Epistle Number Five.

Dear Bro. H—— L——: I feel very anxious for you that you may accept light and come out of darkness. You have been greatly tempted of Satan; he has used you as his instrument to hinder the work of God. He has thus far succeeded with you, but it need not follow that you should, continue in the path of error. I look upon your case with great trembling. I know that God has given you great light. In your sickness last fall the providence of God was dealing with you that you might bear fruit to his glory.T26 114.1

Unbelief was taking possession of your soul, but the Lord afflicted you that you might gain a needed experience. He blessed us in praying for you, and he blessed you in answer to our prayers. The Lord designed to unite our hearts in love and confidence. The Holy Spirit witnessed with your spirit. The power of God in answer to prayer came upon you, but Satan came with temptations and you did not close the door upon him. He entered and has been very busy.T26 114.2

It is the plan of the evil one to work first upon the mind of one, then, through him upon others. He has thus sought to hedge up our way and hinder our labors in the very place where our influence should be most felt, for the prosperity of the cause.T26 115.1

The Lord brought you into connection with his work at ——, for a wise purpose; he designed that you should discover the defects in your character and overcome them. You know how quickly your spirit chafes when things do not move according to your mind. Would you could understand that all this impatience and irritability must be overcome, or your life will prove an utter failure, you will lose Heaven, and it would have been better had you never been born.T26 115.2

Our cases are pending at the court of Heaven. We are rendering our accounts there day by day. Every one will receive reward according to his works. Burnt-offerings and sacrifices were not acceptable to God in ancient times, unless the spirit was right with which the gift was offered. Samuel said, “Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” All the money on earth cannot buy the blessing of God or ensure you a single victory.T26 115.3

Many would make any and every sacrifice but the very one they should make, which is to yield themselves, to submit their wills to the will of God. Said Christ to his disciples, “Except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Here is a lesson in humility. We must all become humble as little children in order to inherit the kingdom.T26 115.4

Our Heavenly Father sees the hearts of men, and he knows their characters better than they do themselves. He sees that some have susceptibilities and powers which, directed in the right channel, might be used to his glory, to aid in the advancement of his work. He puts these persons on trial, and in his wise providence brings them into different positions and under a variety of circumstances, testing them that they may reveal what is in their hearts and the weak points in their characters which have been concealed from their own knowledge.T26 116.1

He gives them opportunities to correct these weaknesses, and polish off the rough corners of their natures, and fit themselves for his service, that when he calls them to action they will be ready, and that angels of Heaven may unite their labor with human effort in the work that must be done upon the earth.T26 116.2

God in mercy reveals their hidden defects to men whom he designs shall fill responsible positions, that they may look within and examine critically the complicated emotions and exercises of their own hearts, and detect that which is wrong; thus they may modify their dispositions and refine their manners. The Lord in his providence brings men where he can test their moral powers and reveal their motives of action, that they, may improve what is right in themselves and put away that which is wrong. God would have his servants become acquainted with the moral machinery of their own hearts. In order to bring this about, he often permits the fire of affliction to assail them that they may become purified. “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers’ soap. And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”T26 116.3

The purification of the people of God cannot be accomplished without their suffering. God permits the fires of affliction to consume the dross, to separate the worthless from the valuable and let the pure metal shine forth. He passes us from one fire to another, testing our true worth. If we cannot bear these trials, what will we do in the time of trouble! If prosperity or adversity discover falseness, pride or selfishness in our hearts, what shall we do when God tries every man's work as by fire, and lays bare the secrets of all hearts!T26 117.1

True grace is willing to be tried; if we are loth to be searched by the Lord, our condition is serious indeed. God is the refiner and purifier of souls; in the heat of the furnace the dross is separated from the true silver and gold of the Christian character. Jesus watches the test. He know what is needed to purify the precious metal that it may reflect the radiance of his precious love.T26 117.2

God brings his people near him by close, testing trials, by showing them their own weakness and inability, by teaching them to lean upon him, that he is their only help and safe-guard. Then his object is accomplished. They are prepared to be used in every emergency, to fill important positions of trust, and to accomplish the grand purposes for which their powers were given them. God takes men upon trial, he proves them on the right hand and on the left, they are thus educated, trained and disciplined.T26 118.1

Jesus, our Redeemer, man's representative and head, endured this testing process. He suffered more than we can be called upon to suffer. He bore our infirmities and was in all points tempted as we are. He did not suffer thus on his own account, but because of our sins; and now relying on the merits of our Overcomer, we may become victors in the name of Jesus.T26 118.2

God's work of refining and purifying must go on until his servants are so humbled, so dead to self, that, when called into active service, their eyes are single to His glory. Then he will accept their efforts, they will not move rashly and from impulse, they will not rush on and imperil the Lord's cause, being slaves to temptations and passions, followers of their own carnal minds set on fire by Satan. Oh! how fearfully is the cause of God marred by man's perverse will and unsubdued temper. How much suffering he brings upon himself by following his own headstrong passions! God brings men over the ground again and again, increasing the pressure until a transformation of character and a perfect humility bring them into harmony with Christ, with the spirit of Heaven, and they are victors over themselves.T26 118.3

God has called men from different States, and has been testing and proving them, to see what characters they would develop, and if they could be trusted to keep the fort at —— ——, whether or not they would supply the deficiences of the men already there and, seeing the failures they have made, shun the example of those who are not fit to engage in the most sacred work of God.T26 119.1

He has followed men at —— —— with continual warnings, reproof and counsel. He has poured great light about those who officiate in his cause there, that the way may be plain before them. But if they prefer to follow after their own wisdom, scorning the light, as did Saul, they will surely go astray and involve the cause in perplexity. Light and darkness have been set before them and they have too often chosen the darkness.T26 119.2

The Laodicean message applies to the people of God who profess to believe present truth. The greater part are lukewarm professors, having a name but no zeal. God signified that he wanted men at the great heart of the work to correct the state of things existing there and to stand like faithful sentinels at their post of duty. He has given them light at every point, to instruct, encourage and confirm them as the case required. But notwithstanding all this, those who should be faithful and true, fervent in Christian zeal, of gracious temper, knowing and loving Jesus earnestly, are found aiding the enemy to weaken and discourage those whom God is using to up the build work.T26 119.3

The term lukewarm is applicable to this class. They profess to love the truth, yet are deficient in Christian fervor and devotion. They dare not give up wholly and run the risk of the unbeliever, yet they are unwilling to die to self and follow out closely the principles of their faith.T26 120.1

The only hope for the Laodiceans is a clear view of their standing before God, a knowledge of the nature of their disease. They are neither cold nor hot, they occupy a neutral position and at same time flatter themselves that they are in need of nothing. The True Witness hates this lukewarmness. He loathes the indifference of this class of persons. Said he, “I would thou wert either cold or hot.” They are, as lukewarm water, nauseous to his taste.T26 120.2

They are either unconcerned or selfishly stubborn. They do not engage thoroughly and heartily in the work of God, identifying themselves with its interests, but hold aloof and are ready to leave their posts when their worldly personal interests demand it. The internal work of grace is wanting in their hearts; of such it is said, “Because thou sayest, I am rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”T26 120.3

Faith and love are the true riches, the pure gold which the True Witness counsels the lukewarm to buy. However rich we may be in earthly treasure, all our wealth will not enable us to buy the precious remedies that cure the disease of the soul called lukewarmness. Intellect and earthly riches were powerless to remove the defects of the Laodicean church or remedy their deplorable condition. They were blind yet felt that they were well off. The Spirit of God did not illumine their minds and they did not perceive their sinfulness, therefore did not feel the necessity of help.T26 121.1

To be without the graces of the Spirit of God is sad indeed, but it is a more terrible condition to be thus destitute of spirituality and of Christ, and yet try to justify ourselves, by telling those who are alarmed for us, that we need not their fears and pity. Fearful is the power of self-deception on the human mind. What blindness! setting light for darkness and darkness for light.T26 121.2

The True Witness counsels us to buy of him gold tried in the fire, white raiment and eye-salve. The gold here recommended as having been tried in the fire, is faith and love which maketh the heart rich, for if it has been purged until it is pure and the more it is tested the more brilliant is its luster. The white raiment is purity of character, the righteousness of Christ imparted to the sinner. This is indeed a garment of heavenly texture that can be bought only of Jesus Christ for a life of willing obedience. The eye-salve is that wisdom and grace which enables us to discern the evil from the good and detect sin under any guise. God has given eyes to his church, and he requires them to be anointed^{*The original publication had the spelling “annointed.”} with wisdom that they may see clearly, but many would put out the eyes of the church if they could, for they would not have their deeds come to the light lest they should be reproved. The divine eye-salve will impart clearness to the understanding. Christ is the repository of all graces. He says “Buy of me,”T26 121.3

Some may say it is exalting our own merits to expect favor from God through our good works. True we cannot buy one victory with our good works, yet neither can we be victors without them. The purchase which Christ recommends to us is only complying with the conditions he has given us. True grace, which, of inestimable value, which will endure the test of trial and adversity, is only obtained through faith and humble, prayerful obedience. Graces that will endure the proofs of affliction and persecution and evidence their soundness and sincerity, is the gold tried in the fire and found genuine. Christ offers to sell this precious treasure to man, “Buy of me gold tried in the fire.”T26 122.1

The dead and heartless performance of duty does not make us Christians, we must get out of a lukewarm condition and experience a true conversion or we shall fail of Heaven.T26 123.1

I was pointed to the providence of God among his people. I was shown that every trial made by the refining, purifying process upon professed Christians proves some to be dross. The fine gold does not always appear. In every religious crisis some fall under temptation. The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves. Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church. They are a class whose spirits are not steadfast with God. They go out from us because they are not of us. For when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, many are offended.T26 123.2

Let these look back a few months to the time when they were sitting on the cases of others who were in a similar condition to that which they now occupy. Let them carefully call to mind the exercise of their minds in regard to those tempted ones. Had any one told them then that notwithstanding their zeal and labor to set others right, they would at length be found in a similar position of darkness, they would have said, as did Hazael to the prophet, “Is thy servant a dog, that he should do this thing?”T26 123.3

Self-deception is upon them. During the calm what firmness they manifest! what courageous sailors they make! But when the furious tempests of trial and temptation come, lo! their souls are shipwrecked. Men may have excellent gifts, good ability, splendid qualifications; but one defect, one secret sin indulged, will prove to the character what the worm-eaten plank does to the ship, utter disaster and ruin!T26 124.1

Dear Bro.: God in his providence brought you from your farm to —— ——, to bear the tests and trials which you could not have where you were. God has given you some testimonies of reproof which you professedly accepted, but your spirit was continually chafed under rebuke. You are like those who walked no more with Jesus after he brought to bear upon them some close, practical truths.T26 124.2

Bro., you did not take hold in faith to correct the defects marked out in your character. You have not humbled your proud spirit before God. You have stood at warfare against the Spirit of God in reproof. Your carnal, unsubdued heart is not subject to control. You have not disciplined yourself. Time and again your uncontrolled temper and spirit of of insubordination has gained complete mastery over you. How can such an impulsive, unsubdued soul live among the pure angels? If it cannot be admitted into Heaven, as you yourself know, you cannot begin too soon to correct the evil in your nature, be converted, and become as a little child.T26 124.3

Brother, you are proud spirited, lofty in your thoughts and ideas of yourself. All this must be put away. Your relatives have learned to fear these outbreaks of temper. Your tender, God-fearing mother has done her best to soothe and indulge you, and has tried to remove every cause that would produce this self-rising and uncontrollable disposition in her son. But coaxing, and pleading, and seeking pacify, has led you to consider this impulsive temper as incurable, and that it is the duty of your friends to bear with it. All this petting, and excusing, has not remedied the evil, but rather given it license.T26 125.1

You have not fought with this wicked spirit and conquered it. When your way has been crossed you have felt the provocation sufficiently to forget your manhood and that you were created in the image of God and after his likeness. You have sadly defaced and marred that image. You have not had self-control nor power over your will. You have been headstrong and yielded to the power of Satan. Every time that you have given up to passion, and self-rule, and let your feelings run away with your judgment, it has strengthened that set, uncontrolled will. The Lord saw that you knew not yourself, and that unless you saw yourself in your true light and the sinfulness of your course, and and how aggravating in the sight of God were these outbreaks of temper which strengthened at every exhibition you would surely fail of gaining a seat by the side of the suffering Man of Calvary.T26 125.2

God calls upon you Bro. ——, to repent and be converted, and become as a little child. Unless the truth has a sanctifying influence upon your life to mould your character, you will fail of an inheritance in the kingdom of God.T26 126.1

The Lord in his providence selected you to come more directly into connection with his cause and his work. He took you like an undisciplined soldier, new to the army, and brought you under rules and regulations, through responsibilities and the drilling process. At first you did nobly, and tried to be faithful to your post. You bore trial better than ever before in your life. But Satan came with his specious temptations, and you fell a prey to them. The Lord pitied you and laid his hand upon you to save you. He gave you a rich experience which you have not benefited by as you should have done, but, like the children of Israel you soon forgot the dealings of God and his great mercies.T26 126.2

Bro. ——, you were raised up in answer to prayer, and God gave you a new lease of life; but you have let jealousy and envy into your soul, and have greatly displeased him. He designed to bring you where you would develop character, see your defects and correct them.T26 126.3

There was a decided failure in your education and discipline during your childhood and youth. Now you have the great lessons of self-control to learn which ought to have been mastered in earlier days. God brought you where your surroundings would be changed, and you could be disciplined by his Holy Spirit, that you might acquire moral power and self-control to make you a conqueror. It will require the strongest effort, the most persevering and unfaltering determination, and the strongest energy to control self. Your spirit has long chafed under restraint, and your temper has raged like a caged lion when your will has been crossed. The education, which should have been the work of the parents, must now be wholly done by yourself. The twig might have been easily bent when young and small; but now how difficult the task after it has grown gnarled and crooked and strong. The parents permitted it thus to be deformed; and now only by the grace of God united with your own persistent efforts, can you become conqueror over your will. You may, through the merits of Christ, part with that which scars and deforms the soul, and develops a misshapen character. You must put away the old man with his errors, and take the new man, Christ Jesus. Adopt his life as your guide, then your talents and intellect will be devoted to God's service.T26 127.1

Oh! if mothers would only work with wisdom, with calmness and determination, to train and subdue the carnal tempers of their children, what an amount of sin would be nipped in the bud, and what a host of church trials would be saved! How many families would be happy that are now miserable! Many souls will be eternally lost because of the neglect of parents to properly discipline their children, and teach them submission to authority in their youth. Petting faults and soothing outbreaks, is not laying the axe at the root of the evil, but proves the ruin of thousands of souls. Oh! how will parents answer to God for this fearful neglect of their duty.T26 127.2

Bro. ——, you are willing to stand at the head and dictate to others; but will not be dictated to yourself. Your pride fires in a moment at the attempt. Self-love and a haughty spirit are unruly elements in your character, hindering spiritual advancement. Those who have this temperament must take hold of the work zealously and die to self or they will lose Heaven. God makes no compromise with this element as do fond, mistaken parents.T26 128.1

In my last vision I was shown that if you, Bro. ——, refused reproof and correction, and chose your own way, and will not be disciplined, God has no further use for you in connection with his holy work. If you had commenced the work of setting your own soul right with the Lord, you would have seen so great a work to be done for yourself that you would not have spent so much time over the supposed wrongs of Bro. W., dwelling upon them behind his back. The work of the last thirty years should inspire confidence in the integrity of Bro. W. “Honor to whom honor is due.”T26 128.2

Men in responsible positions should improve continually. They must not anchor upon an old experience, and feel that it is not necessary to become scientific workers. Man, although the most helpless of God's creatures when he comes into the world, and the most perverse in his nature, is nevertheless capable of constant advancement. He may be enlightened by science, ennobled by virtue, and may progress in mental and moral dignity, until he reaches a perfection of intelligence and purity of character but little lower than the angels. With the light of truth shining in the minds of men, and the love of God shed abroad in their hearts, we cannot conceive what they may be, and what great work they may do.T26 129.1

I know that the human heart is blind to its own true condition. But I cannot leave you, without making an effort to help you. We love you, and we want to see you pressing on to victory. Jesus loves you. He died for you; and he wants you to be saved. We have no disposition to hold you in —— —— but we do want you should make thorough work with your own soul, and right every wrong there, and make every effort to master self lest you miss Heaven. This you cannot afford to do. For Christ's sake resist the devil and he will flee from you.T26 129.2