I HAVE not been able to sleep during the past night. Letters have come to me with statements made by men who claimed to have asked Dr. Kellogg if he believes the testimonies that Sister White bears. He declares that he does, but he does not. He sent a sensible letter to me while I was at Melrose, Mass., saying, “I have surrendered.” But he has not spoken or acted as a man who has surrendered. He has felt bitterness of soul against the Lord’s appointed agencies who have occupied the position of president of the General Conference. He has hated them. Has he surrendered that gall of bitterness? The Lord will404not accept anything that he affirms which is false.
The whole of the matter is not revealed. I have been waiting to see the least evidence of surrender. The word of the Lord to me is, “He is only gathering his forces for another display to magnify himself. The ministers of God are being drawn in and deceived by his science. He is doing all in his power to create a division between the medical work and the ministry of the word. He has his messenger going forth to test the pulse of God’s people, and please him by disparaging the strength of the ministerial force.”
This large work and its sure results are plainly presented to me. I am so sorry that sensible men do not discern the trail of the serpent. I call it thus; for thus the Lord pronounces it. Wherein are those who are designated as departing from the faith and giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, departing from the faith which they have held sacred for the past fifty years? I leave that for the ones to answer who sustain those who develop such acuteness in their plans for spoiling and hindering the work of God.
If —— had come into line, the work of God would have been years in advance of what it now is. He would have connected himself with the Lord, and Christ would have worked through him.
The Lord would now have a straight-forward, decided testimony borne regarding every point of present truth. We are a denominated people, and we are not to yield up our faith to the science of human sophistry.
NOVEMBER, 1905.—I slept well during the past night, from seven o’clock until half-past two. It is the Sabbath of the Lord, and I shall speak in the church at St. Helena this morning. My health is very good. I attend to my writings continuously, that everything may be in readiness if I should be taken away at a moment’s notice. I do not regard405that time with any fear or distrust. I am heeding to the best of my knowledge the message that Christ came from heaven to give John, as recorded in the first, second, and third chapters of Revelation.
“But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye already have hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
I am instructed to say, The sentiments of those who are searching for advanced scientific ideas are not to be trusted. Such representations as the following are made: “The Father is as the light invisible; the Son is as the light embodied; the Spirit is the light shed abroad.” “The Father is like the dew, invisible vapor; the Son is like the dew gathered in beauteous form; the Spirit is like the dew fallen to the seat of life.” Another representation: “The Father is like the invisible vapor; the Son is like the leaden cloud; the Spirit is rain fallen and working in refreshing power.”
All these spiritualistic representations are simply nothingness. They are imperfect, untrue. They weaken and diminish the Majesty which no earthly likeness can be compared to. God can not be compared with the things His hands have made. These are mere earthly things, suffering under the curse of God because of the sins of man. The Father can not be described by the things of earth. The Father is all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and is invisible to mortal sight.
The Son is all the fulness of the Godhead manifested. The Word of God declares Him to be “the express image of His person.” “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Here is shown the personality of the Father.
The Comforter that Christ promised to send after He ascended to heaven, is the Spirit in all the fulness of the Godhead, making manifest the power of divine grace to all who receive and believe in Christ as a personal Saviour. There are three living persons of the heavenly trio; in the name of these three great powers—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—those who receive Christ by living faith are baptized, and these powers will co-operate with the obedient subjects of heaven in their efforts to live the new life in Christ. . . .
There will have to be a second conversion in the hearts of some of our leading medical fraternity, and a cutting away from the men who are trying to guide the medical ship into the harbor, else they themselves will never reach the haven of rest. Christ calls, Come out from among them, and be ye separate.
I write this because any moment my life may be ended. Unless there is a breaking away from the influence that Satan has prepared, and a reviving of the testimonies that God has given, souls will perish in their delusion. They will accept fallacy after fallacy, and will thus keep up a disunion that will always exist until those who have been deceived take their stand on the right platform. All this higher education that is being planned will be extinguished; for it is spurious. The more simple the education of our workers, the less connection they have with the men whom God is not leading, the more will be accomplished. Work will be done in the simplicity of true godliness, and the old, old times will be back,407when, under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, thousands were converted in a day. When the truth in its simplicity is lived in every place, then God will work through His angels as He worked on the day of Pentecost, and hearts will be changed so decidedly that there will be a manifestation of the influence of genuine truth, as is represented in the descent of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit never has, and never will in the future, divorce the medical missionary work from the gospel ministry. They can not be divorced. Bound up with Jesus Christ, the ministry of the word and the healing of the sick are one.
The fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah contains instruction for to-day. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sin.” God does not accept Dr. Kellogg as His laborer, unless he will now break with Satan. The work would not have been hindered as it has been for the past several years if Dr. Kellogg were a converted man. “Come,” I call, “come ye out and be separate from him and his associates whom he has leavened.” I am now giving the message God has given me, to give to all who claim to believe the truth: “Come out from among them, and be ye separate,” else their sin in justifying wrongs and framing deceits will continue to be the ruin of souls. We can not afford to be on the wrong side. We can not afford to cover the truth with scientific problems. We urge that decided changes be made, and no more stumbling-blocks be placed before the feet of the people of God. Let every soul put on the gospel shoes. Let every soul pray and work, placing their feet upon the foundation Christ laid in giving His life for the life of the world.
Testimonies to the Church
Regarding
The Strengthening of Our Institutions and Training Centers
and
A Plea for Medical Missionary Evangelists
By Ellen G. White
“Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass.”
“They came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering.”
“Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the Lord.”
Pacific Press Publishing Company
Mountain View, California
1907
Introductory
The world’s need of the last gospel message calls for thousands of well-trained evangelists. And a study of the prophecies shows that the time to work is short. Therefore we have a double reason for prayer that the Lord of the harvest shall send forth many laborers into the harvest.
A study of the following pages containing selections from the many messages of encouragement and counsel sent to individuals, churches, and conferences during recent years will lead, we trust, to a clearer sense of our responsibility in the matter of strengthening the institutions which are to be largely instrumental in the training of workers.
We are mailing this tract to all Seventh-day Adventist ministers whose addresses we have. Any one who is overlooked or missed may secure a copy by writing to his conference secretary.
Others who desire copies will be supplied from our publishing houses or state book depositories. Prices, five cents each; three cents each in lots of twenty-five.
PUBLISHERS.
The Lord Loveth a Cheerful Giver.
SANITARIUM, CAL., March 8, 1907.
I address the members of all our churches. We are living in a special period of this earth’s history. A great work must be done in a very short time, and every Christian is to act a part in sustaining this work.
God is calling for men who will consecrate themselves to the work of soul-saving. Those who desire to be regarded by God as liberal should devote mind and heart—the entire being—to His service. When we begin to comprehend what a sacrifice Christ made in order to save a perishing world, there will be seen a mighty wrestling to save souls. O, that all our churches might see and realize the infinite sacrifice of Christ!
Recently, in visions during the night season, a representation passed before me. Among God’s people there seemed to be a great reformatory movement. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great day of Pentecost. Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families, and opening before them the Word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side, doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with a heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God. I heard voices of thanksgiving,411and praise, and there seemed to be a reformation such as we witnessed in 1844. Yet some refused to be converted. They were not willing to walk in God’s way. And when, in order that the work of God might be advanced, calls were made for liberal free-will offerings, some clung selfishly to their earthly possessions. These covetous ones became separated from the company of believers.
As a people, we have been benumbed. Matters of but little importance have been brought in to absorb much means and precious talent. There are some whose hearts are responsive to the calls of God. But some are investing capital in enterprises that give no results in the salvation of souls. Such enterprises are snares of the enemy.
The great enemy of souls would be pleased if we were kept busy with things of but little importance, and lose our present opportunities for labor. We need now to awake out of sleep, and to labor earnestly to warn those in the highways and in the byways. Soon the work will be finished, and now is our time to labor with intense energy and untiring industry.
The judgments of God are in the earth, and, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, we must give the message of warning that He has entrusted to us. We must give this message quickly, line upon line, precept upon precept. Men will soon be forced to great decisions, and it is our duty to see that they are given an opportunity to understand the truth, that they may take their stand intelligently on the right side. The Lord calls upon His people to labor,—labor earnestly and wisely,—while probation lingers.
Among the members of our churches, there should be more house-to-house labor, in giving Bible-readings, and in distributing literature. A Christian character can be symmetrically and completely formed, only when the human agent regards it as a privilege to work interestedly in the proclamation of the truth, and to sustain the cause of God with means. The treasury must not be allowed to become empty, when there are such urgent calls for help from every part of the world.
Every church-member should cherish the spirit of sacrifice. In every home there should be taught lessons of self-denial. Fathers and mothers, teach your children to economize. Encourage them to save their pennies for missionary work. Christ is our example. For our sake He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich. He taught that all His followers should unite in love and unity to work as He worked, to sacrifice as He sacrificed, to partake of His sufferings, that they may be partakers of His glory.
The Lord now calls upon the members of the Seventh-day Adventist church in every locality to consecrate themselves to Him, and to do their very best, according to their circumstances, to assist in His work. By their liberality in making gifts and offerings, He desires them to reveal their appreciation of His blessings, and their gratitude for His mercy.
My dear brethren and sisters, all the money we have is the Lord’s. I now appeal to you, in the name of the Lord, to unite in carrying to successful completion enterprises that have been undertaken in the counsel of God, and that are waiting for their413portion of the $150,000 fund which has been called for by the General Conference Committee.
Let not the work on the Nashville Sanitarium, and the Takoma Park Sanitarium, be hindered for lack of means. Let not the work of rebuilding at Huntsville be made difficult and burdensome because the necessary means is withheld. Let not those who are struggling to build up the other enterprises, great and small, that are needing the promised aid, become disheartened because we are slow to unite in making up the fund that is asked for. Let all our people arise, and see what they can do. Let them show that there is unity and strength among Seventh-day Adventists.
In the providence of God, some may gather more wealth than do others. The Lord blesses them with health, with tact and skill, that they may receive of His goods and bestow upon others. The possession of means brings a test of character. All have a responsibility according to that which they have received; and from those who possess wealth, the Lord looks for bountiful gifts. To those who desire to be baptized with the Holy Ghost, I would say, Take up the work of God where you are, and with your gifts help the work in places nigh and afar off.
My dear brethren and sisters, let us every one make a covenant with God by sincere self-denial and self-sacrifice, that we may help in extending the truth to many places. The Lord will certainly bless all who do His will without murmuring or complaining.
Centers of Influence and Training.
The third angel’s message is to be proclaimed to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. The entire world is to be warned. There are still many new fields to open. There are many cities to be worked. We stand before the world as God’s denominated people; and we must do our appointed work. We are not to obey the principles of the world; we are not to conform to its customs; we are to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
In establishing institutions where many young men and young women are to be trained for service, we have often sought to secure land, where our workers can have buildings of their own. The formation of the people of God into visible societies gives them marked power. We do not design to make large, conspicuous centers. But as God’s standard-bearers we are gathering together, and the work is going on. Sanitariums must be established, schools started, and meeting-houses built.
Wherever we center our forces to establish memorials for God, the light of truth is to shine forth in clear, bright rays. It is essential that light be added to light, to accomplish the object that God desires to have accomplished. When believers are gathered together in church capacity, they are placed on vantage-ground, where they stand independent of the world.
Repeatedly the Lord has instructed us that we are to work the cities from outpost-centers. In these cities we are to have houses of worship, as memorials for God; but the institutions for the publication of415our literature, for the healing of the sick, and for the training of workers, are to be established outside the cities. Especially is it important that our youth be shielded from the temptations of city life.
It is in harmony with this instruction, that meeting-houses have been purchased and rededicated in Washington and in Nashville, while the publishing-houses and the sanitariums at these centers have been established away from the congested heart of the cities, as outpost-centers. This is the plan that has been followed in the removal of other publishing houses and sanitariums into the country, and that is now being followed in Great Britain with regard to the London publishing house and also the training-school there. We are now given opportunity to advance in the opening providences of God by helping our brethren in these and many other important centers to establish the work on a firm basis, in order that it may be carried forward solidly. The Lord is calling upon us to “strengthen the hands of the builders” in many parts of the world.
Much light has been given regarding the rapid development of institutional work in connection with the proclamation of the third angel’s message. In “Testimonies for the Church,” Volumes 6 and 7, the necessity of establishing many missionary agencies throughout the world, is clearly outlined.
“Our publishing houses are God’s appointed centers, and through them is to be accomplished a work the magnitude of which is yet unrealized. There are lines of effort and influence as yet by them almost untouched, in which God is calling for their cooperation.
“As the message of truth advances into new fields,416it is God’s purpose that the work of establishing new centers shall be constantly going forward. Throughout the world His people are to raise memorials of His Sabbath,—the sign between Him and them that He is the One who sanctifies them. At various points in missionary lands publishing houses must be established. To give character to the work, to be centers of effort and influence, to attract the attention of the people, to develop the talents and capabilities of the believers, to unify the new churches, and to second the efforts of the workers, giving them facilities for more ready communication with the churches and more rapid dissemination of the message,—all these and many other considerations plead for the establishment of publishing centers in missionary fields.
TRAINING-SCHOOLS FOR WORKERS.
“Our institutions should be missionary agencies in the highest sense, and true missionary work always begins with those nearest. In every institution there is missionary work to be done. . . . As our publishing houses take upon themselves a burden for missionary fields, they will see the necessity of providing for a broader and more thorough education of workers. They will realize the value of their facilities for this work, and will see the need of qualifying the workers, not merely to build up the work within their own borders, but to give efficient help to institutions in new fields.”
“God designs that our publishing houses shall be successful educating schools, both in business and in spiritual lines. Managers and workers are ever to keep in mind that God requires perfection in all things417connected with His service. Let all who enter our institutions to receive instruction understand this. Let opportunity be given for all to acquire the greatest possible efficiency. Let them become acquainted with different lines of work, so that, if called to other fields, they will have an all-round training, and thus be qualified to bear varied responsibilities.”—Vol. 7, pp. 144-147.
EXTENT OF THE WORK.
“God has qualified His people to enlighten the world. . . . They are to extend His work until it shall encircle the globe. In all parts of the earth, they are to establish sanitariums, schools, publishing houses, and kindred facilities for the accomplishment of His work. . . . The Lord’s solemn, sacred message of warning must be proclaimed in the most difficult fields and in the most sinful cities,—in every place where the light of the third angel’s message has not yet dawned. To every one is to be given the last call to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
“God is calling upon His people to give Him of the means that He has entrusted to them, in order that institutions may be established in the destitute fields that are ripe for the harvest. He calls upon those who have money in the banks to put it into circulation. By giving of our substance to sustain God’s work, we show in a practical manner that we love Him supremely and our neighbor as ourselves.”
“Great light has been shining upon us, but how little of this light we reflect to the world! Heavenly angels are waiting for human beings to cooperate with them in the practical carrying out of the principles of truth. It is through the agency of our sanitariums and kindred enterprises that much of this work is to be done.418These institutions are to be God’s memorials, where His healing power can reach all classes, high and low, rich and poor. Every dollar invested in them for Christ’s sake will bring blessings both to the giver and to suffering humanity.
EXTENSION OF THE WORK IN FOREIGN FIELDS.
“God’s people have a mighty work before them, a work that must continually rise to greater prominence. Our efforts in missionary lines must become far more extensive. A more decided work than has been done must be done prior to the second appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. God’s people are not to cease their labors until they shall encircle the world. . . .
“The home missionary work will be farther advanced in every way when a more liberal, self-denying, self-sacrificing spirit is manifested for the prosperity of foreign missions; for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work done in countries afar off. It is in working actively to supply the necessities of the cause of God that we bring our souls in touch with the Source of all power. . . .”
“Let us rejoice that a work which God can approve has been done in these fields. In the name of the Lord, let us lift up our voices in praise and thanksgiving for the results of work abroad.
“And still our General, who never makes a mistake, says to us, Advance. Enter new territory. Lift up the standard in every land. ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.’”—Vol. 6. pp. 23-29.
The Establishment of Memorials at Washington, D. C.
I have written much in regard to the need of making decided efforts in Washington, D. C. An important work is to be done in this city. If there is any place in the world where the truth should be fully presented, it is in the city that is the very heart of the nation. Those who act a prominent part in framing laws for the nation should understand what is written in the law of God, which lies at the foundation of all right laws.
It has seemed strange to me that in past years our work was not better represented at Washington. For many years I have been anxious to see a sanitarium established in this place. A medical institution in Washington will greatly help in opening the way for the truth to be presented. God has counseled us that if the sanitarium work shall be carried forward in the right manner, it will be a means of doing great good.
Regarding the importance of establishing medical missionary work in Washington, D. C., I wrote to our brethren and sisters there, January 11, 1905, as follows:
“In Washington, the sanitarium work should make rapid advancement. In our Washington work, wise, competent physicians, efficient managers, and nurses with the very best qualifications, will be needed. Earnest, devoted young people also will be needed to enter the work as nurses. These young men and420women will increase in capability as they use conscientiously the knowledge they gain, and they will become better and better qualified to be the Lord’s helping hand. They may become successful missionaries, pointing souls to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world, and whose healing efficiency can save both soul and body.
“The Lord wants wise men and women, acting in the capacity of nurses, to comfort and help the sick and the suffering. Through the ministration of these nurses, those who have heretofore taken no interest in religious things will be led to ask, ‘What must I do to be saved?’ The sick will be led to Christ by the patient attention of nurses who anticipate their wants, and who bow in prayer and ask the great Medical Missionary to look with compassion upon the sufferer, and to let the soothing influence of His grace be felt, and His restoring power be exercised.
“It is for the object of soul-saving that our sanitariums are established. In our daily ministrations we see many careworn, sorrowful faces. What does the sorrow on these faces show?—The need of the soul for the peace of Christ. Poor, sad, human beings go to broken cisterns, which can hold no water, thinking to quench their thirst. Let them hear a voice saying, ‘Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters.’ ‘Come to Me, that ye might have life.’
“It is that thirsting souls may be led to the living water, that we plead for sanitariums,—not expensive, mammoth sanitariums, but homelike institutions in pleasant places.
The sick are to be reached, not by massive buildings, but by the establishment of many small sanitariums,421which are to be as lights shining in a dark place. Those who are engaged in this work are to reflect the sunlight of Christ’s face. They are to be as salt that has not lost its savor. By sanitarium work, properly conducted, the influence of true, pure religion will be extended to many souls.
“From our sanitariums trained workers are to go forth into places where the truth has never been proclaimed, and do missionary work for the Master, claiming the promise, ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.’
“I appeal to all who have means to make a determined effort to carry out the instruction God has given regarding the establishment of a sanitarium in Takoma Park. Let our people rally to the support of this important enterprise. Let the churches in every State act their part, that the work in Washington may not come to a standstill. Let us make liberal gifts to this work, and the Lord will bless us in it. We can not see this work coming to a standstill while it is but half done. It need not come to a standstill if all our people will come up to the help of the Lord.”
“Let us come up to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty powers of darkness. Satan is working with intensity of purpose to enslave and destroy souls. Let us take a firm stand against him. The work of God urges every one to go steadily forward on the upward grade, pressing toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
The sanitarium at Takoma Park is to be a source of strength to the school already established. The school422and the sanitarium may be a help one to the other. The students of the school may assist in the erection of the sanitarium buildings.
The establishment of the work in Washington is creating a wide-spread interest in other places. Tracts and pamphlets have been widely circulated, and when we begin to work in other cities, we shall find those who have been studying this literature.
The Lord calls upon us to awake to a realization of the opportunities presented before us to let our light shine in the city of Washington, by establishing there memorials that will hasten forward the proclamation of the third angel’s message to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.
I thank God in behalf of those who have already sent in offerings to the work in Washington. I thank Him for the privilege and satisfaction of knowing that there are hearts which are alive to the needs of the work of God, and are influenced by the Holy Spirit to give of their means for the advancement of this work.
There should be no delay. The cause of God demands our assistance. I pray that the Lord may impress those who have means to spare to place it in the Lord’s treasury, to be used to His name’s glory. We ask all, as the Lord’s stewards, to put His means into circulation, to provide facilities by which many shall have the opportunity of learning what is truth.
Centers of Influence in the Southern States.
“A good beginning has been made in the Southern field. In the forward march of events, the Lord has wrought most wonderfully for the advancement of His work. Battles have been fought, victories won. Favorable impressions have been made; much prejudice has been removed.”
“In the night season I was taken by my Guide from place to place, from city to city, in the South. I saw the great work to be done,—that which ought to have been done years ago. We seemed to be looking at many places. Our first interest was for the places where the work has already been established, and for those where the way has opened for a beginning to be made.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 7, p. 231.
“I have encouraged our brethren in the South to arise in the strength of God, and with faith and courage enter His opening providences.
“The Lord has set the seal of His approval on the effort to establish memorials to His name in the city of Nashville. He has signified that from this important center, the light of the truth for this time shall radiate to every part of the Southern field. Nashville is a natural center for our work in the South. And the influence of the various educational and publishing institutions established there makes the city a favorable place in which to carry on the various phases of our work.”
THE NASHVILLE SANITARIUM.
“Medical missions must be opened as pioneer agencies to prepare the way for the proclamation of the third angel’s message in the cities of the South. O, how great is the need for means to do this work! Gospel medical missions can not be established without financial aid. Every such mission calls for our sympathy, and for our means, that facilities may be provided to make the work successful. These institutions, conducted in accordance with the will of God, would remove prejudice, and call our work into favorable notice. The highest aim of the workers should be the spiritual health of the patients. Medical missionary work gives opportunity for carrying forward successful evangelistic work. It is as these lines of effort are united, that we may expect to gather the most precious fruit for the Lord. . . . The establishment of medical institutions in the South will make the work more expensive; but the importance of this line of effort can not be overestimated.” — “Review and Herald,” Sept. 7, 1905.
Our Huntsville School as a Training Center
It is cheering to know that in the Southern States of America a few faithful laborers have made a beginning here and there in giving the third angel’s message to the colored race. It is also cheering to know that among our brethren and sisters in the more favored fields of America, there are warm hearts beating in sympathy with the hearts of those who have bravely borne a burden of labor for the colored people. The Lord has been working with and for the tried laborers in the South. There has been laid a foundation that will be as enduring as eternity.
And yet, all the work that has been done is only a beginning, as it were. Our people have put forth only a small part of the earnest effort that they should have put forth to warn the indifferent, to educate the ignorant, and to minister to the needy souls in this field. God is now calling upon His people to take advance steps in the South. He is calling upon us to place in the hands of those on the ground means sufficient to enable them to do an aggressive, quick work.
THE TRAINING OF WORKERS.
For the accomplishment of the Lord’s work among the colored people in the South, we can not look wholly to white laborers. We need colored workers, O, so much! to labor for their own people everywhere, and especially in those places where it would 426not be safe for white people to labor. Without delay, most decided efforts should be made to educate and train colored men and women to labor as missionaries. We must provide means for the education and training of Christian colored students in the Southern States, who, being accustomed to the climate, can work there without endangering their lives. Promising young men and young women should be educated as teachers. They should have the very best advantages. Those who make the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom, and give heed to the counsel of men of experience, can be a blessing by carrying to their own people the light of present truth. Every worker who labors in humility and in harmony with his brethren, will be a channel of light to many who are now in the darkness of ignorance and superstition.
It was for the education of Christian workers, that, in the providence of God, the General Conference purchased a beautiful farm of three hundred acres near Huntsville, Ala., and established an industrial training-school for colored students. I have often received divine instruction in regard to this institution, showing what manner of school it should be, and what those who go there as students are to become.
The students of the Huntsville school are to be given a training in many lines of service. They are to learn how to present the truth for this time to their own people. Not only are they to be taught to do public work, but they should learn also the special value of house-to-house work in soul-saving. In carrying forward work among the colored people,427it is not highly educated men, not eloquent men, who are now the most needed, but humble men who in the school of Christ have learned to be meek and lowly, and who will go forth into the highways and hedges to give the invitation, “Come; for all things are now ready.” Those who beg at midnight for loaves for hungry souls, will be greatly blessed. It is a law of heaven that as we receive, we are to impart.
In all the Lord’s arrangements, there is nothing more beautiful than His plan of giving to men and women a diversity of gifts. The church of God is made up of many vessels, both large and small. The Lord works through those who are willing to be used. He will bless them in doing the work that has brought blessing to many in the past,—the work of seeking to save souls ready to perish. There are many who have received but a limited religious and intellectual training, but God has a work for this class to do, if they will labor in humility, trusting in Him.
The Lord says, I will take illiterate men, obscure men, and move upon them by My Spirit to carry out My purposes in the work of saving souls. The last message of mercy will be given by a people who love and fear Me. “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit.” We should give willing, devoted men every possible encouragement to go forward and in their humble way reveal their loyalty to principle and their integrity to God. Let them visit the people at their homes, and talk and pray with the unwarned regarding the soon-coming Saviour. Let them take a personal interest in those whom they meet. Christ took a personal interest in men and women during the days of His earthly ministry. He was a true428missionary everywhere He went. His followers are to go about doing good, even as He did. By personal efforts to meet the people where they are, coarse and rough though some of these people may be, humble house-to-house missionaries and colporteurs may win the hearts of many to Christ. In their unpretentious way they can help a class that ministers do not reach.
MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK.
In no place is there greater need of genuine gospel medical missionary work than among the colored people in the South. Had such a work been done for them immediately after the proclamation of freedom, their condition to-day would have been very different. Medical missionary work must be carried forward for the colored people. Sanitariums and treatment-rooms should be established in many places. These will open doors for the entrance of Bible truth.
This work will require devoted men and means, and much wise planning. Years ago we should have been training colored men and women to care for the sick. Plans should now be made to do a quick work. Let promising colored youth—young men and young women of good Christian character—be given a thorough training for this line of service. Let them be imbued with the thought that in all their work they are to proclaim the third angel’s message. Strong, intelligent, consecrated colored nurses will find a wide field of usefulness opening before them.
The Lord Jesus Christ is our example. He came to the world as the servant of mankind. He went from city to city, from village to village, teaching429the gospel of the kingdom, and healing the sick. Christ spent more time in healing than in teaching.
As our example, Christ linked closely together the work of healing and teaching, and in this our day they should not be separated. In our schools and sanitariums, nurses should be trained to go out as medical missionary evangelists. They should unite the teaching of the gospel of Christ with the work of healing.
The Lord has instructed us that with our training-schools there should be connected small sanitariums, that the students may have opportunity to gain a knowledge of medical missionary work. This line of work is to be brought into our schools as part of the regular instruction. Huntsville has been especially pointed out as a school in connection with which there should be facilities for thoroughly training consecrated colored youth who desire to become competent nurses and hygienic cooks. Let us rejoice that the managers of our Huntsville school are now planning to carry out this instruction without further delay. Let us help them make Huntsville a strong training-center for medical missionary workers.