A n a d d r e s s t o t h e w o r k e r s |
Review and Herald - - Nov. 10, 1885 |
Related pages: LDE Chapter 14 (see page 213.4)
November 10, 1885 —
I feel urged to address those who are engaged in giving the last message of warning to the world. Whether those for whom they labor see and accept the truth, depends very much upon the individual workers. The command from God is, “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord;” and Paul charges Timothy, “Take heed to thyself and to the doctrine.” The work must commence with the worker; he must be united to Christ as the branch is united to the vine. “I am the true vine,” said Christ; “ye are the branches.” The closest possible connection is here represented. Ingraft the leafless rod upon the flourishing vine stock, and it soon becomes a living branch, drawing sap and nourishment from the vine. Fiber by fiber, vein by vein, the sapling clings, until it buds and blossoms and bears fruit. The sapless twig represents the sinner. When united to Christ, soul is joined to soul, the feeble and finite to the holy and infinite, and man becomes one with Christ. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 1 } |
“Without me,” says Christ, “ye can do nothing.” God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification. Are we who claim to be workers with Christ, united with him? Do we abide in Christ, and are we one with him? The message that we bear is world-wide. It must come before all nations, tongues, and people. The Lord will not require any one of us to go forth with this message unless he gives us power and grace to present it to the people in a manner corresponding to its importance. The great question with us today is, Are we carrying this solemn message of truth in a manner that is equal to its importance? The Lord will work with the workers if they will make Christ their only dependence. He never designed that his missionaries should work without his grace, and destitute of his power. The humble, contrite heart will be the abode of the Spirit of Christ. “If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him and make our abode with him.” John 14: 23 { RH November 10, 1885, par. 2 } |
| God has chosen us out of the world that we might be a peculiar and holy people: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” God’s workers must be men of prayer, diligent students of the Scriptures, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, that they may be a light and strength to others. Our God is a jealous God; and he requires that we worship him in spirit and in truth, in the beauty of holiness. The psalmist says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” As workers, we must take heed to our ways. If the psalmist could not be heard if he regarded iniquity in his heart, how can the prayers of ministers be heard if iniquity is regarded among them? There are dangers to which we are continually exposed. It is Satan’s studied plan to make the workers weak in prayer, weak in power, and weak in influence before the world, because of the defects in their characters,—defects which in no way harmonize with the truth. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 3 } Related Scripture: Psalm 66: 18 |
| After the passing of the time in 1844, fanaticism came into the ranks of Adventists. God gave messages of warning to stay the incoming evil. There was too great familiarity between some men and women. I presented to them the holy standard of truth that we should reach, and the purity of deportment that we should maintain, in order to meet the approval of God and be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Most solemn denunciations from God were given to men and women whose thoughts were running in an impure channel, while they claimed to be especially favored of God; but the message God gave was despised and rejected. They turned upon me, and said, Has God spoken only by you, and not by us? They did not amend their ways, and the Lord suffered them to go on till defilement marked their lives. Afterward, the very ones who had denounced me because I had reproved them, charged upon me the things which they had been guilty of themselves, and which had caused me such great distress and anguish of spirit. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 4 } |
| We are not out of danger even now. Every soul who engages to give to the world the message of warning will be sorely tempted to pursue such a course in life as will deny his faith. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 5 } |
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We must as workers be united in frowning down and condemning anything that bears the least approach to evil, in our associations with one another. Our faith is holy; our work is to vindicate the honor of God’s law, and is not of a character to bring any one down to a low level in thought or in deportment. There are many who claim to believe and teach the truth who have error and fanciful ideas of their own mingled with the truth. But there is an exalted platform for us to stand upon. We must believe and teach the truth as it is on Jesus. Holiness of heart will never lead to impure actions. When one who claims to be teaching the truth is inclined to be much in the company of young or even married women, when he familiarly lays his hand upon their person, or is often found conversing with them in a familiar manner, be afraid of him; the pure principles of truth are not inwrought in his soul. Such are not workers with Jesus; they are not in Christ, and Christ is not abiding in them. They need a thorough conversion before God can accept their labors. The truth of heavenly origin never degrades the receiver, never leads him to the least approach to undue familiarity; on the contrary, it sanctifies the believer, refines his taste, elevates and ennobles him, and brings him into a close connection with Jesus. It leads him to regard the apostle Paul’s injunction to abstain from even the appearance of evil, lest his good should be evil spoken of. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 6 } also { 2SM 29.3 to 30.1 }
Note: Similar to ST Oct.15, 1885, par. 3 (3 weeks before this) Related Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5: 22
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Session # 17 of LDE Chapter 14 ended here on July 1, 2021 Internet audience was 152,956
| We have a great work to do to elevate and win men to Christ, to lead them to choose and seek earnestly to be a partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Every thought, every word, and every action of the workers should be of the elevated character that is in harmony with the sacred truth they advocate. It may be that men and women will necessarily be united more or less in our important mission fields. If this is the case, you cannot be too guarded or circumspect. Let married men be reserved and guarded, so that no evil may be said of them justly. We are living in an age when iniquity abounds, and an unguarded word or improper action may greatly injure the usefulness of the one who shows this weakness. Keep up the barriers of reserve; let not one instance occur in your relations to others that the enemy can make capital of. If you begin to place your affections upon one another, giving special attention to favorites, using flattering words, God will withdraw his Spirit. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 7 } also { 5T 595.1 } Related Scripture: 2 Peter 1: 4
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| If married men go into the work, leaving their wives to care for the children at home, the wife and mother is doing fully as great and important a work as the husband and father. Although one is in the missionary field, the other is a home missionary, whose cares and anxieties and burdens frequently far exceed those of the husband and father. Her work is a solemn and important one,—to mold the minds and fashion the characters of her children, and train them for usefulness here, and fit them for the future immortal life. The husband in the open missionary field may receive the honors of men, while the home toiler may receive no earthly credit for her labor. But if she works for the best interest of her family, seeking to fashion their characters after the divine Model, the recording angel writes her name as one of the greatest missionaries in the world. God does not see things as man’s finite vision views them. How careful should the husband and father be to maintain his loyalty to his marriage vows. How circumspect should be his character lest he shall encourage thoughts in young girls, or even in married women, that are not in accordance with the high, holy standard,—the commandments of God. Those commandments Christ shows to be exceeding broad, reaching even the thoughts, intents, and purposes of the heart. Here is where many are delinquent. Their heart imaginings are not of the pure, holy character which God requires; and however high their calling, however talented they may be, God will mark iniquity against them, and will count them as far more guilty and deserving of his wrath than those who have less talent, less light, less influence. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 8 } Related Scriptures: Hebrews 4: 12 - - Leviticus 11: 44, 45 - - James 1: 22, 23
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| I am pained when I see men praised, flattered, and petted. God has revealed the fact that some who receive these attentions are unworthy to take his name into their lips; yet they are exalted to heaven in the estimation of finite man, who reads only from outward appearance. My sisters, never pet and flatter poor, failing, erring men, either young or old, married or unmarried. You know not their weaknesses, and you know not but these very attentions and this profuse praise may prove their ruin. I am alarmed at the shortsightedness, the want of wisdom, that many manifest in respect to this familiarity. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 9 } |
| Men who are doing God’s work, and who have Christ abiding in their hearts, will not lower the standard of morality, but will ever seek to elevate it. They will not find pleasure in the flattery of women, or in being petted by them. Let both young and married men say, Hands off! I will not give the least occasion to have my good evil spoken of. My good name is capital of far more value to me than gold or silver. Let me preserve it untarnished. If men assail that name, it shall not be because I have given them any occasion to do so, but for the same reason that they spoke falsely of Christ,— because they hated the purity and holiness of his character; for it was a constant rebuke to them. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 10 } Related Scripture: Isaiah 59: 19 "when the enemy comes . . ." |
| I wish I could impress upon every worker in God’s cause, the great need of continual, earnest prayer. They cannot be constantly upon their knees, but they can be uplifting their hearts to God. This is the way that Enoch walked with God. Be careful lest self-sufficiency come in, and you drop Jesus out, and work in your own strength rather than in the spirit and strength of the Master. Do not waste golden moments in frivolous conversation. When you return from doing missionary work, do not praise yourself, but exalt Jesus; lift up the cross of Calvary. Allow no one to praise or flatter you, or to cling to your hand as if loth to let it go. Be afraid of every such demonstration. When young or even married people show a disposition to open their family secrets to you, beware. When they express a desire for sympathy, know that it is time to exercise great caution. Those who are imbued with the spirit of Christ, and who are walking with God, will have no unholy repining for sympathy. They have a companionship that satisfies every desire of the mind and heart. Married men who accept the attention, the praise and petting, of women, should be assured that the love and sympathy of this class is not worth the obtaining; it is valueless. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 11 } Related Scripture: 1 Peter 3: 7
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Session # 18 of LDE Chapter 14 ended here on July 6, 2021 Internet audience was 135,179
| This is a subject to which we must give heed. We must guard against the sins of this degenerate age. We must stand aloof from everything that savors of commonness and undue familiarity. God condemns it. It is forbidden ground, upon which it is unsafe to set the feet. Every word and action should tend to elevate, refine, and ennoble the character. There is sin in thoughtlessness about such matters. The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy to diligence and thoroughness in his ministry, and urged him to meditate upon those things that were pure and excellent, that his profiting might appear unto all. The same counsel is greatly needed by young men of the present age. Thoughtful consideration is essential. If men would only think more, and act less impulsively, they would meet with much greater success in their labors. We are handling subjects of infinite importance, and we cannot afford to weave into our work our own defects of character. We want to represent the character of Christ. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 12 } |
| Women are too often tempters. On one pretense or another, they engage the attention of married or unmarried men, and lead them on till they transgress the law of God, till their usefulness is ruined and their souls jeopardized. The history of Joseph is left on record for the benefit of all who like him are tempted. He was firm as a rock to principle, and answered the tempter, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God!” Moral power like his is what is now needed. If women would only elevate their lives and become workers with Christ, there would be less danger through their influence; but with their present feelings of unconcern in regard to home responsibilities, and in regard to the claims that God has upon them, their influence is often strong in the wrong direction, their powers are dwarfed, and their work does not bear the divine impress. They are not home missionaries, neither are they missionaries away from home; and frequently home, precious home, is a desolation. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 13 } |
| Let every one who professes Christ, seek to overcome all unmanliness, all weakness and folly. Some men never grow up to the full stature of men in Christ Jesus. They are childish and self-indulgent. Humble piety would correct all this. Pure religion possesses no characteristics of childish self-indulgence. It is honorable in the highest degree. Then let not one of those who have enlisted as soldiers of Christ be ready to faint in the day of trial. All should feel that they have earnest work to do to elevate their fellow-men. Not one has a right to rest from the warfare of making virtue desirable and vice hated. There is no rest for the living Christian this side of the eternal world. To obey God’s commandments is to do right and only right. This is Christian manliness. But many need to take frequent lessons from the life of Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith. “Consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” You are to show a growth in the Christian graces. By manifesting meekness under provocation, and growing away from low earthliness, you give evidence that you have an indwelling Saviour. Every thought, word, and deed attracts men to Jesus rather than to self. There is a great amount of work to be done, and but little time in which to do it. Let your life work be to inspire all with the thought that they have a work to do for Christ. Wherever there are duties to be done which but few understand because they do not want to see their life work, accept them, and do them. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 14 } Related Scripture: Hebrews 12; 3, 4 - - Ephesians 3: 19
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| Again I urge upon you the necessity of purity in every thought, in every word, in every action. We have an individual accountability to God, an individual work which no one can do for us. It is to make the world better by precept, personal effort, and example. While we should cultivate sociability, let it not be merely for amusement, but for a purpose. There are souls to save. Come near to them by personal effort. Open your doors to young men who are exposed to temptation. Evil invites them on every hand. Seek to interest them. If they are full of faults, seek to correct these errors. Do not hold yourselves aloof from them, but come close to them. Bring them to your firesides; invite them to your family altars. There is work that thousands need to have done for them. Every tree in Satan’s garden is hung with tempting, poisonous fruit, and a woe is pronounced upon every one who plucks and eats. Let us remember the claims of God upon us to make the path to heaven clear and bright and attractive, that we may win souls away from Satan’s destructive enchantments. God has given us reason, to be used for a noble purpose. We are here as probationers for the next life. It is too solemn a period for any of us to be careless or move in uncertainty. Our intercourse with others should be characterized by sobriety and heavenly-mindedness. Our conversation should be upon heavenly things. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it; and a book of remembrance was written before him for those that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Malachi 3: 17 When the conversation is of a cheap character, and savors of an earnest reaching out after human sympathy and human appreciation, it springs from love-sick sentimentalism, and neither the youth nor the men with gray hairs are secure. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 15 } |
Session # 19 of LDE Chapter 14 ended here on July 8, 2021 Internet audience was 153,141
| What is more worthy to engross the mind than the plan of redemption? It is a subject that is exhaustless. The love of Jesus, the salvation offered to fallen man through his infinite love, holiness of heart, the precious, saving truth for these last days, the grace of Jesus Christ,—these are subjects which may animate the soul, and cause the pure in heart to feel that joy that the disciples felt when Jesus came and walked with them as they traveled toward Emmaus. He who has centered his affections upon Christ will relish this kind of hallowed association, and will gather divine strength by such intercourse; but he who has no relish for this kind of conversation, and who is best pleased to talk love-sick nonsense, has wandered far away from God, and is becoming dead to holy and noble aspirations. The sensual, the earthly, is interpreted by such to be heavenly. When the truth of God is an abiding principle in the heart, it will be like a living spring. Attempts may be made to repress it, but it will gush forth in another place; it is there, and cannot be headed off. The truth in the heart is a well-spring of life. It refreshes the weary, restrains the vile thought and utterance and makes all flourishing. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 16 } |
| Is there not enough transpiring about us to show us the dangers that beset our path? Everywhere are seen wrecks of humanity, broken-down family altars, broken-up families. There is a strange abandonment of principle, the standard of morality is lowered, and the earth is fast becoming a Sodom. The Sodomitish practices which brought the judgment of God upon the world, and caused it to be deluged with water, and which caused Sodom to be destroyed by fire, are fast increasing. We are nearing the end. God has borne long with the perversity of mankind, but their punishment is no less certain. Let those who profess to be the light of the world, depart from all iniquity. We see the very same spirit manifested against the truth as was seen in Christ’s day. For want of Bible arguments, those who are making void the law of God will manufacture falsehoods to stain and blacken the workers. They did this to the world’s Redeemer; they will do it to his followers. Reports that have not the least foundation will be asserted as truth. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 17 } |
| May the Lord attract souls to himself, and impart to them individually a sense of their sacred responsibilities to form such characters that Christ will not be ashamed to call them brethren. Elevate the standard, and then the heavenly benediction will be pronounced upon you in that day when every man will receive according to the deeds done in the body. Workers for God must live as in his sight, and be constantly developing in character, true virtue, and godliness. Their mind and heart must be so thoroughly imbued with the Spirit of Christ and solemnized by the sacred message they have to bear that every thought, every action, every motive will be above the earthly and sensual. Their happiness will not be in forbidden, selfish gratifications, but in Jesus and his love. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 18 } Related Scripture: Isaiah 59: 19 |
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The standard of morality is not exalted high enough among God’s people. Many who profess to be keeping God’s commandments, and standing in their defense, are breaking them. Temptations present themselves in a way that the tempted think they see an excuse to transgress. Those who enter the missionary field should be men and women who walk and talk with God. Those who stand as ministers in the sacred desk should be men of blameless reputation; their lives should be spotless, above everything that savors of impurity. Do not place your reputation in jeopardy by going in the way of temptation. If a woman lingeringly holds your hand, quickly withdraw it, and save her from sin. If she manifests undue affection, and mourns that her husband does not love her and sympathize with her, do not try to supply this lack. Your only safe and wise course in such a case is to keep your sympathy to yourself. Such cases are numerous. Point such souls to the Burden-bearer, the true and safe Counselor. If she has chosen Christ as a companion, he will give her grace to bear neglect without repining; meanwhile she should diligently do all in her power to bind her husband to her by strictest fidelity and faithfulness in making his home attractive and cheerful. If all her efforts are unavailing and unappreciated, she will have the sympathy and aid of her blessed Redeemer. He will help her to bear all her burdens, and comfort her in her disappointments. She shows distrust of Jesus when she reaches for human objects to supply the place that Christ is ever ready to fill. In her repining she sins against God. She would do well to critically examine her own heart to see if sin is not lurking in the soul. The heart that accepts human sympathy and forbidden attentions from any one is not pure and faultless before God. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 19 }
Related Scripture: Matthew 5: 21, 22 'The Beattitudes' This quotation stands against ordination of women as pastors ( see ministers . . . should be men )
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Session # 20 of LDE Chapter 14 ended here on July 13, 2021 Internet audience was 153,242
| The Bible affords many striking illustrations of the strong influence of evil-minded women. When Balaam was called upon to curse Israel, he was not permitted to do so; for “the Lord had not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither had he seen perverseness in Israel.” But Balaam, who had yielded to one temptation, now became fully the agent of Satan; and he determined to accomplish that which God had not permitted him to do directly. He at once laid a snare whereby Israel should be enchanted with the beautiful Moabitish women, who would lead them to transgress God’s law. Thus iniquity would be found in them, and God’s blessing would not rest upon them. Their forces would be greatly weakened, and their enemies would no longer fear their power, because the presence of the Lord of hosts was not in their armies. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 20 } |
| This is intended as a warning to the people of God living in the last days. If they follow after righteousness and true holiness, if they keep all of God’s commandments, Satan and his agents will not be permitted to overcome them. All the opposition of their bitterest foes will prove powerless to destroy or uproot the vine of God’s own planting. But Satan understands what Balaam learned by sad experience, that there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither divination against Israel while iniquity is not cherished among them; and his power and influence will ever be employed to mar their unity and defile the purity of their characters. His snares are laid in a thousand ways to weaken their power for good. God has blessed his commandment-keeping people, and all the opposition and falsehoods that may be brought against them will only strengthen those who stand firmly in defense of the faith once delivered to the saints. But if those who profess to be the depositaries of God’s law become transgressors of that law, his protecting care will be withdrawn, and many will fall through perverseness and licentiousness. Then we shall indeed be unable to stand before our enemies. But if his people remain separate and distinct from the world, as a nation who do righteousness, God will be their defense, and no weapons formed against them shall prosper. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 21 } Related Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 5: 1 - - Romans 2
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| In view of the dangers of this time, shall not we, as God’s commandment-keeping people, put away from among us all sin, all iniquity, all perverseness? Shall not the women professing the truth keep strict guard over themselves lest the least encouragement be given to unwarrantable familiarity? They may close many a door of temptation if they will observe at all times strict reserve and propriety of deportment. Let men find an example in the life of Joseph, and stand firm to principle, however strongly tempted. We want to be strong men and women for the right. There are those around us who are weak in moral power. They need to be in the company of those who are firm, and whose hearts are closely knit with the heart of Christ. Every one’s principles will be put to the test. But there are those who go into temptation like a fool to the correction of stocks. They invite the Devil to tempt them. They unnerve themselves, are weakened in moral power, and shame and confusion are the result. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 22 } See Familiarity with sin
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How contemptible in the sight of a holy God are those who profess to stand in vindication of his law and yet violate it! They bring reproach upon the precious cause, and give the oppressors of truth occasion to triumph. [Note: previous sentence not in ST Oct. 15, 1885] Never should the mark of distinction between the followers of Jesus and the followers of Satan be obliterated. There is a distinct line drawn by God himself between the world and the Church, between commandment-keepers and commandment-breakers. These do not blend together. They are as far separated, as much different, as midday and midnight,— different in their tastes, their aims, their pursuits, their characters. If we cultivate the love and fear of God, we shall loathe the least approach to impurity. { RH November 10, 1885, par. 23 }
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| My prayer is, “O Lord, anoint the eyes of thy people, that they may discern between sin and holiness, and between pollution and righteousness, and come off victors at last.” { RH November 10, 1885, par. 24 } |
Session # 21 of LDE Chapter 14 ended here on July 15, 2021 Internet audience was 153,299
| In June 2021, a group studying the book 'Last Day Events' came upon a quotation on page 213. "More than one thousand will soon be converted in one day, most of whom will trace their first convictions to the reading of our publications." — Evangelism, 693 (1885). { LDE 213.4}
Evangelism clearly gives the source of this quote as from RH Nov. 10, 1885 and so far we cannot find the quotation in this article - but there is a blessing in reading this article.
Please join the discussion tonight - July 13, 2021 - click on this link
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