Lt 172, 1899

Lacey, Brother and Sister [H. C.]

NP

January 31, 1899

Previously unpublished.

Dear Brother and Sister Lacey:

I have just finished reading your letter. I had written you a letter before I received yours, and will now write a few lines more. I will certainly send you freely the tracts you ask for. And from time to time I will send you communications. You must treat me as if I were your mother. Express your thoughts to me, and I will respect what you say. I feel a deep interest in your family, because I know that the Lord has His eye upon you. His watchcare is over you, and He would make you a vessel unto honor.14LtMs, Lt 172, 1899, par. 1

Be it ours now to make a heart and life surrender of ourselves to Him who hath loved us, to whom be praise and glory. While you are young together, you can help one another to improve in those things which pertain to life and godliness. Seek in every way to increase in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ, whom He hath sent. Use the precious talent of speech in a way that will help one another to make the precious Saviour your Friend and Counsellor. You will gain a most precious experience if each member of your family seeks to impart a higher tone to the spirituality of the church in Toowoomba. Seek for simplicity and depth of experience. Encourage faith. Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find. Contemplate the goodness, the tenderness, the compassion of Christ, and then seek, yes, contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.14LtMs, Lt 172, 1899, par. 2

Do not allow the mind to be drawn away from Jesus. Let every worker remember that it is his individual work to represent the character of Christ. As you visit families, dwell upon the merits and love of Jesus, the simplicity of His faith, His practical godliness. Just as surely as you do this, so surely will the ministering angels be by your side. Do not seek to do large things, but in meekness and lowliness point souls simply and directly to the Christ as their only hope. He is the fountain of life, light, and love. These are the three great elements of a true, healthy, influential Christianity.14LtMs, Lt 172, 1899, par. 3

Live the truth. Exemplify the precious, elevating character of the truth. Contend earnestly for the faith. The Lord Jesus will be a present help if you will trust fully in Him. Remember that the God who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all will freely give us all things that are necessary for our present and eternal good and for the promotion of His glory.14LtMs, Lt 172, 1899, par. 4

How sad it is that Jesus Christ is kept so much in the background. Keep Him in mind. Acknowledge Him in word and action. By many professing Christians His glory is obscured, His beauty veiled, His honor withheld. “Having therefore boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus Christ, ... and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near.” [Hebrews 10:19, 21, 22.] Yes; draw near as a little household. Open your heart to God through Christ, who has opened His heart to you. By an infinite sacrifice He has placed Himself in a position where He can converse with you, that you may open your heart to Him. He is your Advocate with the Father.14LtMs, Lt 172, 1899, par. 5

May the Lord bless you, and give you victories every day, is my prayer.14LtMs, Lt 172, 1899, par. 6