Ellen White Rejoices in the Victory Gained

Having received the December 22 letter showing a genuine change in Elder Reaser's experience, Ellen White on New Year's Day picked up her pen and wrote:6BIO 161.9

I was very thankful to read your letter, for it seemed to me that it sounded the right note. I believe, Brother Reaser, that you are coming to the place where the Lord would have you be. As you seek the Lord for light, He will be found of you.6BIO 162.1

But before the day was over, she received the second letter written on December 31. What gratitude welled up in her heart. The appeals of the Spirit of God had not been in vain. Changes were taking place. Adding to the letter, she wrote:6BIO 162.2

Later: It is New Year's Evening. Sara has just come in with your last letter. As I read it, Elder Reaser, my heart was deeply moved, and I wept, and said, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”6BIO 162.3

My heart was filled with a great joy as I read of your effort to place yourself in right relation to God and His work. I have cause to rejoice in that while some are lapsing into apostasy, which almost breaks my heart, others are finding their way to the light.6BIO 162.4

Your letter means much, very much to me; it has lifted a tremendous burden from my heart. I believe that the terrible spell is now broken. I had fully accepted your first letter; but this last, I verily believe you were moved by the Spirit of God to write. Coming on the first day of this new year, it has made my heart glad. I cannot find words in which to express my gratitude to God.6BIO 162.5

Then she made an interesting statement, relating to Elder Reaser's connection with the sanitarium boards, that is typical of counsel given when changes had been made in people's lives:6BIO 162.6

Your statement that you feel that you should not be on any of the sanitarium boards I do not fully agree with. Your voice is to learn to give the right note of counsel and advice in unison with your brethren; and this you will be enabled to do if you continue to press to the light.6BIO 162.7

Brother Reaser, you can do a grand work for the Lord in southern California if you will work in His way. Be assured that we will stand with you as you seek to carry out the Lord's plans in His way. When we receive the meekness of Christ, and labor in His lines, our influence as laborers together with God will tell decidedly for the truth.6BIO 162.8