摘自写给H.W.K.的信，1894年8月3日写于新南威尔士州格兰维尔，普罗斯佩克特街，诺福克维拉
我们来到澳大利亚的时候，我们的人在全国还没有一个礼拜堂。自从那时以来，已经在帕拉马塔建了一座教堂，但却负着重债。在凯利维尔有一个教堂，在一个橙子树林里;这座建筑很小，很朴素，很整洁，而且没有债务。在塞文希尔有为数二十的一小群人已经接受了真理。加上孩子，在安息日约有四十个人聚会。他们没有足够大的住宅来举行聚会。数周前在帐篷里聚会变得太冷了，因为现在这里是隆冬。我们决定必须建一个简朴整洁的教堂，大约要花费三百美元。塞文希尔的安息日是信徒是聪明优秀的人，但他们都很穷。他们已经背起十字架，与反对的亲友们分开，采取了立场站在基督血染的旌旗之下，好忠于上帝所有的诫命。我们不能让这一小群人没有一个地方聚集敬拜上帝就离开他们，免得我们的操劳成为枉然。为了确保我们现在看到的结果，我们付出了大量的稳定、认真和坚持不懈的努力。希科克斯弟兄在帐篷大会后独自操劳了许多星期;然后与一位能作他助手的结了婚，她高尚地站在他身边。我们已经竭尽所能帮助他向人们讲道，并为他们操劳;既然一个罪人悔改，在天使面前都有欢乐，我们就知道天上因这二十个宝贵的灵魂而喜乐，他们一个接一个地有道德勇气决定顺从真理。现在这小群在基督里是婴孩，需要受教导和引导，一步一步地进入信心和保证中;他们需要受教育和训练，好在主的军队中做精兵的工作，并要忍受艰难，就是作为耶稣基督的精兵，忍受考验和反对、轻视与嘲笑。{PC 134.1}
上个安息日，科利斯长老、艾米丽·坎贝尔和我驾车出去，到塞文希尔参加礼拜。我不能冒险进入那所聚集了那么多男人、女人和儿童的私人住宅;我因心脏的影响，一周以来病得很重，呼吸困难。我坐在马车里，在外面的树林里，科利斯长老讲解圣经，喂养房子里的小群人。他们上了安息日学，然后查经，对所有人来说都很有趣，也很有教育意义。{PC 134.2}
然后我站在平房的门口，向他们讲了近半个小时。主加给了我力量，将话语放在我口中，介绍了上帝向世人表达的爱，祂使耶稣过了蒙羞、受辱、受难和残忍死亡的一生，为要拯救罪人。就在被钉十字架之前，主耶稣为祂的门徒祈祷说：“父啊，因祢的名保守他们。”无论谁若是漫不经心，不注意保守自己，就不能因祂的名得蒙保守。如果他们想要保守自己的心在上帝的爱里，他们就有事情要做;他们必须与上帝合作从事这项重大的工作。他们的信心要持定神性，以便他们因信蒙上帝的能力保守，以致得救。{PC 134.3}
问题是：“谁能使我们与基督的爱隔绝呢?难道是患难吗?是困苦吗?是逼迫吗?是饥饿吗?是赤身露体吗?是危险吗?是刀剑吗”(罗8:35)?请听信心的英雄使徒保罗胜利的呐喊：“我深信无论是死，是生，是天使，是掌权的，是有能的，是现在的事，是将来的事，是高处的，是低处的，是别的受造之物，都不能叫我们与上帝的爱隔绝;这爱是在我们的主基督耶稣里的”(罗8:38,39)。“我知道我所信的是谁”(提后1:12)。我们不应该不知道谁为我们流了宝血，使我们可以因一位个人的救主而喜乐。撒但想要筛我们每一个人，像筛麦子一样;然而感谢上帝，我们的中保在为我们祈祷。{PC 135.1}
我设法引导这些亲爱的灵魂意识到他们向世人作擎光者的责任。我们鼓励所有的人都要觉得在每一次聚集敬拜上帝时，他们个人都有本分要尽。主已赐给我们丰富的应许。“那时，敬畏耶和华的彼此谈论，耶和华侧耳而听，且有纪念册在祂面前，记录那敬畏耶和华、思念祂名的人。万军之耶和华说：‘在我所定的日子，他们必属我，特特归我。我必怜恤他们，如同人怜恤服事自己的儿子。那时你们必归回，将善人和恶人，事奉上帝的和不事奉上帝的，分别出来”(玛3:16-18)。只有一群人为主作证，证明真理在人心上的能力。我们感到聚会因耶稣的临格而成功。大家似乎都得到了振奋、安慰和赐福。然后我们驾车八英里回我们在格兰维尔的家，当马爬上山路时，我们心中愉快高兴地吃了午餐。感谢上帝，礼拜堂正在建起来;它虽然小，尽量建得便宜，但它将是一个宝贵的地方，奉献给上帝的服务。我们多么仔细了考虑了资金问题呀。我们做了怎样的寻找以便看看能否找到一些隐藏的财宝可以挪用啊;我们献上了怎样的祈祷，作了怎样的研究和计划啊!我们的家人做了他们所能做的。我保证负责五英镑，斯塔尔弟兄和希科克斯弟兄联合起来奉献了五英镑，威利奉献了两英镑，其他一些家庭成员奉献了一英镑。好吧，这个数额还不足以开始。处在贫困中的那一小群人尽了全力，每人奉献了一英镑;一位弟兄奉献了五英镑;可是金额还是很少;于是我加倍了我认捐的金额，然后又加了五英镑，总共捐献了二十五英镑。礼拜堂必须没有债务负担。{PC 135.2}
在每一个兴起教会的地方，都必须做这样的工作。若有十二个信徒，就必须有一个礼拜堂，他们可以在那里聚集，礼拜上帝。这部分工作是肯定需要的。我两年前在生病期间收到了我在加利福尼亚州的弟兄们为了我自己个人的利益而捐赠的东西 ，总计将近四十美元。我把它增加到五十，并且捐出去了，好减轻帕拉马塔教堂的债务。在新南威尔士州的这三个小礼拜堂就是我们在全澳大利亚的仅有的礼拜堂了，一个在凯利维尔，距格兰维尔十一英里，一个在帕拉马塔，负着重债，一个在塞文希尔正在建造中，在一个农业区。我们在付清最后一美元之前，不会奉献这个教堂，除非我不得不增加我的捐款。{PC 135.3}
我告诉你们这一切，以便你们就这些传道区的工作性质得到启发，并能启发别人。对那些遥远的人来说，举目远望是非常困难的。如果他们想要像他们在巴特尔克里克所做的那样建造，他们就会那么做，楼上加楼，尽管上帝已警告他们不要那么做。巴特尔克里克不会逃脱龙的忿怒，将有暴风雨的时刻，危险的时刻。在这个现代的耶路撒冷，人们所集中和积累的利益，将成为撒但的箭靶子。在我们的各机构工作的人照上帝的指示行事，而不随从己心的想象，才是合宜的。他们若是选择自己的道路，就必陷入困惑，且因错误的行动而丧失上帝的眷爱。他们已经占用了主想要放在传道园地的资金，在那些园地的信徒们自己没有什么东西来给圣工增光添色。这事既已呈现在我面前，我便设法将它摆在我在巴特尔克里克和在太平洋出版社的弟兄们面前，我还要大声呼喊，不可止息。你们的顾问们需要在上帝之灵的灵感之下，他们需要归正和改变，需要看到并且更加坚定地为他们以外的地区效力。{PC 136.1}
虽然我可能没能在我的一些弟兄们心中留下印象，但我不会保持沉默;我要开始恳求另一班人。我对那些本应该听从的人已经说得够多了。我已忍受了心灵的极度痛苦，因为上帝所赐的警告受到了漠视，因为那些应该和上帝保持联系、作亮光的活通道和忠心的哨兵、以敏锐的目光看到和看出当代需要的人缺乏献身。上帝已使我解脱。我已讲了主的道，而今我要等待并让上帝来支持我。我要倚赖祂，惟独倚赖祂。我觉得摆脱了每一个人。我要指望上帝，并且单单指望从祂得知我的本分，因为我不敢倚靠人血肉的膀臂。我的工作将是大声喊叫，不可止息，无论人们愿意不愿意听。{PC 136.2}
我正坐在床上，就着灯光写这封信。我凌晨两点半以后就睡不着了。主活着并且统治着。将要有自从有国以来从未有过的艰难时期。邦国已经发怒，撒但已经在用神迹和虚谎的奇事作工，而这还会增加，直到末了。上帝会利用祂的敌人为工具，惩罚那些因偏行自己邪恶有害的道路而使真理的上帝被歪曲、被错误判断、被羞辱的人。上帝的这些敌人乃是祂圣言之真理的活证据;他们正是应验古时的圣人们在圣灵感动时所说的话。上帝并不预先警告祂的子民一些琐事;重复告诫和警告表明所说话语的重要性。那些自称想要亮光的人，在用应得的尊重对待亮光吗?{PC 136.3}
上帝日子的严肃性已临到我们。耶和华从祂的居所出来，要刑罚地上居民的罪孽。地也必露出其中的血，不再掩盖被杀的人(赛26:21)。一项大工要在上帝的道德葡萄园中完成。我能由衷地说，我已竭尽所能帮助这个新园地的工作;我已忍受心灵的极大痛苦，因为在这些遥远的地区，人们对要做的工作的感知如此之少。如果上帝认为应该把真理传给这些国家，并不是说它要受到阻碍，而是应该对我们为这个园地发出的呼吁作出反应，因为我们对整个园地有一种明智的了解，并且对这些园地的工人所做的工作表示赞赏。在这个时候，那些作基督的代表的人，不能沉溺于工作的某一部分或葡萄园的一部分，而忽略了园地的其它部分。所有的部分都应该得到平等的关注、培养和发展。应当宣扬对这时候的利益至关重要的伟大的救人真理。这些真理应当成为每一堂讲道、每一个计划、每一次努力的经与纬，每一呼吁的总结、实质、核心与生命。上帝使人归正的能力必须临到我们的人，不是以间歇的波动，而是如同来自天国的神圣气息，将上帝隐藏的珍宝、圣经那测不透的丰富公诸于世。{PC 137.1}
有人告诉我，在完成基督的生平之前，我应该访问圣地耶路撒冷。什么使它成圣的呢?天上的至尊以人性披覆了祂的神性，住在我们的地上。祂被人们蔑视和弃绝;在耶路撒冷被恶人的手钉在十字架上。我一点也不想访问耶路撒冷，去看看据认为耶稣可能走过哪里，可能在哪里操劳过，可能在哪里被钉死。这样花掉的钱我宁愿留着，以便向人指出救主，祂从约瑟的坟墓复活，并且宣布：“复活在我，生命也在我。”我们在预言的可靠话语中追溯祂的脚踪，且能对祂的工作和祂的方式获得更好的想法，过于我能藉着访问已被不圣洁的脚和不圣洁的行为所玷污的耶路撒冷来获得的。当基督国度的活利益要呈现给百姓的时候，我不能花钱去访问这些地方。我们应当教导上帝的道，并且作行道的人，这被描绘为在磐石上建造;这样建造的房子会经得起狂风暴雨，因为它是建在永恒的磐石上。{PC 137.2}
当最后大日的火将洁净耶路撒冷一切有罪的污秽时，我才想要去看耶路撒冷。耶路撒冷现在对我来说不比地球上其它任何一个地方更神圣。凡是耶稣藉着圣灵显明祂的临格的地方，凡是祂的义光明灿烂地照耀出来的地方，凡是祂神圣的爱照明地上卑微之处的地方，凡是祂的尊荣常住的地方，都是我很愿意在的地方。基督悲伤地注视着迷惑人类心灵的妄想，他们那么渴望去看祂的脚被认为曾走过的地方，却不听从祂的吩咐：“跟从我，”他们并不行在光明中，像祂在光明中。一个阴影笼罩在耶路撒冷上空，一个可怕的阴影，我不想来到那个阴影之下。到处可见诅咒，我不想看到。我到处都能看到诅咒的痕迹。能够说我已经访问过耶路撒冷，不会给一个灵魂带来一丝清晰的光。这不会使我能更好地告诉男人和女人，他们必须做什么才能得救。我本着真理介绍上帝的道。我听从基督给门徒的宝贵教训。在我心里，祂服务的场景，祂在湖边施教的地方，披着大自然和上帝的话语所赋予它们的庄严和美丽。我很满意：我不会有更暗的画面。我不想去看那些亵渎的神龛，那里有会映入眼帘的一切令人厌恶的特征。即使花钱请我，我也不愿去看如此明显地留在耶路撒冷的咒诅的痕迹。当地球被更新的时候，当我看到我心所爱的以祂的威严和荣耀被加冕为万王之王和万主之主的时候，我才希望去看这个地方。{PC 138.1}
我没有一句鼓励的话给任何一个要去访问耶路撒冷的人，也没有钱给他。照它现在的样子，它是一幅我永远也不想挂在记忆大厅里的画。弟兄们，你们相信你们快要见到耶稣了吗?那么就不要不必要地花费那些对拯救宝贵灵魂如此重要的钱财;他们永远不需要看见在咒诅之下的耶路撒冷，然而既有灵感之言，你们就能向他们指出新耶路撒冷，指出更美之约的中保耶稣，祂是长远活着，为我们代求，而且祂的代求对我们是完全有效的。我知道基督悲伤地看着那些寻找祂在地上曾走过的地方，却没能看出祂在任何现场、任何地方都是一位活救主的人。祂说：“我就常与你们同在，直到世界的末了”(太28:20)。人们可能会在耶路撒冷枉然寻找基督的脚印。我更关心祂现在哪里，在天堂，以及祂正在为我做什么。{PC 138.2}
要把你的忠诚献给耶稣，祂在天上的圣所里;无论祂的子民在哪里屈身敬拜祂，都要寻求圣灵作祂的代表。我们应该凭经验认识耶稣为个人的救主。我们应该收集每一线神圣的亮光，不看耶稣曾在的旧耶路撒冷，而要看祂现在所在的新耶路撒冷。让我们从上帝所栽种的生命树收集可医治万民的叶子和作心灵食物的宝贵的赐生命的果子吧!{PC 138.3}
要用祈祷、最恳切的祈祷查考，好知道上帝所写的;并且在耶稣完全顺从祂父命令的生活中追踪耶稣的脚印。在解释圣经，可靠的预言时，要努力抓住灵感，使它不致如同死的字句，而是如同从上帝宝座发出的活的、燃烧的、闪耀的光，预备一班人经受住基督曾经受的考验、苦难和逼迫。{PC 139.1}
有谁能明白内在的生命必须与基督一同藏在上帝里面?这样的人有祷告的习惯，因为基督祷告过。这样的人有亲自查考圣经的习惯，而且更加认真，因为他们看到那日子临近了。这样的人爱上帝为至上并且爱人如己，他们会将自己献给上帝，作为甘心乐意的祭物，而且这种奉献会包括他们一切所有的。没有人能毫无保留地奉献自己，除非他们的财产也包括在内，而且他们是在分发上帝所赐的钱财，作为主的货财。他们结出好行为的果子。“那些遵守祂诫命的有福了!可得权柄能到生命树那里，也能从门进城”(启22:14 KJV)。{PC 139.2}
怀爱伦(签名)
(来自保尔森医生的选集)
有些人在扮演亚伦的角色，帮助叛教的工作。他们已被称在天平里，显出了亏欠。人们在破坏自己的记录，证明他们不值得信任，而是会出卖上帝圣工的利益，使之成为罪人的笑柄。他们讥诮和嘲笑了源出于天的信息，上帝已将这些信息赐给祂的百姓，好预备他们在最后的日子站立得住。但我们所拥有的上帝的灵过去五十年来一直与我们这班人同在的证据，会经受住那些现今列队在仇敌那边反对上帝信息之人的试验。(《给巴特尔克里克教会肢体们的证言》，1907年10月24日){PC 139.3}
伟大的原则和细小的实践在一种对称的生活中是不能分开的。(怀爱伦夫人，1894年8月3日，保尔森医生的选集){PC 139.4}
唉，人们，就是区会会长们，对于上帝赐给恳切谦卑寻求祂之人的能力和助力了解得多么少啊，这样的人倚赖祂，而不是以人为顾问，将人置于惟独上帝应该居于的位置。有千千万万的天使在为那些将要承受救恩的人效力。(致A.O.泰特，1896年8月27日，来自保尔森医生的选集){PC 140.1}
就在那时，魔鬼正在影响人们的思想，要阻止我的书在《评论与通讯》出版社出版。在那里负责工作的那些人劝阻了代理们推销《先祖与先知》和《大斗争》，就是人们本应该立刻拥有的书，让他们将努力集中在推销《圣经读物》上，承诺说在某个时间他们会集中努力推销我的书。但他们却从未遵守这个诺言。就在《大斗争》本应该到处发行的时候，它却被闲置在《评论与通讯》出版社和太平洋出版的书架上。(致J.N.拉夫伯勒，1899年2月19日，保尔森医生的选集){PC 140.2}
上帝为百姓赐给我的亮光被隐藏在出版社里了。这件事的内在作为被呈现在我面前，我看到告诉我书报员不愿销售我的书的那些人自己安排了事情以致不让书报员销售我的书。他们告诉我的是谎言。(同上){PC 140.3}
主耶稣差派一位大能的天使，利用表号向约翰说明直到基督再来将要发生的事。约翰奉命为了七个教会的益处将指示写在一本书里。我们现在拥有这个著作，保存在《启示录》一书里，然而只有很少的人明白这本书。它含有关于末后日子的信息，我们应当多多讲述这些预言。(《在奥克兰和旧金山的工作》，1906年12月26日){PC 140.4}
August 3, 1894
Extracts from Letter to H. W. K., dated Norfolk Villa, Prospect St., Granville, N. S. W.,August 3, 1894
When we came to Australia, our people had not a meeting house in the whole country. Since that time a church has been erected in Parramatta, but there is a heavy debt upon it. There is a church in Kellyville, in an orange grove; the building is small, plain and neat, and is free from debt. At Seven Hills there is a little company of twenty who have accepted the truth. Including the children, there are about forty who meet on the Sabbath. They have no dwelling house large enough to hold meetings in. Some weeks ago it became too cold for the tent, for it is now mid-winter here. We decided that a simple, neat church must be erected, that should cost about three hundred dollars. The Sabbath keepers at Seven Hills are intelligent, excellent people, but they are all poor. They have lifted the cross, separating from opposing friends and relatives, and have taken their stand under the blood stained banner of Christ, to be loyal to all the commandments of God. We could not leave this little company without a place where they could assemble to worship God, lest our labor should prove in vain. It has cost much steady, earnest, persevering effort to secure the result we now see. Brother Hickox labored alone for many weeks after the campmeeting; then he married one who could be his helper, and she has stood nobly by his side. We have done what we could to help him in speaking to the people, and in labor for them; if there is joy in the presence of the angels over one sinner that repenteth, we know that there is joy over these twenty precious souls, whom, one after another, have had the moral courage to decide to obey the truth. Now this little flock are babes in Christ, and need to be taught and led along, step by step, into faith and assurance; they need to be educated and trained to do the work of soldiers in the army of the Lord, and to bear hardness, that is, trials and opposition, contempt and scorn, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.?{PC 134.1}
Last Sabbath, Elder Corliss, Emily Campbell, and I rode out to Seven Hills to attend the service. I could not venture to enter the private house where so many men, women and children were assembled; I had been very ill with affection of the heart for one week, with difficulty of breathing. I sat in the carriage, in the grove outside, while Elder Corliss opened the Scriptures to feed the little company in the house. They had Sabbath School, followed by a Bible reading, which was interesting and instructive to all.?{PC 134.2}
Then I stood in the door of the cottage and spoke to them nearly half an hour. The Lord strengthened me, and put words in my mouth, presenting the love of God as expressed to the world in giving Jesus to a life of shame, reproach, and suffering, and a cruel death to save sinners. Just prior to His crucifixion, the Lord Jesus prayed for His disciples, “Father, keep them in thy name.” None can be kept in His name, if they are careless and inattentive in regard to keeping themselves. They have something to do, if their souls are to?be kept in the love of God; they must cooperate with God in the grand work. Their faith is to lay hold upon the divine nature, that they may be kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation.?{PC 134.3}
The question is asked, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Hear the triumphant cry of victory from the apostle Paul, that hero of faith: “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor death, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” “I know in whom I have believed,” We are not to be ignorant as to whose precious blood was shed for us, that we may rejoice in a personal Saviour. Satan desires to sift us, every one, as wheat; but thank God, our Advocate is praying for us.?{PC 135.1}
I tried to lead these dear souls to have sense of their responsibility as light bearers to the world. We encouraged all to feel that individually they had a part to act in every meeting when assembled to worship God. The Lord has given us rich promises. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” All but one of the company testified for the Lord, giving evidence of the power of truth on the human heart. We felt that the meeting was a success because of the presence of Jesus. All seemed cheered and comforted and blest. We then rode eight miles to our home in Granville, and as the horse climbed the hilly road, we ate our lunch with cheerfulness and gladness of heart. Thank God, the meeting-house is going up; it is small, as cheap as possible, but it will be a precious place, dedicated to the service of God. O, how carefully we considered the question of means. What a hunting there was to see if we could not find some hidden treasure which we could appropriate; how we prayed and studied and planned! Our family did what they could. I engaged to be responsible for five pounds, brethren Starr and Hickox united in giving five pounds stg., Willie gave two pounds, and some other members of the family gave one pound. Well, the amount was still insufficient to make a start. The little company in their poverty did all they possibly could, each giving one pound; one brother gave five pounds; yet the amount was so small; then I doubled my subscription, making it ten pounds, but I saw that discouragement was upon the minds of the brethren as to the possibility of reaching the sum required. Again I doubled my subscription, and then added still five pounds more, making twenty-five in all. The meeting house must not have a debt hanging upon it.?{PC 135.2}
In every place where churches are raised up, just such a work must be done. If there are twelve believers, there must?be a house of worship where they can assemble for the service of God. This part of the work is a positive necessity. During my illness two years ago I received from my brethren in California donations amounting to nearly forty dollars for my own personal benefit. I have added to it enough to swell it to fifty, and have given it toward lifting the debt from the church in Parramatta. These three little meeting houses in New South Wales are the only ones we own in all Australia, one at Kellyville, eleven miles from Granville, one in Parramatta under a heavy debt, and one in process of building at Seven Hills, in a farming district. This church we will not dedicate until the last dollar is paid, not if I have to increase my donation.?{PC 135.3}
I tell you all this that you may be enlightened, and may enlighten others, in regard to the character of the work in these missions. It is very difficult for those so far distant to lift their eyes to see far off. If they desire to build as they have done in Battle Creek, they will do so, adding building to building, when God has cautioned them not to do it. Battle Creek will not escape the dragon’s wrath; there will be stormy times, perilous times. The interests that have been centered and accumulating in this modern Jerusalem will be a mark for the arrows of Satan. It becomes those who are connected with our institutions to move as God shall direct, and not follow the imagination of their own heart. If they choose their own way, they will become entangled in perplexities, and lose the favor of God because they do not move aright. They have absorbed the means which the Lord desired to have placed in missionary fields where the believers have nothing of their own to give character to the work. As this has been laid out before me, I have tried to present it to my brethren in Battle Creek, and at the Pacific Press, and I still cry aloud, and spare not. Your counselors need to be under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, they need to be converted and transformed, need to look and labor more decidedly for regions beyond.?{PC 136.1}
Though I may fail to make an impression on the minds of some of my brethren, I shall not keep silent; I will begin to plead with another class. I have said quite enough to those who ought to have taken heed. I have endured agony of soul because of the disregard of the warnings God has given, because of the want of consecration on the part of men who should be in touch with God, living channels of light, faithful sentinels with eyes keen to see and discern the needs for this time. God has given me relief. I have spoken the word of the Lord, and now I will wait and let God bear me up. I will trust in Him, and Him alone. I feel shaken off from every human being. I shall look to God, and to Him alone, to learn my duty, for I dare not trust in man or make flesh my arm. My work will be to cry aloud and spare not, whether men will bear or forbear.?{PC 136.2}
I am writing this letter by lamp light, sitting upon my bed. I could not sleep longer than half past two A.M. The Lord lives and reigns. There is to be such a time of trouble as there never was since there was a nation. Already nations are angry, already Satan is working with signs and lying?wonders, and this will increase until the end. God will use his enemies as instruments to punish those who have followed their own pernicious ways whereby the truth God has been misrepresented, misjudged, and dishonored. These enemies of God are living evidences of the truth of His word; they are fulfilling that which holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. God does not forewarn His people of trifles; the repetition of caution and warnings shows that there is importance in that which was spoken. Do those who claim to want light, treat the light with the respect which is due??{PC 136.3}
O, the solemnity of the day of God is upon us. The Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the world for their iniquity, and the earth shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. A great work is to be done in God’s moral vineyard. I can say from the heart, I have done all I could to help the work in this new field; I have borne agony of soul because there has been so little perception of the work to be done in these far off regions. If God has seen fit to send the truth to these countries, it is not that it shall be hindered, but the responses shall be made to our appeals for this field because there is an intelligent understanding of the whole field and an appreciation of the work done by the workers in these fields. It becomes those who act a part as Christ’s representatives at this time not to dwell upon one portion of the work or of the vineyard, to the neglect of others portions of the field. All should share equally in attention, cultivation, and development. The great saving truths, vital with interest for this time, are to be proclaimed. These truths are to be the woof and warp of every discourse given, every plan devised, and every effort made, the sum, the substance, the core, the life of every appeal. The converting power of God must come to our people, not in spasmodic waves, but as a holy breathing from heaven, making known God’s hidden treasure, the unsearchable riches of the Scriptures.?{PC 137.1}
I am told that before finishing the life of Christ I ought to visit Jerusalem, the holy land. What made it holy? The Majesty of heaven clothed His divinity with humanity, and dwelt upon our earth. He was despised and rejected of men; in Jerusalem He was crucified by wicked hands. I have not the slightest inclination to visit Jerusalem, to see where it is thought probable that Jesus trod, where He may have labored, and where He may have been crucified. The means which might be expended thus I would prefer to treasure, that I may point souls to the Saviour risen from Joseph’s tomb, and proclaiming, “I am the resurrection and the life.” I can trace His footprints in the sure word of prophecy, and can obtain a better idea of His works and of His ways, than I could by visiting Jerusalem, defiled with unholy feet and unholy deeds. I could not expend money to visit these places when the living interests of Christ’s kingdom are to be presented to the people. We are to teach the word of God, and to be doers of that word, which is represented as building upon the rock; the structure thus built will withstand the storm and the tempest, because it is founded on the eternal Rock.?{PC 137.2}
I wish to see Jerusalem when the fires of the last great day shall have cleansed it from all sinful defilement. Jerusalem is now no more sacred to me than any other place on the globe. Wherever by his Holy Spirit Jesus makes known His presence, wherever his righteousness shines forth in bright and glorious beams, wherever his divine love illuminates the humble places of the earth, wherever his honor dwells, there I am pleased to be. Christ looks with sadness upon the delusions that ensnare human minds who are so eager to behold the place where His feet are supposed once to have trodden, and yet who do not heed His command, “Follow me,” who do not walk in the light as He is in the light. A shadow is resting over Jerusalem, a terrible shadow, which I have no desire to come under. Everywhere a curse is visible, which I have no desire to look upon. I can see marks of the curse everywhere. To be able to say I have visited Jerusalem would not shed a distinct ray of light upon one soul. It would not enable me better to tell men and women what they must do to be saved. I present the word of God in truth. I listen to the precious lessons which Christ gave His disciples. In my mind the scenes of His ministry, the places where He taught by the lake side, and clothed with the solemnity and beauty which nature and the word of God have given them. I am content: I would not have darker pictures. I do not wish to look upon the desecrated shrines, with all the repulsive features that would meet my view. I would not be hired to behold the traces of the curse so evidently resting upon Jerusalem. I hope to see this spot when the earth shall be made new, when I shall behold Him whom my soul loveth, in His majesty and glory crowned as King of kings and Lord of lords.?{PC 138.1}
I have not one word of encouragement for any person, neither have I money to impart to any person, to visit Jerusalem. As it now is, it would be a picture I would never wish to hang in memory’s hall. Brethren, do you believe that you will soon see Jesus? Then do not needlessly expend means that is of so great value to save precious souls; they need never get a sight of Jerusalem under the curse, but with inspired words you can point them to the New Jerusalem, to Jesus the Mediator of the better covenant, who ever liveth to make intercession for us, and whose intercession is wholly efficacious in our behalf. I know that Christ looks with sadness upon those who are searching for the places He passed over while in the flesh, but who fail to recognize Him as a living Saviour, on any ground, in any place. He says, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Men may search in vain for the foot-prints of Christ in Jerusalem. I care more for where He is now, in heaven, and for what He is doing in my behalf.?{PC 138.2}
Give to Jesus your devotion where He is in the heavenly sanctuary; seek for the holy Spirit as His representative wherever His people bow to worship Him. It becomes us to know Jesus by an experimental knowledge, as a personal Saviour. We should be gathering up every ray of divine light, not looking to old Jerusalem where Christ was once, but to the New Jerusalem where He is now. Let us be gathering from the?tree of life that God has planted, leaves that shall be for the healing of the nations, and fruit, precious, life-giving fruit as food to the soul.?{PC 138.3}
O, search with prayer, most earnest prayer, to know what God has written; and to trace the foot-prints of Jesus in His life of perfect obedience to His Father’s commandments. Endeavor to catch the inspiration in expounding the word, the sure word of prophecy, that it shall not be as dead letter, but a living, burning, shining light from the throne of God, preparing a people to endure the trails, the sufferings and persecution which Christ endured.?{PC 139.1}
Who can be made to understand that the inner life must be hid with Christ in God? Such are in the habit of praying, for Christ prayed. Such are in the habit of searching the Scriptures for themselves, and more earnestly as they see the day approaching. Such ones, who love God supremely and their neighbors as themselves, will give themselves to God as a free will offering, and that gift will include all they have. None can give themselves without reserve unless their possessions also are included, and they are dispensing their God-given trust of means as the Lord’s goods. They produce fruit in good works. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”?{PC 139.2}
Ellen G. White
(From Doctor Paulson’s Collection) -
Some are acting the part of Aaron, to help on the work of apostasy. They have been weighed in the balances, and have been found wanting. Men are spoiling their record, and are proving that they are not to be trusted, but that they will betray the interests of the cause of God, making them the sport of sinners. The messages of heavenly origin that God has sent to his people, to prepare them to stand in the last days, they have sneered at and scorned. But the evidence we have had for the past fifty years of the presence of the Spirit of God with us as a people, will stand the test of those who are now arraying themselves on the side of the enemy and bracing themselves against the message of God. - Testimony to members of the B. C. Church, October 24, 1907. - -?{PC 139.3}
Great principles and minute practice cannot be disconnected in a symmetrical life. - Mrs. E. G. White, August 3, 1894, Doctor Paulson’s Collection. -?{PC 139.4}
O 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 who shall be heirs of salvation. - A. O. Tait, August 27, 1896, From Doctor Paulson’s Collection. - -?{PC 140.1}
Just at that time the devil was influencing minds to hold back my books published at Review and Herald. Those at the head of the work there discouraged the agents about handling “Patriarchs and Prophets” and “Great Controversy,” the very books which the people should have had at once, and concentrated their efforts on “Bible Readings,” promising that at a certain time they would concentrate their efforts on my books. But this promise they never kept. At the very time when “G. C.” should have been circulated everywhere, it was lying idle on the shelves of the Review and Herald and Pacific Press. - J. N. Loughborough, February 19, 1899, Doctor Paulson’s Collection. - -?{PC 140.2}
The light given by God for the people was hidden away in the publishing houses. The inner working of this matter was presented to me, and I saw that the very men who said that the canvassers would not handle my books, were themselves arranging matters so that they should not handle them. They told me falsehoods. - Id. -?{PC 140.3}
The Lord Jesus sent a mighty angel to make plain to John, by the use of symbols, the things that were to come to pass until the coming of Christ. He was bidden to write the instruction in a book for the benefit of the seven churches. This writing we now have preserved in the book of Revelation, but this book is understood by only a few. It contains the message for the last days, and we are to dwell much upon these prophecies. - The work in Oakland and San Francisco, December 26, 1906. -?{PC 140.4}
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