Haskell, Brother and Sister [S. N.]; Tenney, G. C.
“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia
March 29, 1899
Previously unpublished.
Dear Brother and Sister Haskell and Elder Tenney:
I am having great trouble with my eyes. Two weeks ago a gnat flew into my left eye, and I have had a serious time with it since. Still, I cannot help using it somewhat in writing. This affliction is sometimes severe. But I feel grateful to God that I have been able to keep my eyesight thus far. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 1
I wish you could know how grateful to God we feel that you have your meetinghouse built. I wish I could be with you when you dedicate the same to the Lord, but this is impossible. I do not know but that it is needless for me to say to you that meetings should be held in the different sections of the city, as you have been doing. I have had kept before me two distinct places of worship. The most perfect symbol of this was presented to me in the two white clouds that appeared before me as I was on my way to Brisbane. I had tried to interpret this as Newcastle and Brisbane, but it will not admit of that interpretation. The clouds would come together and touch one another, and then part. Thus it was for several times, until we changed cars. Then I lost sight of the clouds. But I interpret these clouds to mean Brisbane. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 2
The locality where no church is built is really more favorable for our work than the district where the church is now located. You may say, Why was not the church built there? This we may not discern at present. You are on the ground and can answer this question if the work is done in Brisbane. If the place is thoroughly worked, another church will be erected there. I have reason to expect an open door. Invitations will be constantly made by the compelling power of the truth, and many more will listen to the invitation, “Come to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 3
May the Lord help Elder Tenney in giving this compelling message, is my earnest prayer. He has a most serious, solemn work before him. But if he will give his whole soul and interest to the work, the Lord will certainly be with him. It is necessary that the work in both localities be kept up. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 4
We shall have the same thing to do in Newcastle. In Hamilton a church will be erected. In Wallsend there will be another church to accommodate that part of Newcastle. It would be an expensive business if all the people had to go to Hamilton from Wallsend, ten miles away. If I had the money, I would purchase the old stone church at Wallsend, but we are bound about for means. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 5
I am very glad there is One who knows all about our distress, and He will not leave us without opening the way for us to follow His providence. The fields are all white for the harvest, and there are only few workers. There should be one hundred workers where there is one. We expect that right here in Cooranbong and in the surrounding places in the bush souls will respond to the invitation to the marriage supper. We must never stop our work. We must go ahead. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 6
“Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against them. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the spirit. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 7
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference, and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.” [Jude 14-25.] 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 8
God help every one who can to work and press forward. The words of the great apostle come to us with all their deep meaning, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” [1 Timothy 6:11, 12.] A great and solemn work is given to us who have experience. God will help us. Our testimony must be borne over and over again to the souls who are ready to perish. We are not to give up the matter after one trial. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 9
There are souls palsied by sin, and the truth must be repeated to them in order to impress their senses. Nothing but the life-giving power of the gospel can reach the souls who are dead in trespasses and sins. The work of the great Physician alone can be successful in co-operating with the servants of God as they labor in word and doctrine. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 10
The living fountain is to be kept before the souls who are perishing in their sins. They must arouse. They must come to the fountain opened in the house of David. They need the balm of the Saviour’s love applied to their bruised and wounded souls. We must have the mighty energy of the Holy Spirit, with all its quickening, transforming, life-giving power, in order to penetrate the palsied soul. Work we must in spiritual lines. Lift up Christ in His power in the person of the Holy Spirit. He is waiting for them to open the door and admit Him. His presence will thrill every nerve and muscle. Every organ will begin to perform its functions, and the whole man will be restored to spiritual soundness as he sees Christ by faith. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 11
We must call upon the people to open their windows heavenward, to let the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness in, for He has healing in His wings. These souls are to be solicited again and again. They are to be pulled out of the fire. As workers together with God, we must pray much, and watch for souls as they that must give an account. God will work with every one who will work with Him. “Without me ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] We must seek by earnest prayer and living faith to keep Christ as our constant Companion and Counsellor. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 12
Brethren, there are many more souls to be sought for in Brisbane. More urgency is needed in the giving of the message. Let all see and understand that it is a life-giving message. They need it; they must have it. Open the way for the Holy Spirit to work with you, and you will see the salvation of souls. 14LtMs, Lt 59, 1899, par. 13