[Release requested by Elder J. W. Cannon and the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary.]
The same mail that brought your letter brought me one from Brother Washburn, who is laboring in Washington, D. C. I have been strongly impressed by the Lord that in this city a most decided work must be done to proclaim the truth regarding the seventh-day Sabbath. Several years ago instruction was given me in regard to this. Letter 115, 1903 , pp. 1,2. (To John Wessels, June 20, 1903.)
I should be much pleased to see you and talk with you. The message sent you in testimony was that you were not to confine yourself wholly to editorial work, because the Lord has a message for you to bear in our large cities. Washington is a place where, in connection with Elder Daniells, Elder A. T. Jones, and Elder Washburn, you can do valuable service in the ministration of the Word. A strong evangelistic effort must be put forth in the capital of the nation. This was shown me before the Review and Herald office burned.
I rejoice that you have taken up this evangelistic work in Washington, and that so deep an interest has already been aroused. The accounts given regarding the work there correspond as nearly as possible to the representation given me of what would be. I am sure, for the matter has been presented to me, and this work must not be weakened by the necessary laborers being called to other places. The work in the South need not hold Elder Daniells and Elder Washburn long. Elder Butler is there, and there are other men who can come in to help.
Evangelistic work must be done in Washington, and it must not be broken into by calls from other places. God would have His work in the highways carried forward in straight lines. Letter 53, 1904 , pp. 1,2. (To W. W. Prescott, January 26, 1904.)
The work in Washington should be made second to no other work. I am strongly impressed that we should put to active use, in this city, the very best talent we can obtain. A good work has been begun by the meetings that have been held there. And at this point, to call away Brethren Daniells, Prescott, Washburn and others, and to distribute this talent among the various states, leaving men of less ability to carry on the important work in Washington would seem to me to be poor economy. I cannot see the interest that has been awakened in that city left unprovided for, without entering my protest. Furnish strong men for Washington, where a strong work is to be done. Letter 55, 1904 , pp. 1,2. (to W. C. White, January 29, 1904.)
To bring up the children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is the greatest missionary work that parents can perform. The mother is entrusted with a greater work than is the king upon his throne. She has a class of duty to perform in connection with her children that no other one can perform. If she daily learns in the school of Christ, she will discharge her duty in the fear of God, and care for the children as the Lord's beautiful flock. Ms 38, 1895 , p. 15. (To "the church in Hobart [Tasmania], May, 1895.)
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If you read the Old Testament Scriptures you will see that the Lord has
a special care for the blind. He has a love exceeding the love of a mother for her afflicted children, and He has given special directions in regard to how they should be treated. Those who for several years in the past have made no difference between those who are blind and those who can see, have not obeyed the voice of the Lord. Ms 30, 1890 , pp. 4,5. ("Article Read in the Auditorium of the Battle Creek Tabernacle to a Large Assembly, at the General Conference of 1890" [1891?].)
We next visited Sister [Gurner], who is a widow. She has been thought by some to be a restless, complaining woman, and has been called a murmurer. But when I learned that she has not been able to read for twenty-eight years, I thought that instead of criticizing her, those of her sisters in the faith who have the blessing of eyesight should visit her and read to her as often as possible . Job says, "I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame" (Job 29:15). It is the duty of those who have sight to minister to the blind, so that the afflicted ones shall feel their loss as little as possible. We had a season of prayer with this sister, and the tender Spirit of the Lord rested upon us. Ms 21, 1892 , pp. 16, 17. ("Diary Written at Preston, Victoria, Australia," September 28, 1892.)
[Release requested for Publication in W. D. Ochs' Talk before A.S.I. Group.]
When the laborers have an abiding Christ in their own souls, when all selfishness is dead, when there is no rivalry,no strife for the supremacy, when oneness exists, when they sanctify themselves, so that love for one another is seen and felt, then the showers of the grace of the Holy Spirit will just as surely come upon them as that God's promise will never fail in one jot or tittle. But when the work of others is discounted, that the workers
may show their own superiority, they prove that their own work does not bear the signature it should. God cannot bless them. Ms. 24, 1896 , p. 4. ("Unselfishness among Brethren," September 9, 1896.) White Estate Washington, D. C. January 14, 1957
[Release requested for document on "The Use of Drugs."]
The Saviour is present in the sick room, in the operating room; and His power for His name's glory accomplishes great things. Ms 159, 1899 , p. 5. ("The Privileges and Duties of a Christian Physician," December 13, 1899.)
It is our privilege to use every God-appointed means in correspondence with our faith, and then trust in God, when we have urged the promise. If there is need of a surgical operation, and the physician is willing to undertake the case, it is not a denial of faith to have the operation performed. After the patient has committed his will to the will of God, let him trust, drawing nigh to the great Physician, the Mighty Healer, and giving himself up in perfect trust. The Lord will honor his faith in the very manner He sees is for His own name's glory. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength" (Isaiah 26:3, 4). Ms. 67, 1899 , pp. 6,7. (Untitled manuscript, April 25, 1899.)
Christ is the greatest medical missionary that ever lived. He never lost a case. He understands how to give strength and guidance to the physicians in this institution. He stands beside them as they perform their difficult surgical operations. We know that this is so. He has saved lives that might have been lost had the knife swerved a hair's breadth. Angels of God are constantly ministering to those for whom Christ has given His life.
God gives the physicians of this institution skill and efficiency because they are serving Him. They know that their skill is not their own, that it comes from above. They realize that there is beside them a divine Watcher, who gives wisdom to His physicians, enabling them to move intelligently in their work. Ms 28, 1901 , p. 9. ("Talk Given by Mrs. E. G. White at the Battle Creek Sanitarium," March 27, 1901.)
[Release requested for article in the Review and Herald .]
John calls our attention to the love God has bestowed on us. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:2). Can we comprehend this love? Even if we expanded the mind to its utmost limit, could we take in its measurement or give the gift of love the appreciation it deserves?
Although for ages sin has been accumulating, although through falsehood and artifice Satan has cast the black shadow of his interpretation upon the Word of God, yet the Father's mercy and love have not ceased to flow earthward in rich currents. If human beings would open the windows of the soul heavenward, in appreciation of the divine gifts, a flood of healing virtues would pour in, leading men to exclaim, "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and gave His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10).
"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). . . . For us He gave His only begotten Son up to suffer a life of abuse, insult, mockery, and rejection. We can never endure what Christ endured, never suffer what He suffered. . . .
In his dying charge to Timothy, Paul said, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot and unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in His times He shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of Lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor -can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting" (1 Timothy 6: 12-16). Letter 79, 1900, pp. 10-13. (To William Kerr, May 10, 1900.) White Estate Washington, D. C. April 24, 1957