October 14, 1884

Notes of Travel

Kansas City, Mo

EGW

We arrived at Kansas City Friday, August 8. My children, Edson and Emma White, met us at the cars with a carriage to take us to their pleasant home, away from the noise, bustle, and confusion of the city. Here we enjoyed rest and plenty of fresh air. We were happy to meet Bro. and Sr. Shireman, who, while doing missionary work in the city, are bearing their own expenses.RH October 14, 1884, par. 1

On the Sabbath the few friends here assembled in Edson's parlor for a Sabbath-school. There are four families—twelve persons in all—who usually meet for worship. Edson conducts the Sabbath-school when he is at home. After Sabbath-school they either have a Bible-reading or a prayer and social meeting. This is as it should be. The family altar should be established in every home; and if in any locality there are no more than two or three of like precious faith, they should meet together. “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”RH October 14, 1884, par. 2

In every place where there are two or three that love God, and keep his commandments, they should speak often one to another of the blessed hope, and should unite their prayers at the throne of grace. God will listen to their humble petitions. He will register their names in his book, and will preserve them in the hour of trial and temptation. Frequently these little meetings are precious occasions. Jesus has promised, “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” And if they “shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”RH October 14, 1884, par. 3

It is impossible to tell what may be the result of the small beginnings at Kansas City. If meetings are held regularly, and those not of our faith are invited to attend, precious seed may be sown which will bear fruit in the kingdom of God. It is not the greatness of the effort, but the unconquerable persistence, that wins. If each will labor on to the utmost of his capacity, large results will be seen by and by. Success in any enterprise can be gained only through sincere prayer, earnest effort, and stern conflicts. Let none become discouraged because of the feebleness of the impressions they are able to make on the world, and thus become weary in well-doing. It is true that you are few in numbers; but united with the world's Redeemer, you may be mighty through God to the pulling down of the strongholds of the enemy. Go to God for strength; ask him for wisdom, for right words, for opportunities to come close to hearts. God will hear you; angels will be round about you, and will second your efforts.RH October 14, 1884, par. 4

I long to impress upon the defenders of the faith the magnitude of the work they may accomplish, even where there are but two or three in a village or city, if they will not become faint-hearted, but will do all they can with the talents which God has intrusted to them, letting a steady light shine forth to the world. What may we not do, if, regarding ourselves as servants of God, we are willing to work in any place, even though it be small and humble!RH October 14, 1884, par. 5

We are not placed in this world merely to receive and gather that we may be benefited; we must give as we receive. We must not seek to be served, and to be treated generously ourselves; but we must be ready to serve, and to treat others kindly, exercising toward them the love that Jesus has manifested toward us, whether they treat us kindly or unkindly. With a heart overflowing with love, we should ask, “What can I do to help others?” The thought that we are Christ's workers invests the life with sacredness and dignity. A realization of the value of souls subdues pride; it fills the heart with pity and compassion. It softens the rugged nature; it makes the soul overflow with divine love,—a love that will help and bless and save.RH October 14, 1884, par. 6

Every individual who has received light from God is responsible for that light. God has given us talents, and he requires us to improve them wisely. Christians must stand on the elevated and holy ground which, through the providence of God, the progress of truth has been for ages preparing for them. In their character and in their works they are required to exhibit to the world a oneness with Christ in accordance with the light that now shines on their pathway.RH October 14, 1884, par. 7

Discouragements will come to sorely try our faith; but whatever these trials are, they should not be allowed to make us distrust God. Some may say, “What is the use of my serving God? I have tried for years, but what does it amount to? I am never successful in the things that I undertake. There are those that never pray, and yet are prospered. They transgress God's law, their life is hard, unjust, false, and selfish; but they enjoy prosperity, while my life is clouded by poverty, care, and want.”RH October 14, 1884, par. 8

Though these words may not be spoken, they express the thoughts of many hearts. But the Lord bears long with the transgressor. He does not always settle his accounts when men seem to think he should. But, tried one, he “knows thy works.” He is acquainted with every word spoken in love for his name and for the souls of his children. Not a deed done for the glory of the Master is lost. He sees your tears; he hears your prayers; he witnesses your faithfulness in his service. The seed you are sowing may appear to you to fall upon soil where it will be trodden under foot and yield no fruit; but the sower will reap if he faint not. If we could only see how the Lord is working for us day by day, we should see that he loves us, and that often trial is better for us than prosperity. A little with Heaven's blessing is better than large gains with forgetfulness of God. In the end we shall know surely that well-doing will succeed, and ill-doing will bring sorrow and woe. God is a sure pay-master; equity and justice are the unfailing attributes of his throne.RH October 14, 1884, par. 9

While in Kansas City, I had the pleasure of a visit from Sr. McCullough of Lawrence City, who has recently embraced the faith. We had a very pleasant interview. This sister has been intrusted with large talents. She possesses no ordinary capabilities, but they have been exercised almost wholly in business transactions. All that she has undertaken has seemed to prosper in her hands, and she has been remarkably successful in accumulating means. When the truth was presented, she saw that it was sustained by the Bible. She commenced to study for herself, and took her position firmly on the Sabbath and other prominent views held by our people.RH October 14, 1884, par. 10

Now that this dear sister is converted to the faith, how will her powers of intellect be employed? Will they be exercised only for purposes of earthly, temporal gain? Must these precious talents be buried in the world? Must they be employed in building upon the foundation only perishable substance,—hay, wood, and stubble? I cannot endure the thought. The Lord has so loved her that he has let light from his throne shine into her heart to expel the buyers and sellers there, and to illuminate her mind with the pure rays of the Sun of Righteousness, that she may from henceforth build upon the true foundation gold, silver, and precious stones,—material which the fires of the last day cannot consume.RH October 14, 1884, par. 11

The Lord has paid an infinite price for Sr. M. She belongs to him and should do his work and should honor and glorify his name in the earth. The Master is saying to her, “Follow me. There are souls to save for whom I gave my life,—souls more precious than fine gold, even the golden wedge of Ophir.” Here is something of permanent value. As a servant of Jesus, she can trade on her intrusted capital; she can put his money out to the exchangers. She can employ her power of intellect in making known to others the matchless depth of a Saviour's love; and when the shadows of evening begin to enshroud us, her life-work will not be seen to have been on the losing side. The life and its work stand daguerreotyped in heaven, and the close of the day is the proof of the picture. When the day of life is over, we can see and estimate human character at its true worth. We hope to meet this sister when the people of God shall be gathered around the great white throne, with many souls saved through her instrumentality to shine as stars in her crown of glory. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”RH October 14, 1884, par. 12

We met Bro. Cudney here, and had, we think, a profitable interview with him in regard to the camp-meeting which is to be held in Omaha, Neb.RH October 14, 1884, par. 13

A sister with whom we became acquainted in Texas, is living about three miles from Kansas City. We went out to visit the family. The mother and children are keeping the Sabbath. We hope to see the husband and father also rendering willing obedience to all of God's commandments. Jesus is waiting to accept this brother, and to use him in his cause. He has been intrusted with good abilities; but day by day God is robbed of the service which is his due. “Them that honor me,” saith the Lord, “I will honor.” There are good and earnest men who are withholding from Jesus the energy, tact, and skill, which belong to him. Oh for an entire surrender to God; then with sanctified powers, they would do a good work in winning souls to the cross of Christ.RH October 14, 1884, par. 14

Oh that all who know the way of life and truth would walk in the light, lest that light become darkness! Oh that all who know God's requirements would respond to his claims, and would become channels of light to others! The Lord has a right to the service of every soul. “Ye are not your own; ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” There are men who are large-hearted, generous, unselfish, noble-spirited,—men who are above suspicion, fraud, and meanness. Satan seeks to hold these men away from the truth by various devices and temptations, because he knows that if they were to become Christians, they would exercise a power for good. People would believe in their religion, for they would live it. Even the enemies of Christ would respect them.RH October 14, 1884, par. 15

The Lord claims these men as his; their talents are his. Will they refuse to help build up his cause in the earth? He alone can “make a man more precious than fine gold, even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir.” He can cleanse the soul. He can purify the fountain that it shall no longer send forth bitter water as well as sweet. Any delay to do our best for the Master is dangerous. Life is uncertain. We may be full of hopes, plans, and expectations one day, and the next stretched upon a bed of suffering, or even silent in death. Our day for repentance, for an intelligent confession of Christ, may be past.RH October 14, 1884, par. 16

Jesus calls for volunteers; who will respond? If this truth of heavenly origin were burned into our consciousness, if it ruled as a deep conviction and power in our hearts, it would have a transforming influence upon our lives, and would give new significance to all our human relationship. We are spending our last moments with relatives and friends who are in the darkness of error. What shall these associations be? Will we talk of unimportant matters, or on subjects of vital interest? Let us work for souls for whom Christ died. It will require tact, zeal, deep thought, much prayer, and perseverance through all obstacles and hindrances; but the joy of seeing souls saved in the kingdom of God, will be our great reward. May the Lord help us to work while the day lasts.RH October 14, 1884, par. 17