1906年6月14日写于加利福尼亚州疗养院
大卫·保尔森医生和W.S.萨德勒长老
亲爱的弟兄们:
我一直在努力工作,而且疲惫,但我不会放弃,因为有许多事要做。在奉献洛马林达疗养院期间,我在草坪上的开放式平台上作了短讲,当时风在刮。奉献仪式很感人。我们还在奉献天堂谷疗养院时举行了一次极好的聚会。{PC 33.8}
我很高兴这些疗养院已归我们在加利福尼亚南部区会的弟兄姐妹们所有。多年来,我们在不利的条件下工作;然而现在我很欣慰,在上帝的天意安排中,许多设施已放在我们力所能及的地方,我们可以鼓励我们在加利福尼亚州南部的弟兄们觉悟他们的机会。在那个园地的每一个人都应该感谢上帝,因为祂以显著的方式为我们行了事。{PC 33.1}
洛马林达的疗养院,需要更大的房间作为治疗室。今年夏天将为此目的建造一个新的建筑。天堂谷疗养院在主建筑上增加了一个大的侧翼,现在提供了极好的治疗室。天堂谷疗养院在主楼上增加了一个大的侧翼,现在提供了极好的治疗室。新的部分的第二层是为病人提供住宿,但第三层尚未完成。{PC 33.2}
在我无法很好控制的环境中,我已经忍受了一段时间的持续焦虑的折磨。我知道自己是必死的凡人。我必须保护我的体力、智力和道德力。因旅行各地而必有的不断改变,而且无论何往都把握的公共服务,一直以来对我是太多了,此外我还一直在日夜准备写作,因为主藉祂的圣灵在我心中运行。而当我遇到证据,证明这些信件会被一些人依照受信人的判断来解释,认识到有些人在热切注意我所写出的话,好在其上加上他们人意的解释,以便支持他们的立场,并为错误的行为辩护——当我想到这些事时,就得不到什么鼓励继续写作了。在这些确实受到责备的人中,有些人努力使每一句话都为他们自己的言论辩护。对圣经的曲解漠视误传误用是惊人的!人们在这种工作上串连起来。一个人所没有想到的,另一个人加上去。{PC 33.3}
当真归正的能力临到我们内心的时候,我们就看到上帝计划中的能力,并且接受上帝赎罪的证据。“我们若在光明中行,如同上帝在光明中,就彼此相交,祂儿子耶稣的血也洗净我们一切的罪”(约壹1:7)。我可以完全地、毫不含糊地依赖确切的预言。{PC 33.4}
我现在为那些迷失在伪科学未解之迷中的人负着很重的担子。我的心脏受着痛苦,所以我不能迅速回答你和萨德勒长老向我提出的问题。从洛马林达会议直到现在,我一直患着重感冒。我向你们保证,保尔森弟兄和萨德勒弟兄,我不是因为不尊重你们才不现在就回答你们的问题。请为我祷告,我也会为你们祷告;我一旦能做,就会尽可能消除人们对上帝所赐给我去做之工的误解。一项大工确实摆在我们前面。我现在必须警醒、祷告并且等候。{PC 33.5}
“凡向祂有这指望的,就洁净自己,像祂洁净一样”(约壹3:3)。{PC 34.1}
摘自《信函》1904年第35号,日期:1904年1月19日
主在健康方面大大帮助了我。我二十五年来的困难已经被消除了。我没有使用药物,但在夜间的几个小时里,当我无法入睡时,我祈祷上帝的治愈之能。我求主使我的视力恢复,使我的心刚强,减轻脊椎的困难。我有了惊人改善。今年冬天我的健康状况比过去好多年都好。大医师为我了行事,我赞美祂的圣名。{PC 34.2}
摘自第111号文档文件,日期:1904年1月8日
许多人行事好像健康和疾病与他们的行为完全无关,是他们完全无法控制的。他们没有思索前因后果,认为软弱疾病在所难免。他们认为疾病的侵袭乃是天意的特殊安排,是某种控制性能力主宰的结果。他们用药物治病,可是治病的药反而削弱了身体系统。生病的人不论是男是女,若肯每天在户外活动,锻炼自己的肌肉,均衡地运用脑子、骨骼和肌肉,软弱和倦怠就会消失。健康代替了疾病,力量代替了虚弱。{PC 34.3}
June 14, 1906 -8-
Sanitarium, California,Dr. David Paulson and Elder W.S. Sadler
Dear Brethren,
I have been working hard, and am weary, and yet I will not give up, for?there is much to do. During the dedication of the Loma Linda Sanitarium, I spoke for a short time on the open platform on the lawn, while the wind was blowing. The exercises were very impressive. We also had an excellent meeting at the dedication of the Paradise Valley Sanitarium.?{PC 32.8}
I am glad that these sanitarium properties have come into the possession of our brethren and sisters in the Southern California Conference. For years we have worked at a disadvantage; but now I am so thankful that in the providence of God many facilities have been placed within our reach, and we can encourage our brethren in Southern California to awake to their opportunities. Every one in that field should be grateful to God; for He has wrought for us in a remarkable manner.?{PC 33.1}
The Sanitarium at Loma Linda, is in need of larger quarters for their treatment-rooms. An addition for this purpose will be built this summer. The Paradise Valley Sanitarium has added a large wing to the main building, and is now provided with excellent treatment-rooms. The second story of the new part is finished for the accommodation of patients, but the third story is not yet finished. However, both institutions are in running order, and are making good use of the facilities they have.?{PC 33.2}
Through circumstances that I could not well control, I have been suffering for some time from the weariness of constant anxiety. I am sensible to the fact that I am mortal, and that I must guard my physical mental and moral powers. The constant changing from place to place necessitated by travel, and the taking hold of public labor wherever I have gone, have been too much for me, in addition to the writings that I have been preparing day and night as the Lord has worked my mind by His Holy Spirit. And when I am meeting with evidences that these communications will be treated by some in accordance with the human judgment of those who shall receive them; when I realize that some are watching keenly for some words which have been traced by my pen and upon which they can place their human interpretations in order to sustain their positions and to justify a wrong course of action,—when I think of these things, it is not very encouraging to continue writing. Some of those who are certainly reproved, strive to make every word vindicate their own statements. The twistings and connivings and misrepresentations of the Word, are marvelous. Persons are linked together in this work. What one does not think of, another mind supplies.?{PC 33.3}
When the true converting power comes home to us as human agents, we see a power in God’s plans, and embrace the evidence of the divine remedy for sin. “If I walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” I can rely wholly and unmistakably upon the sure Word of prophecy.?{PC 33.4}
I am now carrying a very heavy burden for those who are lost in the mysteries of false science. I have had physical suffering of the heart; therefore I could not quickly answer the questions that you and Elder Sadler have presented to me. A severe cold has been upon me ever since the Loma Linda meeting. I assure you it is not because I do not respect you, Brethren Paulson and Sadler, that I do not answer your questions now. Pray for me, and I will pray for you; and as soon as I can, I will clear?up, if possible, the misunderstandings regarding the work God has given me to do. Certainly a very great work is before us. I must now watch and pray and wait.?{PC 33.5}
“And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” -?{PC 34.1}
F. 35’04
Extract from Letter F. 35’04, dated Jan. 19, 1904
The Lord has greatly helped me healthwise. Difficulties that I have had for twenty-five years have been removed. I have used no medicine, but for hours during the night season, when I was unable to sleep, I prayed for the healing power of God. I asked the Lord to restore my eyesight, to strengthen my heart, and to relieve the spinal difficulty. I have improved wonderfully. My health is better this winter than it has been for many years. The Great Physician has wrought in my behalf, and I praise His holy name. -?{PC 34.2}
From Document File, No. 111, dated Jan. 8, 1904
Many act as if health and disease were things entirely independent of their conduct, and entirely outside their control. They do not reason from cause to effect, and submit to feebleness and disease as a necessity. Violent attacks of sickness they believe to be special dispensations of Providence, or the result of some overruling, mastering power; and they resort to drugs as a cure for the evil. But the drugs taken to cure the disease weaken the system. If those who are sick would exercise their muscles daily, women as well as men, in outdoor work, using brain, bone, and muscle proportionately, weakness and languor would disappear. Health would take the place of disease, and strength the place of feebleness. -?{PC 34.3}