〉 MR No. 944—Luther Warren and Work in New York City
MR No. 944—Luther Warren and Work in New York City
Dear Brother [Luther] Warren, (12MR 98)
I have no special light that you should remain in New York City. You must look to the Lord to teach you your duty. If that field, in its pitiful and awfully sinful condition, does not speak for itself, tell me, what place can you find that expresses its need? (12MR 98.1)
I understand why you feel discouraged. It is because the work is hindered by a lack of unity and harmonious action on the part of those who were already in the field when you came. (12MR 98.2)
If you are sick, you should call in a physician. But if you go to the Lord in faith, believing His promises and taking special care of yourself, He will give you strength and blessing. Take periods of rest. Husband the strength that God has given you. If during the summer the heat is very severe, you must not endanger your life by remaining in the city. The Lord does not require anyone to remain in a place at the risk of health and life. (12MR 98.3)
I am sorry that I hear nothing from Elder Franke. I deeply regret this, for God has given him a work to do if he will work in God’s appointed way. (12MR 98.4)
Oh, who will rid himself of all hindrances and take up the work in New York City? Will you, my brother, take hold of the work where you are, helping as best you can? (12MR 98.5)
Let us remember Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Let us remember that He lived not to please Himself. He left heaven to take His place in the ranks of fallen beings, to endure humiliation and abuse. Without humbling Himself to the death of the cross, He could not have borne the penalty of transgression. (12MR 99.1)
It must have been a very severe ordeal for our Saviour to lay aside His royal robe and kingly crown, and clothe His divinity with humanity, coming to this world as a little child, to live a life of obedience in behalf of the sinful race. Lest we should make a mistake in regard to what the redeemed must be, He came to give in His life a revelation of the character God requires His children to form. He came that we might have an example of what human nature may become by receiving Him as a perfect Saviour. He came to show us that we may be Christlike. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12). He came to reveal the character of God. He took human nature upon Him in order that He might come to this world as a man, and as a man live a life of obedience. (12MR 99.2)
Before the foundation of the world was laid, the plan of redemption was devised. In heaven a mysterious voice was heard saying, “Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: ... Lo, I come ... to do Thy will, O God” (Hebrews 10:5-7). “I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart” (Psalm 40:8King James VersionAmerican Standard VersionWebster’s BibleAmerican King James VersionDarby BibleWorld English BibleYoung’s Literal Translation). (12MR 99.3)
Think you not that Christ was often homesick as, unrecognized and unhonored, He lived in the world that He Himself had made. Who was He? Ask 100Isaiah, he will tell you: [Isaiah 9:6; 63:1King James VersionAmerican Standard VersionWebster’s BibleAmerican King James VersionDarby BibleWorld English BibleYoung’s Literal Translation quoted.] Ask him who was sent to announce His coming: [Matthew 3:1, 2, 11, 12King James VersionAmerican Standard VersionWebster’s BibleAmerican King James VersionDarby BibleWorld English BibleYoung’s Literal Translation quoted.] Ask John, the beloved disciple: [John 1:1, 4, 14King James VersionAmerican Standard VersionWebster’s BibleAmerican King James VersionDarby BibleWorld English BibleYoung’s Literal Translation quoted.] (12MR 99.4)
We turn to Peter, and he declares of his Master: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). We ask Christ Himself who He is, and He replies: [John 8:58King James VersionAmerican Standard VersionWebster’s BibleAmerican King James VersionDarby BibleWorld English BibleYoung’s Literal Translation; 5:22King James VersionAmerican Standard VersionWebster’s BibleAmerican King James VersionDarby BibleWorld English BibleYoung’s Literal Translation quoted.] We ask Paul. With strength and assurance comes the answer: [1 Timothy 3:16King James VersionAmerican Standard VersionWebster’s BibleAmerican King James VersionDarby BibleWorld English BibleYoung’s Literal Translation; Philippians 2:6-11King James VersionAmerican Standard VersionWebster’s BibleAmerican King James VersionDarby BibleWorld English BibleYoung’s Literal Translation; Colossians 1:14-17King James VersionAmerican Standard VersionWebster’s BibleAmerican King James VersionDarby BibleWorld English BibleYoung’s Literal Translation quoted.] (12MR 100.1)
My brother, do not become discouraged. The light given me is that we need in our large gatherings, our camp meetings, all the ministerial talent that can possibly be spared from other lines of work. Our ministers must not think that God has appointed them to hover over believers, or to tie themselves down to a business office. Let businessman do the business work, and let ministers be left free to attend the camp meetings. At these meetings a special work is to be done. (12MR 100.2)
Let us all offer the prayer, “Lord, give Thy servants an understanding heart” (see 1 Kings 3:9). (12MR 100.3)
Solomon called himself the Lord’s servant, pleased that he could sustain this relation to the King of kings. [1 Kings 3:5-9 quoted.] (12MR 100.4)
God gave this prayer to Solomon as a sample prayer, appropriate for all, high and low, rich and poor. God said to Solomon: [1 Kings 3:11-14 quoted.] (12MR 100.5)
The Lord told Solomon that if he would walk in His way, His blessing would go with him, and wisdom would be given him. But Solomon failed to 101keep his contract with God. He followed the prompting of his own heart, and the Lord left him to his own impulses. (12MR 100.6)
Today each one has a part to act—duties to perform and responsibilities to carry. No one can act his part acceptably without wisdom from on high. May God help us all to understand the prayer that He gave Solomon in the night season as a prayer appropriate for him to offer.—Letter 104, 1902. (To Luther Warren, July 8, 1902.) (12MR 101.1)
White Estate (12MR 101)
Washington, D. C., (12MR 101)
July 15, 1982. (12MR 101)