Starr, Lillis Wood
St. Helena, California
September 19, 1907
Portions of this letter are published in LLM 274-275.
Dr. Lillis Wood Starr
Loma Linda, California
Dear Sister Starr:
I feel very thankful that you have had the privilege of becoming better acquainted with the workers of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. Our workers should make special efforts to come in touch with this organization and to connect with the workers in the temperance cause. This will prove a great help to our own people, and also to these women workers. If the present truth is presented to them in the simplicity of godliness, they will see and accept it. We must keep close to the Lord. If we are imbued with His Spirit, the light will shine forth. It is Christ in the life that will make the truths we advocate forcible and will lead souls to accept Him. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 1
While many of the workers in the W.C.T.U. have heard the truth of the third angel’s message, there are many more who have never had it presented to them in its fulness. These women will not be condemned for not receiving that which they have not heard. I have been shown that if the Sabbath truth is presented to these, many will accept it. We should not neglect them, or treat them as if they were opposed to the cause of present truth. By showing ourselves interested in their work of temperance, we shall open the way to give them the light we have. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 2
We need so much to study Christ’s methods of labor. He traveled continually from place to place, ministering to the temporal and spiritual needs of the multitudes that followed Him. He grasped every opportunity of presenting truth to the people, and the seeds of truth He dropped into the hearts of His hearers sprang up and brought forth fruit. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 3
“After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. And a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His miracles which He did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there He sat with His disciples. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 4
“When Jesus then lifted up His eyes, and saw a great company come unto Him, He saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this He said to prove him; for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 5
“One of the disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto Him, There is a lad here which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes, but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, He said unto His disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle which Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet which should come into the world.” [John 6:1-14.] 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 6
I have been shown that we have not labored as we should for the women of the W.C.T.U. They need patient, wise, Christlike efforts made for them. We can never do for them what God expects of us by standing apart from them to condemn. We need to give them the truth as it was revealed in the life of Jesus. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 7
Let no one hinder you from putting forth efforts to get the Sabbath truth before this class. Show them that you desire to connect with them in their work of temperance. Draw near to them, and in your association together, show them that you have a practical faith. And they, by coming to our meetings, and being permitted to have a part in them, will learn the reasons of our faith. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 8
At our camp-meetings we should make special efforts to reach the unbelieving, and to let the light shine forth amid the moral darkness. Consecration meetings should be held as well as discourses given. The living truths for this time should be preached. At the Los Angeles camp-meeting opportunities should have been improved to make special efforts for the workers in the temperance cause. The tame way in which the temperance question is being handled by our people is not in harmony with the necessities of the times. The work of making known our belief in matters of temperance should now be entered into most heartily. When the W.C.T.U. workers see that we are in harmony with their temperance principles, they will be willing to listen to other points of our faith. As we present our principles on health reform, they will see that there is further light for them on the temperance question. We can then bring the Sabbath truth before them. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 9
I cannot at this time write as fully as I desire, but I urge you, my sister, to let the light of health reform shine forth in clear, bright rays. The Lord will bless you in this work as He makes your knowledge of the truth a blessing to others. Lean hard upon God; trust fully in Him; walk in humility, realizing that the Lord is your helper, and your deliverer, your frontguard and your rearward. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 10
I am glad that you have found a place for your children in the country. Let them have plenty of outdoor life. Their brains should not be greatly taxed. The mental powers will strengthen with the physical. Brother Starr also should have plenty of physical exercise. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 11
Be of good courage in the Lord. Together you may link up with Christ and know that He is your strength. May the Lord help and strengthen and bless you, is my prayer. 22LtMs, Lt 302, 1907, par. 12