The General Conference

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 12, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 24.

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The General Conference

Thirty-Eighth Session, May 15 to June 8, 1913

Twentieth Meeting

May 27, 10 A. M.

W. T. KNOX in the chair.

Prayer by E. W. Farnsworth.

Elder Daniells read to the Conference a message of greeting and counsel from Sister E. G. White. The message follows:—

Courage in the Lord

Recently in the night-season, my mind was impressed by the Holy Spirit with the thought that if the Lord is coming as soon as we believe he is, we ought to be even more active than we have been in years past in getting the truth before the people.

In this connection, my mind reverted to the activity of the advent believers in 1843 and 1844. At that time there was much house-to-house visitation, and untiring efforts were made to warn the people of the things that are spoken of in God's Word. We should be putting forth even greater effort than was put forth by those who proclaimed the first angel's message so faithfully. We are rapidly approaching the end of this earth's history; and as we realize that Jesus is indeed coming soon, we shall be aroused to labor as never before. We are bidden to sound an alarm to the people. And in our own lives we are to show forth the power of truth and righteousness. The world is soon to meet the great Lawgiver over his broken law. Those only who turn from transgression to obedience, can hope for pardon and peace.

We are to raise the banner on which is inscribed, “The commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Obedience to God's law is the great issue. Let it not be put out of sight. We must strive to arouse church-members, and those who make no profession, to see and obey the claims of the law of Heaven. We are to magnify this law and make it honorable.

Christ has commissioned us to sow the seeds of truth, and to urge upon our people the importance of the work to be done by those who are living amidst the closing scenes of this earth's history. As the words of truth are proclaimed in the highways and the byways, there is to be a revelation of the working of the Spirit of God on human hearts.

O, how much good might be accomplished if all who have the truth, the word of life, would labor for the enlightenment of those who have it not! When the Samaritans came to Christ at the call of the Samaritan woman, Christ spoke of them to his disciples as a field of grain ready for harvesting. “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest?” he said. “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” Christ abode with the Samaritans for two days; for they were hungry to hear the truth. And what busy days they were! As a result of those days of labor, “many more believed on him

because of his own word.” This was their testimony: “We have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

Who among God's professing people will take up this sacred work, and labor for the souls who are perishing for lack of knowledge? The world must be warned. Many places are pointed out to me as in need of consecrated, faithful, untiring effort. Christ is opening the hearts and minds of many in our large cities. These need the truths of God's Word; and if we will come into a sacred nearness with Christ, and will seek to draw near to these people, impressions for good will be made. We need to wake up, and enter into sympathy with Christ and with our fellow men. The large and small cities, and places nigh and afar off, are to be worked, and worked intelligently. Never draw back. The Lord will make the right impressions upon hearts, if we will work in unison with his Spirit.

I have words of encouragement for you, my brethren. We are to move forward in faith and hope, expecting large things from God. The enemy will seek in every way to hinder the efforts that are being made to advance the truth, but in the strength of the Lord you may gain success. Let no discouraging words be spoken, but only such words as will tend to strengthen and sustain your fellow workers.

I long to be personally engaged in earnest work in the field, and I should most assuredly be engaged in more public labor did I not believe that at my age it is not wise to presume on one's physical strength. I have a work to do in communicating to the church and to the world the light that has been entrusted to me from time to time all through the years during which the third angel's message has been proclaimed. My heart is filled with a most earnest desire to place the truth before all who can be reached. And I am still acting a part in preparing matter for publication. But I have to move very carefully, lest I place myself where I cannot write at all. I know not how long I may live, but I am not suffering as much healthwise as I might expect.

Following the General Conference of 1909, I spent several weeks attending camp-meetings and other general gatherings, and visiting various institutions, in New England, the Central States, and the Middle West.

Upon returning to my home in California, I took up anew the work of preparing matter for the press. During the past four years I have written comparatively few letters. What strength I have had has been given mostly to the completion of important book work.

Occasionally I have attended meetings, and have visited institutions in California, but the greater portion of the time since the last General Conference has been spent in manuscript work at my country home, “Elmshaven,” near St. Helena.

I am thankful that the Lord is sparing my life to work a little longer on my books. O, that I had strength to do all that I see ought to be done! I pray that he may impart to me wisdom, that the truths our people so much need may be presented clearly and acceptably. I am encouraged to believe that God will enable me to do this.

My interest in the general work is still as deep as ever, and I greatly desire that the cause of present truth shall steadily advance in all parts of the world. But I find it advisable not to attempt much public work while my book work demands my supervision. I have some of the best of workers—those who in the providence of God connected with me in Australia, with others who have united with me since my return to America. I thank the Lord for these helpers. We are all very busy, doing our best to prepare matter for publication. I want the light of truth to go to every place, that it may enlighten those now ignorant of the reasons of our faith. On some days my eyes trouble me, and I suffer considerable pain in them. But I praise the Lord that he preserves my sight. It would not be strange if at my age I could not use my eyes at all.

I am more thankful than I can express for the uplifting of the Spirit of the Lord, for the comfort and grace that he continues to give me, and that he grants me strength and opportunity to impart courage and help to his people. As long as the Lord spares my life, I will be faithful and true to him, seeking to do his will and to glorify his name. May the Lord increase my faith, that I may follow on to know him, and to do his will more perfectly. Good is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.

I greatly desire that the old soldiers of the cross, those grown gray in the Master's service, shall continue to bear their testimony right to the point, in order that those younger in the faith may understand that the messages which the Lord gave us in the past are very important at this stage of the earth's history. Our past experience has not lost one jot of its force.

Let all be careful not to discourage the pioneers, nor cause them to feel that there is little they can do. Their influence may still be mightily exerted in the work of the Lord. The testimony of the aged ministers will ever be a help and a blessing to the church. God will watch over his tried and faithful standard-bearers, night and day, until the time comes for them to lay off their armor. Let them be assured that they are under the protecting care of Him who never slumbers nor sleeps; that they are watched over by unwearied sentinels. Knowing this, and realizing that they are abiding in Christ, they may rest trustfully in the providences of God.

I pray earnestly that the work we do at this time shall impress itself deeply on heart and mind and soul. Perplexities will increase; but let us, as believers in God, encourage one another. Let us not lower the standard, but keep it lifted high, looking to him who is the author and finisher of our faith. When in the night-season I am unable to sleep, I lift my heart in prayer to God, and he strengthens me, and gives me the assurance that he is with his ministering servants in the home field and in distant lands. I am encouraged and blessed as I realize that the God of Israel is still

guiding his people, and that he will continue to be with them, even to the end.

I am instructed to say to our ministering brethren, Let the messages that come from your lips be charged with the power of the Spirit of God. If ever there was a time when we needed the special guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is now. We need a thorough consecration. It is fully time that we gave to the world a demonstration of the power of God in our own lives and in our ministry.

The Lord desires to see the work of proclaiming the third angel's message carried forward with increasing efficiency. As he has worked in all ages to give victories to his people, so in this age he longs to carry to a triumphant fulfilment his purposes for his church. He bids his believing saints to advance unitedly, going from strength to greater strength, from faith to increased assurance and confidence in the truth and righteousness of his cause.

We are to stand firm as a rock to the principles of the Word of God, remembering that God is with us to give us strength to meet each new experience. Let us ever maintain in our lives the principles of righteousness, that we may go forward from strength to strength in the name of the Lord. We are to hold as very sacred the faith that has been substantiated by the instruction and approval of the Spirit of God from our earliest experience until the present time. We are to cherish as very precious the work that the Lord has been carrying forward through his commandment-keeping people, and which, through the power of his grace, will grow stronger and more efficient as time advances. The enemy is seeking to becloud the discernment of God's people, and to weaken their efficiency, but if they will labor as the Spirit of God shall direct, he will open doors of opportunity before them for the work of building up the old waste places. Their experience will be one of constant growth, until the Lord shall descend from heaven with power and great glory to set his seal of final triumph upon his faithful ones.

The work that lies before us is one that will put to the stretch every power of the human being. It will call for the exercise of strong faith and constant vigilance. At times the difficulties that we shall meet will be most disheartening. The very greatness of the task will appal us. And yet, with God's help, his servants will finally triumph. “Wherefore,” my brethren, “I desire that ye faint not” because of the trying experiences that are before you. Jesus will be with you; he will go before you by his Holy Spirit, preparing the way; and he will be your helper in every emergency.

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Jesus Christ throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

ELLEN G. WHITE.

W. T. KNOX: Now we shall give opportunity, if it is desired, for any one to express himself in connection with this communication.

J. N. Loughborough: I can say that this communication has shed a ray of encouragement through my mind, and killed one of the lies that the devil has been trying to tell me for a number of years. That lie was that the brethren did not want to hear from me. He would say, “You keep still; they do not want to hear you.” A brother who came to me this morning said he thought I had grown so old that the devil does not bother me any more. But I thought I was like a man who said he thought the devil must let everybody else alone, he spent so much time on him. The devil tells me I have got old and had better keep still. He has told me that a thousand times, I suppose, and I guess fifty times since I have been in this meeting. But if I understand that testimony, I can say something once in a while that will encourage the people.

Many voices: Amen!

J. N. Loughborough: And when that testimony spoke “courage in the Lord,” I wanted to say, “Courage in the Lord.” The Lord is talking to us yet!

S. N. Haskell: I repeat one thing that Elder Loughborough said. Of course the devil is not dead, and I have my temptations the same as he has. I have made up my mind that I will not believe him. As long as I am around, I propose to be around. And if there is anything I can say, I hope that I shall always be near enough to the Lord to say it, and not to feel as though I ought not to say anything. I know people think I am getting to be old, and I suppose I am, according to years; but I was thinking the other morning, when I felt unusually well and clear,—about as I used to feel twenty-five or thirty years ago,—I feel as though I cannot live unless I am doing something to advance this work. And I know Brother Loughborough feels the same way.

I am very much encouraged by this testimony. I thank the Lord that we have the Lord's voice among us still. May the Lord help us to heed that voice, and be prepared for his coming.

G. I. Butler: I feel greatly blessed and edified with this last communication we have received from God's servant. It should encourage us all. It has the old-fashioned ring in it that is in all her earlier writings. Some thought that as she grew old her writings would be less powerful, but it seems to me that her later writings are the best. God is with that dear woman. I feel thankful for this communication. I believe it ought to encourage us all in the work of God, and especially is it encouraging to some of us who are growing old. May the Lord bless us all and save us in his kingdom.

J. O. Corliss: May I say a word? I have been feeling somewhat as has been expressed by these other brethren. I presume that the experience of the past ten months, which has depressed me, has had the tendency to bring this feeling

upon me. I know it is not right. But I am very thankful for one thing, and that is that I have received from my brethren such encouraging letters. I was especially encouraged by a letter from Brother Daniells. It did my heart more good than I can express. It came to me at a time when these temptations were very strong upon me. I am glad that there is yet sympathy for one another among our brethren. But I do not want to talk particularly upon that point.

I feel encouraged by the exhortation we have received in this communication, to do all that is within our power to help others see the truth. That is the point that appeals to me more than anything else. I feel as though my greatest desire is to give this message, and my prayer is that God will give me the strength and power of mind to go forth with this message as in days of old. When I hear the reports of the progress of God's work throughout the field, it seems that there is something that rises up within my heart and says, “Go!” I feel as though I can hardly keep still. I know it is thought that my best days are behind me, but I do believe that God still has a work for some of us older ones in his cause. I want to so live that I may know the triumphs of his Holy Spirit all the time, and be ready either to die or to do. (Amens.)

A. G. Daniells: I read the communication, but said nothing as to my own appreciation of it. So I wish to say that I feel grateful to our Heavenly Father, who looks down upon us in all our weakness and all our frailty, and pities us, and speaks words of encouragement and good cheer. I am greatly encouraged by the note of cheer it sounds, and which it admonishes us always to sound. And, too, brethren, let us be admonished by it always to speak words of courage and cheer to uplift and strengthen one another in the work and in the battle.

Temptations are not peculiar to men who are gray or white with years. They come to some of us in middle life, and they come to young people. Trials, discouragements, and temptations of all sorts come to us, and we must take courage, even when temptations are pressing us hard, if we are to win victories. So this morning I praise God for this good word that has come to us, and I am sure that as we read it and study it, it will be a help and a strength to us. (Amens.)

A. C. Bourdeau: I thank the Lord for this testimony that came to us this morning. It applies to each one of us. It is a word of encouragement to God's people, to his servants, and even to the aged like me, who have felt as though they should lay down the armor and be quiet. I feel full of courage, and am determined by the grace of God to go through with this people. Brethren, be of good courage in the Lord.

D. T. Shireman: I am glad to hear this testimony of encouragement that has come to us this morning. I am of good courage, and am glad I have a part in this work. I want to buckle on the armor anew, and press on.

Wm. Covert: I am very thankful to be with you. I have been in this work a good many years. I have felt the presence of God with me all these years. I thank the Lord because I am associated with a class of workers who love the Lord and love one another, and I am glad that I love them with all the fervor

of my heart. I still hope to live to see Jesus come. By the grace of God, I will strive to keep my place, and work with all the strength God gives me.

O. A. Olsen: I cannot be denied the privilege of expressing my gratitude for the blessings of this message. I am glad that all my life, from a child, so to speak, has been lived in connection with this work. And I am so thankful for what that blessed gift has been to me in the various experiences of my life. I thank God today for the courage he has given us, and for the admonitions that have come to us. I want to be faithful to the end.

W. T. Knox: I am sure we all appreciate this message of courage that has come to us from Sister White, and that all pray that God may continue to bless her, and be very near to her. It is gratifying to know that while she is not here, still her heart is with us, and through her God has sent this message to us.

J. W. Watt: I have been in the ministry for thirty-two years, and have grown old in this cause. I am glad this morning for the word that has come to us. God has a place still for those who grow gray in his cause. My courage is good in the Lord.

W. T. Knox: It is suggested that we give all the privilege of voting their appreciation of this message that has been received by us, by rising. (All the congregation arose.)

C. P. Bollman: I move the president and secretary of the General Conference be asked, in behalf of this body, to convey to Sister White an expression of appreciation of the counsels given in this message, and of assurance of our Christian love and regard.

O. A. Olsen: I second the motion.

The motion prevailed.

W. T. Knox: We have as yet received no report from Japan. We will therefore take advantage of this occasion to call upon Brother De Vinney and others to report.

A report was rendered of our work in Japan by Elder F. H. De Vinney, superintendent of that field.