God’s Word to Be Our Study
“Elmshaven,” St. Helena, California
April 9, 1905
Previously unpublished. +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.
My heart is filled with thankfulness this morning. I have had a wakeful night, but I am not discouraged. When I am unable to sleep, I send my petitions to the heavenly Father to give me His grace and His Holy Spirit. I must not worry; or that would never do. I must look to God only for help and grace. In my sleep I am laboring with my brethren who cannot see all things clearly. Their course of action is not as God designed it should be; they suppose they know all about their dangers, but they do not see, neither do they understand the perils before them. My prayer is that God will open their blind eyes to spiritual matters, that they may not make grave mistakes. 20LtMs, Ms 41, 1905, par. 1
I am instructed that we must all move cautiously and wisely. The Lord will place the feet of those who have been in danger in sure paths if they will look to Him for guidance. If they would help Dr. Kellogg to the light, let them understand that they will by no means do this by allowing him to think that his feet are now in sure places. 20LtMs, Ms 41, 1905, par. 2
The representation that was made in Pennsylvania is not to be copied. It has been plainly opened before me, as have some other moves that have been made in very questionable lines. God forbids such presentations. I have been shown the weak parts of these performances, which consume money that should not be used in any such way. There would be much more gained in humbling the heart before God and seeking most diligently counsel from the Most High. 20LtMs, Ms 41, 1905, par. 3
The pitiful appeals that are coming in for help to work new fields cause my heart to ache. Every dollar should be cherished to be used in the work for this time, which needs to be done speedily. 20LtMs, Ms 41, 1905, par. 4
The day before yesterday the burden upon my heart was such that I thought I could not live. My pulse was hardly perceptible. I thought, How pleasant it would be if the Lord would give me rest by allowing me to pass away at this time. I could not make an effort to touch the bell to call assistance. Rest—how pleasant it looked to me—rest, with no more perplexities, no more uncertainties. 20LtMs, Ms 41, 1905, par. 5
A representation then passed before me. I was standing before a large number of people, bearing a message, clear, solemn, and of decidedly urgent importance. I was saying, Will not the considerations presented in the Word of God move upon your hearts, leading you to see and realize your peril. You are called by the name of Christ. But when the solemn conviction of the Spirit of God shall impress your souls, the works done will be of a very different character from what they now are. Testimonies will be borne that will cause unbelievers to tremble, and with painful earnestness to inquire, “What must I do to be saved?” [Acts 16:30.] Will not men have less confidence in the words and suggestions of men who are not worked by the Spirit of God? Will they not search the Scriptures with intense earnestness, that they may know what God saith in His Word. The days in which we are living are emphatically the last days of this earth’s history. Shall we not, in view of what is written in the inspired Word, decide to work for God and eternity? All around us there are unconverted men and women. Satan is working most zealously to deceive if possible the very elect. There needs to be brought into the life, into the words and deeds of those who are entrusted with responsibilities in the Lord’s work, a decided power from above. Many in the world are looking on to see what representation is being made by the people who claim to have advanced truth to proclaim. We are to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. We are to search the Word of God with diligence and earnestness. We are to proclaim the affirmative points of our faith, which have been so repeatedly confirmed by the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. 20LtMs, Ms 41, 1905, par. 6
Witnesses will be raised up to do the very work that is not being done. Tell them—my appointed agencies—that it is no time now to sleep. Cease to put confidence in men who know not what spirit is moving them to action. Go to Christ; lay hold of Christ; trust not in human sophistries; lay hold on the sure word of prophecy, and stand with the gospel armor on. The messengers that God sends forth are to be men of faith, bearing the most solemn message that has ever come to our world. 20LtMs, Ms 41, 1905, par. 7
The words of the Lord were repeated, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments.” [Revelation 16:15.] None need give themselves to the searching into science falsely so-called. Had the men who have been doing this been humbling their hearts before God and receiving knowledge from the Most High, they would have been recipients of the grace and truth and power that comes through Christ alone. Let there be more of the Word of God and less of the clatter of the words of men. The Bible, the Word of eternal interest, is to be received and obeyed, not the theories and suppositions of men. 20LtMs, Ms 41, 1905, par. 8
The Messenger said with earnestness, The Living Witness came to John on the Isle of Patmos and gave him a message to write in a book for the benefit of all who will read and understand. Read and study your Bibles with earnest prayer. The knowledge that you suppose you possess is in need of the divine excellence. Study your Bibles, not the theories of men, which are so faulty, so erroneous, so misleading. Unless those who hold these theories repent and are converted, they will ere long be among the most vigilant workers of the fallen angel. Read the Word. Cut loose from men who are themselves misled, who know not whither their steps are tending. Teach the Bible with an enlightenment that many do not now possess. 20LtMs, Ms 41, 1905, par. 9
Christ declared, “The words that I have spoken unto you, the same will judge every man in the last great day.” [John 12:48.] Happy are those whose faith is founded on the sure Rock, who have riveted their souls to the Rock of Ages. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, those who are found waiting for Him will appear with Him in glory. “It doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” [1 John 3:2.] 20LtMs, Ms 41, 1905, par. 10