1898年11月29日
亲爱的查普曼弟兄：
我们很高兴这周收到了你的消息。威利将你的信读给我听了。信中的每一句话都很有趣。{PC 44.3}
今天早上我给你寄了我在罗克汉普顿对人们说的话的副本。我对那个地方的教会非常感兴趣。我为什么要对他们感兴趣呢?因为主对他们感兴趣，一种比我可能有的更大的兴趣。我在祈求主引导和带领你。我已对着耳朵说话，惟独耶和华才能对人心说话。主说：“凡我所疼爱的，我就责备管教他;所以你要发热心，也要悔改”(启3:19)。祂希望每一个人都听从祂为他们现在和永恒的益处而赐予的忠告。祂又说：“我知道你的行为”(启3:15)。当这些行为与真理不一致时，他们就违背了真理。“看哪，我站在门外叩门，若有听见我声音就开门的，我要进到他那里去，我与他，他与我一同坐席。得胜的，我要赐他在我宝座上与我同坐，就如我得了胜，在我父的宝座上与祂同坐一般。圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听”(启3:20-22)。{PC 44.4}
主正在对罗克汉普顿的教会讲话。甚愿他们成为遵行祂话语的人!我的弟兄姐妹们，我奉基督的名呼吁你们要听从并实践上帝的话。论到以色列人，使徒说：“所听见的道与他们无益，因为他们没有信心与所听见的道调和”(来4:2)。这就向我们揭示了这件事的秘密，也就是为什么许多的讲道成就如此之少的原因。圣灵也许会默示这些话，但结果却在于那些听到的人。主在祂的话中多次重复的嘱咐是：“凡有耳的，就应当听!”{PC 44.5}
所讲的道是否被领受到诚实善良的心里，会有很大的不同。以色列人虽有耶稣基督在云柱中向他们讲的话，但他们却像在这些末后日子听到真理和公义的好消息的许多人一样，并没有用分别为圣的耳朵听并且相信。自私和骄傲、抱怨和不信像衣服一样包裹了他们。他们因不用信心听，又不实行所说的话，加重了罪孽。{PC 44.6}
在挪亚的日子，人们缺乏信心，正是这种缺乏活泼的信心给他们带来了毁灭。要是他们听从了挪亚的呼吁，当作是上帝藉着他讲话的声音，结果原会多么不同啊!但他们却不愿听从和领受那原会拯救他们的所栽种的道。正是信心，积极主动的信心，才会使恩慈的应许有效用。{PC 45.1}
使徒又说：“但上帝既然验中了我们，把福音托付我们，我们就照样讲，不是要讨人喜欢，乃是要讨那察验我们心的上帝喜欢。因为我们从来没有用过谄媚的话，这是你们知道的;也没有藏着贪心，这是上帝可以作见证的。我们作基督的使徒，虽然可以叫人尊重，却没有向你们或向别人求荣耀;只在你们中间存心温柔，如同母亲乳养自己的孩子。我们既是这样爱你们，不但愿意将上帝的福音给你们，连自己的性命也愿意给你们，因你们是我们所疼爱的。……我们的盼望和喜乐，并所夸的冠冕是什么呢?岂不是我们主耶稣来的时候、你们在祂面前站立得住吗?因为你们就是我们的荣耀，我们的喜乐”(帖前2:4-8,19-20)。{PC 45.2}
我们知道并理解许多人的极度贫困，他们正在为生命的冠冕而奋斗。我们并非不晓得撒但的深度工作，那是我们的弟兄们不得不面对的。弟兄们，你们必须谨记，撒但正在那沉沦的人身上行各样出于不义的诡诈。他在人们身上运行，使那些为生命的冠冕而奋斗的人困苦艰难。他已带着大能力下来，实行他的意愿，执行他的计划，好使人处在他的控制之下。{PC 45.3}
我写信给教会：不要不信，要有信心。要接受上帝给你们的信息。祂已赐给你们亮光，不是因为祂要折磨你们，使你们痛苦，而是因为祂爱你们，愿意让你们逃脱仇敌那缠绕你们灵魂的网罗。要让净化的善工向前推进。要达到主所赐给你们的标准。我在罗克汉普顿的弟兄们，我在主里所爱的弟兄们，我强烈希望撒但不会胜过你们，但你们应该冷静而公正地思考，并为永恒而下彻底的工夫。要阅读《帖撒罗尼迦前书》第三章。使徒为他在帖撒罗尼迦的弟兄们有很大的负担。他写道：“为此，我既不能再忍，就打发人去，要晓得你们的信心如何，恐怕那诱惑人的到底诱惑了你们，叫我们的劳苦归于徒然”(帖前3:5)。{PC 45.4}
当我们读到查普曼兄弟的信时，我们赞美了上帝。我们有点儿保罗写这些话时的感觉：“但提摩太刚才从你们那里回来，将你们信心和爱心的好消息报给我们，又说你们常常记念我们，切切的想见我们，如同我们想见你们一样。所以弟兄们，我们在一切困苦患难之中，因着你们的信心就得了安慰。你们若靠主站立得稳，我们就活了。我们在上帝面前，因着你们甚是喜乐，为这一切喜乐，可用何等的感谢为你们报答上帝呢?我们昼夜切切的祈求，要见你们的面，补满你们信心的不足。……又愿主叫你们彼此相爱的心，并爱众人的心都能增长、充足，如同我们爱你们一样;好使你们当我们主耶稣同祂众圣徒来的时候，在我们父上帝面前，心里坚固，成为圣洁，无可责备”(帖前3:6-10,12-13)。{PC 46.1}
同样的精神，感动使徒写信给他的兄弟，也感动我写信给在罗克汉普顿的教会。我对你们感到一种温柔的关怀，希望主能为你们做使徒保罗非常渴望为他在帖撒罗尼迦的弟兄们做成的一切。{PC 46.2}
使徒继续说：“弟兄们，我还有话说：我们靠着主耶稣求你们，劝你们，你们既然受了我们的教训，知道该怎样行可以讨上帝的喜悦，就要照你们现在所行的更加勉励。你们原晓得我们凭主耶稣传给你们什么命令。上帝的旨意就是要你们成为圣洁，远避淫行;要你们各人晓得怎样用圣洁、尊贵守着自己的身体。……上帝召我们，本不是要我们沾染污秽，乃是要我们成为圣洁。所以那弃绝的，不是弃绝人，乃是弃绝那赐圣灵给你们的上帝。论到弟兄们相爱，不用人写信给你们;因为你们自己蒙了上帝的教训，叫你们彼此相爱。你们向马其顿全地的众弟兄固然是这样行，但我劝弟兄们要更加勉励。又要立志作安静人，办自己的事，亲手做工，正如我们从前所吩咐你们的，叫你们可以向外人行事端正，自己也就没有什么缺乏了”(帖前4:1-4，7-12)。{PC 46.3}
我们必须提高标准。上帝在履行祂的应许上并不懈怠。祂为祂名的荣耀而热心。整个天堂的资源都由祂支配。祈祷的时光是必要的。我们都需要更多祈祷，需要警醒祷告。要阅读《帖撒罗尼迦后书》第一章。我提出这一整章适合你们的情况。我本着爱心对你们说话，因为我的心为你们充满了温柔的同情。你们会有考验，但要守护你们的心灵，以免羞辱你们的主，祂已用重价买了你们。祂愿意你们有坚强的信心和活泼的盼望。祂希望你们在秩序、纪律、勇气、坚韧和对彼此的爱方面不断进步，这样你们就可以寻求互相帮助，遵守上帝的律法，并得到祝福。{PC 46.4}
查普曼兄弟，要在主里面很有勇气。要有信心。要将自己放在大医师手中，相信祂会使你恢复健康。片刻也不要怀疑。基督岂不是像以赛亚的预言所证明的那样来到世界的吗?{PC 47.1}
“主耶和华的灵在我身上;因为耶和华用膏膏我，叫我传好信息给谦卑的人，差遣我医好伤心的人，报告被掳的得释放，被囚的出监牢;报告耶和华的恩年，和我们上帝报仇的日子;安慰一切悲哀的人，赐华冠与锡安悲哀的人，代替灰尘;喜乐油代替悲哀;赞美衣代替忧伤之灵;使他们称为‘公义树’，是耶和华所栽的，叫祂得荣耀”(赛61:1-3)。{PC 47.2}
将这预言告诉以赛亚的那一位，在《路加福音》4:16-18中证明了自己的工作;因此，我们受到鼓舞，要大大地盼望，并且大量领受祂丰富的恩典。我们必须本着信心前来。接受主的话。祂十分有能力而且喜悦响应信祂之人的信心。{PC 47.3}
撒但是毁灭者;主是恢复者。{PC 47.4}
主没有按祂想要的方式从事医师的工作，因为祂说：你们不愿意到我这里来得生命。我们寻求解除痛苦的一切源头，却没有求助于在裂开的坟墓上宣告“复活在我，生命也在我”的主(约11:25)。基督来到我们的世界寻找拯救失丧的人。祂治疗各种疾病的工作是无与伦比的。有些人在医疗布道工作中被主用作祂的合作者。祂正设法启迪这些人，以便他们接受亮光和知识，好传给别人，从而照亮那些被苦难和疾病压迫之人的黑暗道路。只要受苦的人愿意本着信心来到神圣的医治者面前，他们就会看见上帝的救恩。{PC 47.5}
但他们非但不与那位大能的医治者合作，使用祂所提供的方法，教育他们自己使用水和新鲜的空气，避免自身和居家的一切不洁，反而转向那些与主耶稣一点也没有联系的医生，服用他们的药物处方。这些处方留下了有毒的痕迹，在人体系统中植入了痛苦和死亡的种子。他们为何不求问上帝呢?他们为什么不从上帝那里寻求帮助呢?祂如此爱了他们，甚至将祂的独生子赐给他们，为要拯救凡愿意相信祂的人。祂现在岂不是像祂在人性中行在地上时一样能够治愈疾病吗?我们的信心在哪里呢?我们竟转向每一能想到的资源，而不求助于主，祂宣布祂来到世界要在医治病人方面做一番特殊的工作。为什么凡接受基督的人不都如此得光照以致他们能照耀他人，并提拔他们，脱离各样不节制的卑下行为，引导他们远离药物呢?{PC 47.6}
基督遇见一位可怜的妇女，用尽一生所有，想医好肉体的病症。圣经说她在许多医生身上化尽了一生的积蓄，但病情非但没有好转，反而恶化了。但她凭信一摸基督就医好了多年的顽疾。这位受苦的女人来到耶稣的后面摸祂的衣裳，她相信穿这件衣服的人，顷刻之间她就得着医治。基督问：“摸我的是谁?”彼得很惊讶，就回答说：“夫子，众人拥拥挤挤紧靠着祢。祢还问‘摸我的是谁’吗”(路8:45)?{PC 48.1}
基督要给所有在场的人一个终生难忘的教训。祂要指出活泼信心的抚摸与偶然接触的区别。祂说：“总有人摸我。因我觉得有能力从我身上出去”(路8:46)。妇人看出不能再隐瞒了，就战战兢兢地前来，俯伏在祂脚前，讲述她可怜的故事。基督安慰了她。祂说：“女儿，你的信救了你，平平安安的回去吧!你的灾病痊愈了”(可5:34)。{PC 48.2}
为什么我们不凭着信心就近耶稣呢?许多人只是偶然接触祂，只和祂的身体接触。那位妇人所做的，远超过这一点。她伸出信心的手，立即得到了医治。{PC 48.3}
主必医治那些相信的人，但祂已为受苦之人的益处赐下了自然的福气，祂希望他们使用这些福气。上帝原本用一句话就能医治希西家。但祂却听了希西家的祷告，指示说要将一串无花果放在患病的部位。这么做了之后，希西家就复原了。但这种复原却不是瞬间完成的。他没有与那个受苦妇人一样的信心。我们需要运用信心。使用药物的做法与信心不协调。求助于世俗的医生是对上帝的羞辱。那些本着信心来到上帝面前的人必须与祂合作，接受和使用祂天赐的疗法，——水、阳光和大量空气。{PC 48.4}
当病人拒绝使用上帝提供的、近在他们手边的简单疗法时，为病人祈祷是没有用的。如果房子和房子周围的东西不卫生，首先要做的就是从事那些被忽视的工作，清洁和净化房子和房子周围，让一切都变得甜美，使气氛不会被一点儿令人讨厌的气味所污染。{PC 48.5}
主给了以色列人某些指示。他们要聚集在西奈山下听上帝颁布十条诫命。但他们先要洗自己的衣服。祂再次吩咐营地不容有任何不洁，免得主经过的时候看到他们的不洁，就因此拒绝上去与他们的军队一同作战。{PC 48.6}
一些人求上帝保守他们脱离一切疾病，同时却任由家中又脏又乱，有使人生病的东西。上帝岂能藉着行奇事防止灾病临近那些并不小心尽自己的本分去预防疟疾与热病的人来荣耀祂的名吗?主不这样行事。人必须聪明地尽自己的本分，保持自己的身体和衣服干净，家中的每一个房间整洁有序。然后主才能接近他的居所。主说，我要在那些亲近我的人身上得荣耀。{PC 48.7}
凡自称热爱和侍奉上帝的人都有本分要尽。他们应当保守自己脱离身体和心灵一切的污秽，敬畏上帝，得以成圣。正是因为没有做这些事，才使得那些自称基督徒之人的信仰成为枉然。我们的上帝太纯净圣洁，不能容忍任何混乱、任何不洁。那用烟草毒害自己呼吸的人，是在玷污上帝的殿，上帝必要毁坏那人。上帝的旨意必须行在地上。对这些事无知就是罪。{PC 49.1}
以真理为友的人会尊荣他们信心的创始成终者。基督将证明自己是恢复人身心的医师。上帝的同工要与基督一同负轭，让自己的灵与魂与身子和上帝保持正确的关系。个人和家庭将通过他们的衣着，通过他们言语的纯正，通过他们殷勤教育自己和他们的孩子在家里保持清洁来揭示他们信仰的特征，不让家里有污秽，也不让处所有不洁，免得耶和华经过，看见他们的污秽。主希望家中的一切事物都美好，以便来自天庭的天使成为受到欢迎的贵宾，而不是被污秽和不洁所阻隔。{PC 49.2}
男女老少的意志都必须接受训练与上帝合作。当他们提升自己时，主就必将他们安置在合意的地方。于是，他们就能言传身教地对自己的邻舍发挥一种文雅高尚的影响。属灵的喜乐、属灵和身体健康的旋律，就会抒发出来，增进主耶稣降世带给每一位相信之人的幸福。不是人人都能讲道，但人人都可以传道，向别人展示如何保持整洁和充满希望。这就像医人身心的良药。这样我们就可以恩上加恩，始终在使我们自己适合天国。我寄出这个以便你们向教会宣读。{PC 49.3}
Nov. 29,’98
Dear Brother Chapman,
We were pleased to receive word from you this week. Your letter was read to me by Willie. Every word of it was of interest.?{PC 44.3}
This morning I sent you copies of the things I said to the people when in Rockhampton. I have a very deep interest in the church in that place. Why should I feel an interest in them? Because the Lord has an interest in them, an interest much greater than it is possible for me to have. I am praying that the Lord will lead and guide you. I have spoken to the ear, but the Lord alone can speak to the heart. The Lord says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent.” He would have every soul heed His counsel, which is given for their present and eternal good. Again He says: “I know thy works.” When these works are not in harmony with the truth, they are against the truth. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and am set down with my Father in His throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”?{PC 44.4}
The Lord is speaking to the church in Rockhampton. O that they would be doers of His word! My brethren and sisters, I call upon you in the name of Christ to hear the word of God and to practice it. Of the Israelites the apostle says, “The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” This opens before us the secret of this matter, the reason why there is so little accomplished by the many discourses that are preached. The words may be indited by the Holy Spirit, but the result lies with the ones who hear. The oft-repeated charge of the Lord in His word is, “He that hath an ear, let him hear.”?{PC 44.5}
It makes every difference whether the word spoken is received?into good and honest hearts. The Israelites had the word spoken to them by Jesus Christ from the pillar of cloud, but like many who hear the glad tidings of truth and righteousness in these last days, they did not hear with consecrated ears, and believe. Selfishness and pride, murmuring and unbelief compassed them about as with a garment. They aggravated their guilt by not hearing with faith, and practising the word spoken.?{PC 44.6}
It was faith that men lacked in the days of Noah, and it was this lack of living faith that brought destruction upon them. How different would have been the result had they heeded Noah’s appeal as the voice of God speaking through him. But they were unwilling to hear and to receive the engrafted word which would have saved them. It is faith, an active faith, that will make the gracious promise of any avail.?{PC 45.1}
Again the apostle speaks, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust for the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness, nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: so being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us... For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For ye are our glory and joy.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4-8, 19-20)?{PC 45.2}
We know and understand the deep poverty of many who are striving for the crown of life. We are not ignorant in regard to the deep working of Satan, which our brethren will have to encounter. Brethren, you must bear in mind that Satan is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. He moves upon men to make it hard and trying for those who strive for the crown of life. He has come down with great power, working his will, carrying out his plans, that he may keep souls under his control.?{PC 45.3}
I write to the church: Be not unbelieving, but have faith. Receive the message sent to you from God. He has sent you light, not because he would afflict you and cause you pain, but because He loves you and would have you escape from the snares of the enemy which would entangle your souls. Let the good work of purification go forward. Meet the standard the Lord has given you. My brethren in Rockhampton, who I love in the Lord, I feel an intense desire that Satan shall not triumph over you, but that you should think soberly and righteously and make thorough work for eternity. Read the third chapter of First Thessalonians. The apostle had a great burden for his brethren in Thessalonica. He writes, “For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain.” (1 Thessalonians 3:5)?{PC 45.4}
When we read the letter from Brother Chapman, we praised the Lord. We felt somewhat as we supposed Paul felt when he wrote, “But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you, therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our afflictions and distress by your faith: for now we live, if we stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith...And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another and toward all men, even as we do toward you: to the end that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:6-10, 12-13)?{PC 46.1}
The same spirit which moved the apostle to write to his brethren has moved me to write to the church in Rockhampton. I feel a tender solicitude for you that the Lord may do for you all that the apostle Paul so greatly desired should be done for his brethren in Thessalonica.?{PC 46.2}
The apostle continues, “Furthermore, then, we beseech you brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more, for ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor...For God hath not called you unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us His Holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love, ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without and that ye have lack of nothing.” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-4, 7-12)?{PC 46.3}
We must keep the standard uplifted. God is not slack in the fulfillment of His promises. He is jealous for His name’s glory. A whole heaven of resources are at His command. Seasons of prayer are essential. We all need to pray more, and to watch unto prayer. Read the first chapter of second Thessalonians. I present this entire chapter as appropriate for your case. I speak to you in love, for my heart is full of tender compassion in your behalf. You will have trial, but ever guard your soul, that you may not dishonor your Lord who has bought you with a price. He will that you should have strong faith and a lively hope. He wants you to improve in order and discipline and courage and fortitude and love for one another, that you may seek to help one another to keep the law of God, and be blessed.?{PC 46.4}
Brother Chapman, be of good courage in the Lord. Have faith. Place yourself in the hands of the great Physician, believing He will restore you to health. Do not doubt for a moment. Did not Christ come to the world as the One testified to in the prophecy of Isaiah??{PC 47.1}
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)?{PC 47.2}
And the very One who gave this prophecy to Isaiah testified to his own work in?Luke 4:16-18; therefore we are encouraged to hope largely and receive abundantly of His rich grace. We must come in faith. Take the Lord at His word. He is abundantly able and glad to respond to the faith of his believing ones.?{PC 47.3}
Satan is the destroyer, the Lord is the Restorer.?{PC 47.4}
The Lord has not worked a physician in the way that He desires to work, because He says, Ye will not come to Me, that I may give your life. We look to every source to relieve except to the One who proclaimed over the rent sepulcher of Joseph, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) Christ came into our world to seek and to save that which was lost. His work as the one who heals all manner of diseases is unequalled. There are those whom the Lord uses as His co-laborers in the medical missionary work. These He is seeking to illuminate, that they may receive light and knowledge to communicate to others, and thus brighten the dark pathway of those who are oppressed by suffering and disease. If the sufferers would only come in faith to the divine Healer, they would see of the salvation of God.?{PC 47.5}
But instead of co-operating with the mighty Healer, by using the very means He has provided, by educating themselves to use water and fresh air, and to avoid all uncleanness of person and premises, they turn to physicians who are in no way connected with the Lord Jesus, and take their prescriptions of drug medications. These leave their poisonous trail behind, implanting in the system seeds of suffering and death. Why do they not inquire of God? Why do they not seek help from the One who so loved them that He gave His only begotten Son to save all who would believe on Him? Is He not just as well able now to heal disease as when He walked in humanity upon the earth? Where is our faith when we turn to every conceivable resource but to the One who declares that He came to the world to do a special work in healing the sick. Why are not all who accept Christ so illuminated that they can irradiate others, and lift them from grovelling in intemperance of all kinds, leading them to let drugs alone.?{PC 47.6}
Christ met one poor soul who had spent all her living in order that she might be cured of a physical malady. The statement is that she had spent all that she had on many physicians, and was nothing better, but rather made worse. But one touch of Christ by faith took away the infirmity of long years. This suffering woman came behind Christ, and touched His garment by faith in the person whom the garment covered, and instantly she was made whole. “Who touched Me,” said Christ. Peter was astonished. He answered, “Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched Me?”?{PC 48.1}
Christ desired to give a lesson which all present would never forget. He would show the difference between the touch of living faith and a casual touch. He said, “Somebody hath touched Me; for I perceive that virtue hath gone out of Me.” When the woman saw that she could not be hid, she came forward trembling, and throwing herself at His feet, told her pitiful story. Christ comforted her. “Daughter,” He said, ‘thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace and be whole of thy plague.”?{PC 48.2}
Why do we not come to Jesus in faith? Many give Him a casual touch, coming in contact only with His person. The woman did more than this. She put forth her hand in faith, and was healed instantly.?{PC 48.3}
The Lord will heal those who believe, but He has given natural blessings for the benefit of the afflicted, and He would have these used. God could have healed Hezekiah with a word. But He heard Hezekiah’s prayer, and gave directions that a bunch of figs be placed upon the diseased parts. This was done, and Hezekiah recovered. But his recovery was not instantaneous. He had not the same faith that the afflicted woman had. We need to exercise faith. To practice the use of drug medication does not harmonize with faith. Appealing to worldly physicians is dishonoring to God. Those who come to God in faith must co-operate with Him in accepting and using His heaven-sent remedies,—water, sunlight, and plenty of air.?{PC 48.4}
It is of no use to have seasons of prayer for the sick, while they refuse to use the simple remedies which God has provided, and which are close by them. If there is an unsanitary condition of things in the house and about the premises, the very first thing is to take up the work that has been neglected, and cleanse and purify the house and premises, making everything sweet, that the atmosphere may not be tainted by the least offensive smell.?{PC 48.5}
The Lord gave certain directions to the children of Israel. They were to gather at the base of Mount Sinai, to hear the voice of God speaking the ten commandments. But first they were to wash their clothes. Again He commanded that no uncleanliness should be tolerated in the encampment, lest the Lord should pass by and see their uncleanness, and because of this refuse to go up with their armies to battle.?{PC 48.6}
Some people ask God to preserve their families from all sickness and disease, while uncleanliness and untidiness are seen in the home, with the very things that create disease. Can God glorify His name by working a miracle to prevent the plague coming nigh the dwelling of those who do not care to act their part to prevent malaria and?fevers? The Lord does not work in this way. The human agent must act his part intelligently, keeping his body and his clothing clean, and every room in the house in order. Then the Lord can approach his dwelling. I will be honored, saith the Lord, by them that approach unto Me.?{PC 48.7}
All who claim to love and serve God have a duty to perform. They are to keep themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit, and perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. It is the failure to do these things that makes the religion of those who profess to be Christians vain. Our God is too pure and holy to tolerate any disorder, any uncleanness. The individual who poisons his breath with tobacco is defiling the temple of God, and him will God destroy. The will of God must be done on earth. Ignorance in regard to these things is sin.?{PC 49.1}
The friends of the truth will honor Him who is the Author and Finisher of their faith. Christ will prove Himself a physician in restoring the body as well as the soul. The workers together with God will yoke up with Christ, and place themselves, soul, body, and spirit, in right relation to God. Individuals and households will reveal the character of their faith by their dress, by their purity of speech, by their diligence in educating themselves and their children to be clean in the house, allowing no impurity in the home, no uncleanness on the premises, lest the Lord pass by and see their uncleanness. The Lord would have all things sweet about the home, that angels of God from the heavenly courts may be welcome guests, and not kept away by dirt and uncleanness.?{PC 49.2}
The will of men, women, and children must be trained by cooperation with God. When they uplift themselves, the Lord will set them in desirable places. Then, by precept, and example, they can exert a refining, elevating influence upon their neighbors. The melody of spiritual joy and spiritual as well as physical health will be revealed, and will promote that blessedness which the Lord Jesus came to our world to impart to every individual who will believe. All may not be preachers, but all can minister, showing others how to be tidy and hopeful. This is like medicine to body and soul. Thus we may add grace to grace, and be all the time fitting ourselves for heaven. I send this that you may read it to the church. -?{PC 49.3}
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