Lt 225, 1904

White, J. E.

St. Helena, California

January 29, 1904

Previously unpublished.

Dear Son Edson,—

I received and read your letter this morning and will respond at once so that my reply may go out in this afternoon’s mail. I can not see any inconsistency in your doing all you can to help Brother Palmer or in his having a chance to help you where he can do a work that will be for his good and your good also. Before he connected with the work in the Southern field, I was instructed that when he united with worldly men in business, he received their spirit, and that through his association with them, the enemy obtained entrance to his mind. They would present plans that allured him, step by step, into a wrong course, and he seemed to be unable to brace himself to resist these plans. I was instructed that should he ever succeed in worldly business, it would be at the loss of his soul. There are in his character traits that vibrate quickly to any scheme to obtain money. It is because the Lord loves him and would save his soul that he has been afflicted, disappointed, and placed on the losing side. If he were on the gaining side, delusion after delusion would come in, and he would be entirely led away.19LtMs, Lt 225, 1904, par. 1

I hope that Brother Palmer will see that it is possible for him to keep fast hold of his faith in the precious Saviour. When, like Peter, he begins to sink, if he cries out, “Lord, save, or I perish,” the hand of Christ will be stretched out to save. [Matthew 14:30, 31.] When he walks humbly before God, inquiring at every step, “Is this the way of the Lord?” and keeping his eyes fastened on Jesus, he will most assuredly find his hand grasped by the hand of Christ, and he will be strengthened to walk beside the Saviour.19LtMs, Lt 225, 1904, par. 2

I opened the Bible to search for some passage and read these words: “Praise ye the Lord; for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant, and praise is comely. The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” [Psalm 147:1-3.]19LtMs, Lt 225, 1904, par. 3

Those who have no connection with God cannot be depended on. This has been your experience and Brother Palmer’s experience. But those who realize their weakness, and put their trust in the Lord, have a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, One who will never disappoint them. All the resources of heaven are at the disposal of such ones. When God’s children give themselves unreservedly to Him, He lifts them up and makes for them a way of escape. When those who have made mistakes separate themselves from worldly associations, the Lord will be their helper.19LtMs, Lt 225, 1904, par. 4

“He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power; His understanding is infinite. The Lord lifteth up the meek; He casteth the wicked down to the ground. Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God; who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not in the strength of the horse; He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that hope in His mercy. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.” [Verses 4-12.]19LtMs, Lt 225, 1904, par. 5