“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things saith He that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”GCB June 6, 1909, page 344.38

What a word of caution is this! How many of us can comprehend what it means? All through the Word of God cautions are given and instruction is imparted that point out to us the Way, the Truth, and the Life. “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis,” the Word continues, “which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” Who of this company gathered here to-day will be among those “few names”? Here is brought to view a little company that is confessed before the throne of God as “worthy.” They have not had a hit-and-miss religion, but an experience that has proved them as true to principle as the compass to the pole. Of such the Lord declares. “The same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life; but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”GCB June 6, 1909, page 344.39

“Unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.”GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.1

In the words spoken to the Laodicean church we can see the sure result of half-hearted service. There are many who claim to believe the truth, who do not obey the truth in a way that the world can take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus and learned of him. This condition of lukewarmness is a pitiable condition in which to be. “I would thou wert cold or hot,” the Lord declares; “so then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 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: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.2

Let none think that their understanding of the Scriptures, their knowledge of the truth for this time, will suffice to save them. Let none take the position before God that was taken by the people spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, who offered to God only outward service. “Wherefore have we fasted,” they said to God, “and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?” God showed this people that their worship was unacceptable to him because it lacked heart service. “Behold, in the day of your fast,” he said to them, “ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.”GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.3

The Lord shows that there is something better for his people than mere outward worship. He demands of them a pure and undefiled religion. The gold he bids them buy of him is the gold of character. The eyesalve is obtained by earnest seeking of the Lord. We are to come to God confessing our sins and humbling our hearts before him. If ever there was a people who needed to pray most earnestly to God, if ever there was a people who needed to strip themselves of everything that is offensive to him, it is this people who profess to keep the commandments of God and to have the faith of Jesus.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.4

The next words present something to be done. There are confessions to be made to one another and to God, and unless these confessions are made, we reveal that the door of the heart is closed. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” My brethren and sisters, I ask you, who among us is humbling the heart before God? Who is purifying the soul by obedience to the truth. Let us study this chapter on our bended knees, asking God to reveal to us our true character, and to impress our mind with what we should do lest we stand in the way of sinners and exert an influence that will be a hindrance to the work.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.5

A View of Christ’s SufferingsGCB June 6, 1909, page 345.6

Last Tuesday this scripture was impressed upon me in a wonderful manner. I was awakened from sleep, and given a view of the sufferings of Christ for men. His sacrifice, the mockery and derision he received at the hands of wicked men, his agony in the garden of Gethsemane, his betrayal and crucifixion,—all were vividly portrayed before me. Three times the scenes passed before me.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.7

I saw Christ in the midst of a large company of people, a company much larger than we have here this morning. He was seeking to impress their minds with his teachings, but he was despised and rejected by them. Men were heaping upon him abuse and shame. My distress was very great as I looked upon the scene. I pleaded with God, What is to be done with this congregation? Will none give up their exalted opinions of self, and seek the Lord as little children? Will none break their hearts before God in repentance and confession?GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.8

There was presented to me Christ’s agony in the garden of Gethsemane, when the mysterious cup trembled in the Redeemer’s hand. “Father, if it be possible,” he prayed, “let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” As he pleaded with the Father, great drops of blood fell from his face to the ground. The elements of darkness were gathered about the Saviour to discourage his soul.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.9

Rising from the ground, Christ went to the place where he had left his disciples, bidding them watch and pray with him lest they be overcome by temptation. He would see if they understood his agony; he needed their human sympathy; but he found them sleeping. Three times he went thus to them, and each time they were asleep.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.10

Three times Christ prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” It was here that the destiny of a lost world hung in the balance. Should he refuse to drink the cup, the result would be eternal ruin to the human race. But an angel from heaven strengthened the Son of God to accept the cup and drink its bitter woe. What if his request had been granted, and the cup had passed from him? The scene that was presented before me as the result of such a decision made me for a time lose all consciousness. When I aroused the scene was presented to me again and again until it had passed before me three times.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.11

For whom was all this agony and shame endured? It was for those who claim to be leaders in the church, those who claim to have an experience in religious lines, as well as for the open sinner. How few there are who realize that all this was borne for them individually! how few who say, It was for me, that I might form a character for the future immortal life! As these things were presented to me so vividly, I thought, I shall never be able to present it before the people as it is; and I have given you only a faint representation of what was shown me. As I have thought of that cup trembling in the hands of Christ; as I have realized that he might have refused to drink it and left the world to perish in its sin, I pledged that every energy of my life should be devoted to Christ, that I may win souls to him.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.12

The Great Need for This TimeGCB June 6, 1909, page 345.13

We can not afford in the few days that we have here on earth to spend our time in trifling and nothingness. We can not afford to waste our means in the multiplying of pictures. We need to have our souls humbled before God, that every heart may drink in the truth and let it work in the life a reformation that will convince the world that this is indeed the truth of God. Let the life be hid with Christ in God. Only when we seek the Lord as little children, when we cease picking flaws in our brethren and sisters, and in those who are seeking to carry faithfully the responsibilities of the work, and seek to get our own hearts right with God, can he use us to the glory of his name.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.14

When I think of the great work there is to be done, and see how few there are who realize the magnitude and importance of the work, and the shortness of time in which to do it, I feel that I must get right out as I did in my younger days. Then I labored when I was no stronger than I am now, and I saw the power of God revealed in a remarkable manner. I have seen the room in which we were gathered filled with the glory of God, not one sitting in his seat, but all lying prostrate upon the floor. And when they were able to speak, the glory of God shone in their faces and the praise of God was upon their lips. It is not always the brightest talent that accomplishes the most for the cause of God. God can speak through a humble mind if that mind is consecrated to him and to his service. When we catch the spirit of the message which is to lead souls to choose between life and death, we shall see a work done that we do not now dream of.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.15

We are to consider the needs of the cities of the East, where the first and second angels’ messages went with such power. The Lord wrought mightily in these places for rich and poor. I am made sad when I see those who have had such great light question whether they can send the light into the large cities. Do you not know, my brethren, that angels of God are promised to go with you in every undertaking for the spread of gospel truth? Go and speak the truth in its simplicity, and God will send power, and the truth will affect hearts, and many, many souls will come to a knowledge of its saving grace. In the place of stopping to question let us consider the wide field for labor before this people. There are thousands who have never heard the message—not any part of the message. The delegates who are present—I am so thankful when I consider that they come from almost all parts of the world—are to remember that there are many other workers to be raised up to take a part in the work.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.16

We all need to come into a self-sacrificing position before God if our work is to be accepted by him. We need to trim our lamps and keep them burning. There are none of us but has an accountability before God. Let us remember that profession is nothing unless we have the truth in the heart. We need the converting power of God to take hold of us that we may understand the needs of a perishing world. Who among us is humbling the heart before God? Who are washing their robes and making them white in the blood of the lamb? Let us awake from sleep, and pray as we have never prayed before, that the burden of souls may rest upon us. The burden of my message to you is, Get ready, get ready to meet the Lord. Trim your lamps, and let the light of truth shine forth into the byways and hedges. There is a world to be warned of the near approach of the end of all things.GCB June 6, 1909, page 345.17

WASHINGTON (D.C.) SANITARIUM ASSOCIATION

WASe

A meeting of the constituency of the Washington (D. C.) Sanitarium Association was called, according to appointment, June 4, at 10:30 A. M. Irwin in the chair. A quorum was present.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.1

It was voted that the reading of the minutes of previous meetings be waived.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.2

The chairman stated that this was the first biennial meeting of the association. The association was organized in 1904. Work was opened in the rented building at Iowa Circle before the property was purchased at Takoma Park. He described the improvements which had been made upon the property at Takoma, the institution here being dedicated June 13, 1907. The institution had been operating for nearly two years. By arrangements with the town of Takoma Park, a bridge had been thrown across the gorge of the Sligo creek, by which the institution had become easily accessible for all vehicles.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.3

The chairman called upon Dr. Ruble, the medical superintendent of the Iowa Circle Sanitarium, who said:—GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.4

“The Washington Branch Sanitarium is an institution accommodating about fifteen house patients. During the year we have had a fairly good patronage, though the completion of the institution out here on the Sligo has, during the past year, taken some of our patients. However, the patronage from the city has been gradually increasing until this year almost twice as many have availed themselves of the privileges of the sanitarium as heretofore. Our patronage comes almost entirely from the best class of people in Washington. We have among our patients several senators and representatives, two or three supreme judges, and one assistant of a supreme judge. We have also had a number of representatives from foreign countries.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.5

“The interest of our helpers has been very manifest, especially in religious matters. During the year we had some very interesting meetings with our helpers and patients. We have universal testimony as to the high spiritual interest that our helpers take in the patients. In our social meetings almost all the helpers connected with the institution have taken part.”GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.6

The chairman next called upon Dr. Kress, medical superintendent of the Washington Sanitarium at Takoma Park, who read a paper, from which we can take only the following items:—GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.7

The speaker quoted from testimonies urging that the sanitarium at the national capital should have every advantage, in order that the right impression might be given at the center of the nation. They urged that means should flow in to achieve this purpose, and that such means should be economically handled.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.8

Dr. Kress: We do not expect a child to walk and earn its own food on the day of its birth, neither can we expect new institutions to be self-supporting during the first few months of their existence. I am glad to report that the Washington Sanitarium has reached this point much earlier than we had hoped for. We have spent considerable in advertising, letting the people know we are here. During the year 1909 the institution has been able to finance itself, and the prospects for the future are very promising. The growth in patronage has been healthy. I know of no institution that gives greater promise of doing a great work than the Washington Sanitarium. As a people we have reason to thank God, and take courage. We took a large class of young people into training—it seemed more than we actually needed for our sanitarium work. By combining missionary work in the city with this training we were able to take more than we needed. In this way we hoped to provide for the future, and at the same time give our workers an all-round training. The work grew, and we soon discovered that we had none too many for our sanitarium work, and the mission work in the city had to be abandoned for a time.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.9

At first we housed our nurses in the main building. As the patronage increased, we were forced to secure private outside rooms. This made it difficult to maintain the order and discipline among the workers so necessary in order to do the best work. The board felt it necessary to erect a separate home for the workers. The building was occupied in January, and has been a great blessing to the work. Both buildings have been practically full most of the time during the past two or three months. At present we have fifty patients and about forty workers in training. We get a superior class of patients at this institution. Representatives from all parts of the United States and foreign lands come to Washington. Some of these have been under treatment during the past year.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.10

The doctor read extracts from letters written by former patients, expressing appreciation of care received, and of the spiritual atmosphere of the institution. Patients had found not only physical help, but some had been won to a Christian experience who had not had such experience before coming to the institution. Some charitable work had been done. The sanitarium, however, has not had the means to do all that it would gladly do in this direction. He expressed the hope that by some means churches or conferences might help the unfortunate poor of their membership who could be benefited by attention to be received at a sanitarium.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.11

The report of the treasurer was next called for, and presented by S. E. McNeill, assistant. [We can not print the tabular matter in this BULLETIN.—EDS.]GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.12

Upon motion of G. B. Thompson, seconded by E. T. Russell, the treasurer’s report was accepted.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.13

G. B. Thompson, chairman of the Committee on Nominations, appointed at a former meeting, rendered the committee’s report, submitting the following names for Board of Trustees of the Association: G. A. Irwin, A. G. Daniells, I. H. Evans, D. H. Kress, F. M. Wilcox, W. A. Ruble, and the business manager of the sanitarium.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.14

On motion of G. B. Thompson, duly seconded, the report of the committee was adopted.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.15

It was moved and seconded that the meeting adjourn.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.16

G. A. IRWIN, Chairman,
D. H. KRESS, Secretary.

THE SABBATH SERVICES

WASe

It was raining as the Sabbath hour drew on. The well-floored tent was a comfortable place of meeting, however. Elder E. W. Farnsworth preached the Friday evening sermon.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.17

Sabbath morning was bright and clear. The Sabbath-school, with its English, German, Scandinavian, and Spanish divisions, numbered 1,465. The contributions to missions were $144.54.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.18

Elder S. N. Haskell preached at the morning hour a stirring sermon on the message of preparation for the coming of the Lord, and the meaning of this movement.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.19

At 1:45 P. M., the tent was well filled by those who responded to an invitation given by Elders G. I. Butler and J. S. Washburn to all who desired to sing some of the old-time advent hymns.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.20

The 3 o’clock service was a farewell Sabbath social meeting led by Elder A. G. Daniells. We may be able to give in our next issue, just the key-note of some of the testimonies borne. Brethren from literally all the four quarters of the earth took part.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.21

Evening after the Sabbath, Elder C. T. Everson was to speak of the work in Rome, with perhaps reports from others at the same service.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.22

The largest attendance recorded at the Conference Sabbath-school was 1,840. This was Sabbath, May 20. The total contributions in the Sabbath-school during the Conference were $452.52.GCB June 6, 1909, page 346.23

FORTIETH MEETING

June 7, 1909 - NO. 21