1905年6月23日写于加利福尼亚州格兰代尔
亲爱的巴特勒弟兄：
离开华盛顿后，我有很多写作和演讲要做。我已向洛杉矶教会讲了两次道。在离开圣迭哥之前，主给了我一个信息传给百姓。{PC 253.2}
我们在去洛杉矶的途中，停留在“洛马林达”并访问了我们为疗养院工作买下的那块地产。我们参观了不同的建筑物。有一栋很大的主楼，是为疗养院工作建造的，并且非常适合那个目的。虽然将不得不对浴室和治疗设施做一些改变，但在其它方面，一切就绪，我们可以立即开始工作。{PC 253.3}
直到最近这次访问，我以前从未亲眼见过这样的地方，然而四年前，这样一个地方就曾在异象中显在我面前，作为那些我们若是行事明智，就会得到的地方之一。它是一个极好的地方，我们可以在那里开始为雷德兰兹和里弗赛德工作。我们必须做出坚决的努力以获得愿意做最忠心的医疗布道工作的助理工人。上帝若赐福所施的治疗，基督就必让人感受到祂医治的能力，一项奇妙的工作就会完成。{PC 253.4}
我们将需要能得到的最好的医师，忠心诚实的男人和女人，他们会过不断倚靠大医师的生活，会在上帝面前谦卑己心，并且相信祂的话，会始终注目于他们的领袖和策士主耶稣基督。{PC 253.5}
这项工作必须正确地进行。过去，为治疗病人而建立的机构曾遭受显然的失败，因为挤进了太多的业务，忘记了我们疗养院建立的主要目的。结果造成了重大的损失。我要对我们的信徒呼吁，务必始终突显宣扬真理的原则，作为我们所建疗养院的主要工作。{PC 253.6}
主要求把将要建立起来的疗养院严肃地奉献给祂。我们建立这些机构的目的是把现代真理传扬出去。为了做到这一点，就必须按正确的方针办。在其中业务的利益不可排斥属灵的利益。每天要举行祈祷。决不可把上帝的道放在次要位置。必须让凡到我们疗养院求治的人看见上帝的道。这是生命的粮。应该高举它，超过一切凡俗属世的考虑事项。要发挥强烈的宗教影响。要清楚地表明，荣耀上帝高举基督乃是摆在其它一切事务之先的。{PC 254.1}
在我们的计划中已显明的心灵的愚蠢现在不可再夺取胜利。“人若赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢?人还能拿什么换生命呢”(太16:26)?{PC 254.2}
许多本应该稳扎稳打与我们并肩站立的人，已经将自己牺牲给了野心，那些野心导致讨厌的做法，反对诚实和正直的交易。上帝不接受这种人的侍奉。他们在将奇怪的线织进图案里，会破坏形像，主不能认可他们的工作。那些善于不公平交易的人总的来说是在以太高的代价获得成功。他们的智力习惯于巧取豪夺和欺诈，在天上的案卷中，上帝在他们的名下写着：不忠心的管家。当贪图利益和掌权在天平上时，上帝和永生对他们来说就不大重要了。永生的极乐经验被用来换取所谓成功的迷魂汤了。他们便开始从事一笔又一笔上帝所禁止的交易。主的声音说：失去尘世所有的财产远比失去上帝的眷爱和处于险境的永恒利益要好得多。{PC 254.3}
时候不远了，那时人们会作出最后的冒险，使仇敌占人的便宜。损失的将是永生。在这种冒险上取得成功对那些参与其中的人来说乃是一种可怕的灾难。主有话说，十字架和失望、破碎的希望和被世人指责为愚昧，比获得名声、与王子同坐却丧失天国要好。{PC 254.4}
现今世上有一种势力，它麻痹人的属灵活力，麻木人的正义感，夺去人得胜的成功。麻木的灵魂不得恢复。属灵的麻痹持续到最后。谎言被说出来，谎言被行出来。欺骗得到实行，不诚实得到默许。这在灵魂中留下了致命的刺痛。谎言之父占据了心灵的堡垒。虚伪、欺骗，已经改变了整个生活的潮流。商业交易已变得腐败。人们选择了这种道德的堕落而不是来自天国的丰富光流。{PC 254.5}
时候已到，曾蒙上帝拣选的人已经成了堕落的人。不久必有话发出：他与他的偶像联合;任凭他吧。{PC 255.1}
我还有许多话可以说，但我不说了。愿上帝怜悯那些被人欺骗的人。我蒙指示要说，你要扬起声来，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。现在是提高标准的时候。我要传达的信息是，通过遵守被污染的习俗来获得的一切好处，都必留下其肮脏的痕迹。任何一个人，不管他的职业是什么，如果他的行动方针是令人反感的，与那纯洁的、可爱的、有美名的行为相反，他就会践踏上帝的道。甚愿那些已有大光的人，在这赎罪之日，会谦卑己心，承认并离弃他们的罪，宣布从今以后，靠着上帝的恩典，他们要坚守自己的纯正，说，撒但，退我后面去吧，并且接受上帝的道，作为他们行为的准则、职责的标准。{PC 255.2}
当人们出谋划策要在商业交易上互相占便宜时，那是因为他们已将上帝的话抛在身后。我甚至写这些话都感到心痛。上帝的道并不限制人在符合正义的商业交易上勤勉。但它却作清楚的见证反对欺诈的交易。在这一点上，它是清楚明确的，没有人需要错误地理解它。上帝的道是放在人手中的一盏灯。上帝告诉他要受其训词的指引。惟有这样他才能成为上帝的后嗣，与耶稣基督同作后嗣。在遵守这道的过程中，人是在获得不朽的财宝，永远不会消逝。上帝的平安对接受者来说值得一切。{PC 255.3}
上帝所托付给我们的才干，要用在祂的事奉上。惟有这样才能从使用这些才干获得最高的结果。人若用这些能力来荣耀上帝，就不会丧失所赐给他的能力。我蒙赐予一个信息要传达给我们教会的肢体们。我的弟兄姐妹们，要将你们的所是和所有都分别为圣献给上帝。我们拥有的金银只是本着信任借给我们的。贪婪的罪正在摧毁圣洁原则的价值。它正诱导我们行事违背上帝的旨意。它吞噬着我们人类的心灵。我们不要再珍惜它了!{PC 255.4}
对世上那些身居高位之人的揭露是多么可耻啊。这些人所实行的阴谋诡计，岂能由上帝教会的成员实行呢?我们岂可不听从这个命令：“你要以财物尊荣耶和华”(箴3:9)呢?我的弟兄姐妹们，是上帝的恩惠使你们能够收聚你们的财物。你们拥有的一切都属于祂，你们应当高兴愉快地将你们的钱财和才干都放在服务的祭坛上，以便用来拯救将亡的人。{PC 256.1}
在市场上保守自己的灵魂未被损坏的基督徒，在天庭享有声誉。他的钱财不会被用来实现仇敌的计谋，而会按照上帝已规划的路线行善。主必教导我们如何使用我们所有的能力荣耀祂的名。聚敛财富应当用于侍奉主。这样使用，就会在今生带来百倍的收成，并在来生得到光荣永远的财富。{PC 256.2}
对每一个教会肢体，我要说，决不要丝毫偏离最严格的正直。不要藉着漠视主的道来嘲笑上帝，天国之君。决不要欺骗同胞，然后自以为你的精明是值得自豪的。不要遵循基于虚假自夸的商业准则。在我们这个时代，有许多虚假的东西。伪装者，欺骗者，越来越多，真理和正直被侵犯。谎言被说出来，谎言被行出来，并且在那些不以上帝的道为他们的顾问的人中间变得越来越普遍。{PC 256.3}
从来没有一个时候像现在这样，真理和公义应该被那些侍奉上帝的人高度尊崇。但愿我们敦促我们的人必须持定真理的基本原则。唉，有那么多的人没能享有来自上帝的子民必须成为何等人的明确信念的福气。自我没有一点儿可以安然倚靠的东西。我们信仰的基础是已被圣灵的能力证实了的，我们不要对此感到困惑，也不要在错误的沙滩上建造脆弱的地基，而要持定所赐给我们的伟大的真理原则，拒绝被移动。那些接受撒但所提供的理论的人，是在沙土上建造。当狂风暴雨来到时，他们的房子就会突然倒塌，而且会倒塌得很大。{PC 256.4}
让我们感谢上帝吧，巴特勒弟兄，因为仍有一些人在世，他们有从开始就传扬已经临到我们世界的重大严肃的警告信息的经验。我们知道圣灵的能力已经证实了所讲的道。我们能像约翰一样说：“论到从起初原有的生命之道，就是我们所听见、所看见、亲眼看过、亲手摸过的。……我们将所看见、所听见的传给你们，使你们与我们相交。我们乃是与父并祂儿子耶稣基督相交的”(约壹1:1-3)。{PC 256.5}
根据我们自己个人的经验，我们能说出那已使我们成为何等人——安息日复临信徒——的真理。内心所感受到的真理是最宝贵的，但是由这道的见证和圣灵的能力所证实的真理是最有价值的。我们可以确信地说，通过圣灵的作为而临到我们的真理不是谎言。过去半个世纪的证据证明了圣灵的能力。在上帝的道中，我们发现了那证实我们信心的真理。我们观看了已经进来的异端的影响，我们也看到它们归于无有。上帝给了我们神圣、圣洁的真理。让我们持定它们吧。我蒙指示要说，我们现在要将这些真理清楚简明地介绍给上帝的子民。{PC 257.1}
(印章)
怀爱伦
Glendale, California June 23, 1905
Dear Brother Butler,
Since leaving Washington, I have had much writing and speaking to do. I have spoken twice to the Los Angeles church. The Lord gave me a message for the people before leaving San Diego.?{PC 253.2}
On our way to Los Angeles, we stopped off at “Loma Linda” and visited the property that we have purchased for sanitarium work. We were taken through the different buildings. There is one large main building, which was built for sanitarium work, and is well adapted for that purpose. Some changes will have to be made regarding bath and treatment facilities, but otherwise, everything is in readiness for us to begin work at once.?{PC 253.3}
Until this recent visit, I had never before seen such a place with my natural eyes, but four years ago such a place was presented before me as one of those that would come into our possession if we moved wisely. It is a wonderful place in which to begin our work for Redlands and Riverside. We must make decided efforts to secure helpers who will do most faithful medical missionary work. If God will bless the treatment given, and Christ will let His healing power be felt, a wonderful work will be accomplished.?{PC 253.4}
We shall need the very best physicians that can be secured, men and women who are faithful and true, and who will live in constant dependence upon the great Healer, men and women who will humble their hearts before God, and believe his word, men and women who will keep their eyes fixed on their leader and counselor, the Lord Jesus Christ.?{PC 253.5}
This work must be carried on aright. In the past, decided failures have been made in the institutions established for the care of the sick because so much business?has been crowded in that the main object for which our sanitariums are established has been lost sight of. Great Loss has thus been sustained. I am to urge upon our people that the proclamation of the principles of truth must be kept prominent, as the main line of work for which our sanitariums were instituted.?{PC 253.6}
The Lord calls for a solemn dedication to him of the sanitariums that shall be established. Our object in the establishment of these institutions is that the truth for this time may through them be proclaimed. In order that this may be done, they must be conducted on right lines. In them business interests are not to be crowded in to take the place of spiritual interests. Every day devotional exercises are to be held. The word of God is in no case to be given a secondary place. Those who come to our sanitariums for treatment must see the word of God, which is the bread of life, exalted above all common, earthly considerations. A strong religious influence is to be exerted. It must be plainly shown that the glory of God and the uplifting of Christ are placed before all else.?{PC 254.1}
The stupidity of soul that has been evidenced in our plans must now cease to bear away the victory. “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”?{PC 254.2}
Many who should have stood with us in solid rank and file have given themselves up to ambitions which have led to objectionable practises, opposed to honest and righteous dealing. The service of such ones God does not accept. They are drawing into the pattern strange threads, which will spoil the figure, and the Lord cannot endorse their work. Those who become adept in unfair dealing gain their success at altogether too high a price. Their mental powers are used to overreach and defraud, and opposite their names in the books of heaven God writes the words, Unfaithful stewards. God and eternal life become of little account to them when the greed for gain and for the mastery are in the scale. An eternity of blissful experience is exchanged for the flattery of supposed success. Transaction after transaction forbidden by God is entered into. The Voice said, Better, far better the loss of all earthly possessions that the loss of the favor of God and the eternal interests that are at stake.?{PC 254.3}
The time is not far distant when the last venture will be made in giving the enemy the advantage over the soul. And the loss will be for eternity. Success in such ventures is a terrible disaster to those who take part in them. The words were spoken, Better the cross and the disappointment, better the shattered hopes and the world’s charge of foolishness, than to gain a name, to sit with princes, and to forfeit heaven.?{PC 254.4}
There is in the world today a power that palsies the?spiritual energies, benumbs the sense of right, and robs man of the victory of overcoming. The benumbed soul does not recover. The spiritual paralysis continues until the end. Lies are spoken, lies are acted. Deception is practised, and dishonesty connived at. This leaves a deadly sting in the soul. The father of lies has taken possession of the citadel of the heart. The false, the deceptive, has turned the whole current of life. Business transactions have become corrupt. And this moral degradation has been chosen instead of a rich current of light from heaven.?{PC 254.5}
The time has come when men who were once chosen of God have become degenerate. The word will soon be spoken, He is joined to his idols; let him alone.?{PC 255.1}
There is much more that I might say, but I will withhold it. God pity those who are deceived by men. I am instructed to say, Lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. Now is the time to raise the standard aloft. I am to give the message that all advantage gained by compliance with tainted customs, will leave its slimy trail. Any man, whatever his profession may be, who has committed himself to an objectionable course of action, opposed to that which is pure, lovely, and of good report, will trample upon the word of God. Would that those who have had great light would, in this the day of atonement, humble their souls and confess and forsake their sins, declaring that from henceforth by the grace of God, they will hold fast to their integrity, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan, and taking the word of God as their rule of conduct, their standard of duty.?{PC 255.2}
When men plan and scheme to get the advantage of one another in business dealing, it is because they have cast the word of God behind them. It pains my heart even to trace these words. The word of God does not restrict man’s diligence in business transactions that are according to righteousness. But it bears plain witness against underhand dealing. Upon this point it is clear and decided, and no one need err in understanding it. The word of God is a light put into man’s hand. God tells him to be guided by its precepts. Thus only can he become an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. In obeying the word, man is acquiring immortal treasures, which will never pass away. The peace of God is worth everything to the receiver.?{PC 255.3}
The talents entrusted to us by God are to be used in his service. Thus only can the highest results be obtained from their use. Man will not be deprived of the powers given him, if he uses these powers to the glory of God. I am given a message to bear to the members of our churches. My brethren and sisters, Consecrate all that you have and are to God. The silver and the gold that we possess is but lent us in trust. The sin of covetousness is?destroying the value of holy principles. It is leading us to act in opposition to God’s will. It is eating our the hearts of men. Let us not cherish it longer.?{PC 255.4}
How disgraceful are the disclosures that are being made regarding men who have occupied high places in the world. Shall the intrigues practised by these men be practised by the members of the church of God? Shall we not obey the injunction, “Honor the Lord with thy substance?” My brethren and sisters, it was the favor of God that enabled you to gather together your substance. All that you have belongs to him, and cheerfully and gladly yor are to lay your means and talents upon the altar of service, that they may be used in saving perishing souls.?{PC 256.1}
The Christian in the market place who keeps his soul unspoiled has a credit in the heavenly courts. His means will not be used to carry out the devising of the enemy, but to do good, in the very lines that God has marked out. The Lord will teach us how to employ all our powers to the glory of His name. The gathering of wealth is to be used in the service of the Master. Thus used, it will bring a hundredfold in this life, and in the life to come glorious and eternal riches.?{PC 256.2}
To every church member I would say, Never, never let there be any departing from the strictest integrity. Do not mock God, the Majesty of heaven, by a disregard of his word. Never, never, defraud a fellow-being, and then suppose that your sharpness is something to be proud of. Do not follow maxims of business that are based on false pretensions. There is in this our day a great deal of falsity. The pretender, the deceiver, is increasing in numbers, and truth and integrity are violated. Lies are spoken, lies are acted, and are becoming more and more common among those who do not make the word of God their counselor.?{PC 256.3}
Never was there a time when truth and righteousness should be so highly exalted by those who are in God’s service as the present. Let us urge upon our people the necessity of laying hold upon the foundation principles of the truth. Oh, there are so many who fail to enjoy the blessing that comes from a clear conviction of what the people of God must be. There is nothing in self upon which it is safe to rest. In the place of being confused in regard to the foundation of our faith, which has been confirmed by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the place of building flimsy foundations upon the sands of error, let us hold fast to the great principles of truth given us, refusing to be moved. Those who receive theories of Satan’s furnishings are building upon the sand. When the storm and tempest come, their building will suddenly collapse, and great will be the fall of it.?{PC 256.4}
Let us thank God, Brother Butler, that there are still some living who have had an experience from the beginning?in the proclamation of the great and solemn messages that have come to our world in warning. We know that the Holy Spirit’s power has confirmed the word spoken. We can say, as did John, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; ... that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”?{PC 256.5}
From our own personal experience we can speak of the truth that has made us what we are, - Seventh-day Adventists. Truth felt within is most precious, but truth confirmed by the testimony of the word and by the Holy Spirit’s power is of the highest value. We can confidently say, The truth that has come to us through the Holy Spirit’s working is not a lie. The evidences given for the last half century bear the evidence of the Spirit’s power. In the word of God we have found the truth that substantiates our faith. We have watched the influence of the heresies that have come in, and we have seen them come to naught. God has given us sacred, holy truths. Let us hold them fast. I am instructed to say that we are now to present these truths, in plainness and simplicity, to the people of God.?{PC 257.1}
(Stamped)
Ellen G. White
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