The Lord has presented matters before me that cause me to tremble for the institutions at Battle Creek. He has laid these things before me, and I shall not be consistent if I do not seek to repress the spirit in Battle Creek, which reaches out for more power, when for years there have not been sufficient men who were qualified to preside, with Christian faithfulness, over the charge they already have.
The scheme for consolidation is detrimental to the cause of present truth. Battle Creek has all the power she should have. Some in that place have advanced selfish plans, and if any branch of the work promised a measure of success, they have not exercised the spirit which lets well enough alone, but have made an effort to attach these interests to the great whole. They have striven to embrace altogether too much, and yet they are eager to get more. When they can show that they have made these plans under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, confidence in them may be restored.
Twenty years ago I was surprised at the cautions and warnings given me in reference to the publishing house on the Pacific Coast; that it was ever to remain independent of all other institutions; that it was to be controlled by no other institution, but was to do the Lord’s work under His guidance and protection. The Lord says, “All ye are brethren;” and the Pacific Press is not to be envied and looked upon with jealousy and suspicion by the stronger publishing house at Battle Creek. It must maintain its own individuality, and be strictly guarded from any corruption. It must not51be merged into any other institution. The hand of power and control at Battle Creek must not reach across the continent to manage it.
At a later date, just prior to my husband’s death, the minds of some were agitated in regard to placing these institutions under one presiding power. Again the Holy Spirit brought to my mind what had been stated to me by the Lord. I told my husband to say, in answer to this proposition, that the Lord had not planned any such action. He who knows the end from the beginning understands these matters better than erring man.
At a still later date the situation of the publishing house at Oakland was again presented to me. I was shown that a work was to be done by this institution which would be to the glory of God, if the workers would keep His honor ever in view, but that an error was being committed by taking in a class of work which had a tendency to corrupt the institution. I was also shown that it must stand in its own independence, working out God’s plan, under the control of none other but God.
The Lord presented before me that branches of this work would be planted in other places, and carried on under the supervision of the Pacific Press, but that, if this proved a success, jealousy, evil surmisings, and covetousness would arise. Efforts would be made to change the order of things, but the Lord forbids such a consolidation. Every branch should be allowed to live, and to do its own work.
Mistakes will occur in every institution, but if the managers will learn the lesson all must learn,—to move guardedly,—these errors will not be repeated, and God will preside over the work. Every worker in our institutions52needs to make the word of God his rule of action. Then the blessing of God will rest on him. He cannot with safety dispense with the truth of God as his guide and monitor. If man can take one breath without being dependent upon God, then he may lay aside God’s pure, holy word as his guide-book. The truth must take control of the conscience and the understanding in all the work that is done. The Holy Spirit must preside over thought and word and deed. It is to direct in all temporal and spiritual actions.
It is well pleasing to God that we have praise and prayer and religious services, but Bible religion must be brought into all we do, and give sanctity to each daily duty. The Lord’s will must become man’s will in everything. The Holy One of Israel has given rules of guidance to all, and these rules of guidance are to be strictly followed; for they form the standard of character. No one can swerve from the first principles of righteousness without sinning. But our religion is misinterpreted and despised by unbelievers, because so many who profess to hold the truth do not practise its principles in dealing with their fellow-men.
To my brethren at Battle Creek I would say, You are not in any condition to consolidate. This means nothing less than placing upon the institutions at Battle Creek the management of all the work, far and near. God’s work cannot be carried forward successfully by men who, by their resistance to light, have placed themselves where nothing will influence them to repent or change their course of action. There are men connected with the work in Battle Creek whose hearts are not sanctified and controlled by God.
If those connected with the work of God will not hear His voice and do His will, they should be separated53entirely from the work. God does not need the influence of such men. I speak plainly; for it is time that things were called by their right name. Those who love and fear God with all the heart are the only men that God can trust. But those who have separated their souls from God should themselves be separated from the work of God, which is so solemn and so important.
May, 1896.
PLANS FOR OUR PUBLISHING WORK.
While at Fresno I passed through a peculiar experience. In the night season I was in an assembly where a number of the brethren were in council. There seemed to be a cloud over the company. I could not distinguish faces, but I could hear voices. At first I could not understand what was said. Afterward I heard plans outlined in regard to the way in which the publishing work should be carried on. The assertion was made that this work should be placed on a surer basis; that changes should be made; that the plans which in past years were formulated for the advancement of the publishing work would have to be remodeled; that it was a wrong policy which had led to the development of the printing and publishing of books in so many places; that the Echo Office and the Nashville Office were too large; and that the work, if wisely adjusted, would be so arranged that the greater part of the printing and publishing of our larger books would be done at Battle Creek.
When I heard these propositions, I thought, What do these things mean? I have been instructed that the arbitrary rule at one time exercised in Battle Creek to control all our publishing houses, is never again to bear sway. To make such propositions as these is more like going back to Egypt than on to Canaan.
While the men proposing to bring more of our publishing work to Battle Creek cannot see what this would lead to, I know from the light given me that such changes as were proposed would bring into the publishing work a ruling power claiming jurisdiction over55the entire field. This is not God’s plan. No man’s judgment is to become such a controlling power that one man will have kingly authority in Battle Creek or in any other place. In no line of work is any one man to have power to turn the wheel. This God forbids.
Many more things were said, and I became more and more heavily burdened, because I knew that the great changes proposed would take us back to where we should have to wrestle with the same difficulties with which we wrestled in past years. I knew that those who advanced these ideas were blind as to their sure results.
Then One of authority stepped forward, and said: “The plans that have been made are not to be torn to pieces. Instead of doing this, the men who are handling sacred things are to cease looking to men for wisdom, and begin looking to the One from whom alone any man, great or small, learned or unlearned, can receive wisdom. A change must take place in the hearts of all who have any connection with God’s work. At this stage in the publishing work matters are not to be so arranged that one human being shall be voice for the whole, or that any one group of men shall become a ruling power, having kingly authority. The propositions made in this meeting regarding the publishing work were originated in blindness, and throw no light on the situation. A time of great perplexity and distress is not the time to be in a hurry to cut the knot of difficulty. In such a time are needed men of God-given ingenuity, tact, and patience. They are to work in such a way that they will ‘hurt not the oil and the wine.’”
“Too heavy responsibilities are not to be placed on any one man. In the direction of the canvassing work, the Lord will reveal His power and grace through different men in all parts of His vineyard. He will use56men of Christian experience, men who are daily growing in grace and in a knowledge of the truth, men who are capable because they are yoked up with Christ.
“Let those in positions of responsibility accept the Saviour’s invitation to wear His yoke. ‘Come unto Me,’ He pleads, ‘all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.’ Matt. 11:28-30.
“The advice that was given to Moses when he was overburdened with care and perplexity is of highest value to those who at this time are in positions of responsibility in God’s cause. The counsel given him should be carefully studied by those entrusted with the management of the work in the Lord’s vineyard. No one man, or set of men, is to have supreme authority to shape and control the policy of the workers in the entire field, even with respect to the canvassing work; for every section of the country, and especially the Southern field, which has been so long neglected, has its peculiar features, and must be worked accordingly. Let men be willing to understand these features, and in their work for these fields prepare themselves by putting on every piece of the Christian armor, not forgetting to wear the gospel shoes.”
THE CHRISTIAN ARMOR.
The apostle says: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole57armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. “Stand therefore, Having your loins girt about with truth, And having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, And watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” Eph. 6:11-18.
My brethren, these are the directions given you by God. Let no man complicate or mystify the plain directions given by the highest Authority. Preach the word: speak according to a “Thus saith the Lord,” with all the earnestness of the Holy Spirit. Never remove from your feet the gospel shoes. Be sure to keep them on. Your feet are always to be “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”
Observing carefully every direction that the Lord has specified in regard to the Christian armor, you will walk before Him softly, and will work discreetly. You will not carry with you any yokes to bind men to your plans, nor will you attempt to make the Lord’s workers amenable to any finite mind. The maxims and precepts of men are not to control His laborers. Let no man be placed in a position where he can lord it over God’s heritage; for this imperils alike the soul of him who rules and the souls of those who are under his rule.
No man is so advanced in experience that Satan will58not assail him with temptation. The more responsible the position a man occupies, the fiercer and more determined are the assaults of the enemy. Let God’s servants in every place study His word, looking constantly to Jesus, that they may be changed into His image. Let them not put human wisdom in the place of the wisdom of Him who is the Light of the world, the Sun of Righteousness, our peace and assurance forever. The efficiency and the inexhaustible fulness of Christ are at our command if we will walk before God in humility and contrition.
THE WORK IN THE SOUTH.
The Lord has laid upon me a heavy burden in behalf of the work in the Southern states of America. In the past I have received much instruction regarding this work, and for years I have followed the movements of the workers with intense interest. As it now is, this field stands as a reproach against those who claim to be fulfilling the commission that Christ gave His disciples just before His ascension.
Oh, that the presidents of our Conferences would encourage the church-members to take an active interest in the work in the South, and to do all in their power to wipe out the reproach resting upon Seventh-day Adventists because of the condition of this field! Our people are believers in the Bible, but they are pursuing a course that is bringing reproach upon themselves and upon the cause of God.
Recently the question was asked me by the Lord: “Will you do that which many of your ministering brethren would be only too pleased to see you doing? Will you keep silent? Will your voice no longer be heard presenting clearly and distinctly the needs of this long-neglected field? If so, you yourself will share the reproach that rests on the ministers and people who have not done for the Southern field the work the Lord has given them to do, who have passed by on the other side those who are their neighbors, treating them with indifference and cruel neglect.”
There are ministers who have stood on Satan’s side of this question, as men who do not desire to become interested in the work for the South. To those who60were inclined to send help to the work in Nashville, they have talked their own unbelief so discouragingly that this place, which God has said plainly should have special advantages, has not received the help that it should have received.
There are many who have engaged in the work of gathering up and spreading evil reports, many who have made mountains out of mole-hills. Christ has told them plainly how He regards work of this kind. But they do not heed His instruction. Why?—Because they do not will to do the will of God. They want to carry forward just the lines of work in which they themselves are specially interested, and they think that the means in hand should be used in these lines of work.
Of these the question was asked: “What influence are you bringing into the Lord’s work by following such a course? You have used time and money to impede the work already started. Might not this time and money be better employed? Had you striven to fulfil the commission given by Christ, had you acted as Christ would have acted in your place, lines of work that would have glorified God would have been started and carried forward in many places. But you have turned from the instruction given by Christ.”
As yet there are only a few places in the South that have been worked. There are many, many cities in which nothing has been done. This field, in its unsightly barrenness, stands before heaven as a witness against the unfaithfulness of those who have had great light. When I think of this long-neglected field, and of the way in which it has been treated, there comes over me an intensity of feeling that words cannot express. I can only pray that the Lord will raise up workers to enter this field.61It is time that every city in the South that can be entered should be worked. The people, both white and black, are to hear the testing message for this time. Our people were directed to Nashville because in many respects it was a favorable place for the publishing work and other important lines. Our workers find it easier to labor there for the uplifting of the colored race than in many other cities of the South. Prejudice against the introduction of plans for the education of the colored people is not so pronounced in Nashville as it is in other places.
In Graysville, in Huntsville, and in many other places, God has been opening the way for the establishment of interests that will be as lights in a dark place, and will prepare the way for the acceptance of saving truth.
Our churches in the South are to have a spiritual resurrection, and the Lord, through His Holy Spirit, will graciously bless the means employed by His servants to bring this about, if the brethren will not hinder the work as they have done in the past. The psalmist prayed, “That Thy way may be known upon the earth, Thy saving health among all nations.” Ps. 67:2. Let this prayer be ours. Let us pray that the healing influence of divine revelation, as a heavenly current of vital air, may come upon God’s people, imparting physical and spiritual health and vigor. Let us pray that the leaven of His grace shall work in church after church, till God’s name is a praise among them, because of His wonderful works. We shall extend His kingdom by doing the work close by us that is waiting to be done.
Christ says to us, “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” John 4:35.
A great work is to be done, and there should be no delay in its prosecution. The work demands the union of gifts possessed by workers in different localities. The Northern element must be brought into connection with the Southern element. Had there been among Seventh-day Adventists the unity that God desires, the Southern field would have been more fully worked.
It is not the Lord’s will that the work in the South shall be confined to the set, “regular lines.” It has been found impossible to confine the work to these lines and gain success. Workers daily filled with zeal and wisdom from on high must work as they are guided by the Lord, waiting not to receive their commission from men.
Camp-meetings are to be held in the Southern states. One should be held in Nashville, or a few miles from the city. The people of the South must be warned. The judgments of God are about to fall upon the world. We have no time to lose.
God sees the end from the beginning. He has given us an expression of His love for the world,—an amazing manifestation, that can never be computed. He is constrained, by His love and His goodness, to delight in the well-doing and the happiness of the beings formed in His image. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. He gave His Son as the propitiation for the sins of a guilty world. This is the message that is to be borne throughout the Southern states. What a work there is before us! The Lord desires the desert places of the South, where the outlook appears so forbidding, to become as the garden of God.
SAVED BY LOVING CARE.
Last night, October 19, 1902, I seemed to be in the operating-room of a large hospital, to which people were being brought. Surgical instruments were being prepared with which to amputate the limbs of these people immediately. One entered who seemed to have authority, and said to the physician, “Is it necessary to bring these people into this room?” Looking pityingly at the sufferers, He said, “Never amputate a limb until everything possible has been done to restore it.” Examining the limbs which the physicians had been preparing to cut off, He said: “They may be saved. The first thing to be done is to use every available means to restore these limbs. What a fearful mistake it would be to amputate a limb that could be saved by patient care! Your conclusions have been too hastily drawn. Put these patients in the best rooms in the hospital, and give them the very best of care and treatment. Use every means in your power to save them from going through life in a crippled condition, their usefulness damaged for life.
The sufferers were removed to a pleasant room. Faithful helpers cared for them under the Speaker’s direction; and every limb was saved.
WORK OF THE SOUTHERN PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION.
During the night of October 19, 1902, many scenes passed before me. I was in a room where a number were assembled in council. One of our brethren was presenting the idea that small, local presses were not needful, and were run at great expense. He said that he thought that our book-making in America should be done by one publishing house, at one place, thus saving expense.
There was present One of authority, and, after making some inquiries, He said: “These smaller printing offices can be managed in a way that will make them a help to the work of God, if sufficient attention is given to them. In the past, great lack of principle has been shown in the management of our book work, and the experience that resulted from this will be repeated unless men’s hearts are thoroughly converted, thoroughly changed. Some have been converted, but the work that God desires to see done on hearts is not yet accomplished. Those who frame yokes for the necks of their fellow-beings will, unless they repent, be brought to the place where they will understand how these yokes bind and gall the neck of the wearer.
Let the Southern field have its own home-published books. Selected books from the Old and the New Testament can be published in separate volumes, with simple explanations and inexpensive illustrations. In addition to these, there can also be published some illustrated books suitable for children. These books will be a great help in the work in the South. The publication65of these books can be done acceptably in the Nashville Office. The work of this office is not to be limited to the publication of the Gospel Herald and a few children’s books. Erelong some of our larger books will be published there. But let not the workers try to embrace too much.
The books especially designed for the Southern field are not to be pushed in the North unless there is a real demand for them.
There is need of a better understanding of the work to be done for the workers in our institutions in the North and in the South. Let those in the Northern institutions lay aside their prejudices, and let those in the South humble their hearts before God, and then there will be a sitting together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
There is need in the Southern field of an office for the publication of the truth for this time. But the work of such an institution cannot be done with divided minds and divided interests. In order for the publishing house in Nashville to be a success, the workers must have a constant sense of the supervision of God, and they must consult together. If they are true Christians, they will be subject one to another. Let them wear the yoke of Christ, laboring together in love and unity. As they do this, the Lord will bless and strengthen them. Each worker is to be drawn to the other by the cords of Christ’s love. There is no need of there being estrangement among them. All are embraced in Christ’s prayer that the disciples might be one with Him as He is one with the Father.
A CAUSE OF DISCOURAGEMENT.
St. Helena, Cal., Nov. 13, 1902.
In the night season I was in a council with a few who were in perplexity. Many companies were presented to me as confused, in darkness, sad and discouraged, because so many were stirred by feelings of opposition to the work in the Southern field. While there were some who felt the burden of the work in this field, there were others who tried to counterwork any efforts made in behalf of the work.
The people of God need now to pray and humble their hearts before the Lord. Then they will see all things clearly. It is heart-humiliation that is needed by those who have in trust so great and so important a truth,—a truth which, if received and believed, will purify the life from all selfishness, all emulation. Let the Lord’s people draw near to Him, and let them love one another as brethren. A guilty world is going to destruction; and if Satan can keep at variance those whose hearts should be full of tenderness and love, on whose lips there should ever be the law of kindness, how pleased he is!
Oh, that God’s people had a sense of the impending destruction of thousands of cities, now almost wholly given to idolatry! But many of those who are acquainted with the truth are busy about things here and there. Their first work is to pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, as the disciples prayed for it after the ascension of Christ.
When the converting power of God comes upon minds, there will be a decided change. Men will have67no inclination to counterwork what others are doing. They will not stand in a position that hinders God’s voice from coming to the people. They will no longer brace themselves against the doing of that which should be done. All criticism, all accusing, will cease.
Oh, that men would die to self and reveal the compassion and love of Christ! So long as they hold themselves in their own keeping, refusing to humble themselves before God, they cannot be sanctified.
In much of the service professedly done for God, there is emulation and self-exaltation. God hates pretense. When men and women receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they will confess their sins, and pardon, which means justification, will be given them; but the wisdom of the human agents who are not penitent, not humbled, is not to be depended on; for they are blinded in regard to the meaning of righteousness and sanctification through the truth. When men are stripped of self-righteousness, they will see their spiritual poverty. Then they will approach that state of brotherly kindness which will show that they are in sympathy with Christ. They will be able to appreciate the importance of Christian missions.
Many are readily satisfied with offering the Lord trifling acts of service. Their Christianity is feeble. Christ gave Himself for sinners. With what anxiety for the salvation of souls we should be filled as we see human beings perishing in sin! These souls have been bought with a price. The death of the Son of God on Calvary’s cross is the measure of their value. Day by day they are deciding a question of life and death, deciding whether they will have eternal life or eternal destruction. And yet men and women professing to serve the Lord are content to give their time and strength to matters of little importance. They are68content to be at variance with one another. If they were consecrated to the work of the Master, they would not be striving and contending like a family of unruly children. Every hand would be engaged in service. Every one would be standing at his post of duty, working with heart and soul as a missionary of the cross of Christ. The Spirit of God would abide in the hearts of the laborers, and works of righteousness would be wrought. The workers would carry with them into their service the sympathies and prayers of an awakened church. Messages would come from lips touched with a live coal from the divine altar. Earnest, purified words would be spoken. Humble, heartbroken intercessions would ascend to heaven. With one hand the workers would take hold of Christ, while with the other they would grasp sinners and draw them to Christ.
Work is what the churches need. They need an unreserved consecration to service. Jesus wept over the guilt and obduracy of Jerusalem. Who to-day among those who have received such great light and such rich gifts mingle their tears with the tears of their Saviour?
I am instructed to tell the people of God that, while there is so much dissension among them, they cannot be in harmony with Christ. “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Rev. 3:2, 3.
Never can the church reach the position that God desires it to reach until it is bound up in sympathy69with its missionary workers. Never can the unity for which Christ prayed exist until spirituality is brought into missionary service, and until the church becomes an agency for the support of missions. The efforts of the missionaries will not accomplish what they should until church-members in the home field show, not only in word, but in deed, that they realize the obligation resting on them to give these missionaries their hearty support.
God calls for workers. Personal activity is needed. But conversion comes first—seeking for the salvation of others will follow.
Oh, that our brethren might realize the value of the gift of Christ’s love! Let the love that dwells in renewed, sanctified hearts be seen among the workers. A self-renouncing heart grows more mellow as life advances. Christ in the heart, Christ in the life,—this is our safety. In no mere human being can we place our dependence. But those who, by receiving into the heart the lessons of the divine Teacher, have been made partakers of the divine nature, are not changeable. Their work is done in harmony with Bible principles. God calls for true, staunch men, men who are working together with Him. Such men share His wisdom, and in their renewed lives His power is revealed.
A WORK MISREPRESENTED.
Not the laws of the impulsive tongue or hand, but the loving pulsations of the converted heart, are from God. “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” He sets forth love as a rule of life in still another way: “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” Luke 6:36.
God displayed His power and wisdom in the work of creation. He revealed His majesty in the giving of His law. And, finally, in the person of His Son, He came to the world to show His love and sympathy. This was the hiding of His power, the unveiling of His grace. The only-begotten Son of God was nailed to the cross of Calvary, that He might bequeath to the fallen race a legacy of pardon.
Satan’s work is directly opposed to the work of God. The enemy of all good, he stands as the general of the forces drawn up to hurt the souls of men. He looks on with fiendish triumph as he sees the professed followers of Christ biting and devouring one another. He stands ever ready to mar the lives of those who are trying to serve God. Heavenly angels marvel that men should aid Satanic agencies in their work, discouraging hearts, making God’s people weak, strengthless, faithless.
A clear revelation has been given me in regard to the need of our people assembling together, confessing their sins, repenting before God, and continuing in prayer until the Lord manifests Himself to them with power. If ever a people needed to offer a prayer such as Daniel offered, it is our people. There is among71them such self-confidence, such presumption! The Lord has been sending light to them, but the testimonies of His Spirit have not been heeded. There has been a departure from His expressed commands, a working contrary to the messages that for many years He has been giving relative to the different features of our work. There has been a selfish gathering of facilities to a few favored places, and a neglect of other parts of the field. Great neglect has been shown to the needs of the people in our large cities and in the Southern field. This need not be, and it will not be when those who claim to believe the truth practise the truth.
I have been enjoined by the Lord to gather together the testimonies given for the Southern field, and put them before the people. While attending the camp-meeting at Fresno, Cal., I was, in the visions of the night, in a certain meeting. I could not call those present by name; for I could not see them. There seemed to be a cloud of darkness over the assembly. I sat in a place that seemed to be separated from the room where the people had assembled.
The brethren in this meeting were counseling in regard to the work at Nashville. One present was speaking in a very decided manner, expressing his views in regard to the publishing house in Nashville and the general management of the work there. Much was said, and it was all very discouraging. Matters were presented in a strong light. Some present had gathered up the testimonies of those who were unfavorably inclined toward the Nashville publishing house. If actions had been taken based upon these misrepresentations, great injustice would have been done to the Southern work. Decisions would have been made that would have had a most discouraging effect,72apparently upholding that which the Lord condemns.
If the course outlined by the brethren present, who were connected with the work at Battle Creek, had been followed, it would have worked an injustice, and would have resulted in a wrong showing for the work in Nashville. Acting upon false impressions, the brethren would have brought about something that the Lord could not endorse.
One of authority arose, and said: “These matters are not being presented in righteousness and truth. The very ones who should have taken a Christlike interest in the Southern work have passed it by. Wrong impressions have been made on minds in regard to the work at Nashville, and these impressions will work as leaven among meal, preventing the suffering Southern field from receiving the help that it needs. Your representations have been false, your criticisms cruel. Your words have been as sharp arrows. How much glory will they bring to God? You are endeavoring to bring in plans and theories that will greatly retard the work. Let no more such hindrances be brought in. All difficulties are easily settled, all wrongs easily righted, when human beings are under the control of the Spirit of God.
“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfil ye My joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” Phil. 2:1-4.
“The Lord is grieved. The work cannot possibly be adjusted and conducted to His glory unless the73workers allow Him to be their Helper. Show a loving, generous regard for those who, to advance the work, have taxed their powers of endurance to the utmost limit, laboring almost at the sacrifice of their lives. They have been sustained by the power of God. The Saviour of humanity recognizes the almost superhuman efforts made to press the work forward, while not a few were placing blocks before the wheels.”
“If those who now view matters with perverted vision had talked constantly with God, pleading with Him for grace and guidance, they would have followed a different course. They would have called to mind their own experience in a new field, and would have striven to establish more firmly that which had been established. As they learned Christ’s lessons, they would have become meek and lowly and humble, and they would have been partakers of His loving-kindness and His unselfish regard for others. But without a kind, loving regard for those who have as deep an interest as themselves in the cause of God, who have at heart the needs of suffering humanity, how can men serve God acceptably? How can they adjust matters in a way that will glorify Him? Those who are striving to obey the word, ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect,’ will not hurt the souls of Christ’s purchased possession.”
Humanity alone is a very poor combination of opposites. Naturally, human beings are self-centered and opinionated. But when they learn the lessons that Christ desires to teach them, they become partakers of the divine nature, and henceforth they live Christ’s life. They regard all men as brethren, with similar aspirations, capacities, temptations, and trials, needing tests and difficulties, craving sympathy and help.
Never feel that it is your prerogative to humiliate74a fellow-worker. If mistakes have been made, learn about them, not from a desire to crush the one who has made them, but from a desire to help, that no one be separated from God’s work. Help those who have erred, by telling them of your experiences, showing how, when you made grave mistakes, patience and fellowship, kindness and helpfulness, on the part of your fellow-workers, gave you courage and hope. Harsh judgment is not becoming. Be afraid to condemn where God has not condemned. Remember that your brethren love God, and that they are striving to keep His commandments as verily as you are. You have been in the battle, and you carry the scars of conflict. Will you not deal mercifully with those who are fiercely assailed?
Mistakes have been made in the work in the South, but these are not such as to require the doing of the work that some have supposed to be necessary. There are those who, instead of strengthening and sustaining the work in Nashville, have tried to destroy it. They have given place to evil surmisings and unjust criticisms. They have placed a mote close to the eye, and it has obscured their vision. Nothing but it can they see. If they would remove this mote, as they could if they so desired, they would see the glory beyond.