Lt 236, 1899

White, J. E.

“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

October 11, 1899

Previously unpublished.

Dear Son Edson:

I have written much of late, and I am drawn out to encourage the workers to enter new fields, annex new territories to the fields already worked. There are many souls that need the light of the first, second, and third angels’ messages. You inquire how you can help them in Battle Creek. By bearing a straightforward testimony in your life; and this is not all, wherever you can go to camp meetings, go and get hold and keep hold.14LtMs, Lt 236, 1899, par. 1

I shall be very much pleased to see you whenever you may come. You may, when you feel clear in your own soul that you can take hold with us in book work, in attending meetings, in standing with us to uplift the standard of truth in new territories; but I dare not have you come against your will. When you feel free to come, draw from the Review and Herald office your passage money, and I will settle that bill myself, freely. We need your help and your talent in this new world; and the climate, where we are at Cooranbong is free from malaria. But come and try it, and you can return if you do not want to remain. There are places where one hundred could be put to work, and in the canvassing field there are one hundred more needed. You can give instruction in this line.14LtMs, Lt 236, 1899, par. 2

Let the Holy Spirit take possession of the heart and by faith grasp the promises of God, and we shall see of the salvation of God. I know the Lord would have you a free man in Christ Jesus, bearing a living testimony for the Master. This is the best evidence you can give, to walk humbly with God and work earnestly for the advancement of the truth. You need to commit the keeping of your soul to God and open the door of the heart and let Jesus come in and work you. There always is danger of many trying to work the Holy Spirit in the place of the Holy Spirit working them.14LtMs, Lt 236, 1899, par. 3

Now, Edson, put your trust in God, maintain a humble, contrite spirit, and you will then understand by experience what these words mean: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” [Isaiah 57:15.]14LtMs, Lt 236, 1899, par. 4

It is the humility and contrition of the soul that, if you cherish them, will be in a special manner your strength. You will never succeed in trying to battle your way through, for there are combatants that are educated in this line who will be stronger than you. But when you leave your case in the hands of your Advocate, Jesus Christ, He will work with you and by you and through you, not to harm and wound and bruise you or any other one; but He will work through you to uplift, to strengthen, to restore. The Lord will bless you when you are all ready to impart His grace given you, in word, in spirit, in practical working. The Lord will help you if you will be passive in His hands, and not worry and put yourself out of His hands, and take your own hands to work yourself.14LtMs, Lt 236, 1899, par. 5

Now, Edson, be sure you are on the Lord’s side, and hold fast the banner; never let go, hold firmly, look up, rejoice in the Lord always, and seek ever to strengthen and not to destroy anything but sin. Christ will bless and guide you and bring you safely through to His kingdom if you are obedient.14LtMs, Lt 236, 1899, par. 6

In love,14LtMs, Lt 236, 1899, par. 7

Mother.