1907年5月29日写于加利福尼亚州疗养院
致田纳西州纳什维尔北部第24大道，G.I.巴特勒长老
我亲爱的弟兄：
我收到了你的信，为此感谢你。我总是很高兴收到你的来信。{PC 286.3}
我不在圣赫勒那将近六周了，在加利福尼亚州南部旅行。4月20日和21日，安息日和星期日，我是在费尔南多度过的。我们在费尔南多的学校今年大大蒙福了。许多学生已献身在主的葡萄园中服务。星期一，我去了洛马林达，留在那里一周多一点儿，在访问了天堂谷、圣迭哥、圣帕斯夸尔和埃斯康迪多之后又回到洛马林达。{PC 286.4}
5月18日，安息日，好几个教会的肢体聚集在洛马林达，我们在胡椒树下，在疗养院后面的草坪上举行了聚会。上午我讲了一小时，主奇妙地帮助了我。在结束我的讲话前，我向在场的人提出了疗养院的需要，表示希望得到足够的资金以完成主楼附件的付款。在我们买下这个地产之前，主楼主要被用作旅馆，浴室设施有限。为了在疗养院里进行有效的工作，有必要对已经建好的建筑物进行增建。怀特医生、伯登弟兄和姐妹，还有伯登姐妹的姐妹们，将他们可能省下的一切都投入到在洛马林达的疗养院了，然而还有一笔债务必需还清。{PC 286.5}
上午的礼拜结束后，疗养院在草坪上为访客提供了午餐。伯登弟兄认为疗养院这么招待不会失败，我同意他的意见;因为我记得我们过去有作出相似供应的经验。这种好客的行动有时是将种子撒在那些正在寻求真理之人心中的手段。{PC 287.1}
下午，路德·沃伦长老讲了一堂极好的道。沃伦弟兄是一位能干的工人，我们希望他能在这个贫困的园地工作一段时间。目前，他正因自己和妻子的健康状况而稍事休息。他讲完之后，访客们回家了;人人都认为自己度过了愉快的一天，并且受到了讲道的祝福。{PC 287.2}
安息日之后，尼科尔斯兄弟来到我的房间，满脸喜庆，说：“我想告诉你今天你所说的话取得了什么成就。”然后他告诉我，一位姐妹来找伯登弟兄，向他奉献了十美元，一位先生提出要借给他一千美元，为期一年，不要利息。我为这个回应而感谢主。{PC 287.3}
后来，伯登弟兄给我讲了这个借钱给他之人的一些详情。他是害着病被带到疗养院的，他的病情被认为毫无希望了。但他受到了小心的治疗，完全地度过了危机。他是他们曾有过的最感恩的一个病人。他已变得对真理感兴趣，他肯借钱表明他感激为他所做的事。{PC 287.4}
我答应星期天下午在洛杉矶讲话，所以我们必须赶着早班火车从洛马林达离开。我们有大约六十英里的路程要走。到达洛杉矶后，我们来到了希尔街的餐厅和治疗室，在礼拜前还等在那里的时候，我祈求主赐给我力量去从事前面的工作。{PC 287.5}
在教堂里，我们发现已经有一大群人聚集。每一英尺的空间都有人，甚至过道都满了人，有人告诉我，有些人进不来。在场的人中有大量与我们信仰不同的人。{PC 287.6}
我介绍了遵守上帝诫命的重要性，详述了上帝所赐关于在西奈山宣布律法的指示。这些经文以前对我来说从未如此有说服力。我讲了整整一小时，听众始终都有显著的兴趣。当我感到我的声音减弱时，我停下来向上天祈求帮助。于是圣灵的能力就加强了我，我知道上帝的天使就站在我身旁。最后我变得有点沙哑，但我很感激上帝允许我讲了这么长时间，讲得如此清晰。{PC 288.1}
Sanitarium, California May 29, 1907
Elder G. I. Butler 24th Avenue North Nashville, Tennessee
My dear Brother,
I received your letter, for which I thank you. I am always glad to hear from you.?{PC 286.3} For nearly six weeks I have been absent from St. Helena, traveling in Southern California.. Sabbath and Sunday, April 20 and 21, I spent at Fernando. Our school this year at Fernando has been greatly blessed. Many of the students have offered themselves for service in the Master’s vineyard. On Monday I left for Loma Linda. I remained there a little over a week, and returned again to Loma Linda after a visit to Paradise Valley, San Diego, San Pasqual, and Escondido.?{PC 286.4}
On Sabbath, May 18, the members of several churches gathered at Loma Linda, and we held meetings under the pepper trees on the lawn at the back of the sanitarium. In the forenoon I spoke for one hour, and the Lord helped me wonderfully. Before closing my remarks, I presented to those present the needs of the sanitarium, and expressed the desire that sufficient money be received to complete the payments on the additions that have been made to the main building. Before we?purchased the property, the main building had been used mostly as a hotel, and the bathroom facilities were limited. In order to do efficient work in the sanitarium, it was necessary to make additions to the buildings already standing. Dr. White, Brother and Sister Burden, and the sisters of Sister Burden, invested in the sanitarium at Loma Linda all that they could possibly spare, but there still remains an indebtedness that must be cleared off.?{PC 286.5}
After the morning service, a lunch was provided by the sanitarium for the visitors, and served on the lawn. Brother Burden felt that the sanitarium would not be a loser by this entertainment, and I agreed with him; for I remember the experiences we have had in the past in making similar provision. Such acts of hospitality are sometimes the means of sowing seed in the hearts of those who are inquiring after truth.?{PC 287.1}
In the afternoon Elder Luther Warren gave an excellent discourse. Brother Warren is an able worker, and we hope that he may labor for a time in this needy field. At present he is resting somewhat on account of the condition of his own and his wife’s health. After his service, the visitors left for their homes; and all were agreed that they had spent a pleasant day, and had been blessed by the discourses.?{PC 287.2}
After the Sabbath, Brother Nichols came to my room, his face glowing with happiness, and said, “I want to tell you what your words today have accomplished.” He then told me that one sister had come to Brother Burden and given him ten dollars and that a gentleman had offered to lend him one thousand dollars for a year without interest. I felt to praise the Lord at this response.?{PC 287.3}
Later, Brother Burden gave me some particulars concerning this man who has loaned the money. He was brought to the sanitarium in such a distressed condition that his case was thought to be hopeless. But he was carefully treated, and the crisis was safely passed. He is one of the most grateful patients they have had. He has become interested in the truth, and by his loan he has shown his appreciation of what has been done for him.?{PC 287.4}
I had promised to speak at Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, so it was necessary for us to hasten away by the early train from Loma Linda. We had about sixty miles to travel. On our arrival at Los Angeles, we went up to our restaurant and treatment rooms on Hill Street, and while waiting there before the service, I prayed to the Lord for strength for the work before me.?{PC 287.5}
At the church we found that a large crowd had gathered. Every foot of room was occupied, even the aisles being?filled, and I was told that some were unable to find entrance to the building. Among those present were a large number not of our faith.?{PC 287.6}
I presented the importance of obedience to the commandments of God, dwelling upon the instruction given in connection with the proclamation of the law from Mt. Sinai. Never before had these Scriptures appealed to me so forcibly. I spoke for a full hour, and the interest was marked throughout. As I felt my voice weakening, I paused to send a prayer to heaven for help. Then the power of the Holy Spirit strengthened me, and I knew that angels of God were by my side. At the last I became somewhat hoarse, but I felt very thankful that the Lord has permitted me to speak for so long and so distinctly. -?{PC 288.1}
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