Harris, Stonewall Jackson; Covell, Brother
St. Helena, California
June 7, 1911
Portions of this letter are published in 2SM 28.
Brethren Harris and Covell
San Francisco, California
Dear Brethren:
I am charged to keep ever before our people—ministers of the gospel, and all who claim to be giving the light of truth to the world—the danger of marring the sacredness of God’s work by allowing the mind to consent to a cheap interpretation of the way that God desires His work to be done. I have had special instruction given me regarding bringing human plans and devisings into the work of making known to the world the truth for this time. 25LtMs, Lt 36, 1911, par. 1
Again and again in past years I have been bidden to speak in protest against the fanciful and forbidden schemes that have been presented by one and another. My message has ever been, Preach the word in simplicity and all humility; present clear, unadulterated truth to the people. Open no door to fanatical movements; for the influence of these is to bring confusion of mind and discouragement and lack of faith to God’s people. 25LtMs, Lt 36, 1911, par. 2
I cannot consent to your using my name in connection with your work in any way whatever, either in your printed circulars and booklets or your letters. I do not approve of your plans or methods and protest against the use of my name or my writings in any connection with your work. It is my duty to reprove and oppose this move which will be taken advantage of by the enemy of souls to draw from the brethren their money and secure its use in a work that, when it is developed, they will wish had never been done. 25LtMs, Lt 36, 1911, par. 3
Whenever I have been called to meet fanaticism in its varied forms, I have received clear, positive, and definite instruction to lift my voice against its influence. With some the evil has revealed itself in the form of manmade tests for ascertaining a knowledge of the will of God; and I was shown that this was a delusion which became an infatuation and that it is contrary to the will of the Lord. If we follow such methods, we shall be found aiding the enemy’s plans. In times past certain among the believers the great faith in the setting of signs by which to decide their duty. Some had such confidence in these signs, that men went so far as to exchange wives, thus bringing adultery into the church. 25LtMs, Lt 36, 1911, par. 4
I have been shown that deceptions like those we were called to meet in the early experiences of the message would be repeated and that we shall have to meet them again in the closing days of the work. At this time we are required to bring all our powers under the control of God, exercising our faculties in accordance with the light He has given. Read the fourth and fifth chapters of Matthew. Study Matthew 4:8-10; also chapter 5:13. Meditate upon the sacred work that was carried forward by Christ. It is thus that the principles of the Word of God are to be brought into our labors. 25LtMs, Lt 36, 1911, par. 5