Collins, Gilbert
Nashville, Tennessee
January 3, 1902
Portions of this letter are published in 4MR 320-321. +NoteOne or more typed copies of this document contain additional Ellen White handwritten interlineations which may be viewed at the main office of the Ellen G. White Estate.
Dear Brother Gilbert Collins,—
When in the East, I desired to visit you. But, my brother, I dared not go. While in South Lancaster, I was very ill. It was thought that my case was dangerous. Three times a day I took very heavy treatment. For this reason I could not possibly visit you. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 1
My brother, you may not live long. Have you made your will? We know that you want to be the Lord’s right hand, working in co-operation with Him. Even after your life ends, it is your privilege to carry forward His work. Will you please consider this, and return to the Lord His own, that you may know that you have faithfully acted your part, doing what you could? If you do this, when you are called upon to lay off the armor, you will illustrate the words that God instructed John to write: “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” [Revelation 14:13.] 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 2
Have you not been reaching out and purchasing property? And yet now, just now, is the time when the work must be carried on in our cities. Greater New York is to be worked. But it costs something to carry forward the work in a large city. Do you not feel it your privilege to give something to advance the work in New York City? 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 3
How many claim that all they have is their own! Is it not time to return to the Lord His own means? May the Lord help you to understand your whole duty, as well as your privilege. May you never forget that you are His steward. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 4
Will you, my brother, do as I have done—make your will? But first, will you not make a donation to the cause of God? Means is so much needed. Every dollar that can be invested should be placed where it will do the greatest amount of good in advancing the Lord’s work. And our offerings, as well as our tithes, are to be brought into the Lord’s storehouse, that there may be meat in His house. Your gifts will advance the work in new fields. In the kingdom of God will you, my brother, see a harvest of souls that your offerings have been the means of saving? 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 5
I do not want you to forget to make a wise provision for the disposition of your means. The Lord will bless you in doing faithful work in this matter, placing His means where it will be used in His cause. After leaving to your wife a portion that will secure her from want, you will receive the Lord’s blessing if you make provision for the needs of His cause. Remember that years ago, when death had claimed you as his victim, the Lord in a remarkable manner spared your life. He heard our prayers in your behalf, and brought you back from the brink of the grave. My brother, I am drawn out to write to you, to ask you whether, after leaving to your wife that which will provide for her necessities, you would be willing to make me, or any other one in whom you have perfect confidence, the steward of your means? If you will entrust me with any portion of the remainder to use as the cause of God demands, I will take this responsibility, in connection with my son W. C. White, <or someone nearer to you,> who is wholly and sincerely devoted to the work and cause of God. I make this proposition, because I believe it is the best plan that I can suggest. You may have in mind some other person whom you would like to have act as your steward after your life shall have ended, in order that your means may still be used as God’s helping hand. But do not delay in settling this matter. Arrange to return to the Lord His means, that it may be used at this time, when money can do so much to promulgate the gospel message. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 6
The world is to be warned. Large cities are to be worked. The higher classes are to be given an opportunity to hear the important themes of present truth. Many are hungering for the spirituality that the churches have lost because they have left their first love. Every one should fully believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is able through His merits to secure prosperity, purity of character, righteousness, and peace for those who co-operate with Him in the great work that must now be done. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 7
All who can do so, should now make decided efforts to show to others the binding claims of the law of God. By pen, by voice, and by God’s entrusted talent of means, every one should labor to the utmost of his ability to bring to an end the elements of strife and discord, and to expose the deceptive errors that like a flood of corruption are deluging the world. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 8
A decided awakening, a careful searching of the Word of God, must take place in the great cities. Such a work is now being carried forward in Greater New York. And, thank the Lord, many minds are being awakened, not by eloquent preachers, but by humble workers who bear witness of the Lord Jesus Christ through His Word. Many are doing as did the noble Bereans, who “searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” [Acts 17:11.] The Lord is certainly opening doors before the workers, and people are being instructed in the truth. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 9
Our earnest desire is to bring souls to a knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. We hold no fanciful theories. Everything contrary to the word should be rejected as false. All who desire salvation are pledged to submit their judgment to the plainly revealed Word—to a “Thus saith the Lord.” 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 10
After Christ’s resurrection, just before He ascended to heaven, He gave to His disciples the message, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” [Matthew 28:19, 20.] This is a great and solemn work; but what greater help could we ask than the assurance given in the words, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world”? 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 11
Mark’s record is: “Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 12
“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.” [Mark 16:14-20.] 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 13
God calls for workers to preach the Word, and to canvass—workers to go forth everywhere with the assurance that He works through those who are true and whole-hearted. With God, nothing will be impossible. The sufficiency is all of God. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 14
I submit these statements to you, because in the providence of God my husband and myself were His chosen instrumentalities through whom, by earnest supplication, your life was spared. By living, reverent faith we laid hold on the life-giving power of Jesus Christ. Our prayers were heard. The answer came. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 15
Now, my brother, I leave these words with you. If you will at once make earnest and wise efforts to return to the Lord His own, a blessing will rest upon you; for thus you will be a faithful steward of the grace of Christ. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 16
In much love. 17LtMs, Lt 6, 1902, par. 17