James, Brother and Sister [G.]
“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California
January 22, 1901
Previously unpublished.
Dear brother and sister James,—
We were much pleased to receive from you a letter containing so much good news. We rejoice to know that the work in Maitland is still progressive. It will continue to be so if you will walk humbly with God. I have been very sick for three weeks. The Australian mail goes in a day or two. I had to write some letters for this, and I am now weary. 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 1
In regard to Brother James taking his time to obtain an education to better fit him for the work, you are on the ground, and you can decide better than I whether it will be wise for you to break into your work of laboring for the people. The Lord must be your wisdom. Ask Him for light. Then carefully consider the question on all sides. I would be pleased to answer you more definitely, but cannot, as I have no particular light on this question. God will be your adviser. He will not leave you in darkness. He desires you to go to Him in all your perplexities. You can honor Him by asking in faith, and believing that you will receive an answer to your prayers. 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 2
Let us take all our burdens and perplexities to the One who has given us the invitation, “Come unto me, 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.” [Matthew 11:28-30.] We should believe this without one questioning doubt. 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 3
God will never fail those who trust in Him. We may lay hold of Him by virtue of a double claim, a claim that we have complied with the invitation, and a claim to the promise, “Let him take hold of my strength, that he may make peace with me, and he shall make peace with me.” [Isaiah 27:5.] “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.” [Isaiah 26:3.] If you take God at His Word, and cling closely to Him, He will honor your faith. 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 4
I pray constantly for the workers in Newcastle and Maitland. I have a deep soul-longing for the salvation of those in the regions beyond. As you see the work to be done, ask God for wisdom to make right decisions. How thankful you should be that God is nigh and not afar off. 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 5
I hope that every believer in the truth will become a healthy Christian. There are too many sickly Christians in our world. Christ, the great Medical Missionary, came to this earth to give spiritual health to all. His remedy is all-sufficient for those who will comply with the conditions. We must make Christ a personal Saviour. He must be to us our wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Oh, we who have Bibles should each day be obtaining an experience that will enable us to be burning and shining lights in the world. The church should be alive at every point. The members, their hearts filled with the Holy Spirit, should reveal a longing for the souls in darkness. “Arise; shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” [Isaiah 60:1.] 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 6
Again I say to you, Believe, trust. Work and pray and watch and wait for the coming of our Lord. 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 7
We are now passing through our second winter. We have much rain, but from May to December no rain will fall. The Lord is sending the rain now that the trees may draw in their nourishment and yield their treasure of fruit in its season. 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 8
Brother and Sister Iram James, with their family of little ones, have arrived from Cooranbong. They had a very smooth sea all the way and reached us in good condition. I need not tell you that we were as pleased to see them as if they were members of our own family. We have plenty for Brother James to do, and we are very glad that he is here; for we can trust him. 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 9
Be assured that we feel a deep interest in Australia, our field of labor for nine years. My brother and sister, remember that just as long as you work humbly and in faith, you will have success. Through your efforts precious souls will confess their belief in the truth, and will take their stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. Realize your own weakness. Join your weakness to His strength, your ignorance to His wisdom, your unworthiness to His merit, your frailty to His enduring might, your poverty to His boundless wealth. Then you will be overcomers. Be of good courage in the Lord. Tell Sister Baker that I will write to her as soon as I am stronger. We are praying for you all, that the rich blessing of God may rest upon you. 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 10
In much love. 16LtMs, Lt 15, 1901, par. 11