1905年2月20日写于加利福尼亚州疗养院，榆园
亲爱的帕默弟兄和巴伦杰弟兄：
我们对巴伦杰弟兄寄给我们的天堂谷疗养院工作报告感到很满意。我们看到在那里成就的事实现了我蒙指示我们可以期待的事。为此我们感谢主并鼓起勇气面对将来，相信主必赐福和带领。{PC 319.2}
你们在充分准备好接收病人之前得到的赞助超过了我的预期。主一直对我们很好，我们必须记住，这所疗养院要成为将真理传给还不知道之人的媒介。{PC 319.3}
应该很快将治疗室装备好。要照我们在那里时所建议的，将它们建在主楼外面。要是它们在疗养院里面，它们所散发的蒸汽就会造成不健康的气氛，会弥漫在病人的房间。我们要采取每一个预防措施，好使与天堂谷疗养院有关的一切都合乎卫生、有益健康。{PC 319.4}
我们看到在许多地方有那么多应该做的事还没有做成，就感到很难过。然而主会使用我们现在看不到的方法完成祂的工作。祂会在平民中兴起男男女女去做祂的工，就像祂在古时呼召渔夫作祂的门徒一样。不久将会有一番会令许多人惊讶的觉醒。没有认识到必须完成之事的人会被越过，天上的信使们会与被称为平民的人同工，使他们适合将真理传到许多地方。现在就是我们觉醒并且尽我们所能的时候。{PC 319.5}
我收到了加拿大伯里尔弟兄的一封来信，他在信中说到那里不久就要遇到的星期日问题。他说他们特别需要罗宾逊弟兄帮助他们对付这个问题。他是加拿大本地人，能在此时成为他们的一大帮助。{PC 320.1}
伯里尔弟兄写信给我是因为他知道我曾鼓励罗宾逊弟兄来到圣迭哥。起先我一点记不起这事了。但后来我收到巴伦杰弟兄的信说希望罗宾逊弟兄不久能担任疗养院的业务经理，我就想起罗宾逊弟兄是曾在我们的一些议事会上提过名的人。我想他被说成是一个身体欠佳的人，需要换换气候。我问过他是否有资格担任经理。当说到他似乎有作经理的必要资格时，我想我说过：“那就尽一切办法让他来吧。”但我并没有说成这是主所赐给我的亮光。这只是我个人的判断，根据你们的情况介绍形成的。{PC 320.2}
伯里尔弟兄还说W.W.辛普森长老是一个加拿大人，而且加拿大需要像他这样的人。他似乎认为将辛普森长老留在洛杉矶是不对的。我对辛普森长老的情况一无所知，只知道主使用他在洛杉矶工作，而且他大蒙赐福。他工作的结果有一百多人采取立场支持真理。他在最后系列的帐篷大会结束时，想要改换工作园地，但却收到由许多洛杉矶市民签名的请愿书，请他留下继续聚会。主已赐给辛普森弟兄一种适应的精神，用智慧计划和实行他的工作，祂已赐福他出版单张、通知、和图表，唤起了民众的兴趣。{PC 320.3}
我要说，让辛普森弟兄在他的信息已经显然成就大善工的地方工作吧。那些来参加他的聚会的人已慷慨地奉献钱财支持他已推进的工作。在这个时候，在洛杉矶如此迫切需要工人的时候，在弟兄们正设法在那里建一所疗养院的时候，我不敢对辛普森长老说：你必须回到加拿大去。此外，这么做对他的健康状况来说可能不是最好。目前要让他留在洛杉矶，因为主正赐给他显著的成功，将信息传达给百姓。让他将号角吹出确定的声音，唤醒从未听到真理的人吧。愿主鼓励他留在洛杉矶，直到教会肢体们被唤醒，穿上军装，显明他们有了传扬信息的负担。我们的传道人不应该在教会之间走来走去。他们应当传扬真理，像辛普森长老正在做的那样。要让那些不知道真理的人有机会听到我们信仰的缘由。{PC 320.4}
我相信辛普森弟兄正在介绍真理，是上帝希望让许多其他人介绍的。在洛杉矶的一些弟兄感到他应该在那里的教会做更多的事。当有人向我提出这个建议时，我想到了当祭司和官长们责备基督与税吏和罪人一起吃饭时，基督回答他们的话，祂说：“我来不是召义人，而是召罪人悔改。”要让现在正为那些以前从未听过真理之人成就的工作唤醒洛杉矶教会的传道人和平信徒。要让他们把握住，因为他们看到上帝在作工。要让他们积极悔改自己的冷淡、漠不关心和自私自利。当教会藉着悔改清除这种疏忽，信徒们也归正时，他们才会由衷地从事挨家挨户的工作。藉着教导正在寻求真理之光的人，他们自己会得到颇有价值的教育。{PC 321.1}
谁也不要藉着说教或榜样设法让辛普森长老离开上帝指定给他的工作。要让大家都与他一起努力以清楚的方式开展工作。洛杉矶教会的肢体们需要留意临到他们的每一个吩咐他们从昏睡中醒来的信息。他们若是愿意恳切地寻求主，祂就必赐给他们亮光和生命和圣灵使人复苏的能力。{PC 321.2}
我必须传给洛杉矶教会的信息是：要醒来，穿戴上帝的全副军装。教会里有自私必须根除。{PC 321.3}
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将真理带到不信的人面前。
老信徒们应当给那些新近归向真理的人作榜样。我请求那些归向真理已久的人，不要用非基督化的生活来伤害新悔改的人。应当放弃一切怨言，在自己的心中做彻底的工作。要开辟自己心里的空地，设法知道自己能做什么来推进洛杉矶的圣工。{PC 322.1}
久已相信真理的人正在将试探带进来。要研究和传讲我们在1841, '42, '43, 和 '44年接受的真理。第一、第二和第三位天使的信息将来必以大声得到传扬。它们将以认真的决心和圣灵的能力得到传扬。{PC 322.2}
洛杉矶教会的肢体们需要在自己心中成就深刻的恩典之工。要让每一个人都对着自己的家建造。辛普森长老所传使罪人回转的信息应当也足以唤醒你们。醒起吧，醒起吧，给未悔改的人以凭据，证明你们相信那源于上天的真理。如果你们不醒起，世人就不会相信你们实行了你们自称持守的真理。{PC 322.3}
要恳切地祈祷。要阅读和研究基督在《约翰福音》第十七章中赐下的祷告，然后争取过响应那个祷告的生活。还要阅读《启示录》第三章中赐下的信息。上帝差了祂的使者从天上来传这些信息。给老底嘉教会的信息属于洛杉矶教会，也属于我们一般的各教会。他们愿意醒起，从事上帝所赐给他们的工作吗?{PC 322.4}
Elmshaven, Sanitarium, California February 20, 1905
Dear Brethren Palmer and Ballenger,
We are well pleased with the reports that Brother Ballenger has sent us of the work of the Paradise Valley Sanitarium. What we see being accomplished there is a fulfillment of what I have been instructed we might expect. For this we thank the Lord, and take courage for the future, believing that the Lord will bless and guide.?{PC 319.2}
The patronage you are receiving, even before you are fully prepared to accommodate patients, has exceeded my expectations. The Lord has been good to us, and we must ever bear in mind that this sanitarium is to be made a means of communicating truth to those who know it not.?{PC 319.3}
Treatment rooms should be fitted up soon. Let them be, as we suggested when we were there, outside the main building. Were they inside the sanitarium, the steam from them would make an unhealthful atmosphere, which would pervade the rooms of the patients. Let us take every precaution to make everything connected with the Paradise Valley Sanitarium, healthful and wholesome.?{PC 319.4}
We are made sad as we see in many places so much left undone that should be done. But the Lord will use in the accomplishment of His work means that we do not now see. He will raise up from among the common people, men and women to do His work, even as of old He called fishermen to be his disciples. There will soon be an awakening that will surprise many. Those who do not realize the necessity?of what is to be done, will be passed by, and the heavenly messengers will work with those who are called the common people, fitting them to carry the truth to many places. Now is the time for us to awake and do what we can.?{PC 319.5}
I have received a letter from Brother Burrill of Canada, in which he speaks of the Sunday question that is soon to be met there. He says that they especially need Brother Robinson to help them in meeting this issue. He is a native-born Canadian, and can be a great help to them at this time.?{PC 320.1}
Brother Burrill has written to me because he understood that I had encouraged Brother Robinson to come to San Diego. At first I could remember nothing in regard to the matter. But after I received Brother Ballenger’s letter stating that Brother Robinson was expected in San Diego soon to act as business manager of the Sanitarium, I remembered that Brother Robinson was one whose name had been mentioned in some of our councils. I think he was presented as one who was not well, and who needed a change of climate. I asked if he were qualified to act as manager. When it was stated that he seemed to have the qualifications necessary for the place, I think I said, “Then by all means let him come.” But I did not present this as light that had been given me by the Lord. It was merely my personal judgment, formed from your presentation of the case.?{PC 320.2}
Brother Burrill also stated that Elder W. W. Simpson is a Canadian, and that such men as he are needed in Canada. He seemed to think that it is not right that Elder Simpson should be held in Los Angeles. I know nothing in regard to Elder Simpson’s case, except that he has been used by the Lord in His work in Los Angeles, and that he has been greatly blessed. Over one hundred have taken their stand for the truth as a result of his labors. At the close of his last series of tent meetings he thought of changing his field of labor, but he received a petition signed by many of the citizens of Los Angeles, asking him to remain and continue his meetings. The Lord has given Brother Simpson a spirit of adaptability, with wisdom to plan and carry out his work, and He has blessed him in the bringing out of leaflets, notices, and charts that have aroused the interest of the people.?{PC 320.3}
I would say, Let Brother Simpson labor where his message is evidently accomplishing great good. Those who have come to his meetings have given freely of their means to sustain the work that he has carried forward. At this time, when there is such urgent need of workers in Los Angeles, when the brethren are?seeking to establish a sanitarium there, I dare not say to Elder Simpson, You must go back to Canada. And besides, such a move might not be best for his health. For the present let him remain in Los Angeles; for the Lord is giving him marked success in bearing the message to the people. Let him give the trumpet a certain sound, arousing those who have never heard the truth. May the Lord encourage him to remain in Los Angeles until the church members are aroused to gird on the armor, and show that they have a burden to give the message. Our ministers are not to hover over the churches. They are to proclaim the truth, as Elder Simpson is doing. Let those who know not the truth be given as opportunity to hear the reasons of our faith.?{PC 320.4}
I believe that Brother Simpson is presenting the truth as God would have many others present it. Some of the brethren in Los Angeles felt that he should do more in the church there. When this was suggested to me, I thought of the answer that Christ gave when the priests and rulers reproached Him for eating with publicans and sinners. “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance,” he declared. Let the work now being accomplished for those who have never before heard the truth, lead our ministers and church members in Los Angeles to arouse. Let them take hold, as they see that God is working. Let them make diligent work in repenting of their coldness and indifference and selfishness. As the church is by repentance cleansed from this neglect, and the members are converted, they will heartily engage in laboring from house to house. By teaching those who are seeking for the light of truth, they themselves will receive a valuable education.?{PC 321.1}
Let no one, by precept or example, seek to draw Elder Simpson from his God-appointed work. Let all take hold with him in an effort to carry the work in clear lines. The members of the Los Angeles church need to heed every message that comes to them bidding them arouse from their stupor. If they will earnestly seek the Lord, he will give them light and life, and the quickening power of the Holy Spirit.?{PC 321.2}
The message that I have to bear to the church in Los Angeles is, Awake, and put on the whole armor of God. There is selfishness in the church that must be rooted out.?{PC 321.3}
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bring the truth before unbelievers.?{PC 322.3}
Let the older members be an example to those who have recently come into the truth. I entreat those who have been long in the truth not to hurt the new converts by living irreligious lives. Lay aside all murmuring, and do thorough work in your own hearts. Break up the fallow ground of your hearts, and seek to know what you can do to advance the work in Los Angeles.?{PC 322.1}
Temptations are being brought in by men who have been long in the truth. The truths that we received in 1841, ’42, ’43, and ’44 are now to be studied and proclaimed. The messages of the first, second, and third angels will in the future be proclaimed with a loud voice. They will be given with earnest determination and in the power of the Spirit.?{PC 322.2}
The members of the Los Angeles church need to have a deep work of grace done in their own hearts. Let every one build over against his own house. The messages given by Elder Simpson, which convert sinners, should be sufficient to arouse you also. Awake, awake, and give to the unconverted evidence that you believe the truth of heavenly origin. Unless you do awake, the world will not believe that you practice the truth that you profess to hold.?{PC 322.3}
Pray earnestly. Read and study the prayer of Christ, as given in the seventeenth chapter of John, and then seek to live lives that will answer that prayer. Read also the messages given in the third chapter of Revelation. God sent his angel from heaven to give these messages. The message to the Laodicean church belongs to the church in Los Angeles, and to our churches generally. Will they arouse, and do the work that God has given them to do? -?{PC 322.4}
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