DEAR BRO. 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 straightness 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.
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 Bro. 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 soul will flourish, and a saving, gathering influence will be shed around. Dear brother, the Lord will help your lack. I saw that there has been expected more of you than they ought to expect, and 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 an26editor, and the care and responsibility would not be laid upon James.
I saw that there has been feelings 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 acting too little.
I saw that James and Bro. Waggoner erred in not freely talking their fears to you. You were deceived as to their feelings, 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. I saw if you break away from that Office your happiness and peace end. But where you lack now it is supplied, 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 here27you have been too close, not as united as you should be.
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, and 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 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.
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.
I saw 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. I saw that great was your privilege. You can enjoy sweet union with God; with child-like confidence can you rely upon him.
And Harriet, you can by occupying a right position, living in the counsel of God, help Uriah28more than any other one, and more than you think you can. 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 love. These abundant blessings were for some special object. Where much is given, much will be required. If your influence is governed by the Spirit of God, you can do much good; if it is not sanctified by the Spirit of God, it will tell much on the wrong side. You have felt too much that it was but a small 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.
E. G. WHITE.
BATTLE CREEK, Oct. 8, 1857.
Dear Bro. 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 should29be the first and greatest work, and more dear than any thing 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.
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 by 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 an entire care for the paper, the Lord will remove you and have some one whose whole interest is swallowed up in the work. 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. A piece written in the Spirit of God angels approbate, and impress the same upon the readers. 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 reader30with 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.
I saw that there must not be a shunning of burdens. You must reprove wrong when you see it in those in the Office. 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.
I saw that there was a feeling among the hands in the Office, 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 in it.
I saw that 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. 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 the feeling has been with some, 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,31a 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 errors or mistakes. God is displeased with his work being marred with so much imperfection.
E. G. WHITE.
Extracts from Visions.
Paris, 1851. I was shown that there had been but little carefulness to follow the Pattern. I was shown that there was a link between Brn. Andrews and Stevens’ family that would have to be broken; for this link did not tend to strengthen each other in the most holy faith, or to cause one another to grow in grace, but it did tend to build one another up if they were wrong, in that wrong, and hide each other’s faults, that needed to be brought out and got rid of, in order to have the approbation of God and his free, strengthening Spirit among them. This attachment was not because each family was so holy, and reflected the image of Jesus so much, that bound one to the other. And if you stood more separate, and had an eye single to the glory of God, you would be much stronger, and God would be honored much more. I saw that you did not love Jesus as much as you loved each other, but you were more zealous to please each other, than you were to please Jesus who died for you. I saw that if you studied more to daily glorify God and to have the abiding witness that your ways please him, you would be strong and valiant in the truth, and would carry32a holy influence with you. I saw that you have a knowledge of the truth, and a form of godliness, but the power has been lacking. You have not had faith in God as you should have had, and when you have obtained the victory, it has lasted you but a short time. I saw that we must have victory every day, and come up steadily.
I saw that our keeping house has discovered selfishness in your families, and I saw that there has not been true faith in the visions; that some have doubted them, and that they still have not true faith in them, and if they remained where they were they would doubt them still more. I was shown the danger of doubting the visions. Had you believed the visions in time back, you would not have been left to go into the errors you did. I saw that vital godliness and heart holiness we must have, if we would be covered with the covering of Almighty God.
E. G. WHITE.
[Extract from a vision given at Rochester, April, 1854.]
I saw that with some there had not been a receiving of what God has shown. It has been doubted. It has borne but with a feather’s weight. I saw that straight testimonies must be borne, and they have not been received. I then saw that the church must be united, and if they could not endure straight testimonies when they were needed, and we were bound, we must move the Office and go where we could bear them. I saw that33we, neither of us, have done our duty. There has been a holding back, a shunning to declare the whole counsel of God. I saw that God wanted us to be free, that if we did not follow the movings of his Spirit, and bear the testimonies he gave us, he would leave us in bondage, and then our health and strength would fail; and worse than all this, the bondage would be felt in the paper. I saw that if there was not freedom and liberty here, we must move where there would be freedom, and where the testimonies given us by God would be received. I saw that some had doubted what God had taught, and therefore it could not have weight with them, nor serve to move them. As I saw this I begged of God to use another instrument, to send by one whom they would receive, or to fit up the frail instrument that the church would be convinced. Said the Angel, God has chosen his own way, that through the simple means he has ordained light should be given, and if it is not received, God will give them up to their own ways to be filled with their own doings.
E. G. WHITE.
[Extract from a vision given August 26, 1855.]
I saw while at Paris that James’ health has been in a critical situation; that his anxiety34of mind has been too much for him. When the present truth was first published, he had to put forth double energy and labor with but little encouragement; and from the first he has taken burdens upon him that were too much for his strength. The burdens were not equally borne. While he took much responsibility, some were not willing to take any, and those who shunned taking responsibilities and burdens did not realize his burdens, and were not as interested in the cause as they should have been. There was a lack. James felt it and laid his shoulder under burdens that were too heavy. I saw by these extra efforts more souls would be saved, but it is these efforts that have undermined his constitution and taken away his strength. Regardless of his own interest and health, he has labored with interest for others, and it has not been appreciated. His reward from many has been dissatisfaction, evil surmising and jealousy. Those who should have helped him bear the burdens were a burden themselves by their unwise course. By care and incessant labor and overwhelming anxiety has the work gone on, until now the present truth is clear, its evidence by the candid undoubted, and it is easy work now to carry on the paper to what it was a few years ago. The truth is now made so plain, that all can see it and embrace it if they will. But it needed much labor to get it out clear35as it is, and such hard labor will never have to be performed again to make the truth clear. E. G. WHITE.
[Extract from a communication to Bro. Wm. Peabody.]
I was shown that God would reward those who will bear responsibilities, and with energy push his work forward and stand in the forefront of the battle. God will choose those who will venture something in his work. But there are those who will not fill the place that God would be pleased to have them fill.
I saw that God had chosen James to fill an important place, and has made him his agent to forward his work. I saw that God had made him a burden-bearer from the commencement of his work. Since 1844 God thrust him out that he should obtain an experience to fill the place he designed for him to occupy, as one to manage in his cause to forward the work. In order to do this he has had to take responsibilities and to risk something on the success of this message. God would be pleased if others would feel the same interest, and move with the same energy, but they will not venture. I saw that God was displeased with those who do not take the burden themselves, and then stand ready to murmur at the one upon36whom he lays the heavy burden. I saw that if others would come up and bear the burden he has borne for years, and venture all; life, health, strength, time, everything, to push this work ahead, trusting alone to the success of the message, then God would relieve him from such heavy responsibilities. God has made him his agent to stir up to zealous action.
I saw that the blessing of the Lord has rested upon every essential move that has been made to advance his cause, and steadily has the work progressed; one difficulty after another has been surmounted. It is because God’s hand was in the work. I saw that some do not realize that selfishness is at the bottom of their murmuring. God’s humble instrument moves too fast for their faith, and his venturing out as he has done has reproved their slow and unbelieving pace. And there has been satisfaction taken in watching and finding fault. Hints have been thrown out, doubts expressed, which have had their influence. They were at fault in this. Their faith was not strong enough to keep pace with him. Had they possessed that strong faith and self-denial which they should have had, those who have the ability and means might do a great deal in stirring up the people of God; and if they would venture out and risk something on the result and success of this message, it would inspire37faith in the hearts of the remnant, and there would be activity and zeal in pushing forward this great work.
I was shown that the work was not left in the hands of James or any other one upon earth. Angels of God have charge of the work, and they counsel and direct through chosen agents, the people, and thus the work moves forward. I was shown that God in his own wise providence raised James above dependence and want, that his testimony and influence might not be crippled by the galling sense of dependence. God will use him as his instrument to speak with freedom, independent of man, and in his strength and Spirit raise his voice, and with his example call upon the people to arouse, and with energy to assist with their substance, their influence, ability and judgment in moving forward this great work. And any that wish to be convinced, can be, that it is not selfishness, nor to obtain any advantage himself that he pursues this course. But his object is to advance the work of God which is dearer to him than life.
I saw that God will have a voice to tell in the Office and in his cause. I saw that it was easier for those who look on to complain, and find fault, than to suggest and lead in a better course. It is very easy and cheap to suggest doubts and fears, but it is not so readily undertaken to tell what shall be done.
I was pointed back and saw that amid all the hatred and devices of Satan, God had spared the life of James, although Satan pressed him sore to take it away a few years since. The Lord wrenched him from the enemy’s grasp, and from his power, and raised him up to still act for him,—to walk out on his faith, to be a succorer to the needy, and to strengthen and uphold his servants whom he has called into the field. I saw that God had stayed him on the right hand and on the left, that he should not go to extremes, and he has inspired confidence in the hearts of the remnant generally to confide in his integrity and judgment. This has not been the work of man, but the mark of God’s hand is seen in it all. His work will go forward. Simple instruments God will choose to carry forward this great work; but they only carry out the mind and will of the Great Master at the head of the work.
E. G. WHITE.
Future Course.
It has been a matter of great perplexity to me to know just what course to pursue with the messages given for individuals. I have often written messages of reproof for different ones, and they have laid the messages away, said nothing about them, whether they received them or not, but their fruits have39shown in many instances that they were not affected at all by the message, for they pursued the same course of action, and the church are affected by their influence, believing them to be right, for they were ignorant of the reproof given the erring ones. My course is now clear to wrong the church no longer. If reproofs are given I dare not commit it alone to the individual to be buried up by them, but shall read what the Lord has seen fit to give me, to a select company, those of experience in the church, and if the case demands I shall bring it before the whole church. The great delicacy which some have manifested lest others should learn that they have been reproved, proceeds from a lack of humility, and a lack of willingness to acknowledge their wrongs. The minds of many have been abused by individuals that have been reproved by vision, and their minds prejudiced, because they had no knowledge of what the Lord had revealed. I shall keep these things secret no longer. God’s people must know what the Lord has been pleased to reveal, that they be not deceived and led astray by a wrong spirit.
For a long time I have been convicted that I was taking a wrong course by thus hiding matters from those in the church who should be acquainted with them, but have received censure and abuse by the one reproved if I considered it necessary to open the matter40to individuals liable to be affected by their wrong influence. I have feared to take a course which I believed it often my duty to take. And then persons, and even churches, who have been led astray by these ones who had been reproved and did not reform, have censured me and been much tried because I suffered them to remain in darkness when the light had been given me. I see it is impossible to take a course but that I shall receive censure and blame from some one, and for the future shall follow my convictions of duty, that the church be not deceived, and trust the result with God. E. G. WHITE.