EGW WritingsIsaiah 58

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 11b, 1894

Brighton, Australia

February 10, 1894, 11:00 a.m.

Probably a variant of Ms 11, 1894.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 1

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinance of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.” [Isaiah 58:1, 2.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 2

A people is here represented as seeking the Lord in obedience to His will, but in reality they have forsaken God. “They ask of Me the ordinance of justice.” [Verse 2.] This was the condition in which Christ found the Jewish nation. The priests and Pharisees looked at their outward forms and ceremonies, their form of worship, and thought that these would certainly commend them to Christ.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 3

Christ showed them that they did not have the spirit of meekness and lowliness. “Behold,” He said, “ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day to make your voice to be heard on high.” There is a voice that God bids shall be heard on high; it is the voice that gives the trumpet a certain sound. “Is it such a fast that I have chosen, a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord?” [Verses 4, 5.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 4

This is not the kind of fast that the Lord takes pleasure in. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen, to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” [Verse 6.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 5

Why, you say, I have been taught that we are not saved by our good works. No, you are not; but you cannot be saved without them. You cannot depend on your good works for salvation; you must have a living dependence upon God. When there is a living connection with God, when Christ is abiding in the heart by living faith, the human agent does the works of Christ, he speaks the words of Christ, and reveals a character like the character of Christ.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 6

When our life and character is hid with Christ in God, we cannot afford to let impulse or passion control our words or actions. We must keep the Saviour’s example ever before us. We must do as we believe Jesus would have done under similar circumstances. If trials come, we are not to manifest a rebellious spirit. When we are oppressed, and burdens [are] placed upon us which we think others should bear, we are not to let self rule. In such experiences we are to learn to take the burdens to the right one. “Come unto me,” Christ says, “all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give your rest.” “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart.” [Matthew 11:28, 29.] Whatever of conflict or trial we are called to pass through, if we accept this truth of heavenly origin, meekness and lowliness of heart will be revealed in all our actions.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 7

We need to clearly understand the work that is before us. It is a work of mercy and love. We are to work in Christ’s lines, and just as Christ worked. In the parable of the nobleman who before going on his journey gave to every man his work saying, “Occupy till I come,” Christ and his followers are represented. [Luke 19:12, 13.] To everyone his work, and this work is Christ’s work. The human agent is to cooperate with the divine. He is not to feel that all he has to do is to stand to his individual self. He has a broader field than this. “Occupy till I come.” Be laborers together with God. We need to understand clearly what it means to be laborers together with God. We cannot do this merely with our intellect or education. We must be imbued with the Spirit of Christ.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 8

We cannot buy the grace of Christ with money; we cannot obtain it by eloquence or by the power of our intellect. It is a gift received by us from heaven. We are to occupy according to the knowledge we have, sensing our responsibility, and letting our light shine to those around us; and in doing this we work the works of God.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 9

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, and to let the oppressed go free; and that ye break every yoke?” [Isaiah 58:6.] When we present to others the perfection there is in the law of God, we are presenting that which will loose the bands of wickedness, and free those who are oppressed by the enemy. Our enemy is he who rebelled against the law of God in heaven, and who fell because of his disloyalty. When we work in his lines we are fastening our fellow men in the shackles of oppression. In obedience to Christ we are free, for he came to make us free. “His servants ye are whom ye obey.” [Romans 6:16.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 10

“To let the oppressed go free.” What can we say to the oppressed? We can show them that obedience to the requirements of Christ means freedom, liberty, salvation. “And that ye break every yoke.” [Isaiah 58:6.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 11

God requires our faithful service. Nothing must be allowed to come between Him and our souls, for we are of infinite value to Him. We cannot trust our salvation to man. We must search the Scriptures for ourselves, and know what they teach.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 12

“Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh.” [Verse 7.] We cannot do this work if we live selfish, extravagant lives, using every dollar we possess to make a place for ourselves in this world. We are to honor God by showing that we esteem the purchase of His blood. We are to show that we value humanity from God’s standpoint. The Son of God died to redeem the human race, to give the freedom which can come through His alone.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 13

Christ was the representative of the Father. Let us consider the character of His work, and what the Spirit of God led Him to do. He declared of Himself in the synagogue at Nazareth, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken hearted; to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised.” [Luke 4:18.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 14

When Christ came to the earth He found the truth hidden by error. He had to rescue truth from the error that surrounded it and present [it] to men in such a way as to show the loveliness of its character. Error may be hoary with age, but this does not make it truth. The Jews held their customs received through traditions of the fathers, from age to age and generation to generation. Christ said to them, “Ye are blind.” “Ye are ignorant both of the Scriptures and of the power of God.” [Matthew 23:17; 22:29.] They were teaching for truth the traditions of men. Christ came, He said, to give “recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that were bruised.” [Luke 4:18.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 15

You can see that the work of Christ is the same work that Isaiah declares to be the work of His professed people. God has given you the glorious light of truth. He has chosen you to be His peculiar people, a royal people, a holy nation. What are you doing to show forth the power of Him that hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light? When God lets His light shine upon you, do not let your mouth be stopped by tradition. Speak the truth as it is in Christ Jesus. Let the Spirit of God speak. Do not mingle self and selfish ideas and opinions with your work. Present the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, and let the truth make its own impression.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 16

There is a little church in Denver where no one who has to work for a living is allowed to worship. Everyone of the working class is excluded. And therefore Christ is excluded, for He was a worker, toiling at the carpenter’s bench as an example to us. On one occasion a noble family took their seamstress to this church, and the other members were greatly offended, and remonstrated with them that they should bring one worker in. These souls are hiding themselves from their own flesh. The Saviour of mankind took His position with the poor. He preached the gospel to the poor in such simple language that they could understand Him.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 17

“A certain man,” said Christ, “made a great supper, and bade many; and sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it; I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So the servant came, and shewed the Lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry, said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the Lord said unto his servant, Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” [Luke 14:16-23.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 18

We are to let the bright rays of light shine upon all classes in clear steady lines, that they may see and follow the words of Jesus. “I, if I be lifted up,” Christ said, “will draw all men unto me.” [John 12:32.] This is the work we are to do, to draw. Shall we go to the highest? Yes, to the highest powers on earth and tell them that we have a truth that will satisfy every soul. This is a truth so broad and deep that it will satisfy every want that man can feel. Present to the higher classes the precious truth. There are many in palaces who long for something they cannot find. The truth will satisfy these souls. Paul had converts in Caesar’s household. He did not tell them to come out from their luxurious homes, but to honor God in the place [where] He had stationed them.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 19

“Hide not thyself from thine own flesh.” [Isaiah 58:7.] Go to work right where you are. Among every class of people there is work to do. Lift up your eyes and look; the fields are ready for the harvest. Men are interposing themselves between Christ and the people. They are working in the lines of the enemy instead of in the light and power of truth. God wants to see in the human agent the power that says, Come, for all things are now ready. He wants to see His people giving their fellow men food. They are hungry. They do not want froth and fables; they want the Word of the living God. “Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood,” Christ said, “ye have no life in you.” [John 6:53.] When His disciples heard these words they were offended, for they did not discern spiritual things. Christ said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” [Verse 63.] To eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God is to be doers of the Word. We have a work to do in going to the people who have souls to save or lose and teach them the terms of salvation. “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” [Matthew 4:10.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 20

The prophet tells us what our experience will be if we work in Christ’s lines, refusing to become self-centered, and spending our time in brooding over our own troubles and afflictions. If we will take time to consider that there are others besides ourselves in the world, “thy light,” he says, “shall break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily.” This health is a spiritual as well as a physical health. “Thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; and the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.” [Isaiah 58:8.] Our sin is taken away, and the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us. Jesus Christ becomes our righteousness; and the glory of the Lord is our rereward.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 21

If the righteousness of Christ goes before us in the path we travel, and His glory follows in our wake, we are surely a blessed people. We stand out distinguished by light and love and power, and the world sees that here is a people who will work according to the law of God.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 22

“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord will answer: thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Verses 9-11.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 23

The Lord responds to our call and says, What shall I do for you? He will give us the very thing that our souls hunger for. Christ says, “If ye do these things, I will answer. I am with you, right at your side.” What is the reason that men are in obscurity? The light is shining, and Christ says, “Then shall light shine in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday. And the Lord shall guide thee continually.” If Christ’s words to us continue, we cannot remain in darkness. “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Verses 10, 11.] [For] those who trust in Jesus, and drink of the water that He gives, it shall be in them “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” [John 4:14.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 24

“And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations. And thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” [Isaiah 58:12.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 25

What is the matter? Do we see any waste places down here in 1894? “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth; and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 13, 14.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 26

We need to understand what the breach here mentioned means. Let us look at the fourth commandment. We have assembled here today to acknowledge that the Lord created the heavens and the earth in six days, and that on the seventh day He rested, that He sanctified and blessed the seventh day and set it apart for man to observe as a day of rest and worship. In observing this day, we honor God’s memorial which calls to mind the only true and living God. God gave the seventh day Sabbath to man as a memorial of His work of creation. Satan, the enemy of God, has instituted Sunday observance, and God calls him the man of sin, because he has thus perpetuated transgression. [2 Thessalonians 2:3.] The breach that has been made in the law of God has been a breach for many years. Shall it always be a breach?

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 27

“Why do you always talk about the Sabbath?” so many ask. “Why do you talk about Christ?” Suppose a fence enclosing a valuable field of yours should be broken down in one part. Which part of that fence would receive the most of your attention? Would it be the part that was secure? No; the breach would be that which would occupy your time and thought until the enclosure was secure again. It is so with the law of God. The Sabbath of the law of God is the breach in the wall. It has been broken down. “The foundation of many generations” is the seventh day Sabbath. [Isaiah 58:12, 13.] “This is the sign,” God says, “between me and thee throughout your generations.” [Exodus 31:13.]

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 28

The world has taken the liberty of putting in the place of the seventh day Sabbath a day that God has not sanctified and blessed, and it worships God on that day as though it had not departed from His ordinances. The Protestant world has taken this delusion, cradled and nourished it. But God does not accept this spurious sabbath, and shall we accept it? “Six days shalt thou labor,” He says, “and do all thy work; but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God.” [Exodus 20:9, 10.] Then let us work to repair the breach; let us raise up the foundation of many generations, that we may be called the repairers of the breach, the restorers of paths to dwell in.

9LtMs, Ms 11b, 1894, par. 29

We each need to become intelligent in faith and doctrine, that we may be able to give to every man that asketh us a reason of the hope that is in us. Let us seek God, that we may find Him. He wants us to seek Him. May He help us to come to the place where we will uplift the Sabbath that has been trampled under the feet of men. Let us pray that our eyes may be anointed with eyesalve, that we may see. “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and wilt call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Isaiah 58:13, 14.] Let us hide under the promise, and find our refuge in Christ. He will establish us in truth and righteousness, and the glory of the Lord will be our rereward.

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2

Chapter 2—Doing for Christ

2T 33.1

Fatherless and motherless children are thrown into the arms of the church, and Christ says to His followers: Take these destitute children, bring them up for Me, and ye shall receive your wages. I have seen much selfishness exhibited in these things. Unless there is some special evidence that they themselves are to be benefited by adopting into their family those who need homes, some turn away and answer: No. They do not seem to know or care whether such are saved or lost. That, they think, is not their business. With Cain they say: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” They are not willing to be put to inconvenience or to make any sacrifice for the orphans, and they indifferently thrust such ones into the arms of the world, who are sometimes more willing to receive them than are these professed Christians. In the day of God, inquiry will be made for those whom Heaven gave them the opportunity of saving. But they wished to be excused, and would not engage in the good work unless they could make it a matter of profit to them. I have been shown that those who refuse these opportunities for doing good will hear from Jesus: “As ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.” Please read Isaiah 58:

2T 35.2

Read Isaiah 58, ye who claim to be children of the light. Especially do you read it again and again who have felt so reluctant to inconvenience yourselves by favoring the needy. You whose hearts and houses are too narrow to make a home for the homeless, read it; you who can see orphans and widows oppressed by the iron hand of poverty and bowed down by hardhearted worldlings, read it. Are you afraid that an influence will be introduced into your family that will cost you more labor, read it. Your fears may be groundless, and a blessing may come, known and realized by you every day. But if otherwise, if extra labor is called for, you can draw upon One who has promised: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily.” The reason why God’s people are not more spiritually minded and have not more faith, I have been shown, is because they are narrowed up with selfishness. The prophet is addressing Sabbathkeepers, not sinners, not unbelievers, but those who make great pretensions to godliness. It is not the abundance of your meetings that God accepts. It is not the numerous prayers, but the rightdoing, doing the right thing and at the right time. It is to be less self-caring and more benevolent. Our souls must expand. Then God will make them like a watered garden, whose waters fail not.

The Adventist Home

Chapter 25—Caring for Needy Children

AH 167.4

Responsibility of the Church—Fatherless and motherless children are thrown into the arms of the church, and Christ says to His followers: Take these destitute children, bring them up for Me, and ye shall receive your wages. I have seen much selfishness exhibited in these things. Unless there is some special evidence that they themselves are to be benefited by adopting into their family those who need homes, some turn away and answer: No. They do not seem to know or care whether such are saved or lost. That, they think, is not their business. With Cain they say: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” They are not willing to be put to inconvenience or to make any sacrifice for the orphans, and they indifferently thrust such ones into the arms of the world, who are sometimes more willing to receive them than are these professed Christians. In the day of God inquiry will be made for those whom Heaven gave them the opportunity of saving. But they wished to be excused, and would not engage in the good work unless they could make it a matter of profit to them. I have been shown that those who refuse these opportunities for doing good will hear from Jesus: “As ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.” Please read Isaiah 58: [verses 5-11].2Ibid., 2:33.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 62, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 62, 1894, par. 17

To practice the principles of love which Christ taught by precept and example will make the experience of every one who follows Him like the experience of Christ. Such souls will labor in Christ’s lines, seeking to uplift and bless their fellow men. If we desire healthfulness of soul, a sunshiny experience, we must put into practice the rules given us in the 58th chapter of Isaiah. When those who are connected with the sacred work of God in all our institutions shall open the door of their hearts, Jesus will come in. For a long time He has been knocking for an entrance. When He is permitted to enter, the sunshine of His righteousness will pervade the soul; but “he that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver, nor he that loveth abundance with increase.” [Ecclesiastes 5:10.]

9LtMs, Ms 62, 1894, par. 32

Those who believe in Christ as a personal Saviour will grow in healthful experience, because they fulfill the conditions laid down in the 58th chapter of Isaiah. The Lord says, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee (the Lord my Righteousness); and the glory of the Lord shall be they rereward.” [Verses 6-8.]

9LtMs, Ms 62, 1894, par. 33

Consider these words, ye complaining, downcast, discontented, homesick souls. Here is the prescription that the prophet Isaiah [was] commanded of the Lord to present to you for the healing of the spiritual and bodily maladies. “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.” [Verse 9.] I am “thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.” [Isaiah 41:14.] “If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;” (not exalting yourself, not thinking yourself very wise and prudent, while censuring and oppressing those who meet with trials and misfortunes; not grieving others by unfeeling, reproachful words and actions); “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday.” Oh, how many souls are starving for words of tenderness, for words of brotherly kindness, for words of hope, of faith, of forgiveness, of Christlike love, that will not quench the last spark of hope. “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Isaiah 58:9-11.]

9LtMs, Ms 62, 1894, par. 34

Let us consider that all these rich blessings are for those who keep the commandments of God. What more can we desire? What richer reward can we ask? “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” Isaiah 58:12-14.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 11, 1894

Brighton, Australia

February 10, 1894

See probable variant Ms 11b, 1894. This manuscript is published in entirety in 5MR 36-48.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 1

(Isaiah 58): “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness and forsook not the ordinances of their God: they ask of me the ordinance of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.” [Verses 1, 2.] They seek Christ just the same as though they had not forsaken Him. This is a people that seek God as though they were seeking Him in obedience to Him. That is just how they seek the Lord. “They ask of me the ordinance of justice.” That is the danger, and that is where the Pharisees stumbled. They looked at their outward forms and ceremonies, and their outward performances of worship. And the Pharisees expected that those outward ceremonies would certainly recommend them to Christ, but He showed them that they did not have the spirit of meekness and lowliness that Christ had.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 2

Now He says, “Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.” [Verse 4.] Here is a voice that God bids shall be heard on high, and there are voices that they make to be heard on high, and it is not the voice that gives the trumpet the certain sound.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 3

“Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast and an acceptable day unto the Lord?” [Verse 5.] As though the Lord would take great pleasure in that. That is not the kind of bowing down that He has a pleasure in. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and that ye break every yoke?” [Verse 6.] Here is something that is a work to a purpose. Let us see what it is. “To loose the bands of wickedness, and undo the heavy burdens.” Now here is the very thing in work that the Lord accepts. Why? You say, “I have heard that we are not saved for our good works.” No, but we will not be saved without them. You cannot depend upon your good works for salvation.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 4

We must have a living dependence upon a living God. And when there is a living connection with a living God, Christ abides in the heart by living faith, and the human agent works after Christ’s life. He is going to change our life and character, speaking the words that Christ speaks, revealing the character that Christ reveals. And if trials come to us we will not manifest a rebellious spirit. The opportunities will present themselves to every one of us, because we see oppression and unkindness, and because we see burdens that would be thrown upon us, and let self come in and exhibit itself. We let self arise. We want to put the trials in their <right> place, and where is it?

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 5

Christ says to everyone that is weary and heavy laden, “Come to Me.” And what? “Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.” [Matthew 11:28, 29.] And notwithstanding the crush of conflict that we shall have to pass through if we accept the truth of heavenly origin, there is meekness and lowliness in <every move.> Hide in Jesus Christ. Our life and character is hid with Christ in God, so we cannot afford to let any impulse of passion control our words or control our actions, but we must keep the Saviour’s example ever before us, and we must do just as Jesus would have done under similar circumstances, and we are not to be revengeful.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 6

Now the work that is before us we want clearly to understand. It is a work of mercy, a work of love, a work just in Christ’s lines—just as Christ worked. He says that the nobleman went on a long journey and to every man he gave his work. [Luke 19:12.] The human agent is to co-operate with the divine. To every one his work, and this is Christ’s work. It is not the man’s work. He is not to feel that all he has to do is to attend to his own individual self. No, there is a broader field. He is to “occupy till I come” [Verse 13], and what is it “to occupy?” To be laborers together with God. Therefore it is of the greatest consequence that we understand in clear lines what it is to be laborers together with God.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 7

We must be imbued with the Spirit of Christ. We cannot labor with God merely from our intellect or our education. We cannot buy the grace of God with money; we cannot buy it with eloquence; we cannot buy it with the power of our intellect. It is God’s to begin with. Does any of it belong to us? No, it is received by us from above. We are to occupy to the very best knowledge that we have, and sense our responsibility, and let our light shine through us to those that are around us, and in doing that we are doing the work of God.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 8

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” [Isaiah 58:6.] How are we to do it though? It is to present the obedience to Jesus Christ. And when we present the perfection that there is in His requirements, in His commandments, in His law, we are presenting that which will loose the bands of wickedness, and in the place of making men fast, in the place of shackling them with sin, it will loose the bands of wickedness, and those that are oppressed by the enemy.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 9

Who is the enemy? Who is observing us on the right and on the left? It is the one who rebelled against the law of God in heaven. It is the one that fell because of his disloyalty, and when we work in his lines we are fastening the shackles of oppression. “His servants ye are to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey.” [Romans 6:16.] If it is Christ you obey you are free, because he came to make us free. If we are on Christ’s side we stand under the blood-stained banner of Jesus Christ. The blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel testifies that we are free, made free in Jesus Christ because He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but for all who shall believe on His name. That is the freedom that we want.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 10

“To let the oppressed go free.” [Isaiah 58:6.] What can we say to them? We can show them that obedience to the requirements of Jesus Christ is freedom, liberty, and salvation. It is indeed the perfection of Jesus Christ revealed in our world in His character.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 11

“And that ye break every yoke.” [Verse 6.] We do not want to be bound any more, no matter who it is or what it is. There is our God [whom] we must serve, a God [who] requires our service. Nothing must come in between that God and our souls, because our souls are of infinite value, and we cannot hang them on the ministers. We cannot trust our salvation to them. We must search the Scriptures for ourselves and know what they teach. We must obey what God says.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 12

“Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” [Verse 7.] How can you do this? By not living extravagantly yourself. By not using every dollar that you have to make yourself a place in the earth, but honor the Lord God of Heaven by showing that you esteem the purchase of His blood. You are to show that you estimate humanity from God’s standpoint. Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and we are to feel indeed that He has died to purchase humanity, to give us freedom and liberty which can be given only through Him.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 13

Now let us see what the Spirit of God led His representative on earth to do, what the character of His mission was. He says, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” [Luke 4:18.] How? Why, He found when He came here that the truth was so mixed with error that He had to take away the traditions and maxims, and to remove the rubbish, and take the truth, which had served in the enemy’s lines to strengthen error and bring error before the people, rescue it [truth] from error and restore it to the native loveliness of its character, and then let that truth stand before the people. The oldest error may be pled for because of its age; it may be hoary with age, but that does not make error truth. No, it does not change error into truth.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 14

The Jews held their customs received from tradition and repeated from age to age and from generation to generation, and they kept accumulating until He says to them, “Ye are blind.” “Ye are both ignorant of the Scriptures and of the power of God.” [Matthew 23:17; 22:29.] What was the matter? Why they had taught tradition for the commandments of God. That is not the way to do. What did Christ come to present? He says, “The recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” [Luke 4:18.] Now you can see that that is in perfect harmony with what we have been reading. “When thou seest the naked that thou cover him.” [Isaiah 58:7.] What are you doing if you have the glorious light of truth? What are you doing if God has chosen you to be a peculiar people, a royal people, a holy people? You are to show forth the power of Him who hath called you out of darkness, out of blindness, into His marvelous light. Well, if God lets His light shine upon you, do not let your mouth be stopped. Do not let anybody put a falsehood in your mouth because of tradition. Speaking the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 15

Let the Spirit of God speak for Itself. Do not mix in self, and your own ideas and your own opinions. You want to present the truth as it is in Christ, and when you do that let the truth make its own impressions.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 16

“And that ye hide not thyself from thine own flesh.” [Verse 7.] How much of that there is. There is a little church in Denver where they do not let anyone in if they do any work, and so of course Christ does not come in because He set us the example by working in a carpenter’s shop. They exclude everyone. There was a seamstress taken in by a noble family, and [the people in the church] were highly offended and talked with them. To think that they should let one worker come in! Have they got a secluded Heaven? They are hiding themselves from their own flesh. Do just as Jesus did. What did He do? He took a position with the poor. He preached the gospel to the poor in such simple language that they could advance the truth in every line. What does it say in the Scriptures?

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 17

Christ sent out a message, “Come to My supper.” The preparation is made, come to My supper. But they would not hear it. What was the matter? What had they got to do? One said, “I have bought a piece of ground and cannot come,” and another said, “I have a yoke of oxen,” and another, “I have married a wife,” and Christ was angry, and He said, “Go out into the highways and compel them to come in.” [Luke 14:18-23.] How? Were they to take and shackle them? They were to let the bright rays of light shine right upon them in clear, steady lines that they should follow the words of Jesus. “And I, if I be lifted up ..., will draw all men unto me.” [John 12:32.] Do you draw them unto Him? That is the very work that is to be done. Let us draw.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 18

Shall we go to the highest? Yes, go to the highest powers in the earth and say, “We have got a truth which will satisfy everyone of you. You are not satisfied. This is a truth so large and expansive and so deep that it will meet every want that you have.” Present to them the precious truth. There are many in palaces that do not know what is the matter with them. Paul had converts in Caesar’s household. He did not tell them to come out, but when it came to the point where they could not honor God and stay there, they had a perfect right to change their position, as Christ had the right to take the children of Israel out of Egypt in order that they might keep the Sabbath and have the Lord of heaven exalted before them.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 19

Hide not yourself from your own flesh. Go to work right where you are among any people [where] there is work to do. “Lift up your eyes,” says Christ, “and look.” [John 4:35.] Why? For the fields are ripe and ready for harvest. What is interposing? Men interpose themselves right between the people and Christ. They are working in the lines of the enemy instead of in the light and power of truth, and the God of Heaven must see in the human agent the power that says, “Come, for all things are ready.” [Luke 14:17.] That is what we want. We want to give the people food. They are hungry. We do not want the froth; we do not want the fables, but we want the Word of the infinite God.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 20

Christ says, “Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood ye have no part with me.” [See John 6:53.] What is it to eat His flesh? When the disciples heard that, they were offended. They did not discern spiritual things. He says, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.” [Verse 63.] It is to be doers of the Word. Do you think we are going to let people come in with their maxims and customs and blind our eyes? We have a work to do, to go to the people who have souls to lose or souls to save. What are the terms of salvation? “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” [Matthew 4:10.] This we will keep ever before us.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 21

Let us see what comes of not being self-centered, and not taking time to brood over our ailments and afflictions. We will take time to consider that there is somebody in the world besides ourselves, and we will begin to work in Christ’s lines; our spirits will become animated and His righteousness will go before us. Then if ye do these things “thy light shall break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily.” [Isaiah 58:8.] And it is a double health. It is not only bodily health, but spiritual health and power, spiritual sinew and muscle.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 22

“Thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee: and the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward”—the righteousness of Jesus Christ. [Verse 8.] He has taken away our sins because we have repented of our transgression of the law of God. Our sin is taken away and in its place the righteousness of God is imputed unto us. Here the vacuum is supplied by blessing of God. That is what supplies the place. “Thy righteousness shall go before thee.” Jesus Christ our righteousness. “And the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.” If the righteousness of God goes before in the path that we travel, we have got a most glorious wake behind [us]. God’s people are blessed. They stand out distinguished by light and love and power, and the world sees that there is somebody [who] will work according to the law of God.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 23

“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer: thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Verses 9-11.] That is what we want, to call and the Lord shall answer. “Thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am.” He responds to [our call], and says, “What shall I do for you?” He will give you the very thing that your soul hungers after.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 24

“If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity.” [Verse 9.] It is not only the body, but the soul that is expressed in this work. How many we see whose light is in obscurity. O, if I could find Jesus. I have letters come to me saying, “How shall I find Jesus? I have prayed, but I do not get any answer to my prayer.” Christ says, “If ye do these things, I will answer. I am with you. I am right by your side.” What can we suppose is the reason that we are in obscurity? The light is shining, and here Christ says, “Then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day.” [Verse 10.] Let us thank God. Let a gratitude offering come up to God. “And the Lord shall guide thee continually.” If His words to us continue we are not in darkness. “And the Lord shall guide thee continually and satisfy thy soul in drought ... thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Verse 11.] [For] everyone that trusts in Jesus and drinks the water that He gives them, it shall be in them “as a well of water springing up unto everlasting life.” [John 4:14.] Let us see what work we have to do.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 25

“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places.” What is the matter? Do you see any waste places down here in 1894? “Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations.” What is the matter? Is the foundation gone? “And thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” They will be called among the heavenly intelligences, “the repairers of the breach, the restorers of paths to dwell in.” “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Isaiah 58:12-14.]

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 26

Now we have to understand what the breach is. Look at the fourth commandment. We have assembled here today to acknowledge that the Lord created the heaven and the earth in six days and rested on the seventh day, and sanctified and blessed the seventh day, and set it apart for man to observe. In observing that day, we erect a memorial which is to call God to mind and keep Him in remembrance as the only true and living God to be worshiped by human intelligences. He created the heavens and the earth and He has given us a memorial, even the observance of the seventh day—not the first day.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 27

Here comes up a power under the control of Satan that puts up the first day to be observed. God calls him the man of sin because he has perpetuated transgression. [2 Thessalonians 2:3.] He [Satan] has taken his side to be on the right hand of the first sinner that ever existed. We do not want to be on his side. Here is the breach that it is to be made and it has been a breach for years. Shall we let it always be a breach? “Well,” some say, “why do you always talk about the Sabbath? Why don’t you talk about Christ.” Suppose in the enclosure a length of fence was broken down. If we were building that length would you ask why we paid so much attention to that part? What is it? [It is] the Sabbath of the fourth commandment that is broken down.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 28

The foundation of many generations is the seventh-day Sabbath of the Lord our God. “This is the sign,” He says in the 31st chapter of Exodus, “this is the sign between me and [you] throughout your generations forever.” [Verses 13, 17.] Well now, what is the matter? They have broken it down, and the world has taken the liberty to take a day that has no sacredness, no sanctity, and they all worship that as the Sabbath. It is a spurious sabbath. God does not accept it. And they worship God as though they had not departed from His ordinances, but they have. Shall we accept this child of Papacy? The Protestant world has taken it, the Protestant world has cradled it, the Protestant world has nourished it, but shall we take it as divine, when God says, “Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work.” [Exodus 20:9.] What shall we do? Work at that broken down line of fence “Thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations, and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” [Isaiah 58:12.]

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 29

Will you please carry that home with you, and read and search and find out about the breach, because everyone of you want to become intelligent in faith and doctrine, that you may “give to every man that asketh of you a reason of the faith that is in you.” [1 Peter 3:15.] Let us seek the Lord that we may find Him. He wants us to seek Him. God help us to come right to the point, and every one of us be employed in lifting up the Sabbath which has been trampled under the feet of man, and a spurious one put in its place.

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 30

You will always find Satan on the side of the oppressor. God does not oppress. God does not bring [people] in by persecution, for He has let them live all this time, but when Satan gets the lines in his hands, he takes the spurious sabbath and sets it up against the perfection of Christ and [says] you have got to keep it. That is the spirit of persecution, and oppression and bondage. It goes right with the spurious sabbath that has not one syllable for its sanctity in the Word of God. “If you do not keep Sunday, you shall not buy or sell.” And not only that, but they work their oppression in every way possible, but thank God, He lives. He lived in the days of the apostles when the priests said, “Do not preach any more in the name of Jesus Christ.” [Acts 4:17.]

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 31

Somebody else’s law was to come in there and show that God had a government. He sent His angel and said, “Go and tell Peter to go and make known my words.” And when they came for Peter, lo, he was not there. And one came and said, He is in the temple preaching. And they sent officers to bring him without violence, and they brought him before the council. They said to him, “Why do you teach in his name?” But Peter answered and said, “Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken to you more than to God, judge thee.” [Acts 5:19-29; 4:19.]

9LtMs, Ms 11, 1894, par. 32

God help us that our eyes may be anointed with the eyesalve that we may see. “He will cause [you] to ride on the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father.” [Isaiah 58:14.] Let us hide under the promise, and let us find refuge in Jesus Christ. He will establish us in truth and righteousness and the glory of the Lord shall be our rereward.

The Upward Look

A Living Connection With the Living God, February 17

UL 62.5

We must be imbued with the Spirit of Christ. We cannot labor with God merely from our intellect or our education. We cannot buy the grace of God with money; we cannot buy it with eloquence; we cannot buy it with the power of our intellect. It is God’s to begin with.... We are to occupy to the best knowledge that we have, and sense our responsibility, and let our light shine through us to those that are around us, and in doing that we are doing the work of God.—Manuscript 11, February 17, 1894, “Isaiah 58.”

To Be Like Jesus

The Commandments Are for All, May 20

BLJ 151.4

The first part of [Isaiah 58] brings to view a people who apparently delight in the service of God; they seek Him daily, “as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God.” Yet their lives are not right before the Lord; for He commands His prophet, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” ...

Manuscript Release No 1033

Brooklyn, New York, Sabbath, November 22, 1890

MR1033 30.4

I spoke to a room packed with interested listeners, from Isaiah 58. The Lord’s presence was in the congregation.... Testimonies followed in quick succession.—Manuscript 29a, 1890, p. 6 (Diary 16, pp. 325, 327).

Welfare Ministry

Gem Thought

WM 28.1

Read Isaiah 58, ye who claim to be children of the light. Especially do you read it again and again who have felt so reluctant to inconvenience yourselves by favoring the needy. You whose hearts and houses are too narrow to make a home for the homeless, read it; you who can see orphans and widows oppressed by the iron hand of poverty and bowed down by hardhearted worldlings, read it. Are you afraid that an influence will be introduced into your family that will cost you more labor? Read it. Your fears may be groundless, and a blessing may come, known and realized by you every day. But if otherwise, if extra labor is called for, you can draw upon One who has promised: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily.”

Welfare Ministry

Chapter 3—Isaiah 58—A Divine Prescription

Chapter 3—Isaiah 58—A Divine Prescription

WM 29.4

The Work Outlined—Please read Isaiah 58: “Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.”

WM 32.1

The Twofold Reform of Isaiah 58—The work specified in these words [Isaiah 58] is the work God requires His people to do. It is a work of God’s own appointment. With the work of advocating the commandments of God and repairing the breach that has been made in the law of God, we are to mingle compassion for suffering humanity. We are to show supreme love to God; we are to exalt His memorial, which has been trodden down by unholy feet; and with this we are to manifest mercy, benevolence, and the tenderest pity for the fallen race. “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” As a people we must take hold of this work. Love revealed for suffering humanity gives significance and power to the truth.—Special Testimonies, Series A 10:3, 4.

WM 33.2

Our God-appointed Work—I cannot too strongly urge all our church members, all who are true missionaries, all who believe the third angel’s message, all who turn away their feet from the Sabbath, to consider the message of the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. The work of beneficence enjoined in this chapter is the work that God requires His people to do at this time. It is a work of His own appointment. We are not left in doubt as to where the message applies, and the time of its marked fulfillment, for we read: “They that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” Verse 12. God’s memorial, the seventh-day Sabbath, the sign of His work in creating the world, has been displaced by the man of sin. God’s people have a special work to do in repairing the breach that has been made in His law; and the nearer we approach the end, the more urgent this work becomes. All who love God will show that they bear His sign by keeping His commandments....

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 164, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 164, 1896, par. 7

The chapters we were reading in course were in Isaiah. He read with us, and the very portions of Scripture which specified his sin was read by himself. We thought we would give him every chance to make the application to his own case and this might awaken in him a remorse, but it did not seem to have the least influence. He did that night—after we labored with him a long while and then left him with Brother Rousseau and Brother Prescott—confess his sins of vileness, and the conditions were plainly stated, if he would break away at once, and return to New Zealand, we would furnish him money. But he said positively he would not go to New Zealand.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 32, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 32, 1896, par. 8

In the 58th chapter of Isaiah, the work of those who worship God, the Maker of the heavens and the earth, is specified: “They that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations.” God’s memorial, His seventh-day Sabbath, will be uplifted. “Thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath (no longer trample it under your feet), from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 12-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 106, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 106, 1896, par. 13

The Lord has rules of righteousness which must be maintained, and in no case will He pass over the wrong done by man to his fellow man. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen, to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house, when thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” [Isaiah 58:6, 7.]

11LtMs, Lt 106, 1896, par. 14

Please read the 58th chapter of Isaiah carefully. If there were no more light given us, this Scripture would be sufficient to lead us in straight paths. Read it with eternity in view, and may the Lord give you understanding. Each one has a work to do. My brother, consecrate yourself to God, that you may be accepted by Him as a true and faithful servant, having overcome every error, and every evil work. Do not stop where you are, but determine, by the grace of Christ, to reveal a true, noble, and Christlike character. Never give up. Hold fast to Jesus, and He will hold fast to you.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 35, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 35, 1896, par. 4

My husband and I, though called to arduous labor in the ministry, felt it our privilege to gather into our home children who needed care, and helped them to form characters for heaven. We could not adopt infants, for this would have engrossed our time and attention, and would have robbed the Lord of the service He required of us in bringing many sons and daughters to Him. But we felt that the Lord’s instruction in (Isaiah 58) was for us, and that His blessing would attend us in obedience to His Word to His Word. All can do something for the needy little ones by helping to please them in homes where they can be cared for.

11LtMs, Ms 35, 1896, par. 20

The question of adopting a child, especially an infant, involves most serious responsibilities. It should not be lightly regarded. One who has herself taken a baby to bring up, may feel that unless other ministers’ wives shall follow her example, they are remiss in their duty, but this is an error. Our duty is not decided by what others may plan for us. The question for each to settle is, in doing this, shall I be merely gratifying my own wishes, or is it a duty the Lord has appointed for me? Is this His way, or a way of my own choosing? All are to be workers for God. Not one is excused. Your talents are not your own, to employ as you shall fancy. Inquire, What would the Lord have me do with His entrusted talents? Shall I labor for the saving of many souls? Shall I follow the directions of Isaiah 58:6-11?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 52, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 52, 1896, par. 48

When Christ abides in the soul, He will be revealed in the uplifting of those who most need uplifting. Our neighbor is every person who needs our help. Our neighbor is every soul who is wounded and bruised by the adversary. Our neighbor is every one who is the property of God. If we desire healthfulness of soul, a sunshiny experience, we must put into practice the rules given us in the 58th chapter of Isaiah.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 83, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 83, 1897, par. 13

The enemy has worked his best to prevent this missionary work from being done. There has been [a] going over the same ground, with the idea to help ministers to obtain a better knowledge of the Word, when these very men should have been working for souls that are in the darkness of error, to impart the knowledge they have already received from the Word. And as they try to teach others, depending upon the grace of Christ to help them, searching the Scriptures as diligent students, they will gain by practice a knowledge of the Word, and their understanding will be greatly enlarged as is expressed in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Practice makes perfect. As diligent students, read the Word. Be doers of the Word, and the Holy Spirit will be close by every worker. The love of God will be kindled in the soul of the one who is ministering, in doing the very work the Lord has appointed to be done in missionary lines.

12LtMs, Lt 83, 1897, par. 25

The piety and advanced spiritual knowledge and growth of a church is proportionate to the zeal, piety, and missionary intelligence that has been brought into it, and carried out of it, to be a blessing to the very ones who need our assistance the most. Again, I urge you to consider Isaiah fifty-eight that opens a wide and extensive vineyard to be worked upon the lines which the Lord has pointed out. When this is done there will be an increase of moral sources and the church will no more remain almost stationary. There will be the blessing and power attending their labor. The selfishness that has bound up their souls they have overcome, and now their light is being given to the world in clear bright rays, in exercising a living faith and godly example.

12LtMs, Lt 83, 1897, par. 27

“There is that scattereth and yet increaseth and there is that withholdeth more than is meet but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered himself.” [Proverbs 11:24, 25.] “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given him will he pay him again.” [Proverbs 19:17.] “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday, and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones and thou shalt be like a watered garden and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Isaiah 58:10, 11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 20, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 20, 1897, par. 21

In the 58th chapter of Isaiah God has placed before us the service He would have us do for our fellow men and for Him. He says, “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

12LtMs, Ms 20, 1897, par. 22

“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee: the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and the speaking of vanities and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday; and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Verses 6-11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 55, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 55, 1897, par. 11

Please read Isaiah 58; also Deuteronomy 4; 6:1-9; 15:1-15.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 73, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 73, 1897, par. 37

Please read Isaiah 58. Great light is given in this chapter. The earnest prayer from the humble, contrite heart will be heard and answered. “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh; but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” [Jeremiah 17:7, 8.] This we have a right to expect if we co-operate with God by consecrating our selves, soul, body, and spirit, to His keeping. There will then be no cheap experience. No foolish talking or evil speaking will be heard. The tongue will utter right things.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 21, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 21, 1897, par. 3

The Sabbath bears the sanctity of Jehovah. Through Isaiah the Lord has spoken, “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Isaiah 58:13, 14.]

12LtMs, Ms 21, 1897, par. 35

The fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah is to be read, studied, and practiced. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily, and thy righteousness shall go before thee, the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.

12LtMs, Ms 21, 1897, par. 37

“If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and shall call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and shalt honor him, not doing thine own way, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 6-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 178, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 178, 1897, par. 13

I was very weak and the heat was almost unbearable, but I spoke one hour upon the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Above one hundred were present. A cab took me to meeting; a cab took me from the meeting to the mission home.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 7a, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 7a, 1897, par. 17

The fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah points out the evil and the remedy for the diseased soul. Let this chapter be received as warning and instruction, for the Lord God of Israel calls for a decided reformation, not only among the young people, but among the instructors of the young. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” [Isaiah 59:1, 2.] A decided change is called for. The work of repentance and reformation has not gone deep and thorough.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 14a, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 14a, 1897, par. 9

The enemy has worked his best to prevent this missionary work being done. There has been [a] going over the same ground, with the idea to help ministers to obtain a better knowledge of the Word, when these very men should have been working for souls that are in the darkness of error to impart the knowledge they have received from the Word. As they try to teach others, depending upon the grace of Christ to help them, searching the Scriptures as diligent students, they will gain by practice a knowledge of the Word and their understanding will be greatly enlarged, as is expressed in the 58th chapter of Isaiah.

12LtMs, Ms 14a, 1897, par. 20

The piety and advanced spiritual knowledge and growth of a church is proportionate to the zeal, piety, and missionary intelligence that has been brought into it, and carried out of it to be a blessing to the very ones who need our assistance the most. Again I urge you to consider (Isaiah 58), which opens a wide and extensive vineyard to be worked upon the lines which the Lord has pointed out. When this is done, there will be an increase of moral sources and the church will no more remain almost stationary. There will be blessing and power attending their labor. The selfishness that has bound up their souls they have overcome, and now their light is being given to the world in clear, bright rays of a living faith and godly example.

12LtMs, Ms 14a, 1897, par. 22

“There is that scattereth and yet increaseth, and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered himself.” [Proverbs 11:24, 25.] “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given him will he pay him again.” [Proverbs 19:17.] “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday, and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones and thou shalt be like a watered garden and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Isaiah 58:10, 11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 53, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 53, 1898, par. 10

What if all who claim to be Christians should covenant together to adopt this as their common standard, with Christ as their Leader, the Captain of their salvation? Their banner would be the representation of harmony and co-operation with divine instrumentalities. As soon as the Bible is opened to the understanding of those who are in darkness, and their attention is called to the Word, light and grace from Jesus Christ will lead them to behold wondrous things out of His law. Great truths that have been buried beneath a mass of rubbish will be discovered. Christ, the Light, the Truth, came into the world to remove the rubbish of human opinions, to bring to light the jewels of truth, and to let them shine forth in their native purity. He, the Author of all truth, redeemed the precious truth from the companionship of error, and set it free, that it might send its bright beams nigh and afar off. Read Isaiah 58. Study verses 10-14.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 4, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 4, 1898, par. 37

Let us study this subject. I know that the Lord has been greatly dishonored by those who have claimed to be Sabbathkeepers, but who have not kept the Sabbath in spirit or in precept. Please read carefully the fifty-eighth of Isaiah. This Scripture may be studied with profit by our people. God calls upon us all, ministers and people, to be re-converted in regard to [the] observance of the Sabbath day. The whole of the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah will bear more attention and closer study. Shall we not take these things to heart? Shall we be remiss in our duty? Shall we not confess our neglect, the want of reverence we have shown for the Sabbath, by bringing in our own work, our own words, and our own unsanctified thoughts?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 123, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 123, 1898, par. 4

What saith the Lord in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah? This whole chapter is of the highest importance. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen?” God asks, “to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily, and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here am I.

13LtMs, Lt 123, 1898, par. 5

“If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday; and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Verses 6-11.]

13LtMs, Lt 123, 1898, par. 6

After specifying the work He requires His people to do, God says, “And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places, and thou shalt raise up the foundation of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 12-14.]

13LtMs, Lt 123, 1898, par. 7

This is our work. The light that we have upon the third angel’s message is the true light. The mark of the beast is exactly what it has been proclaimed to be. All in regard to this matter is not yet understood, and will not be understood until the unrolling of the scroll; but a most solemn work is to be accomplished in our world. “Cry aloud; spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sin.” [Verse 1.] A message is to be given to arouse the churches. Every effort is to be made to give the light not only to our people, but to the world. I have been given light that the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation are to be printed in small books, with the necessary explanations, and sent all through the world. Our own people need to have the light in clearer lines before them.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 43, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 43, 1898, par. 33

The faith mentioned in God’s Word calls for a life in which faith in Christ is an active, living principle, expressed in prayer. He who has this faith relies on the promises of God as able to keep the soul and its vital energies pure. Faith is to be interwoven with all prayer. We show our faith in God by obeying His commands. Faith is always expressed in words and actions. It shows practical results, for it is a vital element in the life. The life that is molded by faith develops a determination to advance, to go forward. Faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, the One who pardons our sins and our transgressions, the One who is able to keep us from sin and lead us in His footsteps, is expressed in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Here is presented a faith that works by love and purifies the soul from all selfishness. Faith and works are here combined.

13LtMs, Ms 43, 1898, par. 34

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out of thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee, and the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. ... And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Verses 6-8, 11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 166, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 166, 1898, par. 52

Our work is presented before us in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. This chapter marks out a right and a wrong course, and gives assurance that if we follow the right, we shall receive the blessings specified. If we take up the very duties around us, we shall avoid the faults condemned in ancient Israel. God would teach us to exercise calm, unwavering trust in Him who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” [John 14:6.]

13LtMs, Ms 166, 1898, par. 53

“And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places, thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” This is the work the people of God are appointed to do in these last days. “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, ... then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord: And I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Isaiah 58:12-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 24, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 24, 1898, par. 4

I know that the work you are engaged in is the very work that should be done in connection with the third angel’s message, as the hand is connected with the body. I have no fears of workers who are engaged in the work represented in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. This chapter is explicit, and is enough to enlighten any one who wishes to do the will of God. There is plenty of opportunity for everyone to be a blessing to humanity. The third angel’s message is not to be given a second place in this work, but is to be one with it. There may be and there is a danger of burying up the great principles of truth when doing the work that is right to do. This work is to be to the message as the hand is to the body. The spiritual necessities of the soul are to be kept prominent.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 119, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 119, 1898, par. 6

The capacity for receiving the holy oil from the two olive trees which empty themselves is by the receiver emptying that holy oil out of himself, in word and in action, to supply the necessities of other souls. Work, precious, satisfying work—to be constantly receiving and constantly imparting! The capacity for receiving is only kept up by imparting. (Isaiah 58) explains the matter: “Thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.” [Verse 8.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 132, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 132, 1898, par. 26

God chooses His workers from all classes of people, and imbues them with His own spirit. So it was in ancient times. The men and women of God’s selection were of intense earnestness, full of zeal. The last books of the Old Testament show us workers taken from the laborers in the field. Others were men of high ability and extensive learning, but the Lord gave them visions and messages. These men of the Old Testament spoke of the things transpiring in their day, and Daniel, Isaiah, and Ezekiel not only spoke of things that concerned them as present truth, but their sight reached down to the future, and to what should occur in these last days.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 7, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 7, 1898, par. 23

If you will take heed to the words of warning found in the chapters that I am directed to present before you, you will change your attitude, and become children of God. Thus you may save your souls through faith in Jesus Christ. You will receive the counsel given in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.

13LtMs, Ms 7, 1898, par. 24

If you will follow the directions marked out, the promise will be fulfilled: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily, and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Verses 8-11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 169a, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 169a, 1899, par. 4

God calls for practical, Christlike work. The patients who come to our sanitariums are to see carried out the principles laid down in the 58th chapter of Isaiah. Those who have accepted the truth are to practice it because it is the truth. In the work of God in our institutions the truth is to be preserved in all its sacred influences.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 63, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 63, 1899, par. 22

The market places, the merchandise stores need cleansing. Courts of justice, lawyers’ offices, the medical fraternity, need purifying. Shall we say that the medical missionary work needs cleansing? Christ, who came to our world to reveal the Father’s heart of tender compassion, has shown us the methods which Sabbathkeepers are to follow in their work. These are plainly specified in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. God will not be a party to any dishonest transaction. The soul who keeps the Sabbath is stamped with the sign of God’s government, and he must not dishonor this sign. By closely examining the Word of God, we may know whether we have the King’s mark—whether we have been chosen and set apart to honor God. Please read Deuteronomy 6:4-9; and Ezekiel 20:12-20.

Welfare Ministry

Chapter 10—Kindness the Key to Hearts

WM 83.2

Pray for Sympathetic Hearts—As surely as we believe in Christ and do His will, not exalting self, but walking in all humility of mind, so surely will the Lord be with us.... Pray that He will give you a heart of flesh, a heart that can feel the sorrows of others, that can be touched with human woe. Pray that He will give you a heart that will not permit you to turn a deaf ear to the widow or the fatherless. Pray that you may have bowels of mercy for the poor, the infirm, and the oppressed. Pray that you may love justice and hate robbery, and make no difference in the bestowal of your favors, except to consider the cases of the needy and the unfortunate. Then the promises recorded in Isaiah 58 will be fulfilled to you.—Letter 24, 1889.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 186, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 186, 1899, par. 3

I spoke in the chapel, reading from (Exodus 31:12-18) and the entire chapter of (Isaiah 58), explaining some in regard to the Sabbath. Then, after making some earnest appeals, I read important writing of testimony upon home religion and practical godliness. I then invited all those who wished to commence the service of God, and to leave their life of sin, to commence now to become Christians and engage in the warfare against the enemy in the place of warring against righteousness and truth, for they could not know what they were about. I then asked them to come to the front seats and thus show their purpose to turn from all their sinful pranks and no longer consent to be sport for the enemy. Twenty-five came forward. We had a season of heartfelt seeking of the Lord. We could not have dismissed the congregation, for it had been pouring down rain. The Lord gave me the spirit of intercession.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 77, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 77, 1899, par. 32

If we will study the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah we will understand the work to be done by the people of God. God declares, “They that be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” [Verse 12.] What is this breach? It is the broken Sabbath of the Lord.

14LtMs, Ms 77, 1899, par. 33

“If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride on the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 13, 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 159, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 159, 1899, par. 2

God calls for a doing of practical, Christlike work. Those who have accepted the truth are to practice it because it is the truth. The patients who come to our sanitariums are to see carried out the principles laid down in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. The truth is to be preserved in all its sacred influence in the work of God in our institutions. When the time comes that physicians cannot do this, the Lord would have no more medical institutions established. The medical practitioner should in all places keep his religious principles clear and untarnished. Truth should be paramount in his practice. He is to use his influence as a means of cleansing the soul by the healing beams of the Sun of Righteousness. If Christ abides in his heart, his thoughts will ever be directed to the great Healer of soul and body. He will lead the minds of sufferers to Him who can restore, who when here on earth restored the sick to health, and healed the soul as well as the body, saying, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” [Mark 2:5.]

14LtMs, Ms 159, 1899, par. 17

The instruction given in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah is full and full and decided. Those who refrain from labor on the Sabbath may claim every comfort and consolation. Shall we not believe God? Shall we not call holy the day which He calls holy? Man is not to be ashamed to own as sacred that which God calls sacred. He is not to be ashamed to do what God has told him to do. Obedience will bring him a knowledge of what constitutes true sanctification.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 88, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 88, 1899, par. 27

In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah God has given us direct warning and encouragement. The positive statements contained in this chapter must be repeated over and over again. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen?” God asks, “to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee: and the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.

14LtMs, Ms 88, 1899, par. 28

“Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day; and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations, and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” [Verses 6-12.]

14LtMs, Ms 88, 1899, par. 29

A breach has been made in God’s law by the papacy, and God calls for those who will build up that which has been broken down. He declares, “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 13, 14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 37, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 37, 1899, par. 17

We must abide in Christ and Christ must abide in us, for “we are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Read the whole of the third chapter of First Corinthians. Every word in it is to be understood and appreciated. The Christian work is an individual work. Let no man feel that it is his duty to pick flaws in another man’s work. Cease finding fault. Improve yourself as you think your brethren should improve. It is your privilege to live in Christ, the bread of life. Those who do this will have a wholesome experience, and the light of God will go before them as they do the work specified in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 92, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 92, 1899, par. 12

Mental discipline is required in our schools that the students may understand that Christ, the greatest of all Teachers, is giving them correct lessons. Knowledge is obtained by the practical working out of these lessons. All the efforts of our teachers are to be made to keep one definite object before the students—the outline of God’s expressed will. The books that have been issued by infidels should not find place in our schools. What is God’s covenant with the people He is seeking to save today, in 1899? What are the terms of salvation? What is the education which is of the most value today. We are told in the forty-second, forty-ninth, fifty-first, fifty-second, fifty-fifth, and fifty-eighth chapters of Isaiah, and in the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth chapters of Exodus.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 169, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 169, 1899, par. 43

God calls for the doing of practical, Christlike work. The patients who come to our sanitariums are to see carried out the principles laid down in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Those who have accepted the truth are to practice it because it is the truth. In the work of God in our institutions the truth is to be preserved in all its sacred influence.

14LtMs, Ms 169, 1899, par. 48

God created the world in six days, and rested upon the seventh “Wherefore,” He declares, “the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.” Exodus 31:16. Those who keep God’s commandments may claim the promises contained in Isaiah 58:11-14.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 145, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 145, 1899, par. 10

We need to read and study the lessons given in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God; they ask of me the ordinance of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labors. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard in high.” [Verses 1-4.]

14LtMs, Ms 145, 1899, par. 12

“Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? Wilt thou call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” [Verses 5-7.]

14LtMs, Ms 145, 1899, par. 14

May the Lord let His converting power rest upon men and women. May they realize the importance of working in Christ’s lines. When they do this, the promise will be theirs, “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.” [Verses 8-11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 197, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 197, 1899, par. 17

There was work to be done in all our cities in evangelistic labor, but [not] to sink the grand and holy work of God which is to stand before nations [by] the denominated people of God [who are] appointed to do a sacred work before the highest authority in temperance. Bringing converts to accept the work, to see saloons closed and one of the greatest evils no longer dealing out poisoned liquor that create madness and bloodshed, this kind of work can be handled at our camp meetings in a wise way. The truth as it is in Jesus, in all its bearings, to be proclaimed as represented in Isaiah 58, is all after God’s order, but Dr. Kellogg began a warfare and encouraged students that they must have an education in the slum work of Chicago. While some good may be done, what amount of means is expended for so very little returns?

Welfare Ministry

Chapter 27—The Care of Orphans

WM 221.1

Open Your Hearts and Your Homes—My husband and I, though called to arduous labor in the ministry, felt it our privilege to gather into our home children who needed care, and help them to form characters for heaven. We could not adopt infants, for this would have engrossed our time and attention and would have robbed the Lord of the service He required of us in bringing many sons and daughters to Him. But we felt that the Lord’s instruction in Isaiah 58 was for us, and that His blessing would attend us in obedience to His word. All can do something for the needy little ones, by helping to place them in homes where they can be cared for.—Manuscript 35, 1896.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 78, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 78, 1900, par. 34

Christ said to His disciples, “Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” [Matthew 10:16.] Fruit will follow the work of those who obey this injunction. Let the churches wake up. Let the ministers clothe themselves with zeal as with a garment, and bear to the world the message to be given at this time. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Isaiah 58:1.] Study and seek to understand the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 86, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 86, 1900, par. 13

From the light God has given me, I know that he has not inaugurated such a work for our people to do as Dr. Kellogg has started in Chicago. In every city there should be missionaries, evangelists, appointed to work for the lower classes, who through abuse are ruining themselves. But all the resources are not to be used in this work, or in the work of bringing the truth to other cities and missionary fields afar off from America will not be accomplished. God’s money has been used lavishly in some places, so that there is not means to invest in sustaining the gospel ministry in all parts of the world by voice and by the press. Both must be linked together, and God’s standard must be raised in new territory. New fields must be worked, the warning must be given. A representation of the work to be done is given in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 35, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 35, 1900, par. 1

In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah is specified our work for this time. This chapter will be an eye-opener to all who pray from a sincere heart, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” [Psalm 119:18.]

15LtMs, Ms 35, 1900, par. 2

This chapter should be studied carefully and prayerfully. God’s messengers are given a direct, forcible message to bear to the sinners in Zion. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression (of God’s law), and the house of Jacob their sins.” It is the professed people of God to whom the message is to be given—church members, those who really suppose they are righteous, who delight in approaching God. “They seek me daily,” God declares, “and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God; they ask of me the ordinance of justice; they take delight in approaching God.” [Isaiah 58:1, 2.]

15LtMs, Ms 35, 1900, par. 4

They make complaint to God, not discerning that He has a controversy with them. He charges them with false pretense. “Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge?” And God says, “Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labor. Behold ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.” [Verses 3, 4.]

15LtMs, Ms 35, 1900, par. 5

The message of warning must be given to all who are in the position pointed out in this chapter. Notice the work that is to be done, and by whom it is to be done. “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundation of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own way, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 12-14.]

15LtMs, Ms 35, 1900, par. 6

Those who do the work specified in this chapter do missionary work of the highest order. They keep the way of the Lord, and do aggressive work for Christ. And the Lord says to them, “If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Verses 10, 11.]

15LtMs, Ms 35, 1900, par. 16

A message is to be borne to the churches who are walking in transgression of God’s law. God says, “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day,” no longer desecrating it, I will receive you as My children. [Isaiah 58:13.] God has a message for the sinners in Zion. The warning must be given to the churches. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet.” [Verse 1.] Be decided and in earnest. Make no concessions with transgressors. Bear the message God has given, that transgressors may be given opportunity to repent and be restored to the favor of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 41, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 41, 1900, par. 6

I spoke to the people Sunday afternoon from Luke 12:22-40. The Lord raised me above my weakness and gave me a decided testimony to bear. Sabbath afternoon I read and made remarks from the 58th chapter of Isaiah, reading in connection with this (Exodus 31), where Jesus Christ made to Moses positive requirements which he was to communicate to the whole encampment. Moses spoke through the trumpet; others gave the same words through the trumpets section by section, until the word of the Lord was made known to all that vast congregation. The trumpet gave a certain sound.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 7, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 7, 1900, par. 16

When work is started in a new locality, or revived in places where the truth has been made known, and a church is established, a meetinghouse should be built. Then there are duties to be done as presented in Isaiah 58. The money is not to be absorbed in erecting buildings to be used as homes for infant children or for the care of the most degraded classes. Satan is seeking to divert men and money from the special work of God for this time, and to bring discredit upon it. He points to the kind of work Seventh-day Adventists are doing, what filthy subjects they are gathering in.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 90, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 90, 1900, par. 17

Before evening I communicated important things to Brother Colcord, then occupied over one hour in reading and explaining Isaiah 58. I felt deeply the reality of the truth. My testimony, I knew, was under the Holy Spirit’s unction. After I was through speaking Elder Colcord put before them the question as to how many wanted to be followers of Christ. After listening to the solemn discourse, every one rose to his feet. He then asked how many would decide to obey the commandments of God. A large number arose. This was a victory gained. We were so glad that the Lord, notwithstanding our perversity, is ready and willing to bless all who come unto Him. This has been a large day’s work for me.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 28, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 28, 1900, par. 3

The third angel’s message is to be given to our world in clear, distinct lines. Some have thought that it is best to gradually prepare the way for the presentation of the Sabbath question. The Sabbath truth is <the message> to be proclaimed with a loud voice, as represented in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 50a, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 50a, 1900, par. 5

I had agreed to speak in the evening, which you know is contrary to my practice. I spoke from (Isaiah 58), dwelling especially on the last verses, 10-14. The power of the Lord was upon me. I felt strong. The Lord gave the message that I should bear, and the congregation was deeply moved. Elder Colcord invited all who wished to be children of God and followers of Jesus Christ to arise. I think everyone was on his feet. Then he said he would ask how many who had heard the message given to them in the power and Spirit of God would take their stand that night to obey the commandments of God. Quite a number arose to their feet, and we all praised the Lord. It was a decided victory gained.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 52, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 52, 1900, par. 37

The work of presenting the warning message to our world is a great and solemn work. The world has a right to know why we believe as we do. The camp meetings afford opportunity for giving the information they desire. This work is plainly foretold in Isaiah. See chapters 41, 42, 43, 49, [and] 55-58. This is the work to be done.

15LtMs, Ms 52, 1900, par. 39

There is a work as essential to be done in the camp meetings to be held in various places. The workers are to arouse the slumbering senses of the people to see how far they have departed from the Lord’s ordinances by adopting worldly policy and conforming to worldly principles. These have brought them into transgression against the law of God. The Lord bids His servants, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Isaiah 58:1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 33, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 33, 1900, par. 5

In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah an explanation is given of this. Read this chapter in connection with the thirty-fourth chapter of Ezekiel. The law of God, the transcript of His character, which should ever be kept before the people, is not respected, but is trodden under the feet of men who attach Reverend to their names, but do not attach reverend to the law of Jehovah. They, the shepherds of the flock, destroy the plain paths. When the Lord sends His message of advanced truth, presenting that which is food for His flock, the ministers should be the first to receive the message. But they will not obey the Word of the Lord. They will not accept the truth because it involves self-denial. They accept that portion of the Word which does not conflict with their practice, but they transgress the law by treading underfoot a plain “Thus saith the Lord.”

15LtMs, Ms 33, 1900, par. 6

God declares, “If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger (to speak scornful words of vanity), ... and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul (with words of truth and righteousness, the bread of life), then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Isaiah 58:9-11.]

15LtMs, Ms 33, 1900, par. 7

Then comes the sum and substance of the chapter. Addressing those who have failed in their work as faithful shepherds, the prophet tells them what it is their privilege to become if they will return to their loyalty. “And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places; and thou shalt raise up the foundation of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 12-14.]

Special Testimonies - Relating to Various Matters in Battle Creek

An Extract

PH084 23.2

How is it with my brethren and sisters in America? How much do you practice self-denial in order that you may show liberality to the needy cause of God at this time? We are doing our work here under great pressure for the want of the very money that many of the members of our churches are expending upon their own fancies, in pleasing and gratifying themselves. If they had accepted the testimonies I have borne to them concerning the great want in these regions beyond, they would not be found expending one dollar in following the example of those who are multiplying pictures of themselves and their families. You would not be purchasing bicycles, which you could do without, but would be receiving the blessing of God in exercising your physical powers in a less expensive way. Instead of investing one hundred dollars in a bicycle, you would consider the matter well, lest it might be at the price of souls for whom Christ died, and for whom he has made you responsible. Please read Isaiah 58, and see what is a sure remedy for poor health. Satan will contrive to bring about many devices to absorb the means which should be devoted to the cause of God at this time. We cannot open new fields in regions beyond, for want of the very means that are used up in various ways, which might be given to destitute missions. God would have you invest in a fund to erect humble houses of worship for those who have newly come to the faith, who cannot possibly command means to do this, on account of their great poverty. Their souls are just as precious as your soul; and could you pass through the experience through which we have passed since coming to this country, you would bind about your supposed wants, and would be ready to help to build humble houses of worship in regions beyond. You would have the satisfaction of denying inclination in thus investing means in the cause of God. Night after night, we have studied the perplexing problem of how we should obtain the means to advance the cause of God. It rests with you in America to solve this puzzling question. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds); casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”—From The Review and Herald, August 21, 1894.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 20, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 20, 1900, par. 22

It was now time for the evening meeting. The Lord was pleased to give us a larger audience than usual. I took my text from the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah, and showed that our work for this time is in accordance with the truths brought out in that chapter.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 41, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 41, 1900, par. 13

The work of the people of God is to enlighten the world, in accordance with the directions given in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Here is presented the plan of work which is to be carried on in every place where the truth takes hold of minds and hearts. In connection with the proclamation of the message is to be done the work of relieving families who are in distress. Those who take their position on the Lord’s side are to see in Seventh-day Adventists a warmhearted, self-denying, self-sacrificing people, who cheerfully and gladly minister to the needy. Especially are those who suffer because they have had moral courage to accept the truth to be helped. Those who are cast out are to receive attention.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 38, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 38, 1900, par. 3

Do not seek a home in a hotel. Stay at a private house, and become acquainted with the family. There may be in it those who are sick or discouraged. Tell the discouraged ones that you have a prescription which will heal them. Point them to the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Take the sick to the Lord in prayer.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 70, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 70, 1900, par. 13

Will you accept the sign of obedience? Read and study the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. “Cry aloud, and spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression and the house of Israel their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice, they take delight in approaching to God.” [Verses 1, 2.]

15LtMs, Lt 70, 1900, par. 16

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him, and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” [Verses 6, 7.]

15LtMs, Lt 70, 1900, par. 19

“And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 8-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 27, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 27, 1900, par. 40

Read the nineteenth chapter of Revelation, and be afraid, all ye would insult your God by enforcing upon men the worship of the beast. Read the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah, and see whether those who walk in the light of God’s commands are the ones who are to be maligned and persecuted.

15LtMs, Ms 27, 1900, par. 41

God’s people have a serious, solemn work to do. He bids them, “Lift up thy voice like trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Verse 1.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 23, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 23, 1900, par. 6

We took dinner at the Mission. I wrote a few pages, and then had another long conversation with Brother Colcord. In the evening I spoke to a goodly number from Isaiah 58. I will write out the discourse, and you shall have it. The power of the message of truth was like fire shut up in my heart, and I could not but give the message, in living reality, that we must take heed to the commandments of God. After the discourse, Brother Colcord invited all who wished to be followers of Christ to arise. I think everyone in the congregation arose to their feet. When they were seated, he asked those to arise who, after hearing this discourse, would take their stand to keep all the commandments of God. A goodly number responded by standing on their feet. Here a victory was gained. A number had been in the valley of decision, but some of these souls were not able to be at the meeting.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 45, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 45, 1900, par. 9

In the working of the cause of God for this time the benevolent work should give special help to those who, through the presentation of truth at our camp meetings, are convicted and converted. They become the loyal subjects of the kingdom of God and unite with those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. They are to be laborers together with God as is represented in Isaiah fifty-eight. That chapter does not sustain you in the kind of work you are doing and in expending God’s revenue on that class of people found in the slums. There we obtain the least results for labor put forth in true conversions and additions to strengthen the forces of workers together with God.

15LtMs, Lt 45, 1900, par. 13

“And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 12-14.] Read chapters 56 and 60:1-3; chapter 61:1-4.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 95, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 95, 1900, par. 4

Spoke Sunday afternoon to a very big crowd from Isaiah 58.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 73, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 73, 1900, par. 12

Soon the Lord is coming to this earth with power and great glory, and the work that we are to do now is outlined in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Who is doing this work? Who is building the Lord’s altars? Who is preparing the people for the great day of the Lord? Now, just now, every one who claims to be a child of God should bring of their means to God’s treasury, that there may be a supply to draw from to provide the workers with facilities for entering new places to present the truth to those who have never heard it. Let there be no dearth in the Lord’s treasury. From His treasure God supplies all our necessities. Shall we be only consumers? Shall we not be producers, giving of our means that the truth may be presented to many people, who will acknowledge and accept the message, and in turn give back to God His own, and themselves be numbered among producers?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 16, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 16, 1900, par. 23

Some have thought it best to gradually prepare the way for the presentation of the Sabbath question. The Sabbath truth is to be proclaimed with a loud voice, as represented in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. There has been too much beating about the bush in the proclamation of the third angel’s message. The message has not been given as clearly and distinctly as it should have been. The third angel’s message is to be proclaimed at our camp-meetings, and in a most earnest, decided manner. The trumpet is to give a certain sound.

15LtMs, Ms 16, 1900, par. 43

Our work is to call upon men to cooperate with us as we cooperate with Christ, and through the power of the grace of God carry out the instruction given in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. This chapter shows the spirit which fills the hearts of those who are disobedient. They war against truth and righteousness, and complain against God because He does not favor them in their work. God declares that He cannot bless this class of men, because they fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness. He says to them, “Ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.” [Verse 4.]

15LtMs, Ms 16, 1900, par. 46

“And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable, and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 5-14.]

The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials

Chapter 49—To the General Conference

1888 441.1

Let not men exalt themselves, and seek to carry through their ideas without the co-operation and sanction of the people of God. Your strong spirit, your loud, contemptuous speeches are out of harmony with Christ and his ways. O, had you made your voice to be heard on high, God has seen you smiting with the fist of wickedness. You must bear the divine credentials before you make decided movements to shape the working of God’s cause. As surely as we believe in Christ, and do his will, not exalting self, but walking in all humility of mind, so surely will the Lord be with us. But he despises your fierce spirit, he is grieved with the hardness of your heart. Pray that he will give you a heart of flesh, a heart that can feel the sorrows of others, that can be touched with human woe. Pray that he will give you a heart that will not permit you to turn a deaf ear to the widow or the fatherless. Pray that you may have bowels of mercy for the poor, the infirm, and the oppressed. Pray that you may love justice and hate robbery, and make no difference in the bestowal of your favors, except to consider the cases of the needy and the unfortunate. Then the promises recorded in Isaiah 58 will be fulfilled to you, “If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday; and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 77, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 77, 1900, par. 11

The Sabbath is the clasp which unites God and His people. But the Sabbath command has been broken. God’s holy day has been desecrated. The Sabbath has been torn from its place by the man of sin, and a common working day has been exalted in its stead. In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah is outlined the work God’s people are to do. A breach has been made in the law, and this breach is to be healed. The true Sabbath is to be exalted to its rightful position as God’s rest day. We are to magnify the law and make it honorable, to build up the old waste places and raise up the foundations of many generations.

15LtMs, Ms 77, 1900, par. 12

To those who do this work God says, “Thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words, then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 12-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 4, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 4, 1900, par. 13

Read the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Do we believe the Word of God? If so, let us overcome our selfishness and covetousness which is idolatry. We are to be representatives of the character of Christ. Then glory will flow back to God in the praise and thanksgiving of those who have been helped by our Christlike unselfish lives.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 28, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 28, 1900, par. 2

The reason why the churches do not understand the Word of God is given in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. In this chapter are laid down the conditions of receiving God’s blessings. “If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like springs of water, whose waters fail not.

15LtMs, Ms 28, 1900, par. 3

“And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 9-14.]

15LtMs, Ms 28, 1900, par. 7

In our work we shall find a high profession of piety, and much outward exactness bound up with great inward wickedness. The people represented in (Isaiah 58) complain that the Lord allows their services to go unnoticed. This complaint is the expression of hearts unsubdued by grace, rebellious against the truth. Those who receive the truth which works by love and purifies the soul are loyal to God, honoring Him by obedience to His law, which is holy, just, and good. The spirit of true fasting and prayer is the spirit which yields mind, heart, and will to God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 46, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 46, 1900, par. 4

The Lord lays this responsibility upon every church. That love, sympathy, and compassion is to be exercised toward them within their borders that Christ would exercise were He here in our places. We are to be disciplined in this way, that we may be prepared to work in Christ’s lines. God suffers His poor to be in the borders of every church. They are always to be among us. The orphans, the poor, the aged children of God, are not to be removed away and placed in large numbers by themselves, but the church members are to exercise their God-given tact and ingenuity to bear the responsibilities of caring for these, the Lord’s people. In doing this they practice the truths of the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 210, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 210, 1901, par. 1

I have just come from east Portland camp-meeting and there was a crowd present. I dwelt upon Isaiah 58 and Malachi 3. The people listened with great interest while I talked. The Lord gave me clearness and power, and all listened with intense interest, and I never saw a congregation more eager. They say my voice was clear as a bell. The wall on the outside surrounded the tent three tiers thick in the parts nearer the stand. Both men and women were standing through the whole discourse.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 4, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 4, 1901, par. 27

Let us learn how to pray in the Spirit. Let there be no more formal prayers. Let us learn how to love God with heart, and soul, and mind, and strength; and our neighbor as ourselves. Let us read and practice the instruction contained in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Then we shall offer prayers which will bear the evidence of God’s inditing. And such prayers will be heard and answered.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 169, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 169, 1901, par. 2

We had a large audience—the large tent crowded full. I spoke from (Isaiah 58), and what a chapter of reproof, of correction in righteousness, of plainly marking out the way of the Lord! It is not merely profession and zeal in a false faith, but it is practical godliness. It is Bible religion. It is doing justice and mercy and elevating the purest principles of the kingdom of God. [Southern California camp-meeting was appointed for August 8-18, 1901. Sister White attended. Pacific Union Recorder, August 15, 1901, p. 16.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 112, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 112, 1901, par. 24

The world has led those who are in the churches today to become transgressors of God’s law. When they discern that they have trespassed and sinned because they have broken the law of God and disdained the terms of His covenant, He will not leave them to stumble on in wrong paths. He is ever gracious. Looking upon the churches who today are represented in the fifty-eighth of Isaiah, the Lord sends to them His message so distinctly expressed in this chapter. By His messengers He is ever entreating His erring children in every church to return to Him by hearty repentance and confession, that they may find mercy. Obedience to His commandments is the basis of the covenant of peace between the Lord and His people.

The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials

Meetings in Washington, D. C.; The Need of the Holy Spirit; Final Events

1888 759.1

They had about given up our coming but were glad indeed to see us. Sabbath I spoke on Isaiah 58. I had freedom, as I have had in every instance in speaking on this tour. We had a hall well filled, and we had an excellent social meeting. We know the presence of the Lord was in the meeting. The softening, subduing influence of the Spirit of God was there, and the testimonies borne were good.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Lt 177, 1901

16LtMs, Lt 177, 1901, par. 2

Let every member of the churches in Iowa carefully read the words of instruction in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah and in the third and fourth chapters of Malachi. Will my brethren consider these Scriptures? In the fifty-eighth of Isaiah there is light for those who rejoice in the hope of the soon-coming morning. The Lord desires to send us the reviving, healing beams of His sunshine. “The fashion of this world passeth away,” but the fashion of the world to come will endure forever. [1 Corinthians 7:31.] With what infinite bliss will the righteous be rewarded! What boundless joys will be theirs!

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 57, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 57, 1901, par. 16

O, if all who have a knowledge of the truth would only obey the teaching of this truth! O, why is it that men, standing on the very threshold of the eternal world, are so blinded? There is not a dearth of means, generally speaking among Seventh-day Adventists. But many Seventh-day Adventists fail to realize the responsibility which rests upon them to co-operate with God and Christ for the saving of souls. They do not show forth to the world the great interest God has in sinners. They do not make the most of the opportunities granted to them. The leprosy of selfishness has taken hold of the church. The Lord Jesus Christ will heal the church of this terrible disease if she will be healed. The remedy is found in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 22, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 22, 1901, par. 9

The fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah contains present truth for the people of God. Here we see how medical missionary work and the gospel ministry are to be bound together as the message is given to the world. Upon those who keep the Sabbath of the Lord is laid the responsibility of doing a work of mercy and benevolence. Medical missionary work is to be bound up with the message and sealed with the seal of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 182, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 182, 1901, par. 10

Let us learn how to pray in the Spirit. Let there be no more formal prayers. Let us learn to love God with heart and soul and mind and strength, and our neighbor as ourselves. Let us read and practice the instruction contained in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Then we shall offer prayers which bear the evidence of divine indicting. And such prayers will be heard and answered.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 190, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 190, 1901, par. 7

We had a large audience—the large tent crowded full. I spoke from Isaiah 58; and what a chapter of reproof, of correction in righteousness, of plainly marking out the way of the Lord! [It] is not merely profession and zeal in a false faith, but it is practical godliness. It is Bible religion. It is doing justice and mercy and ever elevating the purest principles of the kingdom of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 76, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 76, 1902, par. 9

My brethren, you need to study more carefully the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. This chapter marks out the only course that we can follow with safety. In the fifty-seventh chapter we read: “Thus saith the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always wroth; for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth, and smote him; I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart. I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him that is afar off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” [Verses 15-21.]

17LtMs, Lt 76, 1902, par. 10

Then the prophet receives this word from the Lord—a message startling in its clearness and force: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Isaiah 58:1.] Though they are called the people of God, the house of Jacob, though they profess to be linked with God in obedience and fellowship, they are far from Him. Wonderful privileges and promises have been given to them, but they have betrayed their trust. With no words of flattery must the message be given them. “Show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Show them where they are making a mistake. Set their danger before them. Tell them of the sins they are committing, while at the same time they pride themselves on their righteousness. Apparently seeking God, they are forgetting Him, forgetting that He is a God of love and compassion, long-suffering and goodness, dealing justly and loving mercy. Worldly policy has come into their business and religious life. Their hearts are not purified through the truth. God looks on their outward ceremonies of humility as a solemn mockery. He regards all religious sham as an insult to Himself.

17LtMs, Lt 76, 1902, par. 12

God will endorse the actions of those only who are sincere and unselfish. He makes known the works of true repentance. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen?” He asks, “to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?” [Verse 6.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 136, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 136, 1902, par. 17

Let every member of the churches in Iowa carefully study the instruction given in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah and in the third and fourth chapters of Malachi. Will my brethren consider these Scriptures? In the fifty-eighth of Isaiah there is light for those who rejoice in the hope of the soon-coming morning. The Lord desires to send us the reviving, healing beams of His sunshine. “The fashion of this world passeth away” [1 Corinthians 7:31], but the fashion of the world to come will endure forever. With what infinite bliss will the righteous be rewarded! What boundless joy will be theirs!

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 16, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 16, 1902, par. 29

The Lord has an advance work for His people to do. Read the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. The entire chapter contains important lessons which God requires us to study and practice.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 103, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 103, 1902, par. 11

In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah the Lord tells us plainly what the work is that He requires of us. Small sanitariums are to be connected with our schools. The students are to be taught how to use nature’s simple remedies in the treatment of disease. And as they learn to care for the sick, they are to be taught to act under the direction of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials

Chapter 115—The Vision at Salamanca

1888 946.2

Just as surely as we believe in Jesus Christ and do His will, not exalting self, but walking in all humility of mind, just so sure will the Lord be with us. But He despises your fierce spirit. He is grieved with the hardness of your hearts. Pray Him to give you a heart of flesh, that can always feel and be touched with human woe; a heart that will not turn a deaf ear to the widow or to the fatherless; that has bowels of mercy for the poor, the infirm, and the oppressed; that loves justice and hates robbery; that will not make a difference in your favor but will consider the needy. Then the promises revealed in Isaiah 58 will be experienced by you.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 222, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 222, 1902, par. 13

Sabbath spoke to the people assembled in Sanitarium chapel. There was a goodly number assembled. The house of worship was full. Professor Beardslee was present. My discourse was reported. Text Isaiah 58.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 68, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 68, 1902, par. 17

Personal ministry is far more efficacious than preaching in the saving of souls. When God’s people do personal work as He designs it to be done, the promises of Isaiah fifty-eight will be fulfilled to them. His righteousness will go before them; His glory will be their rereward.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 72, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 72, 1902, par. 33

Let every man now study the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. What is the great work before us?—The proclamation of the gospel, with its life-saving principles, to every nation and kindred and tongue and people. Let no one remain in idleness because he cannot do the same class of work that the most experienced of God’s servants are doing. Because you cannot be in the highest place, will you do nothing? Because you cannot trade upon pounds, will you refuse to trade upon the one pound? Because you have not five talents, will you put your one talent in a napkin and hide it in the earth? Because you cannot work for the multitude, will you refuse to work for individuals? Do the smaller duties waiting for you. Thus you will help those who are bearing heavy responsibilities. Use your talents, be they ever so few. God has certainly given you a work to do for Him. And in all you do, keep the Lord Jesus ever before you. Do all to the glory of His name. You belong to God, and you must do His work. Your life is sustained by the Giver of life. Your every capability, therefore, is to be put to use in His service. By using your talents faithfully and wisely, you are gaining power to do better work, to bear heavier responsibilities.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 142, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 142, 1903, par. 140

The Lord has an advance work for His people to do. Read the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. The entire chapter contains important lessons, which God requires us to study and practice.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 165, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 165, 1903, par. 10

In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah the Lord has described the people who are sanctified to Himself. They are the people who repair the breach that has been made in the law of God by the man of sin. “And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 12-14.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 94, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 94, 1903, par. 9

Principles have been perverted. Men have been departing from right principles for the promulgation of which these institutions were established. They have failed of doing the very work that God ordained should be done to prepare a people to “build up the old waste places” and to stand in the breach, as is represented in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. [Verse 12.] In this Scripture the work we are to do is clearly defined as being medical missionary work. This work is to be done in all places. God has a vineyard; and He desires that this vineyard shall be worked unselfishly. No parts are to be neglected. The most neglected portion needs the most wide-awake missionaries to do the work portrayed in the fifty-seventh chapter of Isaiah:

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 94a, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 94a, 1903, par. 23

Principles have been perverted. Men have been departing from right principles for the promulgation of which these institutions were established. They have failed of doing the very work that God ordained should be done to prepare a people to “build up the old waste places,” and to stand in the breach, as represented in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. In this Scripture the work we are to do is clearly defined as being medical missionary work. This work is to be done in all places. God has a vineyard; and He desires that this vineyard shall be worked unselfishly. No parts are to be neglected. The most neglected portion needs the most wide-awake missionaries to do the work portrayed in the following Scripture:

18LtMs, Ms 94a, 1903, par. 24

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, ... and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? ... [If thou draw out thy soul] to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build up the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” [Verses 6, 10-12.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 135, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 135, 1903, par. 13

The message of Isaiah fifty-eight means much to all who are on the Lord’s side. Truth will gather souls from every place in which it is proclaimed. Unsanctified human influences will try to banish it, but it will make its way, even in the most unfavorable places and in spite of the indifference of many of our own people, who have long been departing from safe paths, and of whom the Lord says, “They are joined to their idols; let them alone.” [Hosea 4:17.]

Manuscript Release No 1033

A Letter to Mrs. White’s Children, Monday, December 22, 1890

MR1033 50.1

They had about given up our coming but were glad indeed to see us. Sabbath I spoke upon Isaiah 58. I had freedom as I have had in every instance in speaking on this tour. We had a hall well filled and we had an excellent social meeting. We know the presence of the Lord was in the meeting. The softening, subduing influence of the Spirit of God was there and the testimonies borne were good.

Notebook Leaflets from the Elmshaven Library, vol. 1

Receiving and Giving

1NL 35.9

The capacity for receiving the holy oil from the two olive trees which empty themselves, is by the receiver emptying that holy oil out of himself in word and in action to supply the necessities of other souls. Work, precious, satisfying work—to be constantly receiving and constantly imparting! The capacity for receiving is only kept up by imparting. Isaiah 58 explains the matter: “Thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 259, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 259, 1905, par. 2

Last Sabbath I spoke in the Carr Street church in Los Angeles. I feared that I would be unable to speak, but strength was given to me, and I spoke without inconvenience. I took up the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah and was more thankful than I could express that the Lord helped me.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 243a, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 243a, 1905, par. 4

This afternoon I spoke again to a congregation as large as that of yesterday. The Lord strengthened me, and the people seemed as deeply interested as before. I spoke from the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah, and the Lord sustained me wonderfully. I dwelt upon the great work to be done in our world and the evidences that the end of the world is very near. I spoke of the missionaries in foreign countries and of the necessity to economize, that we may have means to use in sending the truth to all the world. I asked the people to think how much they were spending for that which is not bread in the indulgence of perverted appetite. In the indulgence of appetite, men render themselves liable to disease and injury and destroy their strength of character. They weaken their mental powers, and thus disqualify themselves to meet the Lord Jesus Christ.

20LtMs, Lt 243a, 1905, par. 14

“If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Isaiah 58:10, 11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Lt 125, 1905

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 4

Please write to me, telling me what you are doing and how you are getting on. I have a word from the Lord for my son Edson. You are not to load yourself down with responsibilities. For a long time you have been in the midst of perplexities, and you must now compel yourself to give your brain rest. Place all your burdens upon the great Burden-bearer. Heed the invitation: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls; for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” [Matthew 11:28-30.] Do not, I beseech of you, gather responsibilities to yourself. I am instructed, as the Lord’s messenger, to tell you to make God your trust and to leave your perplexities in His hands. He will bring to pass His will. Now is your time to find rest of soul. Let not your dependence be in man, but in God. You must every moment make Him your trust. You, and all the Lord’s people, have a work to do. We are to build the old waste places and raise up the foundations of many generations. The great issue regarding the law of God will soon be upon us. We are to work as those who are called and chosen of God. Our influence is to be united with that of the great Physician in repairing the breach and restoring paths to dwell in. We are to make a determined stand for the truth. Read the whole of the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 5

No one is to be idle now. O that those who have allowed continual differences to arise could see the loss they have thus sustained. Let us work on the plan given in the fifty-eighth of Isaiah. The instruction of this chapter shows what we are to do in co-operation with the great Master-worker. My son, do what you can to relieve the situation of the colored people of the South, and especially the situation of the colored people in Nashville. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness? to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” [Verses 6, 7.]

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 7

“Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and He shall say, Here I am.” [Verses 8, 9.] What does this mean, but that obstructions will be placed in the way to hinder the advancement of the work which has been kept before the Lord’s people for many years?

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 8

Are the souls for whom Christ has given His life cared for as they should be? Are those whom He has entrusted with means moving consistently in relieving the oppressed? Are not the cries and complaints of the poor and needy entering the ears of the Lord God of hosts because His stewards are remiss in the work that they should do as His helping hand? Is not this evil in every church? “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice as a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Verse 1.] Let the present order of things be changed.

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 9

“If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday.” [Verses 9, 10.]

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 12

“And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Isaiah 58:11.]

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 14

“And they that be of thee shall build the old waste places; thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” [Verse 12.]

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 16

“If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” [Verses 13, 14.]

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 18

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet and show My people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Verse 1.] The messenger must deal faithfully with the great deception. He must convince the people of their sins. They are called the people of God, the house of Jacob. They bear honorable title, but because of the high privileges bestowed on them they have become self-exalted. They are not to be flattered. Their defects of character, their failure to honor God by self-denial and self-sacrifice, according to Christ’s example, must be plainly revealed to them.

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 19

Said Christ, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” [John 4:34.] “I seek not Mine own glory, but the glory of Him that sent Me.” [See John 8:50.] The people of God are to be aroused to a sense of their deficiencies and of the work that they must do. They are to break every yoke and make their prayers practical. “Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Isaiah 58:1.] For the eternal interest of the people of God, their sins and their defects of character must be plainly pointed out. So long have they exalted themselves as supreme in wisdom that they are self-deceived. They have not on the robe of Christ’s righteousness; but it is not yet too late for them to repent and confess their sins and be converted and bring mercy, justice, and judgment into their lives. If they would receive the message and do the merciful acts of Christ, they would live a new life in Him, putting away all boasting, all falsifying, all evil speaking, and humbling their hearts before God, according to the instruction given by Christ in the Old and the New Testaments, remembering that in life and character they must be representatives of Christ. They would honor their Redeemer by daily living the new life—a life hid with Christ in God.

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 22

Those who allow themselves to be deceived by the enemy are held accountable by God for failing in a faithful discharge of duty. These unfaithful stewards have aided in strengthening the deception that God designed should be broken. The testimony to be borne is, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Verse 1.] There are those who are self-deceived, yet, for fear of hurting their feelings, their brethren permit them to go on, though feeling that their course is not in harmony with the will of the Lord. These deceived ones commit sins that they will not acknowledge to be sins. They may appear to be reformed in some things, but they are not doing thorough work in confession and repentance. Those who might have saved them, but did not, become in their turn like them. Sentiments of a misleading character are presented. Sins are committed that are not acknowledged as sins.

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 24

There are plain, decided testimonies to be borne under the power of the Holy Spirit to men who will not see and acknowledge their sins. Such ones are a snare to others, setting them an example that leads them to do likewise. And when the word of the Lord comes to His messengers, as it came to Isaiah, then wrong must be called wrong, and the right must be presented as it is presented in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. The reproof is to be given with the earnestness and faithfulness represented in the words, “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” [Verse 1.]

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 25

“Yet they seek Me daily, and delight to know My ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God; they ask of Me the ordinance of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.” [Verse 2.] The Lord sends His message to lay bare the deceptions of these ones, lest others, and among them those entrusted with large responsibilities, shall become unworthy of their trust. The reprover, the messenger of God, must speak with earnestness, as to ears that are deaf, because those addressed do not want to be convinced. They want to stand as wise men, who make no mistakes. But they are under the power of the enemy and bring in sentiments that are dishonoring to God. “Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and Thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and Thou takest no knowledge? behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure and exact all your labors. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness; ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day unto the Lord?

20LtMs, Lt 125, 1905, par. 27

“If thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday; and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” [Verses 3-7, 10, 11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 20 (1905)

Ms 177, 1905

20LtMs, Ms 177, 1905, par. 3

I spoke from (Isaiah 58) chapter, and the Lord strengthened me.