upon my husband. Some ministers fail to move out and venture something
in the cause and work of God. Important decisions are to be made; but
as mortal man cannot see the end from the beginning, some shrink from
venturing and advancing as the providence of God leads. Someone must
advance; someone must venture in the fear of God, trusting the result with
Him. Those ministers who shun this part of the labor are losing much.
They are failing to obtain that experience which God designed they should
have to make them strong, efficient men that can be relied upon in any
emergency.
Brother A, you shrink from running risks. You are not willing to venture
when you cannot see the way perfectly clear. Yet someone must do this very
work; someone must walk by faith, or no advance moves will be made,
and nothing will be accomplished. A fear that you will make mistakes and
mismoves, and then be blamed, binds you. You excuse yourself from taking
responsibility because you have made some mistakes in the past. But you
should move according to your best judgment, trusting the result with God.
Someone must do this, and it is a trying position for anyone. One should
not bear all this responsibility alone, but with much reflection and earnest
prayer, it should be equally shared.
During my husband’s affliction, the Lord tested and proved His people
to reveal what was in their hearts; and in so doing He showed to them what
was undiscovered in themselves that was not according to the Spirit of God.
The trying circumstances under which we were placed called out from our
brethren that which otherwise would never have been revealed. The Lord
proved to His people that the wisdom of man is foolishness, and that unless
they possess firm trust and reliance on God, their plans and calculations
will prove a failure. We are to learn from all these things. If errors are
committed, they should teach and instruct, but not lead to the shunning of
burdens and responsibilities. Where much is at stake, and where matters
of vital consequence are to be considered, and important questions settled,
God’s servants should take
14
individual responsibility. They cannot lay off the burden and yet do the
will of God. Some ministers are deficient in the qualifications necessary to
build up the churches, and they are not willing to wear in the cause of God.
They have not a disposition to give themselves wholly to the work, with
their interest undivided, their zeal unabated, their patience and perseverance
untiring. With these qualifications in lively exercise, the churches would be
kept in order, and my husband’s labors would not be so heavy. All ministers
do not constantly bear in mind that the labor of all must bear the inspection
of the judgment, and that every man will be rewarded as his works have
been.
Brother A, you have a responsibility to bear in regard to the Health
Institute. [Later Known as the Battle Creek Sanitarium.] You should
ponder, you should reflect. Frequently the time that you occupy in reading
is the very best time for you to reflect and to study what must be done to set
things in order at the Institute and at the office. My husband takes on these
burdens because he sees that the work for these institutions must be done
by someone. As others will not lead out, he steps into the gap and supplies
the deficiency.
God has cautioned and warned my husband in regard to the preservation
of his strength. I was shown that he was raised up by the Lord, and that he
lives as a miracle of mercy—not for the purpose of again gathering upon
him the burdens under which he once fell, but that the people of God may be
benefited by his experience in advancing the general interests of the cause,
and in connection with the work the Lord has given me, and the burden He
has laid upon me to bear.
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
Brother A, great care should be exercised by you, especially at Battle
Creek. In visiting, your conversation should be upon the most important
subjects. Be careful to back up precept by example. This is an important
post and will require labor. While you are here, you should take time to
ponder the many things which need to be done and which require solemn
reflection, careful attention, and most earnest, faithful prayer. You