I address you, the sons of my much respected Sister Caro, a few lines. It was with much pleasure that your mother read your letters to me. Your father insisted on reading the letter from Ned to him. It was written in Chicago, giving some particulars in description of things seen. He read this letter with the greatest satisfaction. I was pleased that he desired to favor me with the privilege of hearing it.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 1

I thought, then, that I would write you a few lines and tell you that I am welcome in your father’s and mother’s home whenever I visit Napier, and at such times I always hear in regard to their boys; and I assure you that I am an interested listener. I know that you lie very near the heart of both father and mother, and if you both make Christ your pattern you will altogether meet their expectation. Upright principles and unblemished characters maintained in your scholastic life will register your names in the heavenly record as men who can be trusted with grave responsibilities.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 2

To pursue a course that will prove the most satisfactory to yourselves will be to “Incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom; out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 3

“He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: to deliver thee from the way of the evil men, from the man that speaketh froward things; who leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness.” [Proverbs 2:2-13.]8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 4

These words are right to the point. Heed them carefully, and you are then bringing the solid timbers into your character building. Your father and your mother have the most intense interest that you should have a record of uprightness, of clean, thorough principle. And could you see them when your communications come to them, and you give evidence that their interest and money enlisted in your behalf that you should become sons qualified to fill acceptably and with fidelity your responsibilities in any position where it shall be evident Providence assigns you, they will feel repaid an hundred fold for all their care and all their efforts. Never, never disappoint their expectations. Never let a shade of sadness come to their souls from your course of action. Never let your father and mother be weighted down with grief because you have disappointed their expectations, but give them reason to thank God with their whole heart that they have not hoped and labored in vain. But let your consideration deepen and take a higher range. Consider to whom you owe the highest obligation.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 5

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] O what a gift! What amazing condescension! He that was equal with God has evidenced to you a love that is higher and deeper and more enduring than even the love of father and mother. He laid aside His royal crown, laid off His royal robe, stepped down from His high and holy throne, clothed His divinity with humanity, and came to a world all seared and marred with the curse to save fallen man who has transgressed His holy law. He came to bring life and immortality to light. He came to suffer, the just, the holy, that He might save, through bearing the penalty of the sins of the unjust, disloyal subjects in His own person, and through becoming their substitute and surety give them another opportunity through His own merits to win back the favor of God by returning their loyalty and obedience to the laws of His government.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 6

Can you doubt for a moment the love that is expressed? And how sad indeed to give evidence to all heaven that you did not appreciate or value that love, but turn from it as an indifferent matter that did not concern you. O, I thank God that neither of you are in that position. I cannot place even the younger son in such a position, but the Lord expects more of you, dear youth, than you give Him. He has paid the price for your soul in human humiliation, in self-denial, in self-sacrifice, in travelling a hard and thorny path to beat down the thorns and obstructions, that you could place your feet in his footprints. His voice is heard saying, “Follow me.” “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” [John 8:12.] “He that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.” [John 12:35.]8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 7

Jesus, the world’s Redeemer, so loved fallen man that He took upon Himself our human nature, but without a taint of sin; He descends, reaching to the very depths of human woe and misery to lift up fallen man. For our sakes He became poor, that through His poverty we might come into possession of eternal riches. Will you evidence before the whole universe of heaven, before the whole synagogue of Satan, before the whole world, irrespective of consequences, that you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, that you confess before witnesses and become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men that you accept Jesus as your personal Saviour? Will you stand under His banner, and will you obey the orders of the Captain of your salvation? Christ Jesus expects this of you. Will you disappoint Him?8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 8

Will you please the powers of darkness by indecision, as though the army arrayed against Christ possessed some attractions that it was a difficult matter for you to choose under which standard you will serve? Shall your name, Erick, be registered in the Lamb’s book of life? Shall it be honored and immortalized in the heavenly courts? “Choose ye this day whom ye will serve.” [Joshua 24:15.] It is for your present and eternal interest that you choose sides. You are not safe one moment in standing neutral. You dishonor Christ in this position. You do no credit to yourself. You place yourself in a position where the door of temptation is open to your soul, and Satan loses no opportunity that he shall take advantage to find entrance to tempt you.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 9

Your brother may be deeply interested in you, he may do his best to lead you, but he is only human. His finite power cannot keep you. You must be kept by the power of God earnestly sought in humble prayer and constant watchfulness thereunto. Said Christ, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” [Matthew 12:30.] Your very indecision gives Satan advantage to use you as his ally to hurt your soul, and to hurt other souls. Christ bids you, “Follow me.” Will you do this, will you give to God your undivided affections? Will you connect yourself with a power that will protect your soul from the fiercest assaults of Satan?8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 10

Do not try to do what many are attempting, to incorporate light with darkness, Christ with Belial, purity with impurity, good with evil, for it is impossible. Give to God your undivided affection. Give Him the whole heart. Rely upon His power to save you to the uttermost. You have no time to squander. Your time, talents, and your entire being belongs to Him who hath bought you with an infinite price. “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” [1 Corinthians 6:19, 20.]8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 11

You are robbing God every hour that you live to please your inclination. If God has given you health, intellect, prosperity in any line, be careful and do not prostitute these gifts of the great Giver to your own spiritual detriment. “Come out from among them and be ye separate.” [2 Corinthians 6:17.] Here is a voice speaking to you. Will you take heed? Will you have special carefulness in the formation of friendships, in the choice of companions? Unless you do use caution, you will, through indiscretion, imperil the highest interests of your soul. Do not consider that you need no warning, for dangers are thickening around every youth and every soul that lives.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 12

The great crisis is being entered upon. Satan has come down to work with great power. He is represented as walking about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Today there are, in our world, men exalted to positions of honor who are examples of depravity which provoke the righteous judgments of God, and these are Satan’s masterly workers. These are the agents Satan uses to corrupt the youth who are pleasure loving, full of life, and who love to have an active, high, lively time. O, if they could only see Satan’s artfully woven nets to take them unawares and involve them in perplexity and dishonor and shame.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 13

If our youth would give themselves to Jesus Christ, and rely upon His power to rebuke the strong enemy in their behalf, they will be safe, and through the grace of Christ can resist the strongest assaults of Satan. Cultivate solid, practical principles daily which will endure the test of trial and will bear the scrutiny of reason, and the reflection that will come. Your only safety is the noble attributes of sober-minded reflection, while infidel sentiments are increasing, and there is greater and still greater forgetfulness of God which is expressed with pen and with voice, which will speak more decidedly in messages and addresses from the rulers.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 14

God calls for every man to stand to their colors. Stand firmly with a whole armor of righteousness, showing yourselves true Christians. Satan and his angels are present on every occasion in your play ground, watching the spirit that characterizes your amusements, that he can inspire the unwary with his attributes. There are also other witnesses. The heavenly angels are there, writing in the book of record all that is transacted. “I know,” says the true witness, “thy works.” [Revelation 3:15.] Far less amusement upon the school ground and more hours devoted to seeking wisdom from heaven would place souls in a far more favorable condition.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 15

I entreat of you, dear youth, pray most earnestly for a high and holy influence which shall subjugate your passions, exalt your affections, and purify your heart that you may love to keep the commandments of God. Consider the salvation of the human soul above everything. Christ Jesus we must have as our personal Saviour. We want to educate and train the mind to look unto Jesus, to trust in Jesus. He interposes, by His presence in our salvation when we shall in select companies meet to worship God.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 16

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” [Matthew 18:20.] His special presence is there to make the prayers and worship of His people effectual, and to impart to them a blessing which they in their turn shall impart to others. We are highly honored to be reckoned as soldiers of Jesus Christ. We have enlisted to serve under Him, the Captain of our salvation, wearing His armor, marshalled under His banner, identifying our interests with Christ that we shall subdue His enemies and extend His kingdom. We must be faithful soldiers of Christ.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 17

Every student in our schools will need to make Christ his personal Saviour [and] learn to seek His counsel that they may not follow inclination but pray for wisdom to know the will and ways of God. If much less time was spent on the play ground, and more moments devoted to contemplation, to earnest prayer, bringing their will and ways to the will and ways of God, they would be better qualified to be laborers together with God.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 18

Satan introduces his attributes in so unsuspecting a manner that many are entangled in his net before they are aware of any danger. Is the Lord soon coming? Are perils threatening every soul? Then I entreat you to consider it your only safety to keep yourselves in the channel of light. “We are laborers together with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Our appointed task is to walk in the light, that every jot of influence that God has given us in intellect, in pleasant manners, in life and activity, cannot be consumed in selfish gratification. Do not lay on the foundation hay, wood, and stubble which will be consumed with the fires of the last day, but lay on the foundation gold and silver and precious stones. These are imperishable. These will live through eternal ages.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 19

Every one is to sow the good seed beside all waters. Is there not work to be done in the vineyard of the Lord? Sow just such grain as it will be a pleasure to reap and garner. How much precious time is lost in selfish indulgence that might be devoted in doing good, in fitting for the precious work of saving souls to Jesus Christ. That work will live through eternal ages. We are stewards of the manifold grace of God. We are stewards of whom it is expected that we be found faithful. Carefully economize the means that are entrusted. Use every talent so that it shall increase.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 20

Dear youth, every day use your opportunities and privileges with conscientious consideration of the future life, doing those things you will never regret. Exert every power God has given you, with a purpose to glorify Him. Not only for your satisfaction in the day when every soul shall be judged according to their works, but it is your duty to pursue such a course that you will be a help to others by your practical example. If you do the will and words of Christ, you are laborers together with God.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 21

Your conscience and conscious influence is constantly drawing other souls away from evil to good. The blessing of God will rest upon you. The God that blessed Daniel, and gave him and his companions knowledge and wisdom, will bless you, and give you a retentive memory, right and strong impulses to work in Christ’s lines, and your soul will be filled with gratitude and peace and joy in the service of Christ. Your thanksgiving and praise will ascend to heaven, and Jesus will mingle the fragrance of incense with your prayers, even His own merits, His own virtues, His own righteousness, and answers will come. You will have yearning sympathy to help others, and you can help them.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 22

With much love, I remain,8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 23

Your sister in Christ.8LtMs, Lt 17, 1893, par. 24

Lt 16a, 1893

Lt 17a, 1893