EGW
Let there be in every church, well organized companies of workers to labor in the vicinity of that church.... By kindness to the poor, the sick, or the bereaved, we may obtain an influence over them, so that divine truth may find access to their hearts.... GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 1
Have you looked after the fatherless and the widow? ... What have you done for the widows, the distressed, who call upon you to aid them in educating and training their children or grandchildren? ... have you turned them away with unfeeling, unsympathetic refusals? If so, may the Lord pity your future; for “with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Can we be surprised that the Lord withholds his blessing, when his gifts are selfishly perverted and misapplied? ... GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 2
There are youth in our churches who could be educated to do a work for the Master in visiting the sick, in running on errands of mercy. This work has not been done, because no attention has been given to the matter. Let the missionary meeting be turned to account in teaching the people how to do missionary work. Put work into their hands, and let not the youth be ignored, but let them come in to share in the labor and responsibility. Let them feel that they have a part to act in helping bless others. Even the little children should be taught to do some little errand of love and mercy for those less fortunate than ourselves.... He bids us to interest ourselves in every case of suffering or need that shall come to our knowledge.... Jesus says, “Ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good.” The want and wretchedness in the world are constantly appealing to our compassion and sympathy.... Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. How many are there who claim to be followers of Christ, yet who do not follow him in truth. They do not manifest the sympathy and love of Christ by being merciful and compassionate. They do not make the widow's heart sing for joy; they treat the fatherless with coldness, indifference, or contempt. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 3
“I was a father to the poor; and the cause which I knew not I searched out.” This was an evidence that Job had the righteousness that was after Christ's order.... Faith works by love and purifies the soul. Faith buds and blossoms and bears a harvest of precious fruit. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 4
How surprised and gladdened will be the hearts of the lowly among the nations, and among the heathen, to hear from the lips of the Saviour, “For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat. I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink,” etc. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 5
The voice of God is speaking to us in clear, distinct utterances. He would see the works of righteousness in our lives. Instead of pleasing ourselves, the Lord would have us to do deeds of mercy, manifest tender forethought to those who are pressed down with burdens, cramped with poverty, who are hungry and naked and destitute. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 6
If we fail in doing works of mercy, in manifesting true love and sympathy, in helping and blessing others, whatever else we may do, we shall fail of pleasing God. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 7
But to those who regard every Christian duty, and manifest kindness and love to the sorrowing, the poor, the afflicted for Christ's sake, the promises are rich and abundant. Isaiah 58:8-11. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 8
In the judgment every case will be decided by what was done, or what was not done in this life.... Jesus will say, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 9
Our characters may become fragrant with good works, for by practice the living principles of righteousness will pass into the character, and unfold in beauty and purity of life. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 10
We are commanded to love our neighbor as ourselves. This command is not that we shall simply love those who think and believe exactly as we do. Christ illustrated the meaning of the commandment by the parable of the good Samaritan. But how strangely these precious words are neglected, and how frequently men oppress their fellow men and lift up their souls unto vanity.... GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 11
It would be well if every church would read in its assemblies from the Old Testament the lessons which Christ gave to the people.... GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 12
The lessons he had taught to Israel in the Old Testament he repeated in the New Testament. He enjoined upon them the exercise of mercy, compassion, and love toward all with whom they came in contact.... “When thou cuttest down thy harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.”... GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 13
If Israel had carried out the will of God that had been made known unto them, the blessed promise to the pure in heart would have rested upon them. They would have seen God, and by beholding him would have become like him in character. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 14
To leave the suffering neighbor unrelieved, is a breach of the law of God. God brought the priest along that way in order that with his own eyes he might see a case that needed mercy and help; but the priest though holding a high office, whose work it was to bestow mercy and to do good, passed by on the other side. His character was exhibited in its true nature before the angels of God. For a pretense he could make long prayers. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 15
Guilt rests upon us as a people who have had much light, because we have not appreciated or improved the light given upon health reform. Through misunderstanding and perverted ideas many souls are deceived. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 16
Those who teach the truth to others, and who should be shepherds to the flock, will be held accountable for their willing ignorance and disregard of Nature's laws. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 17
This is not a matter to be trifled with, to be passed off with a jest. As we approach the close of this earth's history, selfishness and violence and crime prevail as in the days of Noah, when the Old World perished in the waters of the flood. As Bible believers, we need to take our position for righteousness and truth. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 18
“The Lord does not give light on health reform that it may be disregarded by those who are in positions of influence and authority. The Lord means what he says.” GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 19
“And he is honored in what he says.” GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 20
The ministers in our country should become intelligent on health reform. They ought to become acquainted with the science of physiology. None can understand the subject thoroughly unless they understand something about physiology, and this is a subject which everybody ought to understand. It has not received the attention in our schools that it ought to have received. The philosopher remarked years ago that the deepest study of mankind is man. How much we neglect this study. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 21
“Thus they will become intelligent in regard to the laws that govern the physical health, and their bearing upon the health of mind and soul.” GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 22
“They will then be able to speak correctly upon this subject.” GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 23
“In their obedience to physical laws, they are to hold forth the word of life to the people, and to lead up higher and still higher in the work of reform.” GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 24
The lethargy of unconscious sensualism through indulgence of perverted appetite; the constant submitting of the soul and body and spirit to moral defilement, is upon the people. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 25
Men are taking sides according to their choice; those that are feeding on the Word of God will show this by their practice. They are on the Lord's side, seeking by precept and example to reform the world. All that have refused to be taught of God hold to the traditions of men; they at last pass over on the side of the enemy against God and are written antichrist. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 26
Guilt rests upon us as a people who have had much light, because we have not appreciated the importance of the light given upon health reform. GCDB March 8, 1897, par. 27