- Foreword
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- June 23, 1892
- June 30, 1892
- July 7, 1892
- July 14, 1892
- July 21, 1892
- July 28, 1892
- August 4, 1892
- August 11, 1892
- September 1, 1892
- September 22, 1892
- September 29, 1892
- October 13, 1892
- October 20, 1892
- October 27, 1892
- November 10, 1892
- November 17, 1892
- December 8, 1892
- December 15, 1892
- December 22, 1892
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- January 5, 1893
- January 19, 1893
- February 2, 1893
- February 9, 1893
- March 2, 1893
- March 9, 1893
- March 23, 1893
- March 30, 1893
- May 4, 1893
- May 18, 1893
- May 25, 1893
- June 1, 1893
- June 8, 1893
- June 15, 1893
- June 22, 1893
- June 29, 1893
- July 13, 1893
- July 20, 1893
- July 27, 1893
- August 3, 1893
- August 10, 1893
- August 17, 1893
- August 24, 1893
- August 31, 1893
- September 7, 1893
- September 14, 1893
- September 21, 1893
- November 9, 1893
- November 16, 1893
- November 23, 1893
- November 30, 1893
- December 7, 1893
- December 14, 1893
- December 21, 1893
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- January 4, 1894
- January 11, 1894
- January 18, 1894
- January 25, 1894
- February 1, 1894
- February 8, 1894
- February 15, 1894
- March 1, 1894
- April 26, 1894
- May 3, 1894
- May 10, 1894
- May 17, 1894
- May 24, 1894
- May 31, 1894
- June 7, 1894
- June 14, 1894
- June 21, 1894
- June 28, 1894
- July 5, 1894
- July 12, 1894
- July 19, 1894
- July 26, 1894
- August 2, 1894
- August 9, 1894
- August 16, 1894
- August 23, 1894
- August 30, 1894
- September 6, 1894
- September 13, 1894
- September 20, 1894
- September 27, 1894
- October 11, 1894
- October 18, 1894
- October 25, 1894
- November 8, 1894
- November 22, 1894
- November 29, 1894
- December 6, 1894
- December 13, 1894
- December 20, 1894
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- January 3, 1895
- January 10, 1895
- January 31, 1895
- February 7, 1895
- May 30, 1895
- June 13, 1895
- June 27, 1895
- July 11, 1895
- July 18, 1895
- August 1, 1895
- August 8, 1895
- August 22, 1895
- September 5, 1895
- September 19, 1895
- September 26, 1895
- October 10, 1895
- October 17, 1895
- October 24, 1895
- October 31, 1895
- November 7, 1895
- November 21, 1895
- November 28, 1895
- December 5, 1895
- December 12, 1895
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- January 2, 1896
- January 9, 1896
- January 16, 1896
- January 30, 1896
- February 6, 1896
- February 20, 1896
- March 12, 1896
- August 20, 1896
- August 27, 1896
- September 24, 1896
- October 8, 1896
- October 15, 1896
- October 22, 1896
- November 5, 1896
- November 5, 1896
- November 12, 1896
- November 26, 1896
- December 3, 1896
- December 24, 1896
- December 31, 1896
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- January 7, 1897
- January 21, 1897
- January 28, 1897
- February 4, 1897
- February 11, 1897
- February 25, 1897
- March 4, 1897
- March 11, 1897
- April 1, 1897
- April 8, 1897
- April 15, 1897
- April 22, 1897
- May 6, 1897
- May 20, 1897
- May 27, 1897
- June 10, 1897
- June 17, 1897
- June 24, 1897
- July 1, 1897
- July 8, 1897
- July 15, 1897
- July 29, 1897
- August 5, 1897
- August 5, 1897
- August 12, 1897
- August 19, 1897
- August 26, 1897
- September 2, 1897
- September 9, 1897
- September 16, 1897
- September 23, 1897
- September 30, 1897
- October 7, 1897
- October 14, 1897
- October 21, 1897
- October 28, 1897
- November 4, 1897
- November 11, 1897
- November 18, 1897
- December 2, 1897
- December 9, 1897
- December 16, 1897
- December 23, 1897
- December 30, 1897
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- January 6, 1898
- January 13, 1898
- February 3, 1898
- February 10, 1898
- February 17, 1898
- March 24, 1898
- March 31, 1898
- April 7, 1898
- April 14, 1898
- April 21, 1898
- April 28, 1898
- May 5, 1898
- May 12, 1898
- May 19, 1898
- May 26, 1898
- June 2, 1898
- June 30, 1898
- July 7, 1898
- July 14, 1898
- July 21, 1898
- July 28, 1898
- August 4, 1898
- August 11, 1898
- August 18, 1898
- August 25, 1898
- September 1, 1898
- September 8, 1898
- September 15, 1898
- September 22, 1898
- October 13, 1898
- October 20, 1898
- October 27, 1898
- November 3, 1898
- November 10, 1898
- November 17, 1898
- November 24, 1898
- December 1, 1898
- December 8, 1898
- December 15, 1898
- December 22, 1898
- December 29, 1898
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- March 30, 1899
- April 6, 1899
- April 13, 1899
- April 20, 1899
- April 27, 1899
- May 4, 1899
- May 11, 1899
- May 18, 1899
- May 25, 1899
- June 8, 1899
- June 15, 1899
- June 22, 1899
- June 29, 1899
- July 13, 1899
- July 20, 1899
- July 27, 1899
- August 3, 1899
- August 10, 1899
- August 17, 1899
- August 24, 1899
- August 31, 1899
- September 14, 1899
- September 21, 1899
- September 28, 1899
- October 5, 1899
- October 12, 1899
- October 19, 1899
- October 26, 1899
- November 2, 1899
- November 9, 1899
- November 23, 1899
- November 30, 1899
- December 7, 1899
- December 21, 1899
- December 28, 1899
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- January 4, 1900
- January 11, 1900
- February 1, 1900
- February 8, 1900
- February 15, 1900
- February 22, 1900
- March 1, 1900
- March 8, 1900
- March 22, 1900
- March 29, 1900
- April 5, 1900
- April 12, 1900
- April 26, 1900
- May 3, 1900
- May 10, 1900
- May 17, 1900
- May 24, 1900
- May 31, 1900
- June 7, 1900
- June 14, 1900
- June 21, 1900
- June 28, 1900
- July 12, 1900
- July 19, 1900
- July 26, 1900
- August 2, 1900
- August 16, 1900
- September 6, 1900
- September 13, 1900
- September 20, 1900
- September 27, 1900
- October 4, 1900
- October 11, 1900
- October 18, 1900
- October 25, 1900
- November 1, 1900
- November 8, 1900
- November 15, 1900
- November 22, 1900
- December 6, 1900
- December 13, 1900
- December 20, 1900
- December 27, 1900
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- January 3, 1901
- January 10, 1901
- January 17, 1901
- January 24, 1901
- January 31, 1901
- February 7, 1901
- February 14, 1901
- February 21, 1901
- February 28, 1901
- March 21, 1901
- April 4, 1901
- April 11, 1901
- April 25, 1901
- May 2, 1901
- May 9, 1901
- May 16, 1901
- June 6, 1901
- June 13, 1901
- June 20, 1901
- July 18, 1901
- July 25, 1901
- August 22, 1901
- September 12, 1901
- September 26, 1901
- October 3, 1901
- November 21, 1901
- December 5, 1901
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- January 16, 1902
- January 23, 1902
- February 6, 1902
- February 13, 1902
- February 27, 1902
- March 6, 1902
- March 20, 1902
- April 17, 1902
- May 1, 1902
- June 5, 1902
- June 12, 1902
- June 26, 1902
- July 3, 1902
- July 10, 1902
- July 24, 1902
- July 31, 1902
- August 21, 1902
- September 11, 1902
- October 2, 1902
- October 9, 1902
- October 23, 1902
- November 6, 1902
- December 4, 1902
- December 11, 1902
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- January 1, 1903
- January 22, 1903
- January 29, 1903
- February 12, 1903
- February 19, 1903
- March 5, 1903
- March 19, 1903
- March 26, 1903
- April 9, 1903
- April 16, 1903
- April 23, 1903
- May 14, 1903
- May 21, 1903
- June 4, 1903
- June 25, 1903
- July 9, 1903
- July 16, 1903
- August 6, 1903
- August 20, 1903
- September 1, 1903
- September 8, 1903
- September 22, 1903
- September 29, 1903
- November 24, 1903
- December 1, 1903
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November 3, 1908
Suffer the Children to Come
When the Saviour was on earth, he took little children in his arms, and blessed them. On one occasion the disciples would have sent these little ones away, but Jesus heard their words of rebuke, and he said to them, “Suffer the little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”YI November 3, 1908, par. 1
In the children who were brought in contact with him, Jesus saw the men and women who should be the heirs of his grace and subjects of his kingdom, and some of whom would become martyrs for his sake. He knew that these children would listen to him, and accept him as their Redeemer far more readily than would grown-up people, many of whom were worldly wise and hard-hearted. In his teaching he came down to their level. He, the Majesty of heaven, did not disdain to answer their questions, and simplify his important lessons to meet their childish understanding. He planted in their minds the seeds of truth, which in after-years would spring up and bear fruit unto eternal life.YI November 3, 1908, par. 2
It is still true that children are most susceptible to the teachings of the gospel; their hearts are open to divine influences, and strong to retain the lessons received. The little children may be Christians, having an experience in accordance with their years.YI November 3, 1908, par. 3
It has been my privilege to see many of the young converted and baptized, some in their early childhood. In one church where I labored with my husband in our early experiences in the message, there were about fourteen children nearly of an age, who wished to be baptized. A father came to Elder White and said, “What are you going to do with these children? They say they are converted to God; but they are too young to be baptized.” “No, indeed, they are not,” my husband responded. “My wife can tell you a story of what a child can experience in spiritual things, if you care to hear.” Then I related my own experience in conversion.YI November 3, 1908, par. 4
I was eleven years old when the light broke into my heart. I had pious parents, who in every way tried to make their children acquainted with their Heavenly Father. We sang the praises of God in our household. Every morning and evening we had family prayer. There were eight children in the family, and every opportunity was improved by our parents to lead us to give our hearts to Jesus.YI November 3, 1908, par. 5
I was not unmindful of the voice of prayer daily going up to God. These influences were working on my heart; and in my earlier years I had often sought for the peace that there is in Christ; but I could not seem to find the freedom that I desired. A terrible feeling of sadness and despair rested upon my heart. I did not think of anything that I had done to cause me to feel sad; but it seemed that I was not good enough ever to enter heaven. Such a thing seemed altogether too much for me to expect.YI November 3, 1908, par. 6
The mental anguish I passed through at this time was very great. I believed in an eternally burning hell; and as I thought of the wretched state of the sinner before God, I was in deep despair. I feared that I should be lost, and that I should live through eternity suffering a living death. But I learned better than this. I learned that I had a God who is altogether too merciful to perpetuate throughout eternity the lives of the beings whom he created for his glory, but who, instead of accepting the Saviour, had died unrepentant, unforgiven, and unsaved. I learned that the wicked shall be consumed as stubble, and that they shall be as ashes under our feet in the new earth; they shall be as though they had not been. There is no eternally burning hell; there are no living bodies suffering eternal torment.YI November 3, 1908, par. 7
But for a long time not one ray of light pierced the dark cloud of distress and despondency that was surrounding me. My sufferings were very great. Night after night, while my twin sister was sleeping, I would arise, and bow by the bedside before the Lord, and plead with him for mercy. All the words that I had any confidence to utter were, “Lord, have mercy.” Such complete hopelessness would seize me that I would fall on my face with an agony of feeling that can not be described. Like the poor publican, I dared not so much as lift my eyes toward heaven.YI November 3, 1908, par. 8
Finally I had a dream which gave me a faint hope that I might be saved. Soon afterward I attended a prayer-meeting, and when others knelt to pray, I bowed with them tremblingly; and after two or three had prayed, I began to pray. Then the promises of God appeared to me like so many precious pearls that were to be received only by asking for them. As I prayed, the burden and agony of soul, that I had felt so long, left me, and the blessing of God came upon me like gentle dew, and I gave glory to God for what I felt. Everything was shut out from me but Jesus and glory, and I did not know what was going on around me. It seemed as if I was at the feet of Jesus, and that the light of his countenance was shining upon me in all its brightness.YI November 3, 1908, par. 9
Everything appeared glorious and new, and as if smiling and praising God. I seemed to be shut in with God. I was then willing to confess Jesus everywhere. The sacrifice that my Redeemer had made to save me from death and sin seemed very great. I could not dwell upon it without weeping. I experienced the peace of Christ, which the world could not give nor take away. Although I expected to live but a few months because of feeble health, my life was peaceful and happy. I clung in faith to the Lord, and he took control of me and healed me.YI November 3, 1908, par. 10
From this time I felt that I was the happiest being on the earth. I could see Jesus in everything. How I loved him! How precious he was to me! I felt that I must reveal his loveliness to my companions, and I began at once to work for the young.YI November 3, 1908, par. 11
I arranged meetings with my young friends, some of whom were considerably older than myself, and a few were married persons. A number of them were vain and thoughtless; my experience sounded to them like an idle tale, and they did not heed my entreaties. But I determined that my efforts should never cease till these dear souls, for whom I had so great an interest, yielded to God. Several entire nights were spent by me in earnest prayer for those for whom I was so earnestly laboring.YI November 3, 1908, par. 12
Some of these attended from curiosity to know what I had to say; others thought me beside myself to be so persistent in my efforts, especially when they felt no concern on their part. But at every one of our little meetings I continued to exhort, and to pray for one and then another, until every one had yielded to Jesus, acknowledging the merits of his pardoning love.YI November 3, 1908, par. 13
Night after night in my dreams I seemed to be laboring for the salvation of souls. At such times special cases were presented to my mind; these I afterward sought out and prayed with.YI November 3, 1908, par. 14
Some of our more formal brethren feared that I was too zealous for the conversion of souls; but time seemed to me so short that it behooved all who had a hope of blessed immortality, and looked for the soon coming of Christ, to labor without ceasing for those who were still in their sins and standing on the awful brink of ruin.YI November 3, 1908, par. 15
Though I was very young, I felt that it was my duty to continue my efforts for the salvation of precious souls, and to pray, and confess Christ at every opportunity. My entire being was offered to the service of my Master. Let come what would, I determined to please God, and live as one who expected the Lord to come and reward the faithful. I felt like a little child coming to God as to my father, and asking him what he would have me to do. Then as my duty was made plain to me, it was my greatest happiness to perform it. Peculiar trials sometimes beset me. Those older in experience than myself endeavored to hold me back, and cool the ardor of my faith; but with the smiles of Jesus brightening my life, and the love of God in my heart, I went on my way with a joyful spirit.YI November 3, 1908, par. 16
The children and youth who give themselves to God can do a similar work of service for him. It is your privilege to lead your companions and associates to Christ. You can not tell what an influence you may have with the young of your own age. You can give them an example, and the older ones can help the children who want to give their hearts to God. You can have little prayer-meetings. I remember how in my childhood I used to go a mile to attend a little prayer-meeting in a family, and then another day we would go to another, and then to still another family. In these little meetings we used to read the Bible, sing a hymn, pray, and then speak to one another, relating experiences, and telling how we could love and serve God.YI November 3, 1908, par. 17
I know that if we had such experiences now, we would have happier homes. We would see of the salvation of God, and the light of his countenance would shine upon us. Begin to say that you love the Lord, and that you will give yourselves to him. In doing this, you will begin to have new courage and faith to believe that your hearts are converted, that your souls are saved.YI November 3, 1908, par. 18
God can not make you good, unless you condescend to be good. You must condescend to be good, and then God will co-operate with you, and he will help you to do good, and to keep from sinful ways. Shall we not together, young and old, get ready for the kingdom of heaven? Before we can enter the gates of the city of God, we must have the spirit that the heavenly beings possess; and we can never have this spirit until we bow in humility before God and accept the cross of Christ. “Whosoever will come after me,” the Saviour said, “let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”YI November 3, 1908, par. 19