1894年2月6日写于乔治阶地
35.致J.E.怀特夫妇
亲爱的孩子们：
自从帐篷大会以后，我们就在学校大楼里安顿下来了。我们坐落在第三阶地的第二层，非常愉快。我有一个很大的房间，有三扇宽敞的窗户。我睡在这个房间里，有很多空气。下一个房间是餐厅，舒适宽敞。梅独自睡在那个房间里。塔克斯福德姐妹和梅在另一个房间做饭。我们从餐厅下行六个台阶，然后上行两到三个台阶;我们先到浴室，然后带着煤气炉到厨房，再到另一个房间，塔克斯福德姐妹和艾米丽住在那里，艾米丽也在那里做她的工作。我们的家庭由塔克斯福德姐妹、玛莉安、艾米丽、梅和我组成。我们在这里，很好地安顿下来了，只住六个星期;然后我们必须全都搬出去，因为秋季学期开学了。{PC 101.1}
对于出行，我已经厌倦了。住下，起身，收集文稿，铺开文稿，又收集文稿，实在是很累。我如果指望可怜有限的自我，很快就会失望的。但我仰望为我信心创始成终的耶稣，就有了勇气，并奉主的圣名，向着标竿直跑，要得在基督耶稣里从上面召我来得的奖赏。如果我们有时感到自己被软弱所困，沮丧的情绪临到我们的身上，我们就必须不看自己而看耶稣，并且祈求属灵的眼力。我们现在就需要它，以便理解主的道。大量的亮光就涌进心房和灵宫，以便我们明白圣经。那里有真理，宝贵、神圣的真理。“祢的言语一解开，就发出亮光，使愚人通达”(诗119:130)。一切的愚人(心里柔和谦卑的人)都要自卑，在主的圣言中寻求祂的忠告。感觉是决不可靠的，圣经才是稳固磐石。我们可以安全地学习圣经，圣灵会给我们的心思意念留下深刻的印象。{PC 101.2}
主有一项工作要你去做。你如果听祂的声音，就不会被撇在黑暗中。救主说：“我的羊听我的声音，我也认识他们，他们也跟着我”(约10:27)。“羊不跟着生人;因为不认得他的声音”(约10:5)。我确信主正向你显示救赎工作的完美和丰满，使你的心充满仁爱和感恩，让你将主启示你的告诉别人。刻在心上的基督形像，将天天在品格和实际生活中显示出来，因为我们代表着一位个人的救主。主应许赐圣灵给凡寻求的人。当你查考圣经时，圣灵就代表耶稣基督在你身边。真理是一种活的原则，用来以宝贵的清晰光照人的悟性，然后，我们才可以引用永活基督的话说：“我们是与上帝同工的”(林前3:9)。基督对那个撒玛利亚妇人说：“你若知道上帝的恩赐，和对你说‘给我水喝’的是谁，你必早求祂，祂也必早给了你活水。……我所赐的水要在他里头成为泉源，直涌到到永生”(约4:10-14)。被圣灵所浇灌、充分领受基督福音人，会把亮光、安慰和希望带给饥渴慕义的人。我们并不想引起亢奋，而是要引起深刻认真的思考，使听见的人，能做出稳定的工作，就是真实、可靠、纯正的工作，直存到永恒。我们所渴望的，不是兴奋，也不是情绪的激动;我们越少有这种情绪就越好。来自圣经的冷静认真的思考，才是宝贵而有效的。成功的秘诀在于用十分简单而诚恳的态度，来传讲一位永活的个人的救主，使人们能藉着信心持定生命之道的能力。不要介绍安娜·菲利普斯的作品，而要介绍真理，由活泼圣言的权威所证实了的真理，这才是上帝使人得救的能力。{PC 101.3}
我亲爱的儿子爱德森，我对你的经历深感关心，我希望你能不断地倚赖主。我希望你不要让你的感觉控制你。上帝已赐给你一项工作去做;要忠于你的救赎主。上帝能在你前面开路，祂能把你的脚放在安全的道路上，带领你走向胜利。我们每天都需要了解这句话的意思：“转向上帝。”这里有真正的圣洁，安息与和平，恩典与荣耀。不要求助于任何活着的人作你的帮助者。要把一切都告诉耶稣。祂知道所有的方位、每一个目标和每一个计划的结果。祂的智慧是无误的，祂已证明祂多么爱祂所买来的产业，祂是多么甘心、多么乐意帮助祂的儿女，引导他们的判断。我的上帝必照祂荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里，使你一切所需用的都充足。{PC 102.1}
那么，尽管你觉得自己不配，但还是来找耶稣吧。单纯倚靠上帝的生活乃是一门天天认识上帝和祂所差来的耶稣基督的功课。“上帝既不爱惜自己的儿子，为我们众人舍了，岂不也把万物和祂一同白白的赐给我们吗”(罗8:32)?邀请的声音是：“凡劳苦担重担的人可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式;这样，你们心里就必得享安息。因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的”(太11:28-30)。要将你的忧伤、你心灵的大需要和烦恼向上帝倾诉，只向上帝倾诉。祂必帮助你。“我的心哪，你当默默无声，专等候上帝，因为我的盼望是从祂而来。惟独祂是我的磐石，我的拯救;祂是我的高台，我必不动摇”(诗62:5,6)。{PC 102.2}
在晚雨沛降的时候，人的发明和人为的制度，将会不时地被清扫。人的权威将被破除。圣灵要通过活生生的人，令人信服地说话。没有人会注意所说的话是否优雅，语法有无错误。生命的活水将通过上帝自己的管道流淌。然而我们现在就当谨慎，不要高抬人和人的言行，任何一个人都不要认为有什么了不起的经历要叙述;因为在这块结果子的园地里，会有人信任不配的人类。一些青年男女可能会受到抬举。他们会自以为是天之骄子，蒙召要成就一番伟业。许多人会按着某种特别的等次而归信，但他们身上并没有神圣的记号。会有不道德和奢侈的现象出现。许多人的信心就会触礁。我们惟一的保障就是紧紧依靠耶稣，决不要看不见祂。祂说：“离了我，你们就不能做什么”(约15:5)。我们必须培养一种持久的无助感，总是意识到自己的无能，完全依赖耶稣。这会使我们言行沉稳。演讲的兴奋是色厉内荏的表现。福音本是上帝救人的大能。传讲圣经的真理，需要真诚和活力。{PC 103.3}
3月16日，我今天早上不能入睡，两点钟便从床上起来写信给你们，我亲爱的孩子们。在我寄给你们的上一封信中，我建议你们来这个国家，但我担心我们的做法目前会不可取。你们为黑人作工的计划，我相信是正确的。但是，爱德森，不要将责任揽在自己身上。仇敌会设法使你卷入会使你难堪的计划和发明中。要在你能达到工作目的某一方面开始从事工作。在理解圣经真理的能力方面，上帝所赐给你的才干是一种宝贵的恩赐。你的机会若是得到善用，你的头脑就会蒙引导进入富有成效的研究中，以致聪明地理解伟大、高尚、使人圣洁的现代真理，你就能在你的工作中造福别人。{PC 103.1}
主显然是想让你摆脱任何尘世的依赖，并教导你完全倚赖祂的宝贵教训。圣灵已经担忧，因为你还没有使你的意志降服于上帝的旨意，本来能够在救灵的善事上富足的年月已经永远消逝。我希望我能传达我心中关于一些要点的所有内容，但今天邮轮离开去美国，我就不能照着我想要的写很多了。自从我来到墨尔本以来，工作一直紧迫地压在我的身上。我在布莱顿和威廉姆斯镇讲了道，那里的慕道兴趣极好，园地成熟可以收割了。天气一直很暖和，在帐篷下面讲话很费劲，但我有理由赞美我的天父，祂赐给我大量圣灵，使我能继续用圣灵的明证传达祂恩典和仁爱的信息。会众饶有兴趣地倾听。难道我不应该全心全意地、用声音来赞美上帝吗?{PC 103.2}
在布莱顿，已经有好几个人采取立场遵守安息日了。在威廉姆斯镇也有一些人决定顺从真理。当在那里支搭帐篷的时候，那里还没有一个人遵守安息日，然而自从帐篷大会以来，慕道兴趣已经稳定增加，现在有好几个人处在断定谷。我星期日下午在那个地方的会堂里讲道。我的儿啊，我祈求主以祂自己的方式在人们的意念上作工，以便在威廉姆斯镇兴起一个健康的教会。已经在郑重考虑在这个地方建一座教堂的事。这是可以做到的，而且必须立即完成。除了为这些刚刚听到真理的人操劳，我们还发现有在我们自己中间整顿事情的工作要做，以便机器运转起来没有摩擦。{PC 103.3}
爱德森，我对你的兴盛深感兴趣，我知道你唯一安全的做法就是摆脱每一笔生意，把你的头脑与心灵投入到圣经的阐释中。要下定决心，你必不灰心，也不丧胆。你若时刻倚靠主，你若以恳切的祈祷查考圣经，就必从上帝的道中，向你敞开最丰富的财宝。本着谦卑，在基督的门下作一个学习者，你就会学习祂的心里柔和谦卑。上帝更愿意将圣灵赐给求祂的人，过于父母把好东西给自己的儿女。我确信有一个充满最丰盛、最恒久宝藏的天国。这些财宝要白白赐给那些赏识它们，因而富足，并愿意白白与他人分享的人。我知道这是事实。我有很多话要说;我的心充满了感激之情。我常常在夜晚醒来，赞美上帝，因为祂使我享有现在的健康程度，而且祂的手以慈爱、怜悯的柔情抓住你，我的儿子，把你的脚放在坚固的磐石上。在这一点上，我看到了在拯救其他即将灭亡的可怜灵魂方面能做成多少事。{PC 103.4}
但我也蒙指示看到有一些危险和流沙必须小心避免。虽然那些人在顺从《以赛亚书》中的话：“你要大声喊叫，不可止息;扬起声来，好像吹角。向我百姓说明他们的过犯;向雅各家说明他们的罪恶”(赛58:1)，但在这项如此需要完成的工作中，一些将导致损害圣工的事会受到鼓励，除非信使们蒙赋予属天的智慧。我们必须行事好像认真的人。我们每日需要在祷告中获得丰富的经验。我们应当像那位迫切陈情的寡妇，深感自己的需要，单单凭着坚决恳求的力量，感动了不义的法官。我们可以求上帝为我们成就这些事，因为这能加深和巩固我们的经验。寻求上帝的人需要有诚恳的心。凡殷勤寻求上帝的人必得着报赏。{PC 104.1}
许多人有被流沙吞没的危险。如果我们不与不是从天上来的能力和冒昧之举混在一起，恳切寻求上帝的灵就总是安全的。我们所说的每一句话，都当谨慎，免得有些易于激动的可怜人，有了热心却不是按着真知识。他们就会行事好像自己有权使唤圣灵，而不是被圣灵所使唤，照着上帝的样式塑造他们。还人跑到基督前面去的危险。我们应当尊荣圣灵，照着圣灵的引导而行。“不可倚靠自己的聪明”(箴言3:5)。这是向人传讲真理之人的一个危险。跟从基督的脚踪，才是安全的。祂的工作必坚定不移。凡上帝所说的，都是真理。{PC 104.2}
然而向堕落的世人传讲恩典最后信息的人，决不可信口开河。他们不可让撒但钻了空子，进入人心。我们的工作不是做实验，去标新立异，引发兴奋。撒但正在侍机而动，要利用这等事引进骗局。圣灵的感动则会使人心态平衡。不要人为地制造兴奋，结果适得其反。撒但会利用每一夸大之词，伤害讲话的人自己，以及那些受这种精神感染而影响他人的人。要培养冷静和庄重。我们如果注重于庄严的真理，就必表现出极大的真诚。我们只能这么做，因为我们负有最神圣的信息要传给将亡的人，因为意识到救主的降临是如此的紧迫。{PC 104.3}
我们如果不断地注目耶稣，接受祂的灵，就会有清晰的眼光，看到周围的危险，谨慎所说的每一句话，免得撒但钻空子，引进他的骗局。我们不需要把人心弄得亢奋不安，也不要鼓励人去期待什么奇怪的惊人的事，而要教导他们步步地跟从耶稣。当传讲耶稣基督，因我们永生的希望全系于祂。{PC 105.1}
仇敌正准备用他施行奇迹的能力来欺骗全世界。他要扮成光明的天使，甚至以耶稣基督的样子出现。每一个教导当代真理的人务要传道。紧扣圣道的人，不会在预言、异象和异梦的问题上说出不慎之言，给撒但打开门户。自从1844年我们盼望基督复临以来，各地或多或少都有这种假神迹出现。我们已在加迈尔的事例中，在E.R.琼斯的声明中，以及在斯坦顿运动中见到这些假神迹的表现。以后这些事情会越来越多。我们务必像忠心的哨兵那样保持警惕。关于异象的问题，我已经收到不少的信，来自许多自认为有了异象且有责任传播之的人。愿主帮助祂的仆人当心。{PC 105.2}
上帝有祂传光的真通道。但世上总有许多赝品。撒但肯定会进入任何一个向他敞开的门户，将他自己的观点与真理的信息掺在一起，误导众生，把人的思想吸引到人与人的话语上，阻止人坚持“耶和华如此说”。在上帝与祂子民的交往中，一切都是安静的。对那些信靠祂的人，一切都是安详自若，没有虚饰的。这样的信徒有对圣经抱有质朴、忠诚、恳切的态度，既听道又行道，坚定，真诚，明智地等候上帝。信徒必将自己无助的心灵寄予耶稣基督。基督必被尊崇。我们的立场乃是要作工并祈祷，守望并等候。我们不应希望得到承认，也不应希望我们的工作得到最充分的赏识。天堂才是最好和最安全的地方，可以从我们的救赎主口中听到我们工作的结果。{PC 105.3}
在报刊上用关于属灵工人的才干与效率的溢美之词炫耀他的名字，既不必要或有益，也不讨他喜欢。上帝知道每一个工人在祂的葡萄园中所完成的工作。我不求你们少些认真，因为现在每一个人都需要上帝赋予生命的能力;然而圣灵若是藉着人行事，那是因为人将自我隐藏在耶稣里，并且在基督里与上帝同工。{PC 105.4}
我儿啊，要存谦卑的心与上帝同行。你的能力和效率是在耶稣里面。属灵能力的大潮必临到传讲这道、高举耶稣的人。这使听者产生信心，多结果子。我们希望真理藉着这些人对人心讲话，他们已经受了对基督和对祂的血所买来之人的圣洁之爱的洗礼，他们自己彻底地被他们正向他人传讲的真理感动了;他们正在自己的生活中实行所讲的真理。上帝的道是确实的，每一个讲道的人都应该设法使听者与基督相连(请阅读约17:22-24;弗1:3-8)。{PC 105.5}
“祢所赐给我的荣耀，我已赐给他们，使他们合而为一，像我们合而为一。我在他们里面，祢在我里面，使他们完完全全的合而为一，叫世人知道祢差了我来，也知道祢爱他们如同爱我一样。父啊，我在哪里，愿祢所赐给我的人也同我在那里，叫他们看见祢所赐给我的荣耀;因为创立世界以前，祢已经爱我了。”“愿颂赞归与我们主耶稣基督的父上帝!祂在基督里曾赐给我们天上各样属灵的福气：就如上帝从创立世界以前，在基督里拣选了我们，使我们在祂面前成为圣洁，无有瑕疵;又因爱我们，就按着自己意旨所喜悦的，预定我们藉着耶稣基督得儿子的名分，使祂荣耀的恩典得着称赞;这恩典是祂在爱子里所赐给我们的。我们藉这爱子的血得蒙救赎，过犯得以赦免，乃是照祂丰富的恩典。这恩典是上帝用诸般智慧聪明，充充足足赏给我们的”(约17:22-24;弗1:3-8)。
这些经文向我们呈现了天国丰富的福气。我们想象不到什么更伟大或更有福的东西了。这些经文将发展前途摆在人面前。上帝的旨意是，我们要与祂的儿子完全认同，使我们与基督合一，如同基督与父合一一样。藉着信心，我们可以与基督完全合一;我们可以让我们整个的灵与魂与身子都在上帝里面与基督紧密相连，以致我们要分享基督为天父所爱的同样的爱。{PC 106.1}
我们要与祂同享荣耀，因为基督说：“祢所赐给我的荣耀，我已赐给他们”(约17:22)。那荣耀是什么呢?是基督的品格。我们还能要求更大的天资吗?在天堂有一席之地，在基督面前，似乎是太大的福气，罪人不能享受。但是上帝令人惊异的仁慈善良和爱超出了我们的理解力。人接受基督作他个人的救主，便与上帝建立亲密的关系，享受祂特别的恩眷，就像祂对待自己的爱子一样。人得蒙上帝的尊荣并与上帝有了密切的联络，他的生命与基督一同藏在上帝里面。这是何等的爱，何等奇妙的爱!要阅读所提到的经文;抄写员因时间不够而将它们省略了。{PC 106.2}
这就是我关于道德纯洁的教训。揭开罪孽的黑暗面，在根除罪恶方面，会不及展示这些伟大高尚的主题的一半有效。主并没有传信息给女人去质问和控告男人不洁的思想和无节制。她们不是在根除肉欲，而是在引发肉欲。惟有圣经才提供关于纯洁的真正教训。所以我们务要传道。这就是上帝的恩典，上帝对我们的爱在此显明了，甚至是在我们还死在过犯和罪恶中，因邪恶的行为而心里与上帝为敌，侍奉各种私欲和享乐，作卑贱食欲和情欲的奴隶，作罪与撒但的奴仆的时候，基督就为我们死了。在基督里彰显的爱是何等的深，祂竟为我们的罪作了挽回祭。藉着圣灵的帮助，罪人蒙引导，得到赦罪。{PC 106.3}
圣经所展示耶稣生活的纯洁和圣善，足以改造和转变人的品格，其能力远胜过我们为揭露人的罪孽过犯及其必然后果而作的一切努力。最雄辩的口才所作的一切科学解释，也比不上坚定地望一眼挂在十字架上的救主更能洁净人心思意念中所有的污秽。罪人在十字架跟前看到自己不像基督的品格。他看到犯罪的可怕后果;他痛恨自己所犯的罪，并用活泼的信心坚定地握住耶稣。他在上帝圣颜的光中和属天的智慧里断定自己不洁的处境。他用十字架的标准测度自己，用圣所的天平衡量自己。基督的纯洁使他的不洁显出可憎的色彩。他转离污秽的罪，仰望耶稣，而得存活。{PC 106.4}
他在耶稣基督里找到一种摄人心魄、崇高伟大、愉悦迷人的品格，基督为救他脱离罪的残缺丑陋而死，因此他眼中含泪、嘴唇颤抖地说：“祂不会徒然为我而死!祢的温和使我为大。”我们多么容易在任何情况下都指望从同胞得同情得扶持，而不是指望耶稣啊!人是多么容易离弃活水的泉源，黎巴嫩的清凉雪水，去喝山谷里浑浊的溪流啊!上帝必本着祂的怜悯和信实，使我们所寄予信任的人令我们失望，以便我们认识到倚靠人血肉的膀臂多么愚妄。请听先知的话：“耶和华如此说：倚靠人血肉的膀臂，心中离弃耶和华的，那人有祸了!因他必像沙漠的杜松，不见福乐来到，却要住旷野干旱之处，无人居住的碱地。倚靠耶和华、以耶和华为可靠的，那人有福了!他必像树栽于水旁，在河边扎根，炎热来到，并不惧怕，叶子仍必青翠，在干旱之年毫无挂虑，而且结果不止”(耶17:5-8)。要谈论天上的事，谈论将赐给得胜者的极重无比永远的荣耀，你就会在工作中取得成功。
(签名)
(母亲)
怀爱伦{PC 107.1}
George’s Terrace,February 6, 1894
Mr. and Mrs. J. E. White
Dear Children,
Since the camp meeting we have settled down in the school building. We are very pleasantly situated in the second story of terrace no. 3. I have a very large room with three ample windows. I sleep in this room, and have plenty of air. The next apartment is the dining room, pleasant and roomy. May sleeps alone in that room. Sister Tuxford and May do the cooking in still another room. We go down a half-a-dozen steps from the dining room, then up two or three steps; first we come to the bath room, then to the kitchen with a gas stove, then to still another room, where Sister Tuxford and Emily sleep and Emily does her work. Our family consists of Sister Tuxford, Marian, Emily, May, and myself. Here we are, well settled, to remain only six weeks; then we must be emptied out, for the fall term of school begins.?{PC 101.1}
I am getting to be very tired of moving. It worries me out, settling and unsettling, gathering up Manuscripts and scattering them, to be gathered up again. If I should look to my poor, finite self, I should soon become discouraged; but in looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith, I take courage, and press forward with His name on my lips to the mark for the prize of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus. If we at times feel our infirmities encompassing us, and a discouragement comes upon us, we must look away from self unto Jesus, and pray for spiritual eyesight. We need it now, in order to understand His word. A flood of light is poured into the chambers of the mind and the soul temple that we may understand the scriptures. There is truth, precious, sacred truth. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.” All who are simple (meek and lowly in heart) will humble self, and seek counsel of the Lord in His Holy word. Feeling is nothing reliable, but the word is solid rock. We can safely study our Bibles, and the Holy Spirit will impress our minds and heart.?{PC 101.2}
The Lord has a work for you to do, and if you listen to His voice, you will not be left in darkness. The Saviour says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” “And a stranger will they not follow; for they know not the voice of strangers.” I am sure that the Lord is revealing to you the perfection and fullness of the atoning work, that your whole heart may be filled with love and thanksgiving, and that you may reveal to others that which the Lord is revealing to you. The image of Christ engraved upon the heart is reflected in character, in practical life, day by day, because we represent a personal Saviour. The Holy Spirit is promised to all who will ask for it. When you search the scriptures, the Holy Spirit is by your side, personating Jesus Christ. The truth is a living principle made to shine in precious clearness to the understanding, and then, O then, it is time to speak words from the Living Christ. “Ye are laborers together with God.” Christ said to the woman of Samaria, “If thou knowest the gift of God, and who it is that said to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water... A well of?water springing up into everlasting life.” Those who have the out pouring of the gospel of Christ which comes from the heart imbued by His Holy Spirit will give light and comfort and hope to hearts that are hungering and thirsting for righteousness. It is not excitement we wish to create, but deep, earnest consideration, that those who hear shall do solid work, real, sound, genuine work that will be enduring as eternity. We hunger not for excitement, for the sensational; the less we have of this, the better. The calm, earnest reasoning from the scriptures is precious and fruitful. Here is the secret of success, in preaching a living, personal Saviour in so simple and earnest a manner that the people may be able to lay hold by faith of the power of the word of life. Present not Anna Phillips’ productions, but the truth, substantiated by the authority of the living word, which is the power of God unto salvation.?{PC 101.3}
My dear Son Edson, I am deeply interested in your experience, and I hope you will trust in the Lord continually. I hope you will not allow your feelings to control you. God has given you a work to do; be faithful to your Redeemer. God can open the way before you, he can place your feet in safe paths, and lead you on to victory. We want to understand daily the meaning of these words: “Turned to God.” Here are true holiness, rest and peace, grace and glory. Turn not to any living man to be your helper. Tell everything to Jesus. He knows all the bearings, all the results of every purpose and every plan. His wisdom is unerring, and He has given evidence how much He loves His purchased possession, and how willing, how gratified He is to help His children, to guide them in judgment. My God shall supply all your need, according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ.?{PC 102.1}
Then come to Jesus although you feel your unworthiness. The life of simple dependence upon God is a daily lesson in knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He hath sent. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” The voice of invitation is, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” To God, only to God, pour out the sorrows, the great needs and troubles of your soul. He will help you. “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be moved.” (Psalm 62:5, 6)?{PC 102.2}
Under the showers of the latter rain the inventions of man, the human machinery, will at times be swept away, the boundary of man’s authority will be as broken reeds, and the Holy Spirit will speak through the living, human agent with convincing power. No one then will watch to see if the sentences are well rounded off, if the grammar is faultless. The living water will flow in God’s own channels. But let us be careful now not to exalt the men, their sayings and doings; and let not any one consider it a grand point to have a startling experience to relate; for here is a fruitful field where credence will be given to unworthy persons. Young men and women will be lifted up, and will regard themselves as wonderfully favored, called to do some great thing. There will be conversions many, after a peculiar order but they will not bear the divine signature. Immorality will come in and extravagance and?many will make shipwreck of faith. Our only safety is in keeping fast hold of Jesus. Never are we to lose sight of Him. He says, “Without me ye can do nothing.” We must cultivate an abiding sense of our own inefficiency and helplessness and rely wholly on Jesus. This should keep us individually calm and steadfast in words and deportment. Excitement in the speaker is not power but weakness. Earnestness and energy are essential in presenting Bible truth, the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation.?{PC 102.3}
March 16, I am unable to sleep this morning, and arise from my bed at two o’clock to write to you, my dear children. In the last letter that I sent you I made suggestions in reference to your coming to this country, but I fear that our course of action will be such that it will not be advisable at present. Your plans in reference to working for the colored people are, I believe, correct. But, Edson, do not gather responsibilities upon yourself. The enemy will seek to get you involved in plans and in inventions that will embarrass you. Take up the work in some line where you can work to a purpose. The talent God has given you in the ability to comprehend the truths of His word is a precious gift. If your opportunities are improved, your mind will be led into fruitful study, to an intelligent understanding of the grand, elevating, sanctifying truths for this time, and you can bless others in your work.?{PC 103.1}
The Lord evidently designs to cut you clear from any earthly dependence and to teach you the precious lessons of entire trust in Him. The Holy Spirit has been grieved that you have not surrendered your will to God’s will, and years have passed into eternity, that might have been rich in good works for the saving of souls. I wish I could communicate all that is in my mind upon some points, but today the mail leaves for America, and I have not been able to write as much as I desired. Since I came to Melbourne the work has been pressing urgently upon me. I have spoken in Brighton and in Williams-town, where the interest is excellent, and the field ripe for the harvest. The weather has been very warm, and it has been taxing to speak under the tent, but I have reason to praise my heavenly Father that he grants me so largely of His Holy Spirit, that I can continue to bear the message of His grace and love in demonstration of His Spirit. The congregations listen with profound interest. Should I not praise God for this with heart and soul and voice??{PC 103.2}
In Brighton several have taken their position on the Sabbath. In Williamstown also some have decided to obey the truth. There was not a Sabbath-keeper in the place when the tent was set up there, but the interest has steadily increased since camp meeting, several are now in the valley of decision. I speak in the hall in that place next Sunday afternoon. O my son, I pray for the Lord to work in His own way upon the minds of the people, that a healthy church may be raised up in Williamstown. Already the matter of erecting a church building in this place is under serious consideration. It can be done, and must be done at once. Besides laboring for these who are just hearing the truth, we find work to do in setting things in order among ourselves, that the machinery may run without friction.?{PC 103.3}
Edson, I feel a deep interest for your prosperity, and I know that your only safe course is to break away from every business transaction, and put your mind and soul into the exposition of the word. Be determined that you will not fail nor be discouraged. If you trust?in the Lord moment by moment, if you search the scriptures with earnest prayer, you will have opened to you the richest treasures from the word of God. In humility, as a learner in the school of Christ, you will learn His meekness and lowliness of heart. God is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him than parents are to give good gifts unto their children. I am sure that there is a heaven full of the richest enduring treasures to be freely given to all who will appropriate them to themselves, and becoming enriched thereby will impart freely to others. I know this to be truth. I have many things to say; my heart is full of thankfulness. I often awake in the night season praising the Lord that He has given me the measure of health I now enjoy, and that His hand, in loving, pitying tenderness, has laid hold upon you, my son, and placed your feet upon the Solid Rock. And in this I see how much can be done in saving other poor souls that are ready to perish.?{PC 103.4}
But there are presented to me dangers and quicksands that must be carefully avoided. While those who are obeying the word in Isaiah, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins,” in this work so essential to be done, things will be encouraged that will result in marring the work of God, unless the messengers are endowed with heavenly wisdom. We must act like men in earnest. We need to obtain a rich daily experience in prayer; we should be like the importunate widow, who, in her conscious need, overcame the unjust judge by the bare force of her determined pleading. God will be enquired of to do these things for us; for this is giving depth and solidity to our experience. The soul that seeks God will need to be in earnest. He is a rewarder of all those that seek him diligently.?{PC 104.1}
There are quicksands upon which many are in danger of being swamped. It is always safe to seek for the earnest of the Spirit of God, if we do not mingle with it a force and presumption that is not heaven born. There is need of caution in all our utterances lest some poor souls of ardent temperament shall work themselves up into a zeal not according to knowledge. They will act as though it was their prerogative to use the Holy Spirit instead of letting the Holy Spirit use them, and mold and fashion them after the Pattern of the divine. There is danger of running ahead of Christ. We should honor the Holy Spirit by following where it shall lead. “Lean not to thine own understanding.” This is one danger of those who teach the truth to others. To follow where Christ leads is a safe path for our feet. His work will stand. Whatsoever God saith is truth.?{PC 104.2}
But ministers who bear the last message of mercy to fallen men must utter no random words; they must not open doors whereby Satan shall find access to human minds. It is not our work to experiment, to study out something new and startling that will create excitement. Satan is watching his chance to take advantage of anything of this order that he may bring in his deceiving elements. The Holy Spirit moving upon the human agents, will keep the mind well balanced. There will not be a wrought-up excitement, to be followed by reaction. Satan will make use of every extravagant expression to the injury, not only of the speaker but of those who shall catch the same spirit and infuse others?to their harm. Calmness and solemnity should be cultivated; the solemn truths we dwell upon will lead us to manifest deep earnestness. How can we do otherwise when weighted with the most sacred message to bear to perishing souls, weighted by the sense of the nearness of our Saviour’s coming.?{PC 104.3}
If we are constantly looking unto Jesus and receiving His Spirit, we shall have clear eye sight. Then we shall discern the perils on every side, and shall guard every word we utter, lest Satan find opportunity to weave in his deceptions. We do not want to have the minds of the people wrought up into an excitement. We should not encourage an expectation to see strange and wonderful things. But teach them to follow Jesus, step by step. Preach Jesus Christ, in whom our hope of eternal life is centered.?{PC 105.1}
The enemy is preparing to deceive the whole world by his miracle working power. He will assume to personate the angels of light, to personate Jesus Christ. Every one who teaches the truth for this time is to preach the word. Those who cling to the word will not throw open the doors for Satan by making unguarded statements in reference to prophesying or to dreams and visions. To a greater or less degree false manifestations have been coming in, here and there, since 1844, after the time when we looked for the second coming of Christ. We have had them in the Garmire case, in the statements of E. R. Jones, in the Stanton movement. We shall have them more and more, and like faithful sentinels we must be on guard. Letters are coming to me from many persons concerning visions which they have had and feel it their duty to relate. May the Lord help His servants to be cautious.?{PC 105.2}
When the Lord has a genuine channel of light, there are always plenty of counterfeit. Satan will surely enter any door thrown open for him. He will give messages of truth mingling with the truth ideas of his own, prepared to mislead souls, to draw the mind to human beings and their sayings, and prevent it from holding firmly to a Thus saith the Lord. In God’s dealing with His people, all is quiet; with those who trust in Him all is calm and unpretending. There will be simple, true, earnest believers in the Bible, and there will be doers of the word as well as hearers. There will be sound, earnest, sensible, waiting upon God. The believer will hang his helpless soul on Jesus Christ. Christ will be exalted. Working and praying, watching and waiting, is our position. We should not desire to be recognized and to have our work appreciated in the fullest measure. Heaven is the best and safest place in which to hear from the lips of our Redeemer the result of our work.?{PC 105.3}
It is not necessary or helpful nor is it pleasing to the spiritual worker, to have the name paraded in the papers with flattering words concerning his talents and efficiency. God knows all about the work accomplished by every laborer in His vineyard. I plead not for less earnestness, for every soul needs now the vitalizing power of God; but if the Holy Spirit works through the human agent it is because he hides self in Jesus, and becomes (he is) in Christ a laborer together with God.?{PC 105.4}
My son, walk humbly with God. Your power and efficiency are in Jesus. The mighty tide of spiritual power will come upon the men?who preach the word, uplifting Jesus. This inspires in the hearer a living faith, which brings forth fruit abundantly. We want the truth spoken to human hearts by men that have been baptized with holy love for Christ, and for the purchase of His blood, men who are themselves thoroughly impressed with the truth they are presenting to others; and who are practicing the same in their own life. The word of God is sure, and every speaker should seek to link the hearer to Christ (read?John 17:22-24;?Ephesians 1:3-8).?{PC 105.5}
Here are presented to us the riches of heaven’s blessings. We cannot conceive of anything greater or more blessed. We have here the possibility before the human agent. It is the will of God that we should be so thoroughly identified with His Son that we shall be one with Christ as Christ is one with the Father. Through faith we may be wholly one with Christ; we may have our entire soul, body and spirit bound up with Christ in God, so that we shall share in the very same love wherewith Christ is loved by the Father.?{PC 106.1}
And we are to be sharers in His glory; for Christ says, “The glory which thou givest me I have given them.” What is that glory? The character of Christ. Can we ask any greater endowment? To have any place in heaven, to be in the presence of Christ, seems a blessing too great for sinful human beings to enjoy. But the marvelous mercy and goodness and love of God are beyond our comprehension. By accepting Christ as his personal Saviour, man is brought into the same close relation to God, and enjoys His special favor as does His own beloved Son. He is honored and glorified and intimately associated with God, his life being hid with Christ in God. O, what love, what wondrous love! Read the scriptures referred to; copyist left them out for want of time.?{PC 106.2}
This is my teaching - moral purity. The opening up of the blackness of impurity will not be one half as efficacious in uprooting sin as will the presentation of these grand and ennobling themes. The Lord has not given to women a message to assail men, and charge them with their impurity and incontinence. They create sensuality in place of uprooting it. The Bible, and the Bible alone has given the true lessons upon purity. Then preach the word. Such is the grace of God, such the love wherewith He hath loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses and sins, enemies in our minds by wicked works, loving divers lusts and pleasures, the slaves of debase appetites and passions, servants of sin and Satan. What depth of love is manifested in Christ, as He becomes the propitiation for our sins. Through the ministration of the Holy Spirit souls are led to find forgiveness of sins.?{PC 106.3}
The purity, the holiness of the life of Jesus as presented from the word of God, possess more power to reform and transform the character than do all the efforts put forth in picturing the sins and crimes of men and the sure results. One steadfast look to the Saviour uplifted upon the cross will do more to purify the mind and heart from every defilement than will all the scientific explanations by the ablest tongues. Before the cross the sinner sees his unlikeness of character to Christ, he sees the terrible consequences of transgression, he hates the sin that he has practiced, and he lays hold upon Jesus by living faith. He has judged his position of uncleanness in the light of the?presence of God and the heavenly intelligence. He has measured it by the standard of the cross; he has weighed it in the balances of the Sanctuary. The purity of Christ has revealed to him his own impurity in its odious colors. He turns from the defiling sin, he looks to Jesus and lives.?{PC 106.4}
He finds an all absorbing, commanding, attractive character in Jesus Christ, the One who died to deliver him from the deformity of sin, and with quivering lip and tearful eye he declares, “He shall not have died for me in vain. Thy gentleness hath made me great.” How prone we are on all occasions to look to our fellowmen for sympathy for uplifting, instead of looking to Jesus! How ready is the human agent to forsake the fountain of living waters, the cool snow waters of Lebanon, and drink of the turbid streams of the valley. O, in His mercy and faithfulness, God will cause our fellow-men in whom we place confidence to fail us in order that we may learn the folly of trusting in man, and making flesh our arm. Listen to the words of the prophet: (see?Jeremiah 17:5-8). Talk of heavenly things, talk of the eternal weight of glory that will be awarded to the overcomer, and you will have success in your work.?{PC 107.1}
(Signed)
(Mother)
Ellen G. White{PC 107.1}
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