Burwell, Brother and Sister Battle Creek, Michigan January 28, 1857 Previously unpublished. See also Annotations. Dear Brother and Sister [A.] Burwell:
In the vision given at this place I was shown something concerning you. I saw that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. God has been merciful to you. He has in mercy spared you one child; and if you both pursue a right course, there is some prospect of her being influenced by the truth and being saved in the kingdom. But I saw that unless you were willing to make a sacrifice for this and prize her salvation and your own enough to act out your faith, cut loose from the world, and act like men waiting for their Lord, there is no prospect, none at all. Your course will influence her. Show her by acting out your faith that you really believe the message, “Be zealous ... and repent.” [Revelation 3:19.]
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1857, 1)
When you really [believe] this message the effect upon you will be to separate from the world, live out your faith, sell that you have, give alms, and lay up for yourselves a treasure in the heavens. God has come very near unto you when you were at a great distance from Him. He took two idols from you that you might draw near unto Him and that God alone might be exalted and reign supreme in your heart, and that your eye might be single to His glory. These children were snatched away to save you and her.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1857, 2)
Brother, you love this world, especially Brother Burwell. You realize not how much your heart is set upon and glued to this world and how little you are willing to sacrifice for the better and heavenly country. If you prize the precious pearl of exceeding value highly enough to sell all that you have to purchase it, I saw that you could have it. Unless you prize it enough for this it is not yours, neither can you have it.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1857, 3)
Dear Brother, I dare not hold my peace. I must deal faithfully and truly with you. From what God has shown me, I fear your property will shut you out of heaven, because you love it, whether you realize it or not, better than anything else. A terrible calamity came upon you, yet it has not had the effect that God designed it should, to wean you from the world. Your possessions are still dear to you, are of worth, great worth, so much so that it looks to you to be a great thing to sacrifice anything even for your own soul’s sake. Every idol, brother and sister, is not yet sacrificed with you, and if there is one idol left, whatever that idol be, it will shut you out of heaven.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1857, 4)
I saw that you were in a hard place to serve God and should not let anything stand in the way—property, friends, or anything—of seeking counsel of God and placing yourselves in a situation to benefit your own souls. Let everlasting life be the object ever before you. The world is nothing, and less than nothing. Your possessions are a snare to you and I fear you will be taken in the snare and it will be impossible to escape. Make haste to get ready, for the days of preparation are few. Tear away the rubbish from the door of your heart and open the door and let the Saviour in.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1857, 5)
I saw that if you expect Anna to be saved you must do more on your own part, make more decided efforts than you ever yet have made. One thing I saw you had erred in, that is in the company you suffer to be in your dwelling. Whatever sacrifice you should have to make for this should be cheerfully done. Have only those with you or in your dwelling that are clean and holy. Encourage none to be with you except those whose influence is saving. Whatever the consequences may be, this step should be taken. Have all clean in your dwelling. Then you may expect that the Lord will bless your efforts. But for years past it has been impossible to save your children while there was so little effort made to have all about them such that God could come into your dwelling. Have not those with you that love not God and that God hates. Take hold of the work in earnest, be in haste to get ready. O, make every effort for the salvation of your daughter! You have never realized the danger of having those around you whose influence was not good, but deathly. You must with decision have a pure, clean company around you. Anna’s salvation depends upon the course you pursue.
(1LtMs, Lt 1, 1857, 6)
Lt 2, 1857
Burwell, Brother Battle Creek, Michigan October 21, 1857 Portions of this letter are published in 1Bio 363. See also Annotations. Dear Brother Burwell:
While at Monterey your case was shown me in vision. I saw that you were too sleepy for your own eternal interest, and that of your family. You have not made the effort you should to break loose from the world. Your grasp is fast upon it, and its treasure looks good and precious to you. I viewed you in a fearful, critical situation. You do not yet possess the spirit of sacrifice and I greatly fear you never will. God, I saw, had tried to save you. Fearfully, terribly has He approached you, taken the fruit of your own body from you without hope. All this was to cut you loose from the world, save you, your wife, and Anna.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1857, 1)
When you were here in the spring, I saw that your house should be freed, that it had been polluted by a wrong influence. You know fully what was seen. Have you followed the light? I saw, Brother Burwell, you should dig down deep; try your motives. Many, or most, of them are purely selfish. A more thorough work must be accomplished for you or you are ruined.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1857, 2)
Anna is in the broad road to hell. O, such disobedience, such unloveliness toward her dear mother! I dare not write it, and wish not to think about it. A fearful record of it is kept in the book. Anna will meet it again. All the heartache that she causes her mother is noticed of God. She is forming a character, but not for heaven.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1857, 3)
Unless the hand of God is turned aside by your deep humility and humble walk, there is more anguish in store for you. God has given you a bitter cup to drink that it might purify you and wean you from this world. The object is not gained. You love this world, love your earthly treasure, better than the truth. If you had followed the light God had given you, and gone earnestly and zealously about the work, things would be entirely different in your family.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1857, 4)
I fear, from what God has shown me, you are so little acquainted with your own heart you will not see the evils there and subdue them, but they will increase. Your besetments hold the victory, and the grace of God finds no room in your heart. The love of the world finds a large place in your heart. You have no idea of sacrificing for the cause of God. A sacrifice does not increase, but decreases.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1857, 5)
I was shown in vision at Monterey that God was calling upon those who have this world’s goods to sacrifice of their substance. A few have listened to the call, but many will go away sorrowful like the young man who came to Jesus to know what he should do to inherit eternal life. At the answer of Jesus, “Go and sell that thou hast,” he was sorrowful, for he had great possessions. [Matthew 19:21, 22.]
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1857, 6)
This is like the faith of many of the Sabbathkeepers. They submit to keep the Sabbath, to go along with this unpopular people. They can dwell upon the truth; but when Jesus says, Sacrifice for the truth, sell that thou hast, lay up treasure in heaven, they are sorrowful. Their idol has been touched. O, this earthly treasure is more dear to them than eternal life. They would be highly pleased if they could have both, but as they cannot, they cling more closely to the earthly treasure and care not whether they lay up treasure in heaven or not. They will perish with their earthly treasure.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1857, 7)
I saw that God was testing those that have possessions here to see how much they love this truth. He will soon pass by them if they heed not His voice. He will call those that are willing. The day laborer will bear the burden cheerfully. I saw they were the richest men. They can hand out ten dollars to the cause of God easier than the wealthy one dollar. Such are truly rich. I saw you must work, work in earnest, for your time to do will soon be past.
(1LtMs, Lt 2, 1857, 8)
Lt 3, 1857
Smith, Uriah and Harriet Battle Creek, Michigan October 8, 1857 This letter is published in entirety in PH016 28-30. See also Annotations. Dear Brother Uriah and Sister Harriet,
While at Monterey I was shown that all did not realize the importance of the work in the office. It was repeated to me what has been so often shown, that there must be a drawing near to God, a consecration to Him, that there has not been. I saw that you should not let your interest for each other in the least draw you from the work of God. That holy, sacred work to you both should be the first, and greatest and more dear than anything else besides, and your interest and care should not be for each other, nor in the least interfere with your work in the office. There is danger of this and it has been somewhat so now,—wrapped up too much in each other, and the glory of God not in view as it should have been.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1857, 1)
I saw that you could have the salvation of God if you seek earnestly enough for it. I did not see that God was displeased with your marriage. By consecrating all to God, seeking the Spirit and power of God, your united efforts could better glorify God than you could separately; but there is danger of your living to each other, and if there is not an entire interest and entire care for the paper the Lord will remove you and have some one that their whole interest is swallowed up in the work.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1857, 2)
God wants that the only paper in the land bearing His solemn truth should come out right. A lack of the Spirit of God, or interest, is felt in the paper. If the salvation of God is with the one that writes for the paper, the same spirit will be felt by the reader.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1857, 3)
A piece written in the Spirit of God, angels approbate and impresses the same upon the reader. But a piece written when the writer is not living wholly for the glory of God, not wholly devoted to Him, angels feel the lack in sadness. They turn away and do not impress the reader with it because God and His Spirit are not in it. The words are good, but it lacks the warm influence of the Spirit of God.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1857, 4)
I saw that there must not be a shunning of burdens. You must reprove wrong when you see it,—those in the office.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1857, 5)
I saw you were feeling discouraged, Uriah. I saw that you should overcome when you are discouraged. You can do nothing aright. With energy and courage, take hold of the salvation of God. You can have His assisting grace, but you must wrestle for it.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1857, 6)
I saw that there was a feeling among the hands of the office [that was] too selfish. There must be a sacrificing spirit with every one. Their interest must be [in] the paper, that everything be just right about it, that there be no errors about it. I saw God was not pleased with the hands in the office. They are not enjoying the salvation of God and they have but a faint realizing sense of the time in which we live and what God requires of them.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1857, 7)
I saw that there should be a willingness to suffer some loss of time if their help is needed to hasten off the paper, in any little aid they can render; but their feeling has been, they cannot leave their particular part of the work. There must be a spirit of consecration and self-denial in the office, and the greatest lack is the Spirit of God or salvation. There must be a change in that office, a reformation, then the blessings of God will rest upon those in the office. A care, I saw, should rest with weight upon every one, especially yourself that the paper be free from error or mistakes. God is displeased with His work being marred with so much imperfection.
(1LtMs, Lt 3, 1857, 8)
Lt 4, 1857
Pierce, Br. Refiled as Lt 11, 1853.
Lt 5, 1857
Everts, Brother Battle Creek, Michigan November 22, 1857 Previously unpublished. See also Annotations. Dear Brother Everts:
The Lord has wrought for us since you left. After the conference my mind was very much depressed. Discouragement pressed heavily upon me. Last Friday night John and Mary [Loughborough] came here. At our prayer season my discouragement was so great it seemed to me I could not pray. But at last, in the agony of my soul, I cried unto God, and the light of heaven shone upon me. I was made free and to rejoice in God.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1857, 1)
I was soon taken off in vision and was shown some things concerning Mary and John; that it was not Mary’s duty to go East; that God would not prosper her if she went. That God was willing to receive her and bless her again, but her will must die; she must yield to the will of God. Mary was affected. We are willing to do anything for these poor children.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1857, 2)
I saw that there was too much worldly-mindedness among the brethren in Round Grove. They get involved purchasing lands, and any effort made to raise means, to use it as it is needed in the cause of God, they eagerly seize it, so that there is no means left to sustain the servants of God, and the laborer for God is not considered worthy of his hire. There will have to be a change among the brethren in Round Grove. They are eaten up with the spirit of the world. They must begin to live out their faith, and die to the world. The third angel’s message is not lived out; it is talked, but not acted upon.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1857, 3)
There must be a separation from the world, an acting out of their faith.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1857, 4)
Other things I will write soon to individuals. I was shown the case of George Butler. He has been misjudged and wronged by some in Round Grove. They have limited the Holy One of Israel. It is nothing strange that God should turn the infidel unto Him, and in the future they need not marvel if the conversion of infidels should be multiplied. I saw that the Lord had mercifully extended His mercy to George Butler and opened unto him His Word, that he could see its beauty and harmony, and be led to love and worship its Author.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1857, 5)
E. G. White
Dear Brother Everts: Mary is coming round right. We are going to settle them to housekeeping if it is possible. This church can help some; but there have been so many objects of charity here that I hardly dare mention another case, for most of them are poor, have snug work to get along themselves. Last night I learned one brother, a French brother, was entirely destitute, and his family had lived on potatoes for two weeks. They must be helped. It is our book-binder. I guess you remember him.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1857, 6)
Brother Everts, if you have some carpeting you can spare, please send it on. They will have to have one, to save work.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1857, 7)
If we can only get them fixed in Battle Creek, an important move is made toward making Brother John free.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1857, 8)
If Sister Stone, or any of the rest of the sisters, have sheets or pillowcases that they can send on to Mary, it would be a help. Every little will help. Please interest others for them, and send what you can for them by Brother Holden. There will be much we shall have to do that others cannot do.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1857, 9)
In love.
(1LtMs, Lt 5, 1857, 10)
Lt 6, 1857
Smith, Uriah Battle Creek, Michigan October 8, 1857 This letter is published in entirety in PH016 25-28. See also Annotations. Dear Brother Uriah:
While at Monterey, we had a most powerful meeting. The Spirit of the Lord rested upon me. I was shown in vision many things; was shown the straitness of the way, the necessity of each understanding their own heart, the danger of deceiving themselves as to their true state and be found wanting. I saw again the state of things in the office. The cloud still hangs over it; all is not right there.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 1)
I saw that the Lord had called you to occupy the place you are now in, and God has not released you. God has not selected or designed Brother Waggoner for the office to occupy your place; there are serious objections to this. The Lord has laid upon James the duty of traveling a portion of the time and He calls you to throw your whole soul into the work, be devoted to God, devoted to the work. Let your influence tell in the meeting, tell in the office, and your own soul will flourish, and a saving, gathering influence will be shed around.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 2)
Dear Brother, the Lord will help your lack. But I saw there has been expected more of you than they ought to expect, and that that is not in you. It is not in you to take all that care, burden and responsibility that some others do. If you had been able to bear responsibility and care, you could fully fill the place as an editor, and the care and responsibility would not be laid upon James.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 3)
I saw that there has been feeling that James was too sensitive, too strong feeling; but I saw that some one must have the care and feel, and feel strongly too, and move decidedly in the office. There is danger of some expecting too much of you, and there is danger of your expecting too little.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 4)
I saw that James and Brother Waggoner erred in not freely talking their fears to you. You were deceived as to their feeling and acted under a mistaken idea of things, and you and Harriet were wrong in moving in such haste, without first getting a thorough understanding of the matter. Your action in the matter displeased God. You made a wrong move in introducing the matter where it should not be mentioned, when your past experience was sufficient to teach you the effect that a great fire is kindled by a little matter.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 5)
I saw if you break away from that office, your happiness and peace ends. But where you lack now, it is supplied.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 6)
God has not released James from the office. He has the care, responsibility and burden, and God has not released you from your place. I saw like two brothers, true yoke-fellows should you labor together, your interest one. You have shut up too much the interest to yourself; together should you labor, unitedly together should your hearts be knit so close that Satan cannot get a wedge between you. United together can your interest tell, both working together in union. Your interest should not be divided. God is not pleased with this. You have no separate interest in that office in the sight of God. Your work is one, your interest one, and here you have been too close, not as united as you should be.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 7)
I saw that the Lord has seen fit to bring Harriet in a place where she can work for the Lord and help you, and I saw she must be on her watch to help when it is needed, to speak a word in season when it is needed, a word right and not on the wrong side. She must bear in mind that she can help, and must be very cautious not to hinder. She will have trials and if they are borne well, she will not lose the reward. The Lord’s eye is upon every doing; His eye sees every influence.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 8)
Harriet, I saw that where you could hinder more than help is here. Let your mind be affected by any wrong influence, Uriah is affected by the same. You have watched John’s opinions and views, and they have had more effect and influence with you than is due, and then the door is open for your views or understanding to affect Uriah. Here is a door open for the enemy to work and you both must be on your guard. Satan will get in if he can. John is not standing in the light.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 9)
I have seen that you could have the blessing of God resting upon you, could live in the hearts of the people of God. You must with confidence and courage go forward, have faith in God, draw strength from Jesus. Unitedly you can serve Him, unitedly obtain the victory and unitedly share the reward.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 10)
I saw that great was your privilege. You can enjoy sweet union with God, with childlike confidence can you rely upon Him. And Harriet, you can by occupying a right position, living in the counsel of God, help Uriah more than any other one and more than you think you can.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 11)
Never act or talk on the doubtful side, but let the weight of your words and acts be to strengthen faith, to dispel doubts. You have not realized for years the responsibility that rests upon you. God has given you a taste of eternal joys to lead you on, to reach out, to hope, to elevate and bring you closer to Himself. God requires you to look to these manifestations of His grace and love. These abundant blessings were for some special object. When much is given, much will be required. If your influence is governed by the Spirit of God, you can do much. If it is not sanctified by the Spirit of God, it will tell much on the wrong side.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 12)
You have felt too much that it was but a little matter or but little consequence what you may say or do. Take heed. There is more importance attached to these things than you have thought of. The grace of God can sanctify and purify your judgment and together can you labor for the interest of God’s cause.
(1LtMs, Lt 6, 1857, 13)
Lt 7, 1857
Lamson, David Refiled as Lt 10, 1856.
Lt 8, 1857
Rhodes, S. W. Battle Creek, Michigan July 19, 1857 Previously unpublished. See also Annotations. Dear Brother Rhodes,
I have written to Brother Edson the general part of a vision for the church in New York, given me at Ulysses, Pennsylvania. I was shown that the church took advantage of a vision that was given to reprove you, and did wrong, felt hard to you. Then the vision that was given to reprove the church you took advantage of, and have listened to the church trials altogether too much. You have encouraged them by listening to this one and that one’s report. You have not had tender pity, have been too severe. I saw that your temperament was a hurried one, and the Lord would not lay it on you generally to settle church trials (thank God). You have too strong feelings, are not patient enough. God has a kind care for you but you have erred in having so many church trials. I saw that the Lord had given Brother Edson good judgment in regard to matters in the church. He has not filled his place.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1857, 1)
I saw that you move too strongly, make up your mind that things are so, and then move hurriedly, not studying the effect of these things afterward. Upon those things you must reform. You can comfort and strengthen the church with the gift God has given you, but you must move more patiently, throw off so much perplexity that you have. Your anxiety to see the church where they ought to be, has led you to try too hard to get them there. It has had the wrong effect in many cases. You have failed often.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1857, 2)
You have manifested selfish feelings in connection with Brother Treadwell against another. That brother is not right, but more had been laid to his charge than belongs there, and this is the way with many of the church trials. It gives the jealous, the selfish, opportunity to carry out these evil propensities. All these evils must be corrected.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1857, 3)
Nearly every one I saw in Roosevelt has been wrong. Brother T. Finch was not right. When he left he had the same faultfinding spirit. Brother Chapel has not been free from it. I saw that there needed to be a thorough reformation all through that section. The professed people of God have disgraced themselves in the eyes of the world by these trials that they never would have had if their hearts had been right in the sight of God. Hatred has caused many of these trials, but the poor souls knew it not.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1857, 4)
In love.
(1LtMs, Lt 8, 1857, 5)
Lt 9, 1857
Rumery, Brother NP October 1857 Previously unpublished. See also Annotations. Testimony from vision given in Monterey, Michigan, October 8, 1857. Dear Brother Rumery:
You remember the vision given last Thursday eve. In that vision I saw the case of Brother Victor Jones. I saw that the Lord loved him but he had had reasons for discouragement. He possessed a noble, generous disposition. He looked for and expected to find the same disposition in his brethren, but was disappointed. They said by their profession we are pilgrims and strangers, yet their heart and treasure were here.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 1)
Brother Rumery, you could in many little acts have eased Brother Jones’ burden, and never felt it; but for years you have loved money better than religion, better than God, and it is like taking out the right eye, cutting off the right arm, to part with this money. You do not realize it, but it is your god. You cannot appreciate the worth of the soul until you die to this world, and overcome your love of money. God is displeased with, and looks with a frown upon your close dealing with your brethren, making a little something out of them, taking advantage of them when you can. God hates such things, and every single instance wherein you are guilty is written in the book and will stand against you unless you humbly repent of it and reform.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 2)
I saw that instead of inquiring into Brother Jones’ wants, feeling a kindly sympathy for him, you have coldly shut up the bowels of compassion toward him. He expected when you embraced the present truth it would work a reformation in you in these things. He was disappointed and his hands were weakened and fell without strength at his side. He felt and said, “It is no use,”“It is no use. I can’t live religion. I can’t keep the truth.” He has stumbled over your selfishness, your love of the world, but God has pitied and reached out a helping hand. His propensities are strong habits that would ruin his family and himself, and he will have a constant war to subdue this dreadful appetite and overcome it. His brethren can help him if they will. You can help him and favor him and love him—not in word merely, but in deed, in action—and bind to your heart with strong Christian cords an erring, burdened brother.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 3)
Brother Rumery, you have felt, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Said the angel, “Thou art thy brother’s keeper, and in a degree responsible for his soul.” Jesus died for you. Said the angel: “Love one another as I have loved you.” How much? Enough to give your life for a brother. Said Jesus, “Can ye drink of the cup? Can ye be baptized with the baptism?”“Love one another as I have loved you.” [Genesis 4:9; Mark 10:38; John 13:34.] Will you for this world’s goods suffer him to stumble over your close dealing—your close, covetous dealing—to perdition? That brother that stumbles thus will be required at your hand.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 4)
God calls for noble-hearted men and the love of the world has eaten out this nobleness that shows forth in them the image of their Maker. Now God designs the truth to purify, to purge from you this love of the world. It must do it or your case is hopeless. You have not dealt generously and truly with Brother Jones. You let the love of money crowd out all the noble principles of the soul. Every noble, generous act is written in the book; every neglect of a brother, every selfish advantage taken of a brother is written in the book.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 5)
Dear brother, in the vision God has given me as it has unfolded to my mind I have felt distressed, distressed. I have many fears that you will never get the world out of your heart. You will have to work faster and more in earnest than you yet have done. May the Lord open your eyes to yourself. May you see that the greatest share of your heart is occupied with the world.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 6)
I saw that at present God does not call for the houses His people need to live in, that there was no need of these at present. But if those who have an abundance here do not hear His voice and cut loose from the world and sacrifice for God, He will pass them by and call to those who are willing to do anything for Jesus, to sell even their homes to meet the wants of the cause. God will have a freewill offering and those who give must esteem it a privilege to do so. It is not God’s design for a few to be eased and others burdened. There must be a greater willingness to do each his part as God has prospered him. I was shown that those who are poor, and have the least of this world’s goods, see the wants of the cause, [and] divide and divide to meet the wants of the cause, while the able and wealthy do not do so.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 7)
One dollar is held more tightly by you than ten are by the day laborer. It will be hard for you to see this. Oh, the deceitfulness of riches! The more the possessor has the less does he see the wants of the cause and the more difficult it is to hear the voice of Jesus when it calls for his means. He is sorrowful.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 8)
Brother Rumery, it is very hard for you to deny self and take an upright, generous, noble course that all who see you can know that a reformation is wrought in you by the truth. This change is looked for in you. You must cut loose, cut loose from the world. You can have this world if you pursue the same course you have pursued, but you cannot have heaven nor its treasure. Choose ye whom ye will serve, God or Mammon. The time has come for you to choose.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 9)
Dear Brother Rumery, I came to your house purposely to tell you the vision but my heart sank within me. I knew my weakness and knew I should feel the deepest distress for you while relating it to you, and I was afraid I should not have strength to do it, and should mar the work. Now brother, I am afflicted and distressed for you, and when at your house was so burdened I could not stay. I send this communication to you with much trembling. I fear from what I have seen that your efforts will be too weak. You will make no change. Oh, will you get ready for Jesus’ coming? I kept the vision from every one, even my husband, but I must speak plainly to you. You must have a thorough work done for you or you will fail of heaven. Said the angel, “It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”Luke 18:25.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 10)
In trial.
(1LtMs, Lt 9, 1857, 11)
Lt 10, 1857
Lamson, David Refiled as Lt 10, 1856.
Lt 11, 1857
Children Refiled as Lt 5, 1856.
Lt 12, 1857
Stevens, Harriet Battle Creek, Michigan January 30, 1857 Previously unpublished. See also Annotations. Dear Sister Harriet,
We received a letter from Bro. John yesterday. Enclosed was a line from you. We were glad to hear from you once more. The letter was dated the 5th. We received it the 29th.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 1)
James is quite well for him. I am not as well as when I was with you. I had been traveling so long in the open air, that when bought into a right warm home, I dropped and fainted like a bird. There was no strength in me for more than a week and have felt drooping and weak ever since my return.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 2)
Our conference was quite a good one, but there were all kinds. Many came from a distance and some of them, their hearts were not right but they were crooked. Some the Lord wrought for and set free. The next Sabbath after this, Brother and Sister Gurney came to Battle Creek. We had an excellent meeting with them. Brother Gurney seems as good as ever, his testimony went well last Sabbath.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 3)
Oh, how thankful was I to get home once more. When we were about 9 miles from Battle Creek, the drive wheels ran off the track, and we went several rods with them off. If the small wheels had run off the track, we must have been plunged down an embankment of 6 feet. We had to wait there five hours in so short a distance of home. The passengers were all of them hungry, except ourselves. We had three pounds of crackers. We divided round among them. They had tasted nothing, many of them, since the night before.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 4)
We found our children very well. Willie is a fat, healthy, little fellow, and clings closer than ever to his mother. Jane’s health is better than it ever has been since she lived with us. She does the washings and all the housework, and she enjoys peace of mind. Never saw Jane in so good a place.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 5)
We have felt desirous of attending the conferences appointed in the Eastern states, but we see no good way open for our children. Their eternal interest is a great weight and burden to me. O will the Lord save my children, my poor children? I have no evidence [that] if Henry or Edson should now die that they would come up in the first resurrection. I carry a burdened heart for them all the time. O that salvation may come to this home, and from the eldest to the youngest, may be heard the song of praise.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 6)
The message to the Laodicean church affects every way, in every sense and every where. The church here is rising. God is working for us. We feel the necessity of working with energy. This message to the church calls for more than common efforts, on our own part. A deep interest in our own cases should we feel. We should afflict our souls on our own account, turn our eyes within and mourn and pray and beg for our salvation.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 7)
Harriet, my mind is just the same as it was when with you. The Lord has need of thee, means something. Enquire and find out what it means. There is need of help in the Office and Harriet go to God, find out His will concerning you, expect that the Lord will teach you; consecrate yourself wholly to God. Don’t rest down, but rise, rise, live on the plan of addition. “Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”2 Peter 1:5-8.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 8)
The burden of this matter rests with you. God will surely give you the burden of this matter if He calls you to fill so important a place. There is a way open any time that you feel that it is your duty to come. Help is needed and God forbid that we shall choose that help, but let the Lord choose for us, then all will be right.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 9)
Harriet, write me just how you feel. Write me as to a sister. We feel interested for you, and would love to have you here; but we want you to know for yourself that you are moving [in] the counsel of God. Then you can with confidence believe that He that has called you to fill the important place, will be near to you to strengthen you, to lend you grace, and power to keep yourself in His love, and a sweet satisfaction you will have every day knowing He has called you to the work. He will sustain you, and if you try to keep yourself, He will let you have His approbation and the light of His countenance. Write for the Instructor, Harriet.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 10)
Dear Sister, we think of you all. Would love to see you more than we have ever wished to see you before. We have not forgotten the time or place where Jesus walked through our midst like a mighty terrible one.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 11)
Give my love to all the people of God. Our hearts are knit with you. O, how I should love to see Sister Mary, Sister Orton, Drucilla, and Brother Orton and all, and Brother John. O, that God [may] work for him mightily in restoring him to health. May we not expect it? May we not pray and believe for it? I do hope that Angeline and John may fully consecrate themselves that He may do a great work for them. Do let us hear from you often. Write, write. Our hearts are knit together.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 12)
Much love to your parents, brothers and sisters. Love to Sister Andrews and Brother Andrews and William. I hope he will love God with all his heart that he may at last eat of the leaves of the tree of life, that are for the healing of the nations. Tell him there will be no lame ones there. All will be health.
(1LtMs, Lt 12, 1857, 13)
Lt 13, 1857
Loveland, Br-Sr. Refiled as Lt 2a, 1856.
Lt 14, 1857
Everts, Brother Battle Creek, Michigan July 12, 1857 Portions of this letter are published in 6MR 130. See also Annotations. Dear Brother Everts,
I was shown while at Lancaster, Mass., that the work of God was progressing in the West, and that you must be narrowing down your large farms. Do not talk your faith. Sell that ye have and give alms, says the angel. Not moving fast enough, said the angel. Cut loose, cut loose from your treasures here; lay up a treasure in heaven.
(1LtMs, Lt 14, 1857, 1)
I saw that as you go with the tent, be not in haste to take it down after there is an interest awakened; remain until they decide; bring them to the point to decide; press upon them the necessity of decision. I have seen that there is too much haste in moving the tent from place to place, and staying long enough in a place.
(1LtMs, Lt 14, 1857, 2)
I have seen that the work would spread and increase in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota. The Lord is moving upon the people, and the servants of God should keep pace with the opening providence of God and with the work of the third angel’s message.
(1LtMs, Lt 14, 1857, 3)
Tell Brother John, [that] before we left this state for the East, I sent a letter to Mary and there was something in it I wished you to see, so I sent it to you. There were two dollars in it, a little present I sent her. Did you receive it?
(1LtMs, Lt 14, 1857, 4)
In love.
(1LtMs, Lt 14, 1857, 5)
Lt 15, 1857
Pierce, Brother NP c. 1857 This letter is published in entirety in 18MR 248-253. See also Annotations. Dear Brother Pierce,—
Duty compels me to write a few lines. The Lord has shown me of late some things in vision which I feel duty to write you. I saw that all was not right with you, that you are in a place where your influence can tell but little; you are in too narrow a compass. I saw that Brn. Pierce and Phillips can be of use in the cause of God. Both their gifts are needed where they have not yet been, where their gifts are new and can affect more. The King’s business is important, and requires haste. Jesus is coming, and there is no time to dally. With energy and zeal souls must be pulled out of the fire.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 1)
The past was opened before me. I was shown that there was a lingering of that spirit that Bennet and Libby had that has not been sufficiently shaken off by Bro. and Sr. Phillips, and as long as this spirit, the last of it, is not shaken off, it tells, and it has its influence. It is foreign to the Spirit of God. I saw that the spirit that both Bennet and Libby possessed while Bro. and Sr. Phillips were in union with them, was an unclean spirit and an unholy spirit, and Bro. and Sr. O. have not as yet realized and admitted and shaken it off. The spirit moved strongly on the feelings, and these feelings, many of them, are yet cherished as sacred, as [indited by] the Holy Ghost. But many times when it was upon Bro. and Sr. Phillips, they knew not what spirit they were of.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 2)
At the time these men were professing so much of the Holy Ghost, especially Bennet, his life was corrupt, his heart vile. I was shown that a great many have been entirely thrown off their balance by not understanding the spirit that some of these [seemingly] very good and professedly holy men possessed. That they have felt the influence of and received great blessings through the influence of their prayers and apparent faith. It has stumbled many an honest soul, and here they have grounded and made shipwreck of faith. They trusted to feeling, to an influence or power that was brought to bear upon their feelings.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 3)
I saw that many, very many, had been truly converted through the influence of persons who were living in open violation of the commandments of God, their lives vile and corrupt. Others I saw were very sick. A case was held up before me of one of my relatives, a Methodist minister; eighty miles he was sent for, to pray for a sick sister who sent for him, in compliance with the teaching of James. He went and prayed in earnest, and she prayed; she believed the minister to be a man of God, a man of faith. Physicians had given her up to die of consumption. She was healed immediately. She arose and prepared supper, a thing she had not done for ten years. Now, the minister was vile, his life was corrupt, and yet here was a great work. He took the glory all to himself.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 4)
Then again the scene mentioned above passed before me. I saw [that] the woman was a true disciple of Christ; her faith was that she should be healed. I saw their prayers: one was misty, dark, fell downward. The other prayer was mixed with light or specks which looked to me like diamonds, and arose upward to Jesus and He sent it up to His Father like sweet incense, and a beam of light was immediately sent to the afflicted [one], and she revived and strengthened under the influence.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 5)
Said the angel, God will gather every particle of true, sincere faith; like diamonds shall they be gathered up and will surely bring a return or answer; and God will separate the precious from the vile. Although He bears long with the hypocrite and sinner, yet he will be searched out. Though he may flourish with the honest a while like the green bay tree, yet the time will come when his folly will be made manifest and he be brought to confusion.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 6)
Said the angel, Shall He leave the poor, suffering saints who are deceived, destitute entirely of His Spirit? O no! I saw He would win and woo them, that if they cleave to Him and if they would listen to His voice, He would say to them, This is the way; walk ye in it.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 7)
But I saw there is great danger always of those who are brought so close, so near this unclean spirit as you have been, Bro. and Sr. Phillips. I saw that God would separate the precious from the vile. There would be truth or something from God to call for a decision. The corrupt have no disposition to receive that call for a decision, but are separated from the precious by the precious receiving this truth by the others neglected. Here is the separation made. God will work in mysterious ways to save the true, honest ones. I saw the great danger of those who have been connected with this spirit [of] setting down this or that as the power of God, and, knowing [thinking] this to be His power, they yield this or that [and] they give up their whole Christian experience.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 8)
I saw, Bro. and Sr. Phillips, this was your case, and the only safe course for you was to shake off entirely that spirit, [get] out from it entirely. Call it a deception you were under, as it really was, and then feast upon the truth, the present truth. I saw there is among you a spirit of linking up with a few, making everything of this one or that one that has any leading out to pray for the sick; and others who do not engage in it as zealously as you, are of but little account or have but little influence.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 9)
O, I saw that this was not all of the requirements of Jesus, and those who pray for the sick are not all who have the faith of Jesus. The faith of Jesus takes in the whole life and divine character of Christ. I saw that you are too exclusive; also Bro. Pierce. You are leaning too much on Sister Phillips. Sr. P. has too much confidence in herself, and you have too much confidence in her judgment, in her feelings. God is willing to teach Bro. Pierce his duty that he may know it for himself. You all go too much by feeling. I saw Bro. Pierce would often try to talk the truth; if he did not have that liberty and success, that freedom he anticipated, he settled down [thinking] that God did not call him to that work. Now if it had not been for this, Bro. Pierce might have been more useful than he has been.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 10)
All, every one of God’s called and chosen servants, have had just such times, and if they had followed their feelings, would have given up that that was not the work God had given them to do. But the servants of God will always have obstacles to surmount. But do not yield up readily; keep trying, and plow your way through the darkness. Look away to Jesus, depend on Him entirely.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 11)
You follow feelings too much, and if you feel clouds come over you, you let it influence you too much. Feeling is as unsafe a guide as you can follow. You make altogether too much of a happy flight of feeling or a shouting time. These times will come, but they are not always an undoubted evidence that we are right. You have made too much of these seasons, and in some of them there has been a fanatical spirit not in accordance with the spirit of truth. I saw that there was a more useful place for your gifts to be occupied where they can move and stir souls.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 12)
Now is the time for God’s people not to be in a corner, not where they have been over and over, but where their gifts are new. Bro. Phillips’ gift of exhortation is needed. God calls for it. He calls Bro. and Sr. P. to shake themselves from the last and least particle of that spirit that is mentioned above, for it is against the Spirit of God. God is about to work for His people; and great work is being done.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 13)
I saw that this call to the Laodicean church will affect souls. A becoming zeal is called for by God on our part. We must repent, throw away our whole feelings, feel our destitution, buy gold that we may be rich, eye salve that we may see, white raiment that we may be clothed. Sr. P., I saw that you had a too high opinion of your own judgment, too much exalted. Bro. Pierce has listened and looked up to you as though your judgment was unerring.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 14)
Just so long as you are all so closely shut in with yourselves, your usefulness is comparatively nothing. Your linking together is too close for your own good. Said the angel, Each one strike out on your own individual responsibility as to each other, yet relying wholly upon God for victory. Look away from each other; measure not yourselves by yourselves. Jesus is the pattern; look to Him as the example, not to each other. Lean wholly upon God.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 15)
Bro. Pierce, you have been silent too much; too much shut up with yourself. In the paper you could speak to hundreds, but you have a few of you contented yourselves together. Your talent, Bro. P., has been almost buried up; it must be brought into use. But you have so little confidence in your own success that if you do not have that freedom that you expect, you sink down and give it up. Arouse, arouse; let not feelings guide you, but a sense of your duty, a sense of the truth, the important truth. Let that influence you and move. Bro. Pierce, your gift is needed.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 16)
Bro. Phillips, your gift is needed in exhortation. I saw there had been considerable feeling with you and others in Vt. about the brethren coming West. You have not felt right about the matter. I saw that the great work would be West. Many fields have not yet been visited that should be. It is true that many of those that have moved have not answered the design of God. God directed them to go, but not to do as they have done. After they were West, they should have lived out their faith; but they have acted like drunken men. But God is working for them. They see their sin and error and are laying their possession upon the alter, and preparing to labor for God.
(1LtMs, Lt 15, 1857, 17)