Sanitarium, Napa Co., LLM 197.1
Calif. B.-56-'07 Feb. 12, 1907. LLM 197.2
Dear Brethren and Sisters,
The past night has been one of wakefulness and prayer. I am anxious to understand the ways of the Lord, and to know what words I should speak to those who are in charge of the Paradise Valley Sanitarium. LLM 197.3
I heard One of authority speaking to a company of workers, including every one who has a part to act in the sanitarium. These were the words He said. LLM 197.4
“Let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself, that where I am there ye may be also.” LLM 197.5
When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, He was about to leave them. He had just given them a portion of His parting address, and in that He had foretold the work of Judas in betraying his Lord for thirty pieces of silver. When Judas left the presence of Christ to perform this terrible work, Jesus said to His disciples, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God be glorified in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify Him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek Me, and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go ye cannot come; so now I say unto you. A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another.” LLM 197.6
“Simon Peter said unto Him, Lord, whither goest Thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow Me afterwards. Peter said unto Him, Lord, why cannot I follow Thee now? I will lay down my life for Thy sake? Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down they life for My sake? Verily, verily I say unto thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied Me thrice. LLM 198.1
The workers in our sanitariums should understand that each has an individual work. Each should realize his duty to keep his soul and body under discipline to the great Physician, who gave His life to rescue us from the control of a powerful foe. After He had burst the fetters of the tomb, He said to His disciples, “I am the resurrection and the life.” And before He ascended to heaven, He declared, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” LLM 198.2
Here is your work. Teach the sick. Proclaim the gospel to them, persuading them to become Christ's disciples. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are pledged to be with you in every emergency. Act as Christians, having divine orders. God is to be trusted, believed, obeyed. His character is to be represented in every household. LLM 198.3
A wonderful responsibility rests upon those connected with the sanitariums established in His name for the treatment of the sick. This is to be done without the use of poisonous drugs. Those who become workers in the sanitariums are to believe the words of Christ, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Those who have the fear of God in the heart will cultivate a sweet disposition. Forbearance and courtesy will be manifested in the life. Duties will be faithfully discharged and in a way that will not leave a disagreeable impression on the minds of the sick or the well. LLM 198.4
In order to maintain a right influence, the workers must reveal that they are one in sentiment. Do not let it be seen that there is disunion among the helpers. LLM 198.5
In your care of the sick, act tenderly, kindly, faithfully, that you may have a converting influence upon them. You have need of the grace of Christ in order to properly represent the service of Christ. And as you present the grace of truth in true, disinterested service, angels will be present to sustain you. The Comforter will be with you to fulfill the promise of the Saviour, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” LLM 198.6
I have a charge to give, a message to bear to our sanitarium workers. Keep your souls in purity. Do a work that will have a winning influence on those placed in your charge. You can speak often to the sick of the great Physician, who can heal the diseases of the body as verily as He heals the sickness of the soul. Pray with the sick, and try to lead them to see in Christ, their healer. Tell them that if they will look to Him in faith, He will say to them, Thy sins be forgiven thee. It means very much to the sick to learn this lesson. LLM 198.7
Ellen G. White
*****
Sanitarium, Calif.,
Apr. 3, 1907. B. -120- ’07.
Elder J. A. Burden, Loma Linda, Sanitarium.
Dear Brother,
There are some things that I desire to write to you. Do not be in haste about the health food business. There is a possibility of entering into a work that will bring gain of means but which would result in spiritual loss to the sanitarium. LLM 201.1
Commercial enterprises often work to a large degree counter to the purpose for which our institutions are established. They detract from the influence which God desires shall attend the work. The condition brought about is sometimes the condition in which Christ found the barren fig-tree. Searching for fruit with which to satisfy His need, the Saviour found nothing but a show of leaves. In visions of the night I have seen Christ searching in our institutions for fruit, for that virtue revealed in the lives of His workers that tells in the saving of the soul unto eternal life. You have a noble work to do in praying with the sick, and in feeding their souls with the bread of life. You are to be God's medical missionary, teaching souls what it means to eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God. Christ explains the meaning of these words, “The flesh profiteth nothing,” He said; “the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” You have the ability to speak in a pleasant, intelligent, interesting way to the sick. It is your privilege to inspire them with hope and courage, and lead them to a knowledge of the truth of the word. LLM 202.1
Many of the patients who come to the sanitarium are children in their understanding of the word. If you will take hold of these cases, and seek to lead them to the truth, One who is your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your reward.” LLM 202.2
Your mind must be a treasure house, full of good things. Keep the patients cheerful. Pleasant words of instruction may be given to them that will be a blessing to them while they are at the sanitarium; and when they return to their homes, the message of truth they have heard will be constantly repeating itself to them. We do not appreciate how far greater are the results for good when we bring cheerfulness and the joy of the Lord into our work. LLM 202.3
I am very desirous that you shall feel as free as possible to do this gospel work. Your strength for it, and your success in it, will depend largely on the time and strength you reserve for this work. You should not allow yourself to be overwhelmed with responsibilities, so that you cannot have the realization in your own soul that you are in the right place. LLM 202.4
It is necessary that you share your responsibilities with others. Those who are spiritually minded, and whom you can trust with the work should be employed to help carry out your plans. You will find that you accomplish much more in the end if you will allow others to bear burdens. Your perceptions are good, but they must be worked in order to be improved. This is also true of your fellow-workers. LLM 202.5
In no place in the world can our influence tell on the Lord's side with such power as in the position to which He calls us. The most useful thing we do in the service of God is to encourage the souls that are distressed, and lead them to Christ. Keep the lives of the patients constantly refreshed by the example of a Christlike example. You will have success if you will be a self-denying Christian. An earnest desire to be obedient to the will of your heavenly Father will bring you to the place where you will wear Christ's yoke. Those who are great in the sight of the Lord will, like John the Baptist, have humility of heart. Then good works will follow. Your example may be such that others will wish to emulate it. Your obedience and humbleness of mind will make obedience and humility a desirable thing to those who are associated with you. LLM 202.6
The words of truth were so simple as Christ explained them that the disciples could comprehend them. The word of God is our spirit and life. It is the weapon by which we are to resist the attacks of Satan. Those who are much with God in prayer and consent to wear, the yoke of Christ, will be meek and lowly in heart. They will be one with Christ. LLM 203.1
You and your wife can be a source of help and strength to each other, and a blessing to the sanitarium. Prayer is the key that will unlock the treasure of heaven to you. Let your faith increase. Increased faith and sanctification of the spirit, will qualify you to be a wise counsellor. Words spoken in season and in the spirit of tenderness, accompanied by the silent working of the Holy Spirit, will make the right impression. Do not think that you are accomplishing nothing because you cannot see definite results for your work. You are to sow the seed, knowing not which shall prosper, this or that. LLM 203.2
May the Lord help and strengthen and bless you in your work, is my prayer. LLM 203.3
Ellen G. White
*****
National City, California,
W.-164-'07 May 7, 1907.
Elder J. E. White:
Dear Son Edson,
...
In many places I see a great need for the investment of means in the cause of God. Next week I expect to return to Loma Linda, and while there I will do what I can to help forward the work in the surrounding cities. I desire to invest some means in the work in these places. I hope to find opportunity to speak to our people in that locality, and to arouse them to a sense of their responsibility to hold up the light of truth. If, before I leave Loma Linda, I can see the right work begun, I shall not then feel pressed as a cart beneath sheaves, after I return home. LLM 203.4
Mrs. Dr. Starr has been doing a good work in San Bernardino. She has been giving education in health principles, and has found access to many fine homes. I hope to strengthen her hands, and given her encouragement to continue the work in Redlands and Riverside LLM 203.5
...... Ellen G. White
*****