1907年11月3日写于加利福尼亚州洛马林达
亲爱的赫斯格弟兄和姐妹:
我们感谢你的来信,以及其中所包含的消息。……{PC 274.1}
一年多来,一直临到我的亮光是,我们在洛马林达这里应该有一所最高等次的学校,而且应该得到最好的才干,以便预备青年男女从事医疗布道工作。我们渴望看到这项工作完成。不必将学生们置于并不遵守上帝律法的老师们的影响之下。{PC 274.2}
我希望你能出席这次会议。我想你最好尽快到这儿来。你能给出的指示现在会非常及时。你应该在这里和我们一起帮助塑造和形成圣工。我们在尽力而为,在正确的方向迈出前进的步伐。{PC 274.3}
应该有一个不同的模式加在这个加利福尼亚州南部区会的工作上。这个园地的会长没有一个身居如此重要职位之人应有经验。他似乎不能明白主推进圣工的计划。{PC 274.4}
当一个人不断地认出上帝是随时的帮助者时,他就向上帝活着。当他认出主耶稣基督的时候,就会有一种圣洁的恐惧,以免犯错误。当他认识到自己的需要时,就会不断地在恳切的祈祷中倾心。当他亲近上帝时,上帝就亲近他,上帝的爱就会在他心中燃起,他就能说上帝的话。他的心声就会是:“除祢以外,在天上我有谁呢?除祢以外,在地上我也没有所爱慕的”(诗73:25)。{PC 274.5}
我们必须证明我们与上帝有属灵的关系,并以我们所有的方式承认祂。其他人就能发现基督乃是一切并在一切之中。当我们始终将敬畏耶和华摆在面前时,我们的经验就不会是平淡而没有生气的。基督就会在我们里面成为荣耀的盼望。{PC 275.1}
敬畏耶和华是智慧的开端。在祂里面有一种“不至于羞耻”的盼望(罗5:5)。耶和华的喜乐会从成圣的口中迸发。我们现在必须在服侍上帝上获得丰富的经验。{PC 275.2}
我们的信心应当在感恩中表达出来。“凡以感谢献上为祭的便是荣耀上帝”(诗50:23)。“凡事谢恩”(帖前5:18)。“我的心哪,你要称颂耶和华!凡在我里面的,也要称颂祂的圣名”(诗103:1)!要让赞美的话从人的口中涌出。我们应当靠耶和华欢喜,过于我们所行的。不要让这颗心保持冰凉、忧闷和平庸。{PC 275.3}
有些人认为,在基督教的实际问题上,他们有着优越的智慧。无论是否如此,都将通过生活行为证明出来。他们是以自我为中心的呢,还是被真理和公义的圣灵感动的呢?宗教应当成为一种活生生的、积极的原则。真基督徒的一个吸引一切的动机乃是表达基督的爱与良善。{PC 275.4}
赫斯格弟兄,我们这里需要你来发挥你的影响力,反对人们的放肆行为,他们觉得弟兄们必须请求他们的允许,之后才能在主所指示的地方和以主所指示的方式从事主的服务。这种放肆不应在上帝的圣工中有地位。我们希望这里能有这种改变,以致主工作能更加平稳地前进。……{PC 275.5}
主发出信息来纠正犯错误的人,无论他们多么高看自己。祂要求他们把自己的判断交给祂控制。每一个人都必须接受上帝的管教。占据一个崇高的职位并不总是证明上帝把一个人安置在那个位置。证明一个人的价值的是工作,而不是职位。遗传的品格特性需要得到克服。一个人不可安全地受托支配他人,除非他自己是在圣灵的圣化之下。{PC 275.6}
本着心里柔和谦卑的精神,所有的方法和计划都应该提交给明智的顾问,请他们虔诚考虑和认可。否则,一种不安分的、投机的活力和野心就会在上帝的圣工上留下邪恶的印记,破坏和阻碍主已宣布应该在这个区会完成的工作。{PC 275.7}
为了完成需要在加利福尼亚州南部区会的各教会推进的成圣大工,我们的传道人、医师和教师的意念和意愿应当联合一致,他们的心应当融合在一个灵里,好将号筒吹出确定的声音。要让每一个声音都清楚地传扬第三位天使的信息。那些正在传扬信息的人,要在言语和行为上显明他们是被列在那些“守上帝诫命和耶稣真道”的人中间。{PC 276.1}
要是忠心地做成了这事,且有永生上帝的道作为伟大的课本,第三位天使的信息原会以更大的能力发出。要是上帝所有的传道人,作为上帝恩典的忠心管家,都呼吁世人听从最后的警告之声,将号筒吹出确定的声音,成千上万更多的人原能归正,也用他们的声音向世界传扬信息。应当以严肃警告的清晰声音传扬结束的信息,预备一班人接受永生上帝的印记。{PC 276.2}
撒但正致力于用野心和商业主义的精神充满人的意念。那些思想已被如此转移的人,将失去向世人传扬最后警告的机会。{PC 276.3}
要是在已经永远消逝的过去几年里做成了一番忠心的工作,现在原会有成千上万的人手中拿着圣经,阅读上帝的道,祈求亮光和指导。其中许多人会参加寻找生灵的工作,并且装备一班人在上帝的大日站立得住。然而一些应该成为宣教士的人,却充满了商业主义的精神,用一种野心去为自己获得某些好处。真理对他们来说成了死的字句,没有得到实行和遵守。{PC 276.4}
耶和华是真神。要让祂受到敬畏和尊敬。{PC 276.5}
Loma Linda, California November 3, 1907
Dear Brother and Sister Haskell, We thank you for your letters, and for the news that they contain...?{PC 274.1}
For more than a year the light has been coming to me that here at Loma Linda we should have a school of the highest order, and that the very best talent should be obtained, in order to prepare young men and young women for medical missionary work. This work we are desirous of seeing accomplished. It should not be necessary for students to be placed under the influence of teachers who do not obey the law of God.?{PC 274.2}
I wish that you might have been present at this meeting. I think it would be well for you to be here as soon as possible. The instruction you might give would just now be very timely. You should be here with us to help in molding and fashioning the work. We are all doing the best we can to take advanced steps in the right direction.?{PC 274.3}
There should be a different mold placed upon the work in this Southern California Conference. The president of this field has not had the experience that one should have who occupies such an important position. He seems to be unable to understand the Lord’s plans for the carrying forward of the work.?{PC 274.4}
A man lives unto God when he continually recognizes Him as a present Helper. When there is a recognition of the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be a holy fear lest he shall make mistakes. The soul will be drawn out continually in earnest prayer as he realizes his need. As he draws nigh unto God, God will draw nigh unto him, the love of God will be kindled in his heart, and he will be able to speak the words of God. The language of the heart will then be, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and who on earth do I desire besides Thee?”?{PC 274.5}
We must give evidence of a spiritual relationship to God, in all our ways acknowledging Him. Others will be able to detect Christ as all and in all. When we have the fear of the Lord ever before us, our experience will not be tame and spiritless. Christ formed within will be the hope of glory.?{PC 275.1}
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. In Him there is a hope that “maketh not ashamed.” The joy of the Lord will break forth from lips that are sanctified. We must now receive rich experiences in the service of God.?{PC 275.2}
Our faith is to be expressed in thanksgiving. “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth God.” “In everything give thanks.” “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.” Let expressions of praise flow forth from human lips. We are to rejoice in the Lord more than we have done. Let not the heart remain cold and dull and unimpressive.?{PC 275.3}
There are some who think that in matters of practical Christianity, they have a superior intelligence. Whether or not this is so, will be demonstrated by the life actions. Are they self centered, or are they moved by the Holy Spirit of truth and righteousness? Religion is to become a living, active principle. The one all absorbing motive of the true Christian is to give an expression of the goodness and love of Christ.?{PC 275.4}
We need you here, Brother Haskell, to exert your influence against the presumption of men who feel that their brethren must ask permission of them, before engaging in the Lord’s service where and in the manner that He indicates. Such presumption should find no place in the cause of God. We hope that there may be such changes here that the work of the Lord may move on more smoothly...?{PC 275.5}
The Lord sends His messages to correct the erring, however highly they may regard themselves. He asks that they submit their judgment to His control. Every soul must be under discipline to God. To occupy an exalted position is not always evidence that the Lord has placed an individual in that position. It is the works, not position, that testify to the value of a man. Hereditary traits of character need to be overcome. A man cannot safely be entrusted with the control of others. unless he himself is under the sanctification of the Holy Spirit.?{PC 275.6}
In the spirit of meekness and lowliness of heart, all methods and plans should be submitted to wise counsellors for their prayerful consideration and their endorsement. Otherwise, a restless, speculative energy and ambition may make an evil mark upon the cause of?God, and subvert and hinder the very work that the Lord has declared should be done in this Conference.?{PC 275.7}
In order that the great work of sanctification that needs to be carried forward in the churches of Southern California, may be accomplished, the minds and wills of our ministers, and physicians, and teachers should be united, their hearts blending in one spirit to give the trumpet a certain sound. Let every voice proclaim distinctly the third angel’s message. In word and act let those who are proclaiming the message, reveal that they are numbered among those “that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”?{PC 276.1}
If this had been done faithfully, with the word of the living God as the great lesson book, the third angel’s message would have gone with greater power. Had all God’s ministers, as faithful stewards of the grace of God, called upon the world to hear the last note of warning, giving the trumpet a certain sound, thousands more might have been converted, and added their voices in proclaiming the message to the world. In distinct notes of solemn warning is to be given the closing message that will prepare a people to receive the seal of the living God.?{PC 276.2}
Satan is working to fill minds with the spirit of ambition and of commercialism. Those whose minds are thus diverted, will lose their opportunity of giving the last message to the world.?{PC 276.3}
If a faithful work had been done during the last few years that have gone into eternity, thousands of souls would now be found with Bibles in their hands, reading the Word of God, and praying for light and guidance. Many of these would be engaged in the work of hunting for souls, and fitting up a people to stand in the great day of God. But some who ought to be missionaries, are filled with the spirit of commercialism, and with an ambition to secure for themselves certain advantages. The truth becomes to them a dead letter, not practiced nor obeyed.?{PC 276.4}
Jehovah is the true God. Let Him be feared and reverenced. -?{PC 276.5}