travail of soul for others, angels of God would work through them to
communicate a knowledge of the truth. They would know the truth,
and the truth would make them free. Money would no longer be
expended in adding building to building in one place, but would be
used in opening new fields, in planting the standard of truth in cities
that have not yet been worked. The elevating, purifying, ennobling
principles of heaven would be introduced into society and would
work like leaven.
* * * * *
Extract from a letter written in 1899, from Cooranbong, N. S. W.,
Australia—It is God’s design that those fields which have abundant
facilities shall share their advantages with more needy fields. The
principle is ever to be followed in all our institutions. God requires
that there be less planning for buildings in places where the work is
already established, and that means be sent to fields where, for lack
[153] of facilities, the laborers work at a great disadvantage.
Chapter 24—God’s Purpose for His Institutions
Newtown, Tasmania,
December 1, 1895
To the Medical Superintendent of a Large Sanitarium—
My Dear Brother,
Every institution that bears the name of Seventh-day Adventist is
to be to the world as was Joseph in Egypt, and as were Daniel and his
fellows in Babylon. In the providence of God these men were taken
captive, that they might carry to heathen nations the knowledge of
the true God. They were to be representatives of God in our world.
They were to make no compromise with the idolatrous nations with
which they were brought in contact, but were to stand loyal to their
faith, bearing as a special honor the name of worshipers of the God
who created the heavens and the earth. These youth stood firm to
principle. They lived in close connection with God honoring Him
in all their ways, and He honored them. He was their wisdom. He
gave them knowledge and understanding.
Today the remnant people of God are to glorify His name by
proclaiming the last message of warning, the last invitation to the
marriage supper of the Lamb. The only way in which they can fulfill
God’s expectations is by being representatives of the truth for this
time.
The Lord has wrought through human agents to fulfill the prophecies.
He has made sacred, eternal truth stand out plainly amidst the
heresies and delusions that Christ declared would exist in the last
days.
My brother, you are situated where you can be a representative
of the truth for this time. Keep close to the Great Teacher. I saw you
holding up the banner on which are written the words: “Here is the
patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of
God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:12. Several men, some [154]
of them those with whom you are connected in the sanitarium, were
presenting to you a banner on which was a different inscription.
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150 Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
You were letting go the banner of Seventh-day Adventists, and were
reaching out to grasp the banner presented to you. One of great
dignity approached you and with deep earnestness said:
“Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them
which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the
same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and
a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being
disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called
you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:7-9. Then
your hand firmly grasped the true banner, and these encouraging
words were spoken: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to
Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made
herself ready. And to her, was granted that she should be arrayed in
fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of
saints.” Revelation 19:7, 8.
I was instructed that you and your fellow laborers were in danger
of hiding the principles of our faith in order to obtain large patronage.
Every jot done in this line, instead of extending the influence of the
truth, will hinder its advance.
You and your associates in the sanitarium work need a pilot
with you constantly, else you will be shipwrecked. You surely must
understand your peril. Satan is making every effort to turn you
aside into strange paths. God has strengthened you. Your soul
must be sanctified through the truth, that your steadfast adherence
[155] to principles may be plain to all. The more fully your helpless soul
leans upon God, the more fully you make Him your trust, the more
hungry you will become for the bread of life.
God is to be recognized and honored by the people calling themselves
Seventh-day Adventists. In the past the truth has, to the honor
of God, been proclaimed with convincing power by the physicians
and helpers in our sanitariums. God will accept no less of you, but
will expect far more. You and your associates are to labor on in faith
and firmness to prevent decline and to ensure progress. There must
be no narrowing down of your work, no concealing of the principles
of truth; there must be a widening of the base of operations. Many
God’s Purpose for His Institutions 151
plants must be made in different places. There is need of more zeal,
more faith, more influence, of more active, spirited workers.
Remember that you are working for time and for eternity. Heavenly
angels are commissioned to co-operate with your efforts for the
conquest of souls. More earnest efforts should be made to establish
the truth in various localities. And there must be no covering up
of any phase of our message. The truth for this time must be given
to the souls ready to perish. Those who in any way hide the truth
dishonor God. Upon their garments will be the blood of souls.
God’s Purpose for the Sanitarium
The Battle Creek Sanitarium is a broad missionary field. God
has been moving upon souls to seek in this institution relief from
physical suffering. He requires that everything connected with it
shall be such as He can approve.
He is pleased that a chapel should be built in connection with
the sanitarium, that those who visit the institution may be given an
opportunity to hear for themselves the truth as it is in Jesus. The
precious gospel is to be presented to them, not in a weak diluted [156]
style but in strong, warm accents. As it is made plain that godliness
is necessary to salvation, the peculiarities of our faith will appear,
distinguishing us from the world. But no tirade is to be made against
the doctrines held by others. In our association with worldlings
we are to recommend our faith by living, in all true modesty, the
principles of Christianity.
The Value of A Study of God’s Word
If the medical students will study the word of God diligently,
they will be far better prepared to understand their other studies; for
enlightenment always comes with an earnest study of the word of
God. Let our medical missionary workers understand that the more
they become acquainted with God and with Christ, and the more
they become acquainted with Bible history, the better prepared they
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will be to do their work.
The students in our schools should aspire to higher knowledge.
Nothing will so help to give them a retentive memory as a study of
