I shall not be able to write you much this mail. I left the campground, Stanmore, Monday morning, quite sick. I had spoken Sabbath and Sunday afternoons to the crowds that assembled, also Wednesday, making six times. Then I spoke five times in early morning meeting, and twice in special meetings. At one meeting all the ministers and most of the workers were together. This was a meeting of very great burden to me. I had very positive, close, earnest work to do, and the burden upon my soul cut me down. This was Friday, at the early morning special meeting. But I received strength to bear up and speak Sabbath and Sunday. I left for home on Monday, November 1. I have been very sick. In some respects I seem a little better, but I find myself this morning weak and tottering. I do not expect to be able to attend the Melbourne camp meeting.12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 1

The Sydney camp meeting has been to all appearances the most promising camp meeting we have yet held. Public meetings began October 21, 1897. At the first meeting the tent was filled, and a crowd stood upon the outside. Thus it was every day when public meetings were announced. On Sabbaths and Sundays a crowd assembled, also on Wednesday afternoons, which is a holiday. I learn from Brother and Sister Wilson, who came to Cooranbong a few days since, that the interest has not lessened but increased.12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 2

Stanmore is midway between Sydney and Ashfield, and is one of the most thickly settled suburbs, and a very pretty place. Elder Baker has located in this place, and I learn that Elder Haskell has hired a roomy house, in which to make a home for the workers. Elders Robinson and Farnsworth, with their wives, remained to hold meetings over the past Sabbath and Sunday, and will continue helping them with the tent labor until next Thursday, when Cook’s Excursion leaves for Melbourne. On this the workers can go for half price. Elder Haskell and wife and Elder Starr and wife will continue the work in Stanmore, and educate workers to carry on the work that they may be fitted to do.12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 3

Oh, how my heart longs to see the workers place themselves in positions where the Lord can pour out His Holy Spirit abundantly upon them, that they may give God all the glory of the increase, and not take any credit to themselves. Here is where the Spirit of God is quenched. Man is placed where God should be if any good is accomplished. God has not received the glory, and man has been exalted as the One who gave the increase. I am ashamed that it is so. My heart aches; because our prosperity as a people depends wholly upon our dependence upon God for our sufficiency, grace, and perfection of character in and through our Saviour, who has paid the ransom for us with His own glorious merits. Had He not done this, we should have perished in our sins.12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 4

When I consider how men are exalted and lifted up and praised, I am afraid for their ruin; because pride springs up, and self-importance buds and blossoms and the Spirit of the Lord is grieved. He cannot put His Spirit upon them, although He has an inexhaustible supply, because they would become self-righteous and forget from whence cometh their strength. All the glory, all the wisdom, that the most capable possess, all the endowments and talents, come from God.12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 5

“Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” [Jeremiah 9:23, 24.] This is the most precious reproof and encouragement, the most important lesson, for every soul that is trying to serve God. Here is expressed in plain words that in which the Lord delights. All who understand and know God will know Him as One that exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness. If they walk humbly with God, they will be enabled to keep the way of the Lord, to do His will in all kindness, compassion, mercy, tenderness, and love, for God has said, “In these things I delight.” Then how careful should we be in regard to the fruit of the lips, that we dishonor not God by dealing unkindly with the purchase of His blood.12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 6

If we express the character of God, we shall be Christian gentlemen and gentlewomen. “But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord; for not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.” [2 Corinthians 10:17, 18.] “But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.” [Romans 2:29.]12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 7

I have much pain of heart as I see some of our brethren who are preaching the Word, and who stand in positions of responsibility, but who have little of the anointing oil which would give them clear, spiritual eyesight in regard to the way in which they should deal with their brethren in the faith. Some are exalted beyond measure, and in this they are ruined. Had they been treated wisely, had they received less praise, and been extolled less, they would not have become so puffed up as though they were superior men, of great wisdom. Mismanaged, they became self-inflated, and thought themselves as gods, capable of handling great things. They lost their balance and fell.12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 8

Again, many that have become disheartened need words of encouragement. But the words that ought to be spoken by men who watch for souls are not spoken. We need much to see the work of God moving upon heart and intellect, to develop men who have the testimony that their ways please God. There is need of men who are worked, not by human agencies, but by the Holy Spirit. This will make them all-round men. Why are they not thus now? Because they have not perfect faith and perfect trust and perfect confidence in One who is wise in counsel, who never makes a mistake. There is so little of the deep moving of the Spirit of God upon hearts, that Satan, who as a deceiver represents himself as God, often succeeds.12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 9

There is not the least need of making false movements, because the Lord has said, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” [James 1:5-8.] We have not walked by faith as we should, but by sight. Is it not time that we educated ourselves to cultivate faith? I am now not well, but I do not lose faith. I believe in God, and shall continue to hold fast my grasp upon the promises, and fight the good fight of faith.12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 10

If we believe the Word of God, we shall be strong in the strength which the Lord through Jesus Christ has provided for us. We need to bear in mind constantly the efficiency of the Holy Spirit. Why is it that we have so little of the power of the Spirit of God? It is because we do not lay hold of the provision made for us. What subject did our Lord rely upon to comfort His disciples when He was about to leave them? He had many subjects to bring before them, but out of the multitude He chose that of the promise of the Holy Spirit. “He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance.” [John 14:26.]12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 11

Many things that were desirable Christ had set before His disciples, but the gift of the Holy Spirit was the all-powerful subject. In receiving the Holy Spirit, all other blessings would be included. It is the richest gift, of the greatest and most extensive plentitude. The capacity of the human agent alone determines the greatness of the gift he may receive. God help us to receive the rich gift of the Holy Spirit. Have faith in God, trust in Him, and you will have light and life.12LtMs, Lt 150, 1897, par. 12

Lt 149a, 1897

Lt 151, 1897