying official·
positions _in our in$titutions; 11 Verily, verily, I say · unto the.~; Except
a man .P~ bor~ again, he · cannot· see :.the kingdom of God. 11 tr A. new.· he-art- : also ·.
wi~ I ~giv~ you.n _
. If you have the Holy Spirit molding and fashioning your hea~t daily,
then you will have divine insight to perceive the character of the kingdom
of God. Nicodemus received the lesson- of ·Christ, and bec·ame a true ·. be-
liever. . Hi~ voice v·ras heard in the Sanhedrim council in opposition to
their ~asures for _9ompassing the death ·of Christ • . 11 Doth our law judge any ·
man, before it _hear him? 11 · he said~ The .'scornful answer- was returned, ·· ·.
11 Art thou als·o ·o f qalilee? Search, and ·. look: for out . of Galilee ariseth
no proph~t· . "· . . i.
. . .
Jesus had a disciple. in ~icodemus. In that night conference with
Jesus the convicted man stood before the Saviour under the softening, sub-
duing ·.influence of _. trut~ v1hich was .shining into t _he chambe-rs of his mind, '
and impres-s ing his· heart. Jesus said, 11If I have · told y9u earthly things,
and· .-ye be-lieve n~t, ·how shall ye believe, i~ I tell you o:f heavenly things?·;·.·
And::. ho mim ::hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from haaven,
even the Sori of· irian. which is in heaven. 11 Jesus not only tells Nicodemus .··. ·
that .he·.:· must have : a new . heart in order to see the kingdom of heaven, but
tells·· him· hovv .to· .obtain a new heart. He reads the inquiring mind of a true
seeker. after ,t ·r uth, . and ··pre·s ents before him the . representation of hims~lf ·: ·..·
11 As Moses lifte-d · up the serpent in the. ·wilderness, even so must the:.son '. :_' ·: ...
of man be· lifted up: that :whosoever believeth in him shouid not peri·s h; , ·
but hatre -eternal life. 11 G96d news I · good news! ring throughout _·the·- -w orldl · :·
"For God ·.so · loved the world, that he gave· his only begotten Son; , that .who- .: ·.
soever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting. ·life. n . '
This lesson is one of the greatest importance to every soul that lives;
for the: terms. ·of salvat~ion· are here ·laid .out in .distinct lines···· If one had
no other· ·t -e xt· in the : B~ble 1 this a·l one would be a . guide for the soul. :. ' ·:-· · .·.. ·.
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. -297-

Especially to every man T·!ho accepts responsibilities as a counselor,
every one ·who is dealing with hwnan souls, is this grand, bec.utiful truth
to be a bright and shining light •- .I t is no credit to .one riho has the ·-·
word of God in his possession, to say, 11I ·.have no. experience. : , I · do not-·· .
.'-understand these things. n - · He will nev:er· b~ wiser until he becomes of much
less consequence in his o~·m estimation. - )1e :must learn his lesson as a·· .· ._
little child. He must make it his first duty to understand the r1ork of
God in -the regeneration of thc _soul. 'rhis change should take _p lace in
every man before he q.~ceots· a position as a leader or ruler in connection :.
v1ith the ..sacred work of God. If orie has not . a vital connection with God,
his ovm spirit and sentiments 1vill -preva:i.l-._ Tnese may be well represented -
as strange fire offered in the place :o.f the sacred. Man has woven into the
work of God his ovmdefects of character, devices that .are human and earthly,
delusions ensnaring ~o himself and to all who accept them. ~
THE JUDGMENT OF AMALEK
. God pledges his most holy rv~rd that he v~ill bless you if you will
walk -_in his way and do justice and ,judgment. 11 Thou shalt not have in thy
bag divers weights, a· great and a -small. Thou shalt not -have in thine
house divers measures, a great and small. But thou .-shalt have a perfect
and :just v~eight, · a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy
days may be lengthened iri the land rJhich the Lord thy God giveth thee.
For all that do such things, ru1d all that do unrighteousness, are an ab-
omination unto the Lord thy Gqd. Remember what Ama-lek did unto thee by the
way, lJhen ye were come f orth out of Egypt; hm~J he met thee by the : ~·1ay, and ·-
smote·'• the hindmost of . thee; even all -that were 'feeble behind thee, when .
thou wa-st: faint and neary; and he feared -not God•"
Notwithstanding that the'children of Israel had often grieved the Lord

by departing from his counsel, yet he still had a tender care for them.
The Lord Jesus Ghrist saw their enemies taking advantage of their circum-
stances, to do them an injury; for that uork v1as to bring suffering against
the weary, who v·I ere journeying under God's leading. Hear the judgments which
God pronounced: 11Therefore it shallbe, .when the Lord thy God hath given
thee rest from all thine enemies round about in, the land TJhich the Lord
thy God .giveth for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out
the remembrance of .iunalek from under heaven; thou shalt not f orget it. 11
I pen these words of God that those who profess to be his children may
not receive the curse pronounced upon Amalek because they have followed
the practises of Amalek. If the heathen received this denunciation of their
course for overcoming the faint and •iJeary, ·what will the Lord eA."Press to-
ward those who ha.ve had light, great opportunities, and privileges, but
have not manifested the Spirit of Christ toward their own brethren.
The Lord sees all the dealings of brother with brother, which weaken
faith, and lvhich destroy their ovm confidence in themselves as men deal-
ing with justice and equity. In the most positive·language he exPresses
his displeasure at the iniquity practised in trade. He says: "Shall I
count them pure ·with the ·wicked balances, and rJith the bag of deceitful
weights?" The very wrong here mentioned may not have been committed in
our institutions, but acts 1'Jhich these things represent have been, and are
still being done.
Page after page might be ·written in regard to these things. ·whole

conferences are becoming leavened 1.vith the same perverted principles.
-298-
For ·t he rich men · thereof ·are · full ·of.' violence, .· Md. the inhabitants· there c.{·
11
have spok~n lies. and their . torigue : i~ deceitful iri · their mo~th. 11 The
L9rd w_i ll ,·work to .,purify his ·chur<fh• . I tel). you in truth, the Lord is . ~bout
to·· turn and overturn .- iri the institutions ·9alled by his riame. .. ·
Jl.tst · how ' soon this refining process will begin, I cannot · say', :but· it
will not be ·. lonf defeZ.red. . He uhose fan is in his han:d will cleanse hl.s
temple of its moral defiler11ent. He ~rdll thoroughly ·purge his floor·. : God ·
a ·_c_ontr~versy· -::1 ith all ~-.,ho practise the ·least injustioe; fo;o · ¥1: ·so
ha~ ! _
dding they reject the authority of _God, and imperil their inter~st · in ' the
c,ttone.nient~ ' the · redemPtion ~-~hich Christ has undertaken fnr . every . s_ on and . _. .
: 'daughter of Adam. Will it pay to take a course abhorrent to God? Will _ ·.'· ~
it pay to put upon your censers strange fire to offer before God, and say· ...
it makes no difference? ·
It has not been after God.• s order to center so much in Battle Creek~
The sta:te of things now exists that was presented before me as a warning.
I am _s'ic~ at .-heart at the representation. ·The Lord gave warnings·_to· 'p:re-:- _.
vent this .'de'm i>ralizing condition of things, but they have not been ·~ ··: :: _·. _:_. .
heed~d:~ ·.·_,- ·11 Ye' ar·e the salt of the earth: but if' the salt have lost his · ·:' ·
savor·, .wherewith shall it be salted? It is thene,e forth good· ior ·n othing;
but to be cas~ o~t, and to be trodden under foot of men. 11 _ _ • _.
. .
.. ... t
appeal to my brethren t 'o wake up. Unless a change takes . place · · .
sP,eedily, I · must give the facts to the people·; for this state of things ' ·
rrniS;t · change; ·Unconverted ·men must no longer be managers and dit-ectors m·
so important and sacred r1ork. With David· we are forced to say, nit is ·
time for thee, Lord, to ·work: fot'· they have made void thy law.n
E. G. WHITE
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-299-

GOD TO BE INQUIRED OF.
i 1SUNNYSIDE, u COORANBQNG, No s. W.
Aug. 27, 1896 •

.. PIETY is needed. Less self-confidence ahd far more hwnility ~ust · .
be seen. The work of God has come to be _looked upon as a comrrion thing.
It w,ould have been much ·better to have changed the men .on·boards and com-
mittees t~an to have retained the very same men for years, m1til they
supposed that their propositions were t _o be adopted v-Iithout a question;
and. g~nerally no voice h~s been lifted in an opposite direction. There
are men who sit in council who have not the discernment that they should
hay~. - The comprehension is narrow and egotistical. A change is needed.
It will not be wise to carry out one half or one quarter of the enter-
prises which have been planned. ·
Let each one who sits in council and in. committee meetings write in
his heart the words, I am working for time and for eternity. r ·must give
an account to God for all the motives vJhich prompt me to action~ Let
this be his m6tto • . Let the prayer of the psalmist go up·to _God, uset a
watch,. 0 Lord, before roy mouth; keep the door of my lipso Incline not _my
heart ·t ·o any ev-il thing, to practise wicked uorks with men that .~-nork in-
iquity: and let me not eat of ther dainties."
I _have been led to _see that too much confidence is placed in the men
in Battle Creek who are in positions of trust. Those living in distant
countries will not do that v1hich their judgment tells them is right urile~~ .
they first send for permission to_Battle Creek. Befnr~ they·will advance,
they will await ttYes" or 11No 11 from that place.
, . This condition of things is brought about by the finite wisdom of
~· God did not inspire any such dependence upon a few finite minds.
God is. to be inquir~d of; God is to be sought in hwnble prayer by men 7
living in Australia, in Africa, .in any distant land. Who alone c~ give
~d and judgmen~ to the men in Battle Creek? If they possess judgment
of .any value-, that judgment is found in God. Is he any nearer to the men _·
in Battle Creek than to the norkers who ~re laboring in his service in ··
far-off lands? Has the Lord to go to Battle Creek, and tell men there
what the men working in distant countries must do?
CONFERENCES BEING LEAVENED
,_ Those working in places far off · from Battle Creek have made a mis-
take -by depending on a few minds in that place. These men do not know
the situation of the cause and nork in different localities. Let those
who are on the· ground in these countries remember :that God has given them .
brains . and intelligence to use: their talents. If .t hey err in some things
as, they v1or~ in their own borders, _they .are not to be blamed. Those v'lho
·would blame... them have perhaps committed greater errors. Let these men
put their trust. in God, aski!ig . wisdom . of him who has promised to give to ..
all who ask him, and upbraid 'not. · · - ·
: -300~

God is a God at hand, not a:tar ···off .~ i•come Un.to me, u said Christ,
all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I ·vd.ll give you rest, ·Take
11
m;y yoke upon you, and learn of me;-· for "I " ant tneek and lowly in heart: and
ye shall find rest unto your souls. n 0 hoYJ differently from this have
the men in Battle Creek felt a11d acted ·when consulted • . They did not show·
the meekne.s.s .. and lowliness of !leart manifested by the great Teacher and
Saviour of men, but have shm·m, instead, a selfish superiority, an over-
bearing spirit. By this they showed that Jesus did not abide in the_i r__
hearts·~· · ··. Thank ·the Lord, all are not of this spirit; but>"the ·: conferences
are .fast··.bei"r}g ·leavened 1
·i· ith this self-righteous sense of superiority . , .....:
.... : .._.:
. . .·. ;· . ..
,.. .. . . . .. ·,. . .
Let · tho~·e· in different countries walk by faith. ·Let them· inqUire,
Am I ~setVing ': tJ:le ·men at Battle ·Creek, or am I serving the :Lord? · They ar~ . ··
to :t:eel
. • .. .
·their r··i ndividual accountability to God, not to men ·l!ho
• . •
givE:f evid-
.. •
:·.
ence·<that they themselves need to seek' the Lord for wisdom. Ae. the · Lord•:s·
dele'gated servants seek him for wisdom, he will answer their prayers·. . ~.
Those ·in distant countries vvho are on ·the ground should con-s ult together,. : · ·
pray together, opening the word of God for counsel. Where two .or· three ....
are .~:Sr~e.d . t<?gether, this vvord declares, as touching anything they shall
ask ·in the· ncrine of Jesus, it · shall be done for them. · · "Ask, and it·· shall
be .:given 'you;-: seek, and ye shall firid; knock, and it shall be . opened un.;.. ·.,
to you.-·~r' ~~ ;Bovr down before God. With reverential awe · approach 'the :f.hro~e . · ...
of grace. '· ~eseri.t the TJord of God, which is "not Yea and Nay; ·and-Yea and ···
Amen; ~iri Christ Jesus."
.. '
·· · ·:: · · ·:
. .. .i ·:·
11 If any of you lack 1visdoni, let· him ask of God, that giveth to all ·:· ···
men libe;rally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let
hini~::aslf' .i n faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like · a wave
of tli'e· · s;e a driven with the ·wind and. tossed. · For let ·not that man thirik
th<it . he · shall receive anything · of the · Lo~d. · ·A double minded man· is· ·unstable
il1 'all his ways. 11 nno not err, my· beloved brethre~. Every go?d gi:ff: and· :.:·
every perfect gift is from above, and ·cometh down' from the Father of lights·,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." 11Let your moder-
ation -be knovm unto· all men. The . Lord is at hand. Be careful for noth-
ing; but in everything· by prayer and supplication r1ith th.an!<:sgiving iet · ··· · ·
your ~equests be made knm~n unto God. And the peace of God, ·-:·1hich ·!Yclss.e th
all understanding, shall · keep your minds and hearts through Christ ·J:esus .• "
:,:}··: :.
. -1.
·LET GOD BE CONSULTED . .

j. :_-_.
... ...
: ·.:.
Brethren, shall we educate 'oUrselves to depend upon· men·· ·r ather than ·

to make God our trust and dependence in every emergen6y? Whatever 1-'Iork is
attempted with reference to the cause and work of.God, we are -under obli-
gations to God. Let him be consulted. · A few men, whatever office they
may ho~d, should not be· mind and judgment for the wide-s.preading work all
over -the
.. .....
large. vineyard, which is the world. · . - · . ·· · -
·~:tet" 'those in every' far-off country 1i·J6rk unselfishly' in the fear and ....· ..
love· of GOd to advance the Tiork; as mis·s ionaries for God, ~hey can do mll:ch
for i:t if · they · a·r e connected nith him.- They should draw nigh ·t o God With· ·
full ~ssuranc.e "of faith, lifting up Q.oly hands-, vd.thout wrath or doubting.
God will _mak~· known unto them l1is pleasure·; but all 1,·Jho do not nork .v dth- ah
eye ··sirfgie t ·o the glory of God, making him their dependence arid trust,. · ·
who lean rather upon human wisdom, will make blunders\ 'It·· is~ ·m·doing=· ·-·· ·
the work of God that'the richest experience is to be gained~ Here is
where you get wisdom, and find the promises of God verified~
-301-

It is a mistake to encourage the separate conferences to place every-
thing before the finite minds .o f ,those at Battle Creek, asking them
nhat they shall do. lien will never develop wisdom in management, either
in business matters or in· spir~tu~ things, if they are·educated to de-
pend upon other men's brains to think and plan for them. If they make
raistakes, these very mistakes may be permitted by the Lord, to be·
turned into victory if they will learn to improve in these things. Do
men VJat:lt. ·always to remain. shadovls of other men's minds? God has ·made no
exception in his promise. nrf· any of yo:u lack wisdom, let him ask of God.u
THE ANGELES WAITING.
0 how little, men, even -presidents of conferences, know of the power

and helpful strength that God gives .to the earnest, humble seeker who puts
his · trust in God, and does not place men as counselors in the place where
God alone should be. There are thousands upon thousands and ten thousand
times ten thousand angels that minister unto those ,_,Jho shall be heirs of
salvation. God is 'waiting to help all who look unto hirn, But what opin-
ion can. the angels, who wait to do the will and command of God to come to
the help of his work in every place, have, when they see that the face~ . ~
that should be uplifted to God, and the voices that should be heard in sup.. .
plication with thanksgiving to God, are turned away from God and send their
petitions to Battle Creek, asking counsel of human, erring men?
Shall we not have a change in these things? Verily there must be a
decided -change. God's servants are amenable to him. No man is to be con-
science for them. The LOrd wants men to know how to do the ·nork of God,
to labor in his vineyard.
BURDEN-BEARERS
When'the president of the General Conference is stru1ding overloaded

with work, let some yo'Ung men or some men of' age and experience, come
close to the weary ~~n, and lift the burdens, sustaining him with en~
cour~ging words, standing in his place, and doing the -~ ;ork he would have t
done, even though . he fell under the burden which v1as disproportionate to :
his strength. ~
... . ...
In time of pressure ther~ are . spiritual ~orces ·.to be called in nhich .
should always share the burdens; but more than this, the field should
be apportioned off in sections to men _who will stand as burden-bearerse
There must be a number of forces vJhich may be relied upon; but men must
not be held in one position of responsibility year after year. The field
is too large for this.
;Meh··have learned to send every_petty r~quest to Battle Cree~, .-.imtil
the elev~t.eci, .sacred v10rk .h~s passed through so many human elements tnat .
it has. b~come ,: contaminated~ The tainted influence 6f tinsanctified human
nature has bee~ brought in, · so .that nothing is sure, sacred, and h9ly. .
But . i~ is · little ·use to inal~e appeals to the men vJho have held their super- .
ior po:;Jit~on until. in their .mind the sacred is blended. 1:1ith the commot:l•
't • • ' • • •• • • •• • : • •
I have· just , ~ouch~.d _upo_n . the~e important matters. l!iore ·.yet to come.
MRS. E. G. WHITE
-302~

. HAS- A_CONTROVERSY W!~H
THE LO~=· -·
HIS .PEOPLE .. •• -
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•.
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"•f ~
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ja.-.--------~-----.-~.- J
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CARE should be given to teach every man his depandence upon God;
f or he is the Source of all wisdom and power and efficiency. I have been
shovm that it is a nd.stake to suppose that the men in positions of
special responsibility at Battle Creek, have ·wisdom. vJhicfl is far superior
to th.at _of ordinary men. Th6se who think that they have, supposing them
to~.Ji~ve .divine _enlighterunent, rely upon the human .judgnient of these ni~,, .
ta~g their counsel as the · voice of God, . but this is not safe.; for ~~ __ _ '..
less men. .
are wholly consecrated to God, Satan Will work throu~ _them to ·~ :·.·...:
impart .that lmov1ledge r1hich will not be _for the present and eternal good -_ ·
of :th<;>s~ v~ho hear.- · · · · .: · '
·_ ·Many. have ecl.ucated themselves to write or ask _for counsel and · advice·_-. .-. ,-
Tvheq. _brought into difficult places• _ But · it is a mistake for those who are -
pla~~<:i- -in _ r esponsible positions in ·our diff~rent institutions to dep~nd .
upon the 1nen ~·Jho have all too r:'1ahy -burdens and responsibilities- to bear~ ::--
A weak, sickly experience ·nill be the lot of those ·:1ho · ore educated to ·
depeif~ wholly upon others~ Those upon whom they depend, may have les s . of
t~~-- t e.a r : of God then they themselve~ _have; and not more mental _powe-~ - an9. . .
tale~4;t_._.than it is their privilege to -possess if they tdll but _ rea~i~e ,. -.-:. '
that · they · are not. to be children, but f irm, · brave men, ~eeldng . to gain ·· . . -· _:
more ability by exercising that v1hich they already have, by trading upon.--·
the talents God has lent them. We are individually responsible for the
use of the talents God has given us. Our intellect must be cultivated.
Close, hard thinking must be given to the solution of difficulties.
_, Tl~e Lord has given to every man bi~ ~ appointed r-~ork, and if he pia·ce_.~ -.- :..
men in _positions of responsibility,_ he will communicate his Hqly- Spirit : -
to them, giving them. efficiency for their work. But the Ulen .'1 q() are cal;led_ 1
upon, t;o
·take long and _expensive journeys in order to help others to -:c;1ev~~.e
and .-plan, are not themselves in close .c onnection vd.th the God of aU wis.:,;
dom; if they put confidence in their own strength and nisdom. lf · they ·
hav~ _ not been willing to bear the yoke of Christ, or to learn in his
school t ·o be meek and lowly :in heart .as he wasJ if they-have no~. -learned .
to li:ft the burdens God has _given them, and to follow r1herever. he may ·
lead .them, vvhat will their expens-ive tr,ips amount to? What is their wis- ·. -_
dom ;v~orth? Is it not accounted fooli-s hness with God?
. ;
TEACH THIS TO THE PEOPLE

-._stat;~ i·qo¥erences may Q.ep~nd upon ,the · Gene~al · Conferen~e · :t~r ligh~1 :- _.·
and kno,~le9-g~J and -v.Jisdom; but is it ·~afe - for them to do this? .Battle . .. ' :· - - ~
·is
Cr~-~.\<: _ .novr
-t o be the center of Qod I :s:.w_o rk.. God. alone can fill: thi~ ·_. . ' . ':;:
place~- · . wlj-~n· .o~r people in the d~ff~r~nt:. ·places have their special_c.,o~~'
vocat:;i.ons', - teach them, for Christ's __.s ake and for their ovm ~oul•s ·sak:e·~ -- ·· ·
not t .o , make flesh ..their_ a_ rtll.• _Ther~ ~s ..no power in men to read _the h!3arts
.
of ·their -fellow · men-~ '"The Lord is the 6nllr _.one upon whom we ·can -w:Ltjj_'. safety
depend, and ne
, ~s a~.cessible in every place and to every church in the
Union. - To place mE§n 11here· God should be placed does not honor or glorify God •
.. • • • • • t I • • • .. ~ • • • • •• 'f t • ,.
-303- .

Is the president of the General Conference to be the god of the people?
1~ re the men at Battle Creek t~ be regarded as infinite in. f1isdom? 'When
the LQrd shall nork upon hwnan hearts and. human intellects, principles
and practises dif ferent from this. ·will be set before the ·people. ·"Cease
y~ ;from man."
- '• ·- ~
The Lord has a controversy with hi~ people over this mat~er~ Why
have they 'left . the Lord their God who so loved them 1.1.that he gave hi.s m'ily
begotten Son, that ,,~hosoe'ver believeth in·· him . should not pe·r isn, but. have
everlasting .life 11 ? His love is not uncertain and fluctuating, out is as
far above all other love as the heavens are above t he earth. Ever he watches
over _his c~ildren nith a love that is measureless and everlasting. "O the
depth of the riches 'both of the wisdom and knowledge of Godl how· unsearch-
able are his judgments, and his ·ways past f inding out!" ·
"If any of you lack vd.sdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all
men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." Mercy and
love and wisdom are to be. found in God; but many who profess to lmow him have
turned . from the One in whom our hope of eternal life is centered, and have
educated themselves to depend upon their erring and fallible feilow men. ·
They are crippled spiritually ~'Jhen they do this; for no man is infallible,
and his influence may be misleading. He who trusts in man not only lea(ls ·
upon a broken reed, and . gives Satan an opportunity to introduce himself,
but he ht;trts the one in ·wnom the trust is placed; he becomes lifted up in
his estimation of himself, and loses the sense · of'his dependence u~on ' Godc
Just ,as soon _as man is placed Hhere God should be, he loses his purity, ·
his vigor, his confidence in God's power. Moral confusion results, because ·.
his pqwers beqome unsanctified and perverted. He feels competent to . judge .
his fellov~ men,· and he strives unlawfully to be a god over them.
,· .
11 LET THIS .MIND BE lN YOU."
·· But there must be no self-exaltation in· the work of God. However, much
vre know, however great our mental endovm.ents, .none of us can boast;. for ·
YJhat we possess is but ·an· entrusted gift, lent us on trialo The ·faithful
improvement of these endowments de:cides our destiny for eter nity; · btit we
have nothing whereby v-;e should exalt self or lift us up, for that TJhich
we have is not our own.
We are to be courteous toward all men, tenderhearted and sympathetic;

for this was the character Christ manifested when on earth. The more
closely we are united 1aith Jesus Christ, the more tender and affectionate
will be our conduct toward one another. The redemption of the human race
V-Jas planried that man, .fallen though he was, might be partal~er of the
divine nat.u re, having e9caped the corruption that is in ,t he world through:
lust • . If by his grace vm become partakers of the divine nature, our · influ...;
ence ' upon those a~ound us is not dangerous but beneficial. · Looking unto
Jesus, 'the author and finisher of our faith, we can be a · blessing to .all
with whom w·e .associate; .'for the Holy Spirit's power upon the human heart .. ,
can .rnake _.and ~eep it ·pure.
Those TJho do not receive Christ as their · personal Saviour, who do · not ·
feel the need of his ·grace upon heart and charact er, cannot'influence
those around them for good. Whatever their .station in life, they will .
carry nith them an influence that ·sa.tan will use in his service. · Such lose
all hope of eternal life themselves, and by their wrong ~xamp~e lead .
others · astray. . ·
-304- .
STUDY THE CROSS
'; ..
The cross of Calvary means . everything to ·perishing souis • :..-·Through · · ·
the sufferin·g and. death · of .the Son .of Man, the· salvation of· man. ·was made '·
possible• Through the agen·c y· of . the :Holy Spirit .God de·s ign·s that his image.
shall be restored in humanity, that a new and living principle of life
shall be introduced into the 1ninds that have become defiled by sin. The
love of ·aod . is fully · able· -to restore, · rebuild, encourage, and , strengthen
every believing soul who 1·d.ll accept the truth as it. is in Jesus. But in-
order .that this ' may be accomplished, · men must yoke up with Christ • .The
cross of Christ mUst be studied. It . must rivet the attention and hold
·.:. the affect-ions. . The blood l'Jhich there VIaS shed for sins, 11Vill P1J~ify . and '
cleanse mind, and heart from every s~oies of selfishn~ss. · · ·. ·
.· •..
SANCTIFIED THROUGH THE TRUTH
· God : is the author of all truth; and truth practised prepares .: the _;.. .
·. uay f6r more acivar1;ced truth. Vfuen qod r s delegated servants proclaim .fresh .. ·.
truth I the Holy Spirit moves upon· the mind which has been· prepared by ~ ~ ·· · ·
walking in the light, quickening the perceptive faculties · to discern · · · ·.! ·
the beauty and· majesty of _truth.
· But the truth is · no truth to the one who does not reveal, by his ;· ;·: ..
elevat ed spiritual character, a power beyond that uhi.ch the world can give,:· ·
an ., ir.fluence corresponding in its sacred, peculiar character to· the .·truth::. ·.-.::
itself.~ He ·who is sanctified by the truth, vdll exert · a saving, vital :. ; ·.
influenc~ ._upon an · :·Jit~ whom .he comes in contact. This is Bi~le re~ig:i.on:. ~
i: · .
Men, saved only by the · atoning sacrifice of Christ Jesus, have ··no
right to seek to exalt themselves above their fellow men. Let them sit at
the feet of Jesus, and learn of him, striving not_ to make themselves mine~
If the love of Jesus Christ abides in them, .they 1·d.ll shine unconsciously,
diffusing the light of the ' glory of Christ through the world. "! 1 if I
be · lifted up, 11 Christ · sal.d., ''will · drat~ all men unto me. n If a minister·
makes Christ his hope, his ·trust, his dependence; he is one lJith Christ,.
a laborer tog~ther with God; and by his ministry, souls are converted to
Christ. :
ALL ABILITY IS FROM GOD
Thera ar~ those nho are not learned, and who have not a large endow- ··
ment of ·gifts, but they·need not become 'discouraged because of this. Let
them .Use · v1hat th_e y .have, faithfully guarding every weak point ~ their
characters; seeking by divine grace .to · make it strong. There is no ·man·
living ·. that has any power or ability which he has not received from God.t ·a.nd
the·.! source ·f:rom whence it came is open to the weakest hwnan being. If ~ · ·
he vlill·. dra'!J~ ' near to God, the unfailing ·s ource of stren~th, he will :. .
realize that idod. fulfils his promise. But in this 1"1ork, \'Te need not · call . ·: ·. ·
men thousands· :.~of miles to give us aid; for Christ has promised, 11 Ask, and := ·:
it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find. 11 • · · · ·
-~:-. · God has not given talents to men capric'iously1 but accord.iJ:ig t6 · their
God-given ·a bility ·:to use · them. The greater the talents lent to the :·· .man,
greater the .returns ·required. God requires every human·, agent to .:·consult·· · : ·
the living oracl~, tmd :·become thoroughly acquainted with ;his expreS:sed · :·
will in all.; matters, that by diligently using the talents 'lent :hiiill he rriay
gain others. · ' ·· · ...
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God nould have us learn the solemn lesson that TJe are working · out · our
ovm destiny. The charact~r TJe form in this life ·decides ·whether· or . n'o t
we are ·fitted to live through the eternal ·ages. No. man can v1ith safety · ·:
remain idle o He may not ha.ve. 1nany talents., but let him trade on tho'se
Hhich he has; and in proportion as he e:rJ1ibits integrity to~'!ard God and ··
his fellow men, so God will bless hi111.
; .T he· Holy · Spirit waits to give · aid. to every believing soul, and Jesus .
declares,- 11 Lo, I am nith you alway, even ·u nto the end of the world. 11
Let those Y1ho believe in Jesus, ·be . strong, prayerful, and full of trust
in Christrs power to save. ucall upon me in the day of trouble: I will
deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.rr
THE LORD 1 S. ENTREATY .
Let me entreat our State c.o nferences and our churches to cease putting
their dependence uoon men, and making flesh their arm. Look not to o,ther.
men to see how they conduct themselves under the conviction of the truth,-
or to. ask them for aid. Look not to. men in high positions of .responsibility
,. ',f or strength, for , they are the ver;y men who are in danger of considering
a position of responsibility as evidence of God's special pol~er. Our
churches' are ·i·Jeak because the members are educated to look to and. depend
upon human resources, and thousands of dollars are needlessly expended in
transporting finite men from one place to another, in order that they may
settle little dif ficulties, when Jesus is ever near to help those who are
needy and distressed.
The warnings given in'the word of God to the children of Israel were
meant, mot merely for them, but for all. uho should live upon the earth. ·
He says to them, nwoe to the rebellious children, • • •. that take coU.nsel, . ,
but not ~ of me; and that cover :Jith a covering, but not of my Spirit, that·
they may add .: sin to sin: that walk to go down into Egypt, and have not·
asked at 1Illf mouth; to strengthen themselves in the st~ength of Pharaoh,
and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! 11 If the. Lord reproved his people
anciently because they neglected to seek counsel of him vrhen in difficulty,
will he not be displeased to-day. if his people, instead of depending on
the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness to lighten their way, t~rn
from him ·in their test an~ trial, for the aid of human beings who are . as
erring and inefficient as themselves? Vfuere is our strength? · Is it in
men r;ho are as helpless and dependent as ourselves~ YJho need guidance from
God even as we do?
~ .
THE 'PRESENT HELP

', . .
' · Christ says ~ "Without me ye can do nothing," aiid he has provi.d ed .:. the .
Holy Spirit as a present help in every time of need. But many have a ·
feeble r'eligious experience because, instead of · s~eking the · Lord f or · the·
ef ficiency of. the Holy · spirit·~ .·they .make '·f lesh their arm~ Let the ·.
people of·· God be · educated to .turn to · God wh~n in · troubl~,- and gain ·
strength .from:the
, .
promises. t hat ··are ,yea -and amen to every. t ·rusting .soul.
·-
The· word ·of ··the LQrd is t ·o ·us, 11 Ask 1 and it shall be · given you; seek,
and ye shall . find; rknock;· and it shall be opened· unto you; for every one
that asketh receiveth; arid he that seeketh findeth; and .to him that
knocketh .it shall be op~ned. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that
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is a father, will he ~ive him a stone? or if he ask a fish, -rJil he for a
fish 8ive ·him a serpent?·or if. he shA~ ask an eEg1 will. he· offer him
a sc·o rpion? ·.· \ If ye theh 1 being evil, . know how to give good gi;f'ts unto
your :children: how 'much more shall yo\lr heavenly Father give the ·Holy . ·
Spit1t·~ to them that ask him?'' ·
~. --.. ,-
The promises of God are full and abimdant 1 and· there ·. is no need for··
any one to depend upon humanity for st:rength. To all that call upon him,
God ·is ~1ear t ·o help and· succor. · And he i~ greatly qi~honored, when, after
inviting our cohfidence 1 ·we turn · from himi -the only one liho · w~l not
mi.su.Z!Q.~rstal'ld' u~,. the only cne who can give unE3rring counse1 1 -:-"":'t? i ~!3~.: who · ..
in their human 'weakness are liable 'to lead us astray. . . · · · . : .· .
"Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people drav-1 near me with
their mouth; and with their lips do .honor me, but have removed their heart
far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
th'?·~efore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous T·Jork among this
people, even a marvelous llork and a l'Jonder: for the wisdom of their wise . .
men'.shall perish, and the understandi ng of their prudent men shall be . ' ....
hid. Woe unto them that se~k deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, anci
· their .: 1vor~s are :. in ·t he· dark, .and they say, VJho seeth us? and ·who lmoweth u~?"
. ·.• . . . . -
The Lord has _shown us nis way; shall we walk in ~ it? or shall we·,
finite and err~g : :a:s we ·are, walk. in our ovm counsel,· 'and practise the
principles which · he has warned us against?· · ··
. \ • f
THE PRESENT WARNING
HNow go, write it befo.r e them in a table, and note·· it in a book, -·

that it may· be _:tot- the time to , o
c· me for ever and ever: that this is a · · ··
rebellious people~ lying children, children that will not hear· the law ·.· of ··.
the Lord: · wh~ch say _to tfle s~ers,. See not; and to the· prophets, Prophe_ s y_ ...
not un:to us 'right things, speak unt·o .us · smooth things, pr~phesy deceits: ·'· ..':
get you ·o ut ·o~ · the nay, turn aside out ·.of the path, cause the Holy One of .
Israel·to cease from before us. \~~tefore thus saith the Holy One of
Israel, . Because ·ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverse-
ness, and .stay ·there6n: therefore this iniquity snall ·be to you as a
breach r.eady to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose brealdng cometh
suddeJ1ly at an instant." .
:-. : · ·: ·- UWhom ··s hall ·he teach knonledge? and whom shall he make to under~t.~nd
doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and dratm from the breasts~ ·
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line,
line upon line; here a little, and there a little: for TJith stammering'
lips and another tongue v1ill he speak to this people. To whom he said,
This ..is · the rest where:·1ith ye may cause the weary to rest; and · this. is the
re.fre·shihg: yet they v1ould not hear. But the ,:Jord of the Lord v~as unto . ... ,
them precept upon precept, -precept upon , precept; line· upon line, .lirie upon ::
line·; : here a little; and t here a little; tnat tne:r might go, and fa_l l back-
ward, and ·be broken, and snared, and taken. Wherefore hear· .the· .word ··of · ·
the _L9rd 1 .:y.e _scc)rnful men, that rule this peopl~ which is in. J'eru~aleni. .·
Because .;ye :have .. said;, . VJe have made a covenant ·vJith death, and 11dth hell ..,
are. we at agreement; nhen the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it
shall':·n.ot "•'eome unto us: for we ·have made lles our refuge, and' .u nder fa~se- .
hood·. ·have ,,;ie· hid. ourselves·:. therefore ·thus. saith the Lord God, Behold, I , ·.
lay in Zion .-for a foundation a stan¢·, a tried stone, .a precious· coiner· stone,
\ - ! • • ' ' ~• I I j• ••
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a sure foundation: he that 1]elieveth shall not make haste. Judgment
also v:ill I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plwnmet: and the
hail shall sYveep al:ay the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow
the hiding-place. u ·
"Thus saith the Lord God, the Holy ·one of Israel; ·In returning and
rest S'lall ye be saved; in quietnes's and in confidence shall · be your
strength: .and ye _,·muld not. 11 tJAnd· in that day shall ·the deaf hear the ·
words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out ·of obscurity,
and out of darkness. The om:eek also shall increase .t heir joy in the Lord,
and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel~ For the
terrible one is brou~ht to . nau~ht, and the scorner is consumed, and all
that·watch for iniquity are cut off: that make a man an 6ffender for a
v1ord, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turn aside .
the just for a·thing of naught. Therefore thus saith the Lord, whore-
deemed j~braham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be as-
hamed, neither shall his face now wax ·pale. But ·-rvhen he seeth his child-
ren, ·the ~·1ork of mine hands 1 in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my ·
name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Isr~e+.
They · also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and i;.liey that ' ·
murmured shall learn. doctrine. ir ·
· Will these warnings be pass~d by as of no account? The Lord calls up-

on every teacher, every minister, every one who has· ·received the light qf · · ·
his truth, to mark well his spiritual· standingo They have had · great light, ··
Hnd if they would secure .e .ternal life, they must no longer make finite men
their dependence, but build upon the sure foundation~
HOLD FAST TO GOD r S PRINCIPLES
No counsel of men ·can with s·a fety·· rem6ve God t·s ·prlnciples, and set
up their'own; for the word of God declares, "Judgment also will I lay to
the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away
tha refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place. 11 "For
the Lord shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the
valley of Gibeon., that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring
to pass his act, his stra.l'lge act. Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest
your hands oe made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of Hosts a
consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.u
We are living in times full of importance to each one. Light is
shining in clear, steady rays around us. If this light is rightly received
and appreciated, it will be a blessing to us and to others; but if Tle
trust in our own wisdom and strength, or in the ·wisdom and strength of
our fellovr men, it uill be turned into a poisonc In the struggle for eter-
nal life, we cannot lean upon one another. The bread 6f life must be ·
eaten by each one. Individually Y.Ie must partake of it, that soul, 'body,
and mind may be revived and strengthened by its transforming power, thus
becoming assimilated to the rilnd and character of Jesus Christ. God must
be made first and last and best in everything.
Each one must h~ger and thirst after righteousness for himself.
Leaning upon men, and trusting in their wisdom, is dangerous to the
spiritual life of any Christiano Those in whom confidence is places may
be honest and true, serving the Lord with all diligence., But'if, indivi-
dually, 1_.·Je are endeavoring to walk in the footsteps of Christ, we can
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follow him: :as w.e ll as. those rJhom we . admi~ . :for their, c~nsiste.n:t;, ·. humble
lives. .. . . .. . .. . . · , . J .... . 0 •
·,
NOT MAN BUT THE LORD
It is to.o often the ca~e that those . v~ho -~re · lC'\0ked. up .to, are not
what they are ,supposed to be. Often sin lurks in ~he heartj and wrong
habit~ and deceptive practises are woven i~to the character.. HoW does
our Heaven_ly F.ather regard ·this? His counsel is alY-1 ays reliable, and .
he has evid~nc.ed his great lave for the human· race, and he looks on with .. . ::
sadness when his 9hildren are en6our~ged to .. tum awasr from him, ~d place.. :; . i
their dependence upon finite men, whom· they know· not, and wti.ose judgment· .~ ;· ..
and experience may not be reliable. But this has been done 1 and God has,.- ,·..: :
been made secondary. ·
I ' o
' ' ·,
· In· the name · ·o r Jesus Christ of Nazareth, I beseech the .people of God ~ ·: : ~
to depend upon the Lord for strength. B_eware how you place men YJhere G6d. :: .
shoUld· :be. . We are not safe in taking ~n as our authority or our guide, . .· ::. _.
fo:I' .. tl:ley 1Vill surely disappoint us • . Individuall y, we are to work out our . .;:.
own salvatlon vvith fear and trembling, "for i~ is God uhich w·o rketh in YC?UL .
both to will and to do of his good pleasure." We -have a high calling in
Christ·. ·J ·e sus; we are cariJ1ng forward a vast and holy ·work, . and God calls
upon..- each one to .uplift his
stand~rd ·in the sight· of · th~s world . and of the . .
univer·s e of heaven• · by the power of · the Lord Jel1.9vah, in \'Ihom is never-
lasting strength. ·u ·.. . ·
E. G. WHITE
.. ~ . \. .
; .·
~ :
. ~· : .. . .
. : .. ·. ..
.. : ...
: .... :.
..
; )
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. : " GIVE ME THINE HEART
; .
: . : Adelaide, Oct. 12, 1896_.

· THOSE who · are in· responsible positions are not to become converted . _
to the self-indulgent, extravagant principles of the v~orld; for ·they cannot
afford it; and if they could, Christlike ·principles would not allow ito
Eanifold teaching needs to .be given. trWhom shall he teach lmovJledge? and
whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the
milk, and drawn from the breastse' For precept must be upon prec~pt, pre-
cept : upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there
a littlee 11 Thus the vJord of the Lord is patiently to be brought before
the children, and kept before them, by parents who believe the word of God.
11 For ·riith stamm.eripg
lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
To whom he said, Tlus is the rest ·whereT-Iith- ye may cause the weary to rest;
arid this is the refreshing: yet they uould not hear- But the word of the
Lord·was unto them precept upon precept 3 precept upon precept; line upon
line, lli1.e upon line;· here a little,· and there a 'little; that ,they might
go, and fall backr:ard, o.nd be broken, and snared, and taken. 11 Why?--Be-
cause they did not heed the rmrd of the -L ord that came unto them.
This -means those r1ho have not received instruction, but have cherished
their own vvisdom, and have chosen to work'themselves according to their
own ideas. The Lord gives these the'test, that they shall either take
their position to follow his counsel, or refuse and do according to their
mm ideas, and then the Lord v-rill leave them to the sure result. In all
our ways, in all our· service to God, he speaks to us, · uaive me thine · heart."
It is the submissive, teach~ble spirit that God Wat?-ts. That -..·jhich gives ·:t o
prayer its excellence is the fact that it is breathed from a loving, obedient
heart.
God requires certain things of his people; if they say, I will not
sive up my heart to do this thing, the Lord lets them go on in their supposed
wise judgment without heaven.;Ly wisdom, until this scripture (Isa.28:13)
is fulfilledo You ar·e not to ·say, I will follow the Lord r s guidance up
to a certain point tna.t _is in harmony uith my judgment, and then hold
fast to your ovrr1 ideas, - refusing to be molded after the Lord's similitude.
Let the question be asked, Is this the -will of the Lord? not, Is this the
opinion or judgment of ? ..
. THE LORD'S STANDARD
. f::verything must be vie1·.red in the light of the example _of :Chris.t . , He

is . th~ . truth._ He · is the _tru,e Light that . lighteth every man.
_T!ho .come-~h .;i.l:lto
the:-: :t.·J orlq; - L;i.sten -to his words, copy his example in _self-denial an<;i self-·
sacrifice, and l ook .to the merits of cb:r.ist for · the glory : in characte~ -:·_
T-J~ch he possesses to be · bestowed on you. Those v1ho -f ollow: Christ _l iv~
not to please_themselves. H~nan standards are like· feeple reeds. T~~
Lord's standard is perfection of character. ·
. - ~·1 For.:-- -.the :Lord- shali . rise up. as in mount·: Per"
ai:i.Ih, .. he -shall; .be_·_ wroth
as in the : valley. of Gib~.on, that he may do his worlc~ his- strange -work; and
bring to pass his ·act, his ·strange act. Now therefore be' ye not moclcers,
lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord God of Hosts
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a conswnption, even determined upon the whole earth.n Read Deut. 7:6.
Head the whole chapter, also chapters 1 and 8. · These were presented to
me as the words of the Lord. The~~ t~~gs are written for our admonition,
upon uhom the ends of the r1orld are come.
He are to have orily thos'e..~ corinected uith our institutions who ·will
hear t~e .n<?rd of the Lord, and appre.c~.ate and o~ey his voice. . When a .
man wi~ P~.eaO. and urge ~o have. his mind and his judgment to be supreme
in any one ~f o~ instit~tions; you can have no greater evidence that . .
that man does . n'ot know himself' and is not qualified. to manage. He Yiill
make mistakes, .and injure rather than rest·o re. He does not lmo1:v. what ···· ·;
re~pons~b~lities ~re involved in his relation to God or to his fellow ·
men. •'·
"Seeing then that all these things shall b~ dissolved, T.·hat manner of .
p~~:sons ~ought ye to .be? 11 Those who walk humbly lrl.th God niU not be ·sf~i~~:
~g to obtain greater · r~sponsibilities, but will consider· th~t they have · . .
a spe,cial work to do, . and r1ill be faithful to their duty. In our · ins tit~.;.; .: j
tionS.., . great good c.a n be done in educating by precept and e;}::ample, in e·Qoti-·
O!D~)r'_.;in · a n lines. If you, my ·brother, had learned in the school of chri'st··.=.
to lie· Ii,leek and lowly in heart, you would alrlays stand on v~11age-groUn~~··;· : ~
You have not an evenly balanced character. You cannot safely .put confid~~ee
in your ovm judgment in all things. Ean's way is to devise and scheme; .;. ·.),,
Gqd: . ¥,11Plants a principle. Han is striving to make duty soft . apd. accom-
moda.t~ing to his .o\J;n natural character; but .l ife is a battle-~ield; li·f e .is.
a race nhich he has to ruri if he is Victor. . ·~. ~· '; ..
. .
. 'rHE ONLY TRUE REFORM . ""i •.
.. .
Is'
.._
•.; . . Those who would fJOl~k in. God service must not ' be seeld.ng worldly . ' ..
gratification. and selfish indulgence. The physicians in our· il'lstitutiona ·:. ;
must be imbued with the living principles of health reform. Men ".t'J ill · ·
never be truly temperate until the grace of Christ is an abiding principle
.>·.in the heart • . All the pledges in the world :will not make you or your
· v·1 ife he?-lth reformers. J:)o mere restriction of yotir diet ·Hill c~re your
diseased appetite. · Brother and Sister--v~till not practj.se temperance in
all things until their heart.s are transformed by the grace ·of.. G?~. ·
.... . CirQumstances cannot ·nark r~forms. Christianity propose·~ · l~eforma.:. ·.. a
tion in ·t he heart. l'Jhat Christ ·Harks v-Ii thin, ·Hill be worked out ~d~~ ..·.
·1 the dictation of a converted intellect.' The plan ·of begiruling outside arid ·
trying to ·work inward has alvmys failed, and always will fail. · God t s
plan with you is to begin at the ve·r y seat of all difficulties, the heart,
and then from out of the heart Will issue the p~inciples of righteous-
neras;.. '
the · .reformation
. .. ~. . .
will be outward as well as inward. .
·. . . r .
I •I
·.· •' l ,,. I ',
..... : : .<;kxi! .s way is. to Live rran .something he has not. But you have said, · I .
want .~t·:~..t:lot • . God.ts vJay'is ·t .o make man something he i ,s not. Man•s·way· .
is to get · an easy place, and indulge appet.i te and selfish ·ambiti.o n. . God's ·
plan is: to~ . s~t .. man t.Q .wor~c in reformatory lines; then'he._:nill l~arn by
experience how long'he has pamper~d ..fleshly ~ppetites, a.nd nQ.n~stered ~ct :· ·.
his o·wn ten1perament, bringing weakness upon himself. · ·
: o • I ' ~I f • • "j • '· ' • f r' o ' • ' ' • '•
·'· pod.•.s .~vay ..is to,· .r1o~k.: in power. He gives the grace if the .s ick .thap..
rep~~e~ .·t hat he need~ l.t~ ·-. Han is t{??. . P~:ten . satl.sfie~ .t 9 'tl;',e at. ~e~· .... ; .
.apcording ~o the methoda, of quackery·, and· .he. .vindica~e.~ . ~s · ;~e~ of ·.:. · · .
. . . . ·- . - ·.. . ~ ;
-31~-

worktng :~as : i~ight. God proposes to purify' and
refine the defiled 'soul;
then he will implant in the heart his o-t·vn righteousness and peace· and
health, and man becomes complete in .him. . Then .the issues 6f life, pro-
ceeding from the heart, are represented as a ·Hell of TTatcr, springing up
into ever~~sting life.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITHIN
This is the kingdom of God within you. Day by day men are revealirig
vJhether the , kingdom of God is -. ·1 ithin themo If · Christ· rules in their
heartsj they are gaining strength o:L ;.Jrinciple·, poY~er, ability to stanc~l '·
as faithful sentinels, true reformers; for there can be no reform tinless
there· is a thorough co-operation vJith Jesus Christ. Through _the grace of
Christ, men are to use their God-given faculties to reform themselves·;
by this self-denying action, VJhich the Lord of heaven looks upon 'Wi~h
approval, they gain victories over their ovrrt hereditary and cultivated
tendencies. · Then .like Daniel they make impressions upon other hearts
that v·1 ill never be effacedo The influence will be carried to all parts
of the lvorldG
Men are taking sides, according to their choice. Those that are
feeding on the 'VJord of God will show this by their practise; they are on
the Lord's side) seeking by precept and eXample to reform the worldo
All that· have refused to be taught : of God, hold'the traditions of men.
They at'last pass ave~ on .-the side .of the'enemy, against God, and are
written, nantichrist~' •i T~e people of God, who understand · our position · in·.
this VJOrldfs history, are, nith ears open and hearts SOftened· and subqu~dj ··: .
pressing together in unity--one with Jesus Christ. Those uho ·w ill not '. ·.
practise the lessons of Cl1rist, but keep themselves in hand to mold therr~
selves, find in antichrist the center of'their union. While the two parties
st~~d in collision, the Lord 'will appear, and shine bef ore his ·ancients
glorio1:1sly. He will set up a ldngdom that shall stand forevero
EXCUSES ARE VAWELESS
The question · for · us. to consider. is, . Have we the attributes ~f· Chri~t? .
.Excuses are valueless. · All circumstances, all appetites and passions are
'to.· be servants to the God-fearing man; · not ruler.s over him. The ' C~ist~
ian is not to be enslaved by any hereditary or cultivated habits 01;, tend- .
ency~ He .is to rule the anin~l passions, rather then to be held li1 the
bondage of habit. .. . .
....
We are not to be the servants of'. circumstances, but to control circturt--
stances by an iriwrought principle learned of the greatest Teacher ._ th~ · . .· :.
world . ever· ·lmevr. The· solemn position iri which we stand to-day toward th~
wor~c:t.•. .~he . sdreitli.1 respons~bilities arid cf\lties enjoined upon us .bY our
Lord, · are not t6 be ignored until -· our vVill and our circutastances ar-e ad- ·. ·:
justed. The principl~ of self-denial and self-sacrifice, as revealed m·:
the example of Christ, of John the Baptist, of Daniel and the three
·worthies, is to pass like a plowshare through hereditary and cultiva~ed
habits, through all circumstances and ·surroundingso
·. I ask you; ··:(s '~;.he 'rd.ngdom of God· within you? Gocirs · pe~pie : ar~ ..to .be
minutemen, . alT.tafs~. ready;: .al·ways corrtpose,d iri. Jesus Christ. ·The .tilri.e is riovr
come \'•Jhen one 'iD.dirient we may . be on 'solid earth, the ne2-."t . th~ · eaftl~· rnaf 'be'
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heaving beneath our feet, Earthquakes will take place ;:here least expected.
::·.·· . . · . . . .. ,. .
. -. : WHA'r .CHRISTIANITY -I S .
. . . . -
Christianity has a much broader meaning than many _have hitherto -
given it. It is not a creed. It is the word of Him i:'vho liveth and abideth
forever. It is a living, animating principle, that takes possession of
mind, heart, motives, and the. entire man. Ch~istianity-0 that we
might experience its operations! It is a vital, personal experience,
thaJ~-_: elevates and ennobles the whole man. Every man is responsible _, to
God, who has rnade ·provision for all to receive this blessing. But· -many ~:-
do not: receive it, although Christ . has purchased it for them· at infinite ;::
cost •. .-. -They have not grasped the blessing within their reach, and the:re-
fo:te. they have retained their obj~ctionable traits of character, ancl .·sin··
lieth ;at the door. While they p~ofess piety, Satan .has made . them -his -··.. ·:
agents :to pull down and confuse ''1here he thought best. · They · exert an · in- ·
fluence ·deteterious to the souls of many who need .an example that wo_u ld ,_· :::··
help them heavenw-ard. ·. · ·
Who are the subjects of the ldngdom of God?--All those ·who do his will.
They have righteousness, peace,- and joy· in the Holy Ghost, ·_ The members
of Christ•s· ld.ngdom are the sons of GOd, partners .in his great firm. - The
elect of ·God are a chosen generation, a peculiar people, a holy nation,' to ~·
show f ,o rth the praises .of him who hath called them out of darlmess into· . ··· · ·
his lllarvelous light. · They are -the salt of the earth, ·the light of the .· .r.c.: .
world. They a~e living stones, a royal priesthood• They are in copartne~
ship with Jesus Christ • . These are they that follow th~ . Lamb whithersoever ·..
he. ,·goeth.
, : .·
. . : •.: ·.
!#.". HOW SHALL WE LEARN OF CHRIST : ( : ·:
How shall :we follow him ·to· learn of · him who is our .Teacher? We .c an ·
search his word, and become acquainted with his life and 1norks. His words
we are to receive as bread for our souls.. In every sphere where man shall
be placed, the Lord Jesus has left us his·footprints. We do well to
follow him.- The Spirit by which he .spake, we must cherish; we are to pre-
sent :the truth as it is in Jesus. . We are to follow him especially in ·
heart-purity, in .love • . Self ·-must be hid with Christ in God; ·then ·v1hen Christ·
who is :_o ur life sha:ll appear, ·we also ~shall appear with him ·in glory.
' ,; ~.: ..
._Vlhat·.·can I say more then I have said? The Old Testament· should be
studied most diligently. The New Testament does not present a lower
standard than the Old. In his sermon on the mount Jesus set forth the
very·:prin·c iples. that came from ·his lips to .Moses, to be given to the
children o.f:· Tsrael,· Ghrist delineated the ·d uties of m.en· to · God and to ·
their fellow men.in .much :stronger lines, because through disobedience men
had become · confused in regard to God's claims • . Read carefully the se~on
on the mount·. · ·
; .
. 11 00 .AIL TO THE GWRY OF GOD. II

•-"
'· .
..
By the inspiration · of the Spirit of God., Paul ·the apostle writes that
"whatsoev.e r ye . d.o," ·:even the ·natural . act of :·eating or drinking, should
be done, not- to .· gratify a perv:erted · appetite, but und~r -. a sense · of ·res- :·· ;.-.
'\ . . •, I : , :
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ponsipi1;tby,-~ "do ·all··to -the glory of '.':God-~ n: 'Every part :o-r· "bhe mru1 -i's .. to ... ·· :·:.
be guar~ecf; we are , ·to beware · lest_ that ~·1hich is_' taken inti:{ the.· stomach ·. · · ·.·
sha~l- b~ish from the mind hi gh and .holy thoughts. May ·r h<>t do ·. as I . ··- .·.
plea·s·~ ; wit4 myself.? ·a-s_
k.· SO!lle, ·· as if He ~vere . seeking to . depriVe them of a :
g~at ·- good, v~hen ~-Je .Pi'eseht bef ore·· theni the necessity ·-of' -.eating intelli- . _. :.·.-:.·.-. A"~ .1,_?-
gentiy, ·arid conf6rining all their habits to the · 1av·1s God ·has est=abli·shedo . \ ,,,, 1
There are ri ~hts '(Jhich belong to ~very individual. We have an in-

dividuality ·ap.d an identity that is' our own. No one can suomerge -' !:lis .
identity in that·· of· :any other. All 'Inust -'act· -;for themselves, according to
the dictates of· their 0vm c onscience. ·As regards our respdrisibility - and
influenee, . ne are amenable to God as deriving our life · from him. ... This
·we do not obtain from hwnanity, but from God only. Vle are his by
creation . ~d ·by redemption. Cur very bodies are not our· '0\l~n, to treat .··: ' ·· ·
as we please) t~· crinple by habits that lead to decay, making it _impos·si.:. · -:·
ble to 'render ·t ·o God perfect serviceo Our lives and ·all our ·faculties be•
long .to' · hm:~ ~ :. "He is caring for us every moment; he ke_eps ·th-e·: livm·g n1a-
chinery ih::· a.~~~on; if v1e were left to run it for one ·moment:, :1·ie ' should .
die. ·:· We •ai--ie ·:a.-o·s olutely dependent upon God. · · · ...,
' ,.: ...-, ·.. :· ..J ~ ; , .. . . .. '
A great lesson is learned· YJhen l'.Je \ll1derstan.d our relation to God; ··and:
his relation to us. The 1·1ords 1 uye are· not your own, ye are bought T·.:ith a
price 1 11 should be hung in memory's hall, that we may ever recognize God's
right to our talents, our property, our influence, our'individual selves~
He ar~ .to. ).earn how to treat this gift qf God, in mind, in soul, in body,
that ~s: .Christ's pi.u~chased possession, we may do hini healthfu~, · savory
service. ·' · ' ·
_· .
-· '
· DANIEL AND HIS BRETHREN
Why did 'Daniel and his companions refuse to eat at the king's table?
1'Jhy .did they · refuse his meats and ·wines?--Because they had been ·taY.ght
that ~hi~ - c~ass of food would not keep the mind or -the physical structure-·-:
in the very best condition of health to do God's · service. These youth .. · ·
urgeq most earnestly that the one who had charge ·of their food should .inot· · ·
comPel · them to partake of the ldngt s luxuries, or drink of his w:ine. :-: - ' ·
They -begged him to try them ten days ·only, and then examine them, and·'de-
cide by their physical appearance whether their abstemious diet would be
to their disadvantage. Vfuen they came in for examination, the result was
decidedly in their favoro
It was othenYise ·with the youth who had eaten of the luxuries of the
king • s table;' and qrank of ·his wine.- The·· clear sparkle of the·· eye ·was gone,
the ruddy,- healthful glow had disappeared from the countenance. ·The· four
Hebrevt~ · captives ·were thereafter permitted to have the diet . they had
chosen·. · VI/hat effect -did it have.- upon mind· and character? They had con-
scientiously refused the ~timulus of flesh ·and of -wine. They'obeyed
God's will in self-denial,- and he showed his approval. He desired his
servants to ··honor him by their adherence to steadfast principle in all
their habits of life. Their cotmtenances ·would be a certificate of phy-
sical sotmdness and moral puritr~
And as for these four children, God gave them lmonledge and skill
11
in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all · visions
and dreams. 11 These youth had the ·Lord as · their educator. The golden
links of the chain of heaven connected t~e finite 1'Jith the infinite. They
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were p~~tq.ker·s _ of the divine n~tureo They - ~vere very careful tQ ·keep ·t;h~m-.
selves 1n .touch v~ith God~ They _prayed and studied and brought into thei~ ... ·
pract.ic~l life strictly cori.scientious, . _hurilble ·.minds. They walked. with dod , ..
as d:i:d ·Enoch. The ·word ·of the Lord .was thair m~at and their cirinko 11 lmd . ·: .
in ail - ~tt'ers · of - ~~iisdom and unders.ta~'idipg, , that the king inquired; ~f thern, .
he found -them ten
times better thari. -·an · t 'h e magicians and astrologers that ..
v~ere in
.. .
ali hi.
s realm."
. . · ·
. In .t he . 4ght of this ·s cripture history, all the testimony·. of ·~ as . to :
the _··~dvantages, .of a meat diet, or of · a great variety of food, should not ·
have the ·'!ea·s':t;_~t·1eight ·with any human beiilg. When tbe children of ~aith .
shall ~·lith . e,cj;rnest prayer .dedicate .themselves ·:to God without I'eserve, the
Lord will. )~onor their · faith, ·and t~ill bless them ·Y~ith a clear mind; Those -
who .~j,;,.:ev.'~ :r.y ' ~t~p· .are murm~ing and compl?-ining, ambitious for more :power .. .·.
and _greater.. ~e·sponsibility, show ·that they. cannot carry respons~bil:j.ties; y •
and ··the ·t ord has -been pleased .to tell them 'thia. They ' have thought it _. .-
all a ·-In;istake, and have been determined to show the Lord. that they coul~ : ·. _
be managers of the first class. But God's word never returns_to him void,
and ·~ahen he reveals the deep and s-e cret things, he makes no mistake. He
know~. ·what is in the darkness, and the light d.nells uith him. The Lord
has saj,\1, Those that honor me I will honor. . .
·. ·: · . ..
~THE
,·
IDRD 1S
Th~- ve~y flesh i~ which the soUl tabernacies, and through whic:h ~t- :··. .. ·.
works, is the Lord•s. We have no right to neglect any part of the l~ving .
rnachineryo Every POrtion of the living organism is the Lord's. The ·
lmowledge of our own physical organism should teach us that every member
is to do God's service, as an instrument of .righteousness.
I • •• ~
· None .but :_ God can subdue :the pride of man's -heart. We -cannot save .
ourselves~ ·· We .·Gannet regenerate ourselves. In the heavenly cqurts .t her.e
·nill. be no song: ~~g, _To me that loved myself, an~ washed -.myself, _redeemed
myself, unto . m~ be glory and honor, blessit)g .and praise. But this is the
key-note of the song that is sung by many h~re in thi~ world. They do not
know what · it . means to be meek and -l~wly in heart; and they do not .mean to
.knoy1 this, if they can avoid it. The whole : go~j;,el._ is comp~ise~ in learn-
:ing of Christ, his meekness and low·l iness. '· ..
JUSTIFICATION k~D ' REGENERATION

.
.' : .What. is justificati6n by faith?--!t is. the vvork of .God in. laying th~ ' -~;
glory Qf man in . the · dus~, and doing for man that which it is -· not in his ... _--. · :
ower to. do :for hiinself W.hen men see their own nothingness, they are ..... ·
prepar~d · t,'o :.be ciothed 1·1 ith th~ righteou~n~ss of Christ. V~en they b~gil) - · ·.._· -:
to prai.?~ and exalt God all the day long,. then by b~holding they are . be-.. ; ; .:
coming changed int<? the· same imag~. VJl.lat is regeneration?-It- is re- -~. ;·_ .. ,, .-
vealing·:_to._~ what is
hj s own real nature, that in himself . he is , wort:h---. _ .·.•
less •.· · __ . . ,. , ..
. .··.·. E.Q: •. WHITE

. (.
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MINISTERS AND BUSINESS MATTERS
: .~ . .
Nov. 27, 1896.

I WAS awakened at half past eleven o•clock& _Eatters of importance
had been presented to me. I was in an assembly consisting of a nwnber of
our people who had the ourden of the work ·upon them. .They were _laying
, out. work for the future, ..consulting as to how the v?ork could :.be managed
in the most successful manner. ------Was explaining his plan 1 and that
which he desired to ha:Ve !·accomplished, and several . others had matters to pre-
sent for consideration. Finances were the great burden of some, and
they were studying hon to limit the workers, and yet realize all the
results essential. One brother had spoken in reference to plans for his
part_ qf :: the~ . mP:ral vineyard. Then there stood among us One Tlith dignity
and l<i.u thorit-y,: who proceeded to state prin~iples ~ .f or our guidance. I
have :strength to 'liJrite -only a few points, although the things suggested
affected me· deeply.
G
- ·. ·To several the $peaker said: 11 Your work is not the mana.gement of fin-
anciali'Iriatte·r s. It is n:)t ·nise for you to · undertake this. God . has bur-
dens for.you-:,to· ;bear; but if your attention is called to lines for which .
you are not adapted, your efforts will not nrove successful. This will
brmg upon you: discouragement that will disqualify you for the very work
. you should do, .which requires a discriminating mind, and deep, unselfish
judgment. u
.. .. ;t,: ~ .
PRESE..B.VE THE HEALTH
Far too little attention is given to the -preservation of physical

health. Nothing is gained by robbing nature of her hours for rest and re~
cuperation. To. allow one man to do the work of four, or of two, or three,
will result in irreparable loss. There is need of physical vigor in order
to produce healthful thought, Fewer committee meetings ~ should be attended
by meri v-Iho are employed to write and to speak the word. Many minor matt.e~s
should··_; be.-:adjusted YJithout keeping one or two men on the strain. constantly-.
Under·· such. a strain the mind loses its vigor. Its action cannot be as ·
healthful and all-sided as if it were allowed proper periods of sleep :and .· :
refreshment. An abundance of physical exercise is required to keep· the -...
machinery in healthful action. · · ·r~ ·.l\
'' ." \~ 't..( ,_ ..,~ !.-/
EDUCATE MEN FOR BUSINESS
You may load on one man the care and burden _which should be divided
among several, but you YJill gain nothing by this. Men should be edu.c ated
as business men. Experience is of valueo You work at great disadvantage
when you suppose that because on~ man c~ fill a certain ppsition, he is
qua~ied to fi~ several positions •
. There., is great necessity of selecting men as students, to learn

rapidly all ·they can in business lines of education. This line of work is
essential, and those who do the business in the rJork of God are not to
assume responsibilities r1hich they suppose themselves capable of bearing.
Those who carry the responsibilities of the v~Jork have erred in· allowing ·
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persons to be placed as ~a_gers of financial matters, when there was the
best of evidence that these persons · had· not tact· nor.: ability for the
position.
The case. of Daniel, . portrayed in a very limited manner by the prophe-

tic pencil,-· has a· 'lesson for us. It reveals the fact that a businessman
is not · n~cessarily a sharp, po~cy man. He can be a man instructed of ' God
at . evecy ste·p~ · Daniel, · while ··prinle niinister of the kingdom. of l3abylonj
was -a .. prophet· ot God, receiving the ' light of heavenly inspiration. Worldly,
ambitious stat~smeri are represented in the word of God as the grass that
groweth up, and ·as the flower of the grass· that fadeth~ Yet the Lord . . ·
· would have intelligent men in his work, men qualified for the· .various
·<lines of .work •
. Especially ·are business men needed, not irreligious business ment but
those who will .weave the great, grand principles .of truth into all their
business transactions. Hen who have qualifications for .t he work n.e ed to .
have their .talents exercised ·and perfected by most thorough study and trai~
ing. · Not one business man that has any appointment in the ·work n~ed to be .:
a novice. If men in any line of ~~ ork need to improve their opportunities
to··; become v~ise, efficient business men, · it is those who are using their
ahility in the work. of building up the _kingdom of God in our world.
t •••
The lessons for the present time .. are for all to understand, but they · - ~
are yery· feebly·apprecia ted. There should. be greater thoroughness in labor;
and ·:mQre vigilant waiting; more vigilant watching and praying, and more
vigilant ·'working, in ..prospect of the events now· tald.ng place, ·and . which are
swelling to larger importance as we near the close of this earth r s history~.
The human agent is to reach for perfection, to be an ideal Christian, co~
plete in Jesus Christ •
.'RIGHT· PRINCIPLES 'ESSENTIAL

. .
· Those" who labor in business lines should exer.c ise every precaution
a'g ainst ·error thr.ough ·Wrong .principles or .methods. Their record may be
~ke · . that -of .Daniel in the . courts of Babylon. , In all his business transa- ..
c:t:-~9ns, v~hen subjected to the closest scrutiny, . there was not .found one. .
item that was faulty. He was a sample of v~hat every business man may be. : ·~
But the heart must be ·C'onverted and consecrated. The motives· must be
right with Gdd~ Th~ inner ' lamp must be supplied :with the oil that flows . :
from · the true mes·s ehgers of heaven through the go.lden :t ubes · into the
golden bowl. Then the Lord • s communication never comes to man in vain.
God will not acoept · the most splendid services unless self is laid
upon the altar, a living, consuming sacrifice. The root must be holy,
els,e · there can be no sound, healthful 'fruit, which al~ne is. acceptable
to 'GOd.·.· .- .
\ ·;::t; :. . .
· ·. 11ruihs, . precious, vital truths,· -are b~und up ~ith :'lrian t s eternal .-w ell-.
being 'both ·:ih this ·life and in the eternity which is opening before · us.; ·. . •.
11 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy •word· is· truth. 11 The ~vord · of Gbd ,.. · ·
is to be practised• The v1ord of God liveth and endureth forever. While
v1orldly- crinbit'i.on and rJorldly projects ,·and the gre.atest plans and purposes
of men . shali :raq.e· like the grass,· ·.:tlthey·~ that be wise shall shine as . the-
brightness of the·· firmament; and they. that turn many .to righteousness ·as .
the st~~s for -.e-yer and . ev~r. 11 .. .. : ·..·•
i .•. · . , . ... , •.
• , ··::-:- r •
. ·.·I . ·-.
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Han's experience and h~si;.ory ar~ : oc-9upi~d . ;1.vith h~mself , his O'wn
achievements and victories. God 1 h:lstory, · as···t:racecf r·Iith unerring ac- s
curacy in the books of heaven, deso.ril;).~s :rna.n as seen in the light of
eternity. All his motives and all his actions are seen in their re-
lation to eternal realities. Everythi.j:1g ..·.s aid -and done has a reference to
tremendous issues which we musf meet 'a.·gain.
. .~ ..: ( '
MRS. E. G. WHITE
:·
~~-~--~--~----~~---~----~-~~-~~~---
: .j ..
... .{ .
.; . · l .
. .. . ~ .
t :' .. :
t . .. ~~: ~. _i "r ·... .i
;."f;.. · .: • .•
- ,·

GOD •S CLAIMS ON HIS STEWARDS . . ~·. ... ,:
.. -----~-.-:---- .
~ .i. f .
.·. SYDNEY, N. S. · WALES .}
October, 1896.
SABBATH afternoon (October 3) I met with the church at Ashfield.
The Lord gave me a message for the people assembled. I presented before
them the third chapter of l1ialachi. I cannot see how the Lord could pre-
sent his requirements in a clearer and more forcible manner than he has
done in this chapter. ·.
THE CLAIMS OF GOD

All should remember that God's claims upon us underlie every other
claim~ He gives to us bountifully, and the contract which he has made with
rnru1 is that he is to return to him the tenth of his possessions. God
graciously entrusts hi~ ste't·1ards rd th his treasures, but he lays his hand
upon the tenth, saying, This is mine. Just in proportion as God has given
his property to man, so man is to pay a faithful tithe of all his sub-
stance. '!'his distinct arrangement v~as made by Jesus Christ himself.
This work involves solernn and eternal results, and it is too sacred
to be left to human. impulse. We should not feel free to· deal with this
matter as we may choose. In answer to the claims of God, reeular reserves
should be set apart as sacred to his work.
THE FIRST-FRUITS
Besides the tithe, the Lord demands the first-fruits of our increase
as his. These he has reserved, in order that his work in the earth may
be amply sustained, and that his servants may not be limited to a meager
supply. The Lord's messengers should not be handicapped ·in their work of
holding forth the word of life. As they teach the truth, they should have
means which they can invest for the advancement of the work which rm.1st
be done at the right time, in order to have the best and most saving in-
fluence. Deeds of mercy must be done; the poor and suffering must be aided.
Gifts and offerings sh0uld be appropriated for this purpose. Especially
in new fields, where the standard of truth has never yet been uplifted, .
this work must be done. If all, both old and young, rJould do their duty,
there ·would be no dearth in the treasury. If all would pay a faithful
tithe, and devote to the Lord the first-fruits of their mercies, there
viould be a full supply of funds for his work. But the law of God is not
respected or obeyed, an.d this has brought a pressure of want.
REMEMBER THE POOR
Every extravagance should be · cut out of our lives; for the time which
we have to work is none too long. · All around us we see suffering humanity.
Families are in want of food; little ones are crying for bread. The houses
of the poor lack proper funiture and bedding. Many live in mere hovels,
which are almost destitute of all conveniences. The cry of the poor reaches
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to heaven. God sees;. God hears. BU:t, rrJB.ny _g lorify themselves. Vfuile .
their . :,fellow men are poor · and hungry, ~u:f.'fering fo~ y-1ant o:f food, theY. ex-. ~ :~
pend much on their tables, and eat far more than they require. What an
account men will by and by have to render for their selfish us of Godfs
moneyl - - ··Those nho disregard .t he provi$ion God has made for ·the ·poor, will
f ind .that . they have not only robbed ,. th~_ir fellow men, but that in robbing
t hem, they have robbed God, anc;l have emb?_z zled his goods.
{ ··., -
ALL · THINGS BELONG TO GOD

' ·.
And · all the good that ro.an enjoys comes because of the mercy _of God. · ..
He is the great and bountiful Giver of all. His love is manifest .to all .....
in the abundant provision which he has made for man., He has given us pro-
bationary time in which to form characters that will fit us for the courts
above. And it is not because he needs anything that he asks us to reserve
part of our possessions f or him.
· Th.e . Lord created every tree in Eden pleasant to the eyes and good for- . ·.
food, end he bade · Adam and Eve freely enjoy his bounties. But he made · ,· .:-.:.
ona 1eJeception• - Of the - ~ree of lmowledge of good and evil they were not -:to
eat.·• _:·.··:This :tree God reserved as a constant reminder of his ovmership of .. · --: _:: . .
all. ·--~- Thus he .gave them an opportunity to demonstrate their faith and trust··. ..
in hi.ln., _.and their -perfect obedience to his requirements.
So it is with God's claims upon us. He places his treasures in the

hands of humanity, but requires ~hat one ten~h shall be faithfully l~id
aside for his ·work. He teaches us the lesson that he requires this portion .
to be placed in his treasury. It ·is to be rendered to him as his own; it
is sacr~d, and is to be used for sacred purposes, for the support of those
who . carry the message of salvation _to all parts of the ~-Jorld. He reserves
this portion, that means ~y eve:r be flowing -i nto his treasure-house, and
that the . light of truth may be carried -to those who are nigh and those vJho
are,afar off. By faithfully obeying this requirement, we prove that we
realize ~hat all belongs to God.
And has not the Lord a right to demand this much of us? Did he not
give us his only begotten Son because he loved us and desired to save us
from death? And shall not our gratitude ·o fferings flow into the Lord Is
treasury, to be dravm t h erefrom to advance his kingdom in the earth? God
is the.Qwner of all our goods, and _9hall not·gratitude to him prompt us to
make free~will offerings and thank offerings, thus ackl1ovJledging his m·m er-
ship.:.of ·s.oul, body, spirit, and prope.~y? ·Had God's plan been f'ollowed,
means :would n'?w be flovring into his treasury; and funds to enable minist-ers .
to ent-er new fields, and TJorkers to unite 1.vith ministers to lift up the
standard of truth in the dark -places ·of the earth, would be abundant.
WITHOU.T EXCUSE
.. It _.is a heaven-appo~ted plan - that men .should return to the Lord his
own.; ·ahd - this:: is so· plainly. st.a :ted -- that men and women have no excuse for .
misunderstanding or eyading ' the dut~es _and responsibilities God has laid
upon them. Those ·who .c.J:c:iim t.h~t · th~Y ., cannot see this to be their .duty,
reveal to the heavenly lUliverse, to the church, and to the ~:mrld, that they
do not want to see this plainly stat·e·d·-;requirement. They think _that -if . ·
they followed the Lord Is_ .·plan, . t~ey wou.l.d. detract · . ~rom thei~ owri possessi_o ns ,•
-320~· ·:..

In the covetousness · of their selfish · soulal· :·they . desire to · have · the whole
capital~· both nrincipal and i.l1terestl· 'that they may -use it f0r their own -· -
benefit~ :. · · -·.;
• • :· 1. ...
~ GOd. lays his hand upon all .~ man's possessions, saying, I :am the· onner
of the -universe; an.d these goods are mine • . The tithe y('u have rJithheld I
reserved for the support of my servants in their ~-,ork of opening the
Scriptures to those r1ho are in the regions of darkness, -.Jho do not W1der-
stand my law. In using my reserve fund ·to gratify your olm desires, you
have robbed souls of the light 1-Vhich I made provision they should receive.
You ha:~E{ had opportunitir to shon loyalty to me, but y0u have not done ·-so..
You have robbed me; :ror you have stolen my reserve fund. nye are -cursed··. .
Yiith··.a 'curse • It . . ·;..: ,_ ,
~-;, - ~ . . - ·.
. . '"-:
ANOTHER CHANCE
'. f.· The ·Lord' is long-suffering and gracious, and he gives those who have
done _t~i-s ·· :v/ickedness another ~ chance. 11 Return m1to ·me, 11 he says, t.rand "I ~ ·;.:: · .'
wiJ.l·=r .e turn unto you. 11 ·B ut they say, "Wherein shall 1·1e return?tt Their ·.
means have ·been made to flou :in channels·· of self-service and self-glorifica• ·
tion'{ ·as ·-if their goods nere their ovm, and not lent treasures~ ·Their pe~
verted consciences have become so -hard and unimpressible that they do not · ...
realize th~ great wickedness they have done in so hedgiri.g-up the way that
the c:au~e:.- of ·truth coul~ not advance • .
. . ..
,..: ·, ·Man, finite man, though using for hiinself the talents Trhich God has ·'· _:·_: -.
reserved to publish salvation, to send the glad news of a Saviourts love '
to 'perishing souls, and hedging· up the v1ay by his selfishness, ·· inquires, : ,_·.
"VVherein 'have we robbed thee?" God an·s wers; ·nrn tithes· and ·offerings~ L --
Ye are cursed with a ·curse: for~ ye have robbed me, even this whole nation··•-"- --
The·· :whole 't~orld is· engaged in robbing God. With the money · he · has· lent ;- ~ : r·,
them they indulge in dissipation, in amusements, revelings, feasting, and ~:·.~.
disgraceful indulgences. But God says, 11 I will come near you to,. judgment~ 11 '· •··
The vvhole -r:Jorld V·I ill have an account to settle in that great day when ·
every one : shall receive sentence according to his deeds.
THE BLESSING
·:God pledges L.:Lmself to bless : those . who · ~vill obey his commandments.
"B:cing ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in
rnitie ' house, ·and prove me · now herewith; ·saith the Lord of Hosts,· if l will
not open you th.e r!indows of heaven, . and pour -you out a ·blessing, that there -·
shall not be ·rbom enough to receive it.· And I -will rebuke the devourer
f or your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your · ground; neither
shall your vine cast her fruit before the time :in the iield, saith the
Lord of Hosts. And all nations shall· call you blessed: for ye shall be a
deli5htsome land, saith the Lord of Hosts." -
~· .~.~ : ; . ~' ~.: ~. . ,: .' : t.·
'With'.-tne·se · vJords ·· of· licht and ·truth · be-fore them, ·hor.; dare meh:i neglect·-_,;·
so plairi-a: duty? ' Ho\·~ ~ .'dare the.y ·ctis.obey.- God· r1heri obedl.ence to . his require-·< :
ments means prosperity in temporal and· spiritual things, and disobedience·-· ·
mearis . the CUTS~ ~of God~ Satan is' the de~troyer. GOd ca'n not bless those·. . '
who refuse ·to ··be faitnful ste'l:!~ara:s. All.- he · 'c an do is to permit.- Sat;an·
--to' do hl:s destr·oyi.llg uork. We ·s ee calamities of every shape .and in eve-ry
degree coming upon the earth; and why?--The Lord''s restraining power is not
-321-

..
• .- ~ I "- .
exercised. The world has disregarded . the .'1 0rci of GOd. They live as . 1
though there were no God. Like th~ inhap~tapts of the ~N oachic world, they
refuse to have any thought of Gode Hickedness prevails to an alarnring ex-
tent, and the earth is :rip~ .for the h~}::rest. , . .
THE COMPLAINERS
..
Your words have been stout agairlst. 'me, saith the Lord. Y~t ye say,
11
Vij1at have . we spoken so much against thee? .Ye have said, It is vain . to
serve God: and vJhat profit is it that r.re have kept . his ordinance, and .t hat
we have ;·w alked mournfully before the· Lord of Hosts? And nm1 w~ call the
proud happy; yea, _they that ·nark wickedness are set up; yea, they that .. ·,
tempt God are even delivered. n Those who withhold from God his ovm make
these complaints~· The Lord asks them to prove him by bringing their tithe
into his storehouse, and to see whether he will not pour them out a
blessing. But they cherish rebellion in their hearts, and complain of
God, and at the same time they·rob him, and embezzle his goods. rJhen
their .:sin is presented to them, they say$ I have had adversity; my crops·
have been poor;. but the uicked are · prosuered. It do.es not pay to keep
the ordinance of the Lord.
But God does not vmnt any to walk mournfully before .him. . Those vvho
thus complain of God have brought their adversity on themselves. They
have robbed God, and his cause has been hinder.e d because the money that·.
shouid ·have flowed into his treasury T·Ias used ~ - for selfish purposes. They ·
showed their disloyalty·to God by failing ~o· out his prescribed plan• 9arry
1Jhen God prospered them, and they were asked. to give him his portion,
they shook their heads, and cnuld not see that· it ~·ms their duty. They .
closed the eyes of their Understanding, that they might not see it. · They
withheld the Lord r s money, and hindered the i.Iork -.·1 hich he designed should
be done. God was not honored by the·use of his entrusted goods. There-
fore he let the curse fall upon them* permitting the spoiler to destroy
their fruits and to bring calamities upon them.
1fTHEY THAT FEARED THE I.DRD. n
In Mal. 3:16 an opposite class is br6ught to viev1, a class that : ..

meet together, not to find fault .·1Nith God 6 but to speak of his glory,
ancl tell of his mercies. These have been faithful in their duty. They ...
hav.e given. to the Lord his mm. Testimonies are . borne by them, that make
the heavenly angels sing and rejoice. These h~ve ; no complaints to make
against God. Those i,'vho vvalk iii the light, V·Jho .are ::faithful and true in
doing their duty, are not al~:1ays .complaining and f~ding fault. They. .
speak uords of courage, hope, and faitl;l. It . is those who serve the~ .
selves, tvho do 'not ~ive God. his . own, that . complaiil'o
. "'fhey ·that feared the ~rd spake of~ei_l . one ~o .. another: -~ ffi?.d, i;.he . Lord
hearkened, and heard it, and a bo6k of; remembrance rJa~ nritten before.: ·/.·..
him for them that feared . the Lorcl, and that :thought upon··. hi~ :
• • • ,J •
-~ Arld .. .-.:
• •• • • ·'
nrune .
• •. \ -· · •
they sqa;Ll be --min~,. s~ith the_,. ~ord . of Hosts, in. that day nhen .I ~~e ~P .- · .~ - ,.,·
my .Je,wels ;. and . ~ wi,-11 - sp~re ~hem, .- a~ a . man spareth his QWn son . tpat serveth ·
him. Then _ s~al1 ye ret~rn, ,and .d.iscern between the right~ous and the wick-
ed, between · him that serveth God and him that ~erveth him not."
. . .. .
~
Dec. 2, 1896. MRS E. G. WHITE

-------~----~-~-~-~--~----~-----------------
-322-

THE PRECIOUSNESS OF CHRIST TO HIS FOLI.OVVERS
·,
. .
.... .., . . _ _ _ _ . . .,....i. . . _ _
.
... · ' . .
llSUNNYSIDE, II ~ COORANBONG, N. s. w.
May 4, 1896.
I FELT sorry r;hen I read your .letter breathing so depressed a ·. ~pirit.
Reac;i Eph .• 2:4-22 • . This scripture has been given me for you. · Read it care-
fully1 . as you never read it before. It is full of instruction. Chris-.t . .,
dwelling . in our hearts by_faith means the contemplation of Christ,_ behold- ·.
ing Christ, ever cheris.h ing the dear Saviour as our very best and honored
f riend, s.o that we would not in any action grieve and offend h~. We .
have .a~vy.ay.s. this promis.e to comfort and help us, "For by grace . are ye saved .
thro~gh .. .fa~th; and that not of yourselves: it is the gif t of Goq. 11
Bear in .:Ipind, the t~e will never .come when the hellish shadm·; of
Satan w~ not be cast arhv1art our .pathway to obstruct' our faith, and .
eclips.e .·.,the light emanating from the presence of Jesus, the Sun. of Right- .
eousriess,~ Out 'faith. niust not .stagger, but cleave through ·that shadow.
He have an experience that is not to be buried in the darkness of doubt • .
0ur faith is not in feeling, but in truth. The inspired apostle speaks
of our being built upon the foundation -of the apostles prophets, Jesus and
Ghrist him~3elf being the chief corner-stone5 The church of Christ is re- ... ·._;-
presente~ , as· being builded for 11 an hal1itation of God through the Spirit. u ..,
If we are rooted and. grounded. in love, we shall be naole to comprehend . with ·:;,
all ..saints v1hat .i s .the oreadth>J ~d. length, and depth, and height; . an<;i to ·.· ·
krimv the loye of Christ, .uhich passeth knowledgeo 11 0 precious possibilitie~ ·
and encouragement 1 · In the human.··hear-t;. · cleansed from all moral impurity
dvJeils the precious Saviour, ennobling, sanctifying the :nhole nature, and
malc:i;rig the man a temple . for the Holy Spirit.
~
:;.-,! ·. ~ .: :.'
• .., • : : Z • • ~~ I '
.. ,·· .. .; ~ ... . . · ...

CHRIST A PERSONAL SAVIOUR . .. ~. .. . . . ~ .
Then is Christ a personal Saviour? We bear about :in our body the
dying of the Lord Jesus, which is life and salvation and righteousness to
us. 1':J herever we go, there is the recollection of One dear t .o us. Vie
are abiding in Ch.r ist by a living faith. He is abid:i!lg ·in our hearts
by our ;individual appropriating of faith • . We have the companionship of the
divine presence, an~ as 1i.'e realize this presence, our thoughts. are brought
into . captivfty to Jesus Christ. Our spiritual exercise·s are in accordance. . ·~
with ··t.he vividness of our sense of this .c ompanionship. Enoch walked .with · :
God in ,th~s way; and Christ is dwell;i.ng in our hearts by faith · whe:n we will . :
consider whP:t he is to us' and what .a . ·wor~ he has wrought out for ._ us in -
the plan~ .:c):r ;.redemption. We ~h~l:J_ . ,b e m<;>.~t . ·~a_ppy in cuitiV.ating a sense · of
this great gift of God to our ·norld and to us personally. .i ,
·The:;~e .~houghts have a controlling power upon the v1hole character. I

v1ant \,c, ···~ress upon your mind that you may have a divine companion .. with.·~ · . ..
you, it ,you . ~ill~· .·. ?J.ways. ·uAnd. 1mat agreeme~~. hath the·. temple of God" - .· · ·
with ~(;iolsJ · for ye· ·ate the temple of the living God; as .. God hath said, .·::·: ·.'....
I will .,d well .. ih them, and wa+k in them; and ~ will be th~ir God, .and tbeY.
sha1)_.' :Oe . roY- ·p eople. 11 .As.· the mind dwells upon Chris~, t~e charact~r .is ··
molded after . the ·divine similitude. The thoughts ar~ .:Pervaded _l(dth. · ~ . sense ,
of his goodness; his love~ 1'le contemplate his character, and thus he is in

all our thoughts. His love encloses us. If ''~e gaze even· a moment upon
the sun in its meridian slroy, 13hen lie turn away our eyes, the image of the
sun will appear in everything upon v1hich we look. Thus it is nhen we be-
hold Jesus; everything TJe lock upon reflects his ima~e, the Sun of Right-
eousnesso He cannot see anything else, or talk of an;rching else. His
image is imprinted upon the eye of the soul, and affects every portion of
our daily life, softening and subduing our whole nature. By beholding,
we are conformed to the divine similitude, · even the likeness of Christ.
To all with whom we associate ;.·Je reflect the brizht and cheerful beams
of his righteousness. Y!e have become transformed in character; for
heart, soul, mind, are irradiated by the reflection of him who loved us,
and gave himself for us. Here again there is the realization of a personal,
living influence dnelling in our hearts by faith.
ABIDING PRESENCE OF JESUS

When his ·words of instruction have been received, ru~d have taken pos-
session of us, Jesus is to us an abiding presence, controlling our thoughts
and ideas and actions. We are imbued with the instruction of the great-
est Teacher the · world ever lmew. · A sense of human accountability and of
human influence, gives character · tn our vier1s of life and of daily duties.
Jesus Christ is everything to us;--the first, tne last, the best in every-
thing. Jesus Christ, ·his Spi1~t, his character, colors everything; it is
the warp and the woof, the very texture of our entire being. The words of
Christ are spirit and life. He cannot, then, center our thoughts upon
self; it is no more we that live; but Christ that liveth in us, and he is
the hope of glory. Self is dead, but Christ is a living Saviour. Con-
tinuing to look unto Jesus, 1Ne reflect his image to all around us. He can-
not stop to consider our disappointments; 0r even to talk of them; for a
more pleasant picture attracts our sight,--the precious l0ve of Jesus. He
dwells in us by the Y·Jord of truth.
What said Christ to the Samaritan woman at Jacob •s Vfell?--"If thou
lmewest the gift of God, and v~ho it is · that saith to thee, Give me to
drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he vJould have given thee living
water. 11 11Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but w.oosoever
drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the
water that I shall Biire him shall be in him a well of water springing up
into everlasting life." The water that Christ referred ' to was the revela-
tion of his grace in his rJ ord; his Spirit, his teaching, is as a satisfying
fountain to every soul. Every other source to "Hhich they shall resort YJill
prove unsatisfying. But · the TJord of truth is as cool streams, represented
as the waters of Lebanon, 1;~hich are always satisfying. In Ghrist is
fulness of joy forevermore. The desires and pleasures ·and amusements of
the world are never satisfying nor healing t6 the soul. But Jesus says,
rrVJhosoeateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life.n
Christ's gracious presence in his word is ever speaking to the soul,
representing him as the Vfell of living water to refresh the thirsting
soul. It is our privilege to have a living, abiding Saviour. He is the
source of spiritual power implanted within us, and his influence will flow
forth in words and actions, refreshing all vJithin the sphere of our influ-
ence, begetting in them desires and aspirations for strength and purity,
for holiness and peace, and f or that joy which brings no sorrow with it.
This is the result of an indwelling Saviour.
-324-

THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST
,J .
· · .... Jes:us says, ·u1Q, I am.·~·Jith '. you ·alway, .even unto the end of th~ . . .. .
n orJ-:9,." · He ·walked .,-onye A rr.in on ~arth) his divinity 61othed ~·J ith . h~ity·~ ·.
a suffering, .t empte.d man, .
beset with Sat'an Is device.s. He :·ms tempted ..ip .•. ·. .
all · points like . as· YJe are, and. he !mows how to succor .those that are temp-
ted.· .Now he is at the right · hand of God, he is .in heaven as qur .advoca.-t;,e, :
to make interc~ssion . for us. He must always take comfort and 'hope as: v1~.
think'of this. He is thinking of those who are subject to temptations in
this 1'J orld •.. ·He thin~s · of us individually, and lmows our every nf3oesSit'Y..: !.:
1Jhen .tempt.ed, . just say, He cares for me, he . makes intercession he'. for me;
~oves. ; ine, he has. died ·for me. I will give myself unreserv.e dly to him. ' Vie .
gr.i eve the heart of Christ nhen ·we go mourning over ourselves as though ...... : .
we were our ov·m saviour. No; we must commit the keeping of our souls to · ·
God as unto a faithful Creator. He ever lives to make intercession for
the tried, tempted ones. Open yourheart to the bright beams of the Sun of
Righteousness, ' and let not one breath of doubt, · one nord of unbelief, es-
capf3 ,-.YOU~ lips, lest you so·w the seeds of doubt. There arE? rich blessings
fo:r; .:;u~. ; let . us grasp them by faith. I entreat you to have .c ourage in th~
Lord_... Divine ·. strength is ours; and let us talk courage and strength and ::
faith~ Read the third chapter of Ephesians. Prac:tise ~the . instruction ·
gi~en.. Bea_~ .. ~ living testimony for God · under all circumstanqes •.. .
.MRS.,'\
·· E. G. WHITE . ·. .. •. · · -
. ~ .. ·.
~---~--~~---~-~--~---------~-~--~~~~-- · ..,:.
. ~. ' :, :~,
9 ;, •
......
.
•" r •
.;._.-:. ~ : . :~ . .:
• J,' • • •
·! . .. .

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SPECIAL TESTIMONIES .IQ MINISTERS Mill .-WO-.RKERS;; ; ; ; ; ; -.

Numbers 3, l~, 5l' 6 & 7

HEALTH RESEARCH MOKELUMNE HILL, CALIFORNIA

Digitized by the Center for Adventist Research

So let. it be with every one of us, is the earnest prayer of the

All Ye Are Brethren.

The Lord Has a Contr9versy with His· Peopl~ - . • • • • • 303 ' .

tt Give Me Thine Heart. 11 · --- • • • ..

The Preciousness of Christ to His . Followers() -~ - • • • • • • • ·• . ~ • • (" 3'23

.' '• . ~ . . ...

Digitized by the Center for Adventist Research

. · · Is ·the working of_the cause of God to be entrusted to such hands? Are

THE PRESENT ORDER OF THINGS MUST CHANGE,

I am urged . by tne Spirit of God to ;say to you who have a connection .-

. >Most'.:. pitiable i .$ the-..condition of one who is suffering under ,remorse;

HOW TO DEAL 'WITH ·THE ERRING.

The matter has been presented t ·o me thus: A drowning man, vainly . .

LET US FALL INTO THE HAND OF GOD.

Digitized by the Center for Adventist Research

THE SACRED AND THE STRANGE FIRE.

MRS• ·E.- -G.· WHITE •

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'niE lnGH-HANDED roWER

+'he spirit of d0m:inatiol1 is eXtending to :_ the _pr~sid~nts of our Conte~

} ! ' \ ' · " ·;

.., _·_· : ····· ··. : -. ~-'· ·..;.29~·~ . --·: -... .. · ~~ . .. ..

This hard-heartedness on the part of men ·who claim t6 believe the

JESUS AND NICODEMUS

THIS. LESSON IS FOR US TO-DAY ··. ~· . . .. ,

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THE JUDGMENT OF AMALEK

Notwithstanding that the'children of Israel had often grieved the Lord

Page after page might be ·written in regard to these things. ·whole

Digitized by the Center for Adventist Research

Aug. 27, 1896 •

CONFERENCES BEING LEAVENED

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·LET GOD BE CONSULTED . .

Brethren, shall we educate 'oUrselves to depend upon· men·· ·r ather than ·

Digitized by the Center for Adventist Research

THE ANGELES WAITING.

0 how little, men, even -presidents of conferences, know of the power

When'the president of the General Conference is stru1ding overloaded

Digitized by the Center for Adventist Research

TEACH THIS TO THE PEOPLE

Digitized by the Center for Adventist Research

We are to be courteous toward all men, tenderhearted and sympathetic;

SANCTIFIED THROUGH THE TRUTH

ALL ABILITY IS FROM GOD

THE LORD 1 S. ENTREATY .

THE 'PRESENT HELP

THE PRESENT WARNING

HNow go, write it befo.r e them in a table, and note·· it in a book, -·

· Will these warnings be pass~d by as of no account? The Lord calls up-

HOLD FAST TO GOD r S PRINCIPLES

NOT MAN BUT THE LORD

Digitized by the Center for Adventist Research

: . : Adelaide, Oct. 12, 1896_.

. THE LORD'S STANDARD

. f::verything must be vie1·.red in the light of the example _of :Chris.t . , He

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Digitized by the Center for Adventist Research

THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITHIN

EXCUSES ARE VAWELESS