"The Lord desires to break up the course of precision which has become so firmly established, which has hindered instead of advancing His work. He desires His people to remember that there is a large space over which the light of present truth is to be shed. Divine wisdom must have abundant room in which to work. It is to advance without asking permission or support from those who have taken to themselves a kingly power."
"For years the same routine, the same “regular way” of working has been followed, and God’s work has been greatly hindered. The narrow plans that have been followed by those who did not
clear, sanctified judgment have resulted in a showing that is not approved by God."
Throughout human history God has used supernatural means to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. To do so, he has raised up instruments who are willing to following the guiding voice of God and the opening doors of providence to do what would be impossible otherwise. Such individuals often face great danger, operate on a too great a sacrificial basis due to lack of support from home, and include apostles who took the gospel to all the known world of their time—Thomas, for example, took the gospel to India, and Hudson Taylor who took the gospel to the interior of China in the 1800s. Sometimes, back in the home country, individuals with a limited vision discourage and hinder such efforts—William Carey was told that God would use others to bring the gospel to the heathen for example, and pass edicts that limit what God can do, or at least make it very hard for God to succeed to the degree He wishes and is able.
What follow are two letters to A. G. Daniells, regarding the hindering that was going on at the time.
June 28, 1901 [typed]
Dear Brother Daniells,—
I am sending you some things which I wrote some time ago, but have not before had the strength to search for. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 1}
Phariseeism in the Christian world today is not extinct. The Lord desires to break up the course of precision which has become so firmly established, which has hindered instead of advancing His work. He desires His people to remember that there is a large space over which the light of present truth is to be shed. Divine wisdom must have abundant room in which to work. It is to advance without asking permission or support from those who have taken to themselves a kingly power. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 2}
In the past, one set of men have tried to keep in their own hands the control of all the means coming from the churches and have used this means in a most disproportionate manner, erecting expensive buildings where such <large> buildings were unnecessary and uncalled for, and leaving needy places without help or encouragement. They have taken upon themselves the grave responsibility of retarding the work where the work should have been advanced <a hundredfold>. It has been left to a few supposed kingly minds to say what fields should be worked and what fields should be left unworked. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 3}
"The present showing is sufficient to prove to all who have the true missionary spirit that the “regular lines” may prove a failure and a snare. God helping His people, the circle of kings who dared to take such great responsibilities, shall never again exercise their unsanctified power in the so-called “regular lines.” Too much power has been invested in unrevived, unreformed human agencies. Let not selfishness and covetousness be allowed to outline the work which must be done
to fulfil the grand, noble commission which Christ has given to every disciple. He, our Lord and Master, has given us an example in His life of self-sacrifice of the way in which we must work to advance the kingdom of God. [Matthew 11:29.]"
A few men have kept the truth in circumscribed channels, because to open new fields would call for money. Only in those places in which they were interested have they been willing to invest means. And at the same time, in a few places, five times as much money as was necessary has <passed from the treasurers and> been invested in buildings. The same amount of money used in establishing plants in places where the truth had never been introduced would have brought many souls to a saving knowledge of Christ. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 4}
For years the same routine, the same “regular way” of working has been followed, and God’s work has been greatly hindered. The narrow plans that have been followed by those who did not <lift up their eyes to see the fields all ripe unto the harvest and have not had> clear, sanctified judgment have resulted in a showing that is not approved by God. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 5}
God calls for a revival and a reformation. The “regular lines” have not done the work which God desires to see accomplished. Let revival and reformation make constant changes. Something has been done in this line, but let not the work stop here. No! Let every yoke be broken. Let men awaken to the realization that they have an individual responsibility. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 6}
The present showing is sufficient to prove to all who have the true missionary spirit that the “regular lines” may prove a failure and a snare. God helping His people, the circle of kings who dared to take such great responsibilities, shall never again exercise their unsanctified power in the so-called “regular lines.” Too much power has been invested in unrevived, unreformed human agencies. Let not selfishness and covetousness be allowed to outline the work which must be done <now and in the future> to fulfil the grand, noble commission which Christ has given to every disciple. He, our Lord and Master, has given us an example in His life of self-sacrifice of the way in which we must work to advance the kingdom of God. <Christ says, “Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart. Take My yoke upon you, and ye shall find rest to your souls.”> [Matthew 11:29.] {Lt 60, 1901, par. 7}
God does not call upon His missionaries to show their devotion to Him by burying themselves in monasteries, or by going on long, painful pilgrimages. It is not necessary to do this to show a willingness to deny self. It is by working for those for whom Christ died that we show true love. By humiliation, suffering, and rejection Christ purchased the salvation of the human race. By His death He made it possible for man to enjoy a home in His eternal kingdom. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 8}
Those who love the Lord will look at Calvary and will think of how the Lord of life and glory laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown; and clothing His divinity with humanity came to a world all seared and marred with the curse, to stand at the head of the fallen race, becoming their example in all things, bearing all the trials they have to bear, and enduring all the temptations they have to endure. He lived the life of the poorest and suffered oft with hunger. “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests,” He said, “but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” [Matthew 8:20.] {Lt 60, 1901, par. 9}
"Those who are impressed to take up the work in the home field or in regions beyond are to go forward in the name of the Lord. They will succeed if they give evidence that they depend upon God for grace and strength. At the beginning their work may be very small, but it will enlarge if they follow the Lord’s plan. God lives, and He will work for the unselfish, self-sacrificing laborer, wherever and whoever he may be."
As man beholds this divine love, this wonderful sacrifice, he is filled with a desire to spend his life in the service of the Redeemer. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 10}
As the sinner is convicted and converted, Jesus says to him, “Follow me, and you shall not walk in darkness.” [John 8:12.] To each human being God has assigned an individuality and a distinct work. Abraham was called to go into new territory. He was to be a light-bearer to the heathen. Those who believe in the Lord are not to live to please themselves. The soul of every sinner is precious in the sight of God and demands the care of those whose names are on the church books. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 11}
Christ’s commission is, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” [Mark 16:15.] Those who are impressed to take up the work in the home field or in regions beyond are to go forward in the name of the Lord. They will succeed if they give evidence that they depend upon God for grace and strength. At the beginning their work may be very small, but it will enlarge if they follow the Lord’s plan. God lives, and He will work for the unselfish, self-sacrificing laborer, wherever and whoever he may be. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 12}
"There are many who, with proper encouragement, would begin in out-of-the-way places to make efforts to seek and to save that which is lost. The Lord blesses these self-sacrificing ones who have such a hunger for souls that they are willing to go anywhere to work. But in the past, how much encouragement has been given to such workers by their brethren? Many of them have waited long for something to do, but no attention has been given to them."
We look to see whether new fields have been worked, whether the barren portions of the Lord’s vineyard have received attention. We see that most of those who have sought to begin work in new regions, as Brother Shireman has done, have been discouraged by those at the heart of the work for fear that they would need money from the treasury. Yet from that same treasury money has been used to erect imposing and unnecessarily <expensive> buildings. If men had received the wisdom of God, they would have exercised justice and equity in regard to the outlay of means. All parts of the Lord’s vineyard would have received a just proportion of help. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 13}
There are many who, with proper encouragement, would begin in out-of-the-way places to make efforts to seek and to save that which is lost. The Lord blesses these self-sacrificing ones who have such a hunger for souls that they are willing to go anywhere to work. But in the past, how much encouragement has been given to such workers by their brethren? Many of them have waited long for something to do, but no attention has been given to them. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 14}
If the ministers had given help and encouragement to these men and women, they would have been doing the work appointed them by the Lord. Some have seen the spiritual poverty of unworked fields and have longed to do something to help. But it has taken so long for encouragement to come to them that many have gone into other lines of work. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 15}
Shall the “regular lines,” which say that every mind shall be controlled by two or three minds at Battle Creek, continue to bear sway? The Macedonian cry is coming from every quarter. Shall men go to the “regular lines” to see whether they will be permitted to labor, or shall they go out and work as best they can, depending on their own abilities and on the help of the Lord, beginning in a humble way and creating an interest in the truth in places in which nothing has been done to give the warning message? {Lt 60, 1901, par. 16}
The Lord has encouraged those who have started out on their own responsibility to work for Him, their hearts filled with love for souls ready to perish. A true missionary spirit will be imparted to those who seek earnestly to know God and Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent. The Lord lives and reigns. Young men, go forth into the places to which you are directed by the Spirit of the Lord. Work with your hands, that you may be self-supporting, and as you have opportunity proclaim the message of warning. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 17}
The Lord has blessed the work that J. E. White has tried to do in the South. God grant that the voices, which have been so quickly raised to say that all the money invested in the work must go through the appointed channel at Battle Creek, shall not be heard. The people to whom God has given His means are amenable to Him alone. It is their privilege to give direct aid and assistance to missions. It is because of the misappropriation of means that the Southern field has no better showing than it has today. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 18}
I do not consider it the duty of the Southern branch of our work, in the publication and handling of books, to be under the dictation of our established publishing houses. And if means can be devised to reduce the expense of publishing and circulating <my> books, let this be done, <for I need money to pay my workers.> {Lt 60, 1901, par. 19}
I have to say, my brother, that I have no desire to see the work in the South moving forward in the old “regular lines.” When I see how strongly the idea prevails that the methods of handling our books in the past shall be retained, because what has been must be, I have no heart to advise that former customs shall continue. Let those who are laboring in Nashville do the will of God in all humility. I sincerely hope that the changes will be made that the necessities of the case demand. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 20}
I have more to write, but have no time now. {Lt 60, 1901, par. 21}
This letter is published in entirety in 14MR 203-208.
St. Helena, California
June 28, 1901 [typed]
Elder A. G. Daniells
Dear Brother,—
I wish to present some matters to you regarding the work at Nashville. I am desirous that every movement shall be made with due consideration, but I am opposed to bringing the work at Nashville under the control of the regular lines. In the publishing of books, the workers there should not be obliged to follow the same methods that have been followed at Battle Creek. We have the history of the large prices which have been charged by the publishing house there for the books containing the truth needed by the people. The men standing at the head of the Review and Herald Office have taken upon them an authority that they were not fitted to exercise. Had the spirit of truth been allowed to control minds, the record would not be so sad, so opposed to truth and righteousness. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 1}
"A spirit has been cherished which needs to be entirely put away. This lording it over God’s heritage must no longer be tolerated. The directors of God’s work must be men who have learned to seek Him in prayer, to be guided by His Spirit, men who realize the importance of being filled with wisdom from above. Those in our institutions, from the highest to the lowest, need to humble themselves before God. There must be a revival of the Holy Spirit in human hearts. The kingly authority exercised by man over his fellow man is no longer to find recognition in our institutions. No man is to feel that he can be conscience for another."
The work at Nashville must be largely an entity of itself. The Lord is to be the counsellor and helper of the workers. God has His appointed agencies, and to each one He has given an appointed work. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 2}
An example has been set in our institutions which has done great harm. A spirit has been cherished which needs to be entirely put away. This lording it over God’s heritage must no longer be tolerated. The directors of God’s work must be men who have learned to seek Him in prayer, to be guided by His Spirit, men who realize the importance of being filled with wisdom from above. Those in our institutions, from the highest to the lowest, need to humble themselves before God. There must be a revival of the Holy Spirit in human hearts. The kingly authority exercised by man over his fellow man is no longer to find recognition in our institutions. No man is to feel that he can be conscience for another. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 3}
"Mutual dependence is the law of the universe. The principles of truth are worked out through different instrumentalities, but there is one head over all, working through all and in all, to reveal the character of God to the world."
Mutual dependence is the law of the universe. The principles of truth are worked out through different instrumentalities, but there is one head over all, working through all and in all, to reveal the character of God to the world. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 4}
In the carrying forward of the cause of God, there is to be no injustice, no impartiality. In the heavenly courts the choicest treasures of God are prepared for His people, that they may work for Him in the fragrance of His love. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 5}
"Let God’s servants have so great a respect for the sacred work which they are handling that they will not bring into it one vestige of selfishness [or] of sharp dealing. Use not God’s sacred things to barter away truth and righteousness and justice and love. Let not men turn their brethren from their rights. Let them not think that God looks with favor on sharp, unholy dealing, even though it is done to build up the work. God hates all wrong-doing. Christ’s love for His church is not weakness. He will bless the members when they unswervingly vindicate His character, revealing His long-suffering, compassion, gentleness, and love. He will qualify them to represent Him by furnishing them with all needed help. But He will in no case serve with sin. He will not work with the man who makes merchandise of his brethren who are striving to advance the cause by writing or preaching or in some other way."
“And I answered again and said unto him, What be these two olive branches, which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.” [Zechariah 4:12-14.] {Lt 61, 1901, par. 6}
Let God’s servants have so great a respect for the sacred work which they are handling that they will not bring into it one vestige of selfishness [or] of sharp dealing. Use not God’s sacred things to barter away truth and righteousness and justice and love. Let not men turn their brethren from their rights. Let them not think that God looks with favor on sharp, unholy dealing, even though it is done to build up the work. God hates all wrong-doing. Christ’s love for His church is not weakness. He will bless the members when they unswervingly vindicate His character, revealing His long-suffering, compassion, gentleness, and love. He will qualify them to represent Him by furnishing them with all needed help. But He will in no case serve with sin. He will not work with the man who makes merchandise of his brethren who are striving to advance the cause by writing or preaching or in some other way. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 7}
When men are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, they will see the fallacy of educating in the art of selfishness. They will see that it is unjustifiable to seek to do good by robbing one who is filled with an unselfish interest to obtain means for the advancement of the work of God. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 8}
...
These things have been laid open before me. A great change is to take place in the moral tone of the working-force in the cause of God. Only by faithfulness in service can man enjoy the favor of God. Those who are handling sacred things are to deal justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. It is God who gives success, and He expects every worker to come into right relation with Him. Those who refuse to do this, they should find employment in some place where their influence will not be such a terrible power for wrong. The unchristian practices which have been allowed to come in have been a curse to the morals of all who have taken any part in dealing unfairly with the Lord’s goods. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 11}
God demands and has always demanded that His workers shall be tried and tested. Those who will not humble themselves before Him, who will not confess their sins and allow their hearts to be cleansed from every vestige of selfishness, are to find no place in His institutions. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 12}
Every worker in our institutions, sanitariums, publishing houses, and schools is to receive a fair remuneration for the work he does. If the workers receive suitable wages, they have the gratification of making donations to the cause. This matter needs to be adjusted. It is not right that some should receive very high wages, and others, who are doing essential and faithful work, very low wages. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 13}
We are all in need of the grace of God. Those who have not advanced in the path of self-denial are held responsible by God. The Lord desires that the dealing done in connection with His work shall be different from what it has been in the past. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 14}
Let everyone remember that before God his actions are as open as the day. Those who rob God must answer to Him. The Lord desires those to whom He has entrusted His goods to show kindness and liberality, not niggardliness. They are not to take every cent possible from those with whom they deal. This has been done, but God despises this way of working. It is a misrepresentation of Christ. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 15}
...
The money that is needed for the advancement of the work will be brought in when those in responsible positions exercise the grace of Christ, dispensing means with justice and equity. In the place of favoring a few places with much more than the law of equity warrants, the money given by God’s people is to be used to extend the work in many places. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 17}
There is yet a great work to be done. We are glad to [see] that something has been started in Nashville. The work in this place has not years of standing; it is new, and means will be needed to build it up. Nashville is a favorable locality, and it is now possible to purchase buildings suitable for the work at less than one half of the original cost. Are there not some who will give of their means to establish the work in Nashville upon a firm basis? When a beginning has been made, a great work can be done both for the white and the colored people. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 18}
...
He has specified the work to be done and has told us that He will give us power to do this work. Shall we take Him at His word, believing that He means just what He said when He declared that the whole world is to hear the message of mercy? He offers pardon to all who will confess and forsake their sins. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 20}
The work is fast closing up, and on every side wickedness is increasing. We have but a short time in which to work. Why do not those to whom God has committed great light move out into new places? They will have to do this, whether they wish to or not; for God will scatter them into many places. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 21}
God is not willing that any should perish. He has provided abundant means for the salvation of all who will accept His invitation. If God’s people had gone forth as they should, giving the invitation to thousands, many souls would have been added to the church of such as shall be saved. God’s Spirit will abide with true missionaries, furnishing them with power for service. God will bless all who will trust in Him. Human might and human wisdom did not establish the church, neither will they destroy it. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 22}
Let the people of God awaken from their spiritual sleep. God is an overflowing fountain of life and strength and efficiency and power. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. When this power is utilized, it will be more than a match for the power of the enemy. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 23}
"It is impossible for the man who believes in Christ to see the work that needs to be done, and yet do nothing. Daily the church is to receive from heaven the healing balm of God’s grace to impart to the needy and suffering. God’s people are weighted with the most sacred responsibilities and the most glorious privileges. All who believe the message for this time will go forth into the harvest field to do something for the Master, relying upon the assurance, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” [Psalm 126:6.] In practical obedience to the divine command, his confidence will increase and his talents will multiply. Mountains of obstacles will become a plain path. The spiritual desert will rejoice and blossom as the rose."
It is impossible for the man who believes in Christ to see the work that needs to be done, and yet do nothing. Daily the church is to receive from heaven the healing balm of God’s grace to impart to the needy and suffering. God’s people are weighted with the most sacred responsibilities and the most glorious privileges. All who believe the message for this time will go forth into the harvest field to do something for the Master, relying upon the assurance, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” [Psalm 126:6.] In practical obedience to the divine command, his confidence will increase and his talents will multiply. Mountains of obstacles will become a plain path. The spiritual desert will rejoice and blossom as the rose. {Lt 61, 1901, par. 24}
Arise, ye sleeping virgins, and trim your lamps. Take up your appointed work. “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion; for lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day and shall be my people; and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know the Lord, the Lord of hosts.” [Zechariah 2:10, 11.] {Lt 61, 1901, par. 25}
Portions of this letter are published in 4MR 261.