EGW WritingsJohn 15

The Desire of Ages

Chapter 73—“Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled”

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Looking upon His disciples with divine love and with the tenderest sympathy, Christ said, “Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.” Judas had left the upper chamber, and Christ was alone with the eleven. He was about to speak of His approaching separation from them; but before doing this He pointed to the great object of His mission. It was this that He kept ever before Him. It was His joy that all His humiliation and suffering would glorify the Father’s name. To this He first directs the thoughts of His disciples.

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Then addressing them by the endearing term, “Little children,” He said, “Yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek Me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.”

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The disciples could not rejoice when they heard this. Fear fell upon them. They pressed close about the Saviour. Their Master and Lord, their beloved Teacher and Friend, He was dearer to them than life. To Him they had looked for help in all their difficulties, for comfort in their sorrows and disappointments. Now He was to leave them, a lonely, dependent company. Dark were the forebodings that filled their hearts.

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But the Saviour’s words to them were full of hope. He knew that they were to be assailed by the enemy, and that Satan’s craft is most successful against those who are depressed by difficulties. Therefore He pointed them away from “the things which are seen,” to “the things which are not seen.” 2 Corinthians 4:18. From earthly exile He turned their thoughts to the heavenly home.

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“Let not your heart be troubled,” He said; “ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.” For your sake I came into the world. I am working in your behalf. When I go away, I shall still work earnestly for you. I came into the world to reveal Myself to you, that you might believe. I go to the Father to co-operate with Him in your behalf. The object of Christ’s departure was the opposite of what the disciples feared. It did not mean a final separation. He was going to prepare a place for them, that He might come again, and receive them unto Himself. While He was building mansions for them, they were to build characters after the divine similitude.

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Still the disciples were perplexed. Thomas, always troubled by doubts, said, “Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.”

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There are not many ways to heaven. Each one may not choose his own way. Christ says, “I am the way: ... no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” Since the first gospel sermon was preached, when in Eden it was declared that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpent’s head, Christ had been uplifted as the way, the truth, and the life. He was the way when Adam lived, when Abel presented to God the blood of the slain lamb, representing the blood of the Redeemer. Christ was the way by which patriarchs and prophets were saved. He is the way by which alone we can have access to God.

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“If ye had known Me,” Christ said, “ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.” But not yet did the disciples understand. “Lord, show us the Father,” exclaimed Philip, “and it sufficeth us.”

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Amazed at his dullness of comprehension, Christ asked with pained surprise, “Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip?” Is it possible that you do not see the Father in the works He does through Me? Do you not believe that I came to testify of the Father? “How sayest thou then, Show us the Father?” “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father.” Christ had not ceased to be God when He became man. Though He had humbled Himself to humanity, the Godhead was still His own. Christ alone could represent the Father to humanity, and this representation the disciples had been privileged to behold for over three years.

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“Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works’ sake.” Their faith might safely rest on the evidence given in Christ’s works, works that no man, of himself, ever had done, or ever could do. Christ’s work testified to His divinity. Through Him the Father had been revealed.

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If the disciples believed this vital connection between the Father and the Son, their faith would not forsake them when they saw Christ’s suffering and death to save a perishing world. Christ was seeking to lead them from their low condition of faith to the experience they might receive if they truly realized what He was,—God in human flesh. He desired them to see that their faith must lead up to God, and be anchored there. How earnestly and perseveringly our compassionate Saviour sought to prepare His disciples for the storm of temptation that was soon to beat upon them. He would have them hid with Him in God.

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As Christ was speaking these words, the glory of God was shining from His countenance, and all present felt a sacred awe as they listened with rapt attention to His words. Their hearts were more decidedly drawn to Him; and as they were drawn to Christ in greater love, they were drawn to one another. They felt that heaven was very near, and that the words to which they listened were a message to them from their heavenly Father.

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“Verily, verily, I say unto you,” Christ continued, “He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also.” The Saviour was deeply anxious for His disciples to understand for what purpose His divinity was united to humanity. He came to the world to display the glory of God, that man might be uplifted by its restoring power. God was manifested in Him that He might be manifested in them. Jesus revealed no qualities, and exercised no powers, that men may not have through faith in Him. His perfect humanity is that which all His followers may possess, if they will be in subjection to God as He was.

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“And greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.” By this Christ did not mean that the disciples’ work would be of a more exalted character than His, but that it would have greater extent. He did not refer merely to miracle working, but to all that would take place under the working of the Holy Spirit.

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After the Lord’s ascension, the disciples realized the fulfillment of His promise. The scenes of the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ were a living reality to them. They saw that the prophecies had been literally fulfilled. They searched the Scriptures, and accepted their teaching with a faith and assurance unknown before. They knew that the divine Teacher was all that He had claimed to be. As they told their experience, and exalted the love of God, men’s hearts were melted and subdued, and multitudes believed on Jesus.

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The Saviour’s promise to His disciples is a promise to His church to the end of time. God did not design that His wonderful plan to redeem men should achieve only insignificant results. All who will go to work, trusting not in what they themselves can do, but in what God can do for and through them, will certainly realize the fulfillment of His promise. “Greater works than these shall ye do,” He declares; “because I go unto My Father.”

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As yet the disciples were unacquainted with the Saviour’s unlimited resources and power. He said to them, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name.” John 16:24. He explained that the secret of their success would be in asking for strength and grace in His name. He would be present before the Father to make request for them. The prayer of the humble suppliant He presents as His own desire in that soul’s behalf. Every sincere prayer is heard in heaven. It may not be fluently expressed; but if the heart is in it, it will ascend to the sanctuary where Jesus ministers, and He will present it to the Father without one awkward, stammering word, beautiful and fragrant with the incense of His own perfection.

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The path of sincerity and integrity is not a path free from obstruction, but in every difficulty we are to see a call to prayer. There is no one living who has any power that he has not received from God, and the source whence it comes is open to the weakest human being. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name,” said Jesus, “that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

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“In My name,” Christ bade His disciples pray. In Christ’s name His followers are to stand before God. Through the value of the sacrifice made for them, they are of value in the Lord’s sight. Because of the imputed righteousness of Christ they are accounted precious. For Christ’s sake the Lord pardons those that fear Him. He does not see in them the vileness of the sinner. He recognizes in them the likeness of His Son, in whom they believe.

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The Lord is disappointed when His people place a low estimate upon themselves. He desires His chosen heritage to value themselves according to the price He has placed upon them. God wanted them, else He would not have sent His Son on such an expensive errand to redeem them. He has a use for them, and He is well pleased when they make the very highest demands upon Him, that they may glorify His name. They may expect large things if they have faith in His promises.

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But to pray in Christ’s name means much. It means that we are to accept His character, manifest His spirit, and work His works. The Saviour’s promise is given on condition. “If ye love Me,” He says, “keep My commandments.” He saves men, not in sin, but from sin; and those who love Him will show their love by obedience.

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All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. The will, refined and sanctified, will find its highest delight in doing His service. When we know God as it is our privilege to know Him, our life will be a life of continual obedience. Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, through communion with God, sin will become hateful to us.

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As Christ lived the law in humanity, so we may do if we will take hold of the Strong for strength. But we are not to place the responsibility of our duty upon others, and wait for them to tell us what to do. We cannot depend for counsel upon humanity. The Lord will teach us our duty just as willingly as He will teach somebody else. If we come to Him in faith, He will speak His mysteries to us personally. Our hearts will often burn within us as One draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch. Those who decide to do nothing in any line that will displease God, will know, after presenting their case before Him, just what course to pursue. And they will receive not only wisdom, but strength. Power for obedience, for service, will be imparted to them, as Christ has promised. Whatever was given to Christ—the “all things” to supply the need of fallen men—was given to Him as the head and representative of humanity. And “whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” 1 John 3:22.

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Before offering Himself as the sacrificial victim, Christ sought for the most essential and complete gift to bestow upon His followers, a gift that would bring within their reach the boundless resources of grace. “I will pray the Father,” He said, “and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you orphans: I will come to you.” John 14:16-18, margin.

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Before this the Spirit had been in the world; from the very beginning of the work of redemption He had been moving upon men’s hearts. But while Christ was on earth, the disciples had desired no other helper. Not until they were deprived of His presence would they feel their need of the Spirit, and then He would come.

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The Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative, but divested of the personality of humanity, and independent thereof. Cumbered with humanity, Christ could not be in every place personally. Therefore it was for their interest that He should go to the Father, and send the Spirit to be His successor on earth. No one could then have any advantage because of his location or his personal contact with Christ. By the Spirit the Saviour would be accessible to all. In this sense He would be nearer to them than if He had not ascended on high.

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“He that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.” Jesus read the future of His disciples. He saw one brought to the scaffold, one to the cross, one to exile among the lonely rocks of the sea, others to persecution and death. He encouraged them with the promise that in every trial He would be with them. That promise has lost none of its force. The Lord knows all about His faithful servants who for His sake are lying in prison or who are banished to lonely islands. He comforts them with His own presence. When for the truth’s sake the believer stands at the bar of unrighteous tribunals, Christ stands by his side. All the reproaches that fall upon him, fall upon Christ. Christ is condemned over again in the person of His disciple. When one is incarcerated in prison walls, Christ ravishes the heart with His love. When one suffers death for His sake, Christ says, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, ... and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:18. The life that is sacrificed for Me is preserved unto eternal glory.

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At all times and in all places, in all sorrows and in all afflictions, when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel helpless and alone, the Comforter will be sent in answer to the prayer of faith. Circumstances may separate us from every earthly friend; but no circumstance, no distance, can separate us from the heavenly Comforter. Wherever we are, wherever we may go, He is always at our right hand to support, sustain, uphold, and cheer.

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The disciples still failed to understand Christ’s words in their spiritual sense, and again He explained His meaning. By the Spirit, He said, He would manifest Himself to them. “The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things.” No more will you say, I cannot comprehend. No longer will you see through a glass, darkly. You shall “be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge.” Ephesians 3:18, 19.

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The disciples were to bear witness to the life and work of Christ. Through their word He was to speak to all the people on the face of the earth. But in the humiliation and death of Christ they were to suffer great trial and disappointment. That after this experience their word might be accurate, Jesus promised that the Comforter should “bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”

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“I have yet many things to say unto you,” He continued, “but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. He shall glorify Me: for He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you.” Jesus had opened before His disciples a vast tract of truth. But it was most difficult for them to keep His lessons distinct from the traditions and maxims of the scribes and Pharisees. They had been educated to accept the teaching of the rabbis as the voice of God, and it still held a power over their minds, and molded their sentiments. Earthly ideas, temporal things, still had a large place in their thoughts. They did not understand the spiritual nature of Christ’s kingdom, though He had so often explained it to them. Their minds had become confused. They did not comprehend the value of the scriptures Christ presented. Many of His lessons seemed almost lost upon them. Jesus saw that they did not lay hold of the real meaning of His words. He compassionately promised that the Holy Spirit should recall these sayings to their minds. And He had left unsaid many things that could not be comprehended by the disciples. These also would be opened to them by the Spirit. The Spirit was to quicken their understanding, that they might have an appreciation of heavenly things. “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come,” said Jesus, “He will guide you into all truth.”

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The Comforter is called “the Spirit of truth.” His work is to define and maintain the truth. He first dwells in the heart as the Spirit of truth, and thus He becomes the Comforter. There is comfort and peace in the truth, but no real peace or comfort can be found in falsehood. It is through false theories and traditions that Satan gains his power over the mind. By directing men to false standards, he misshapes the character. Through the Scriptures the Holy Spirit speaks to the mind, and impresses truth upon the heart. Thus He exposes error, and expels it from the soul. It is by the Spirit of truth, working through the word of God, that Christ subdues His chosen people to Himself.

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In describing to His disciples the office work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus sought to inspire them with the joy and hope that inspired His own heart. He rejoiced because of the abundant help He had provided for His church. The Holy Spirit was the highest of all gifts that He could solicit from His Father for the exaltation of His people. The Spirit was to be given as a regenerating agent, and without this the sacrifice of Christ would have been of no avail. The power of evil had been strengthening for centuries, and the submission of men to this satanic captivity was amazing. Sin could be resisted and overcome only through the mighty agency of the Third Person of the Godhead, who would come with no modified energy, but in the fullness of divine power. It is the Spirit that makes effectual what has been wrought out by the world’s Redeemer. It is by the Spirit that the heart is made pure. Through the Spirit the believer becomes a partaker of the divine nature. Christ has given His Spirit as a divine power to overcome all hereditary and cultivated tendencies to evil, and to impress His own character upon His church.

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Of the Spirit Jesus said, “He shall glorify Me.” The Saviour came to glorify the Father by the demonstration of His love; so the Spirit was to glorify Christ by revealing His grace to the world. The very image of God is to be reproduced in humanity. The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is involved in the perfection of the character of His people.

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“When He [the Spirit of truth] is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” The preaching of the word will be of no avail without the continual presence and aid of the Holy Spirit. This is the only effectual teacher of divine truth. Only when the truth is accompanied to the heart by the Spirit will it quicken the conscience or transform the life. One might be able to present the letter of the word of God, he might be familiar with all its commands and promises; but unless the Holy Spirit sets home the truth, no souls will fall on the Rock and be broken. No amount of education, no advantages, however great, can make one a channel of light without the co-operation of the Spirit of God. The sowing of the gospel seed will not be a success unless the seed is quickened into life by the dew of heaven. Before one book of the New Testament was written, before one gospel sermon had been preached after Christ’s ascension, the Holy Spirit came upon the praying apostles. Then the testimony of their enemies was, “Ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine.” Acts 5:28.

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Christ has promised the gift of the Holy Spirit to His church, and the promise belongs to us as much as to the first disciples. But like every other promise, it is given on conditions. There are many who believe and profess to claim the Lord’s promise; they talk about Christ and about the Holy Spirit, yet receive no benefit. They do not surrender the soul to be guided and controlled by the divine agencies. We cannot use the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is to use us. Through the Spirit God works in His people “to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13. But many will not submit to this. They want to manage themselves. This is why they do not receive the heavenly gift. Only to those who wait humbly upon God, who watch for His guidance and grace, is the Spirit given. The power of God awaits their demand and reception. This promised blessing, claimed by faith, brings all other blessings in its train. It is given according to the riches of the grace of Christ, and He is ready to supply every soul according to the capacity to receive.

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In His discourse to the disciples, Jesus made no mournful allusion to His own sufferings and death. His last legacy to them was a legacy of peace. He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

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Before leaving the upper chamber, the Saviour led His disciples in a song of praise. His voice was heard, not in the strains of some mournful lament, but in the joyful notes of the Passover hallel:

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“O praise the Lord, all ye nations:
Praise Him, all ye people.
For His merciful kindness is great toward us:
And the truth of the Lord endureth forever.
Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 117.

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After the hymn, they went out. Through the crowded streets they made their way, passing out of the city gate toward the Mount of Olives. Slowly they proceeded, each busy with his own thoughts. As they began to descend toward the mount, Jesus said, in a tone of deepest sadness, “All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.” Matthew 26:31. The disciples listened in sorrow and amazement. They remembered how in the synagogue at Capernaum, when Christ spoke of Himself as the bread of life, many had been offended, and had turned away from Him. But the twelve had not shown themselves unfaithful. Peter, speaking for his brethren, had then declared his loyalty to Christ. Then the Saviour had said, “Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John 6:70. In the upper chamber Jesus said that one of the twelve would betray Him, and that Peter would deny Him. But now His words include them all.

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Now Peter’s voice is heard vehemently protesting, “Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.” In the upper chamber he had declared, “I will lay down my life for Thy sake.” Jesus had warned him that he would that very night deny his Saviour. Now Christ repeats the warning: “Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice.” But Peter only “spake the more vehemently, If I should die with Thee, I will not deny Thee in anywise. Likewise also said they all.” Mark 14:29, 30, 31. In their self-confidence they denied the repeated statement of Him who knew. They were unprepared for the test; when temptation should overtake them, they would understand their own weakness.

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When Peter said he would follow his Lord to prison and to death, he meant it, every word of it; but he did not know himself. Hidden in his heart were elements of evil that circumstances would fan into life. Unless he was made conscious of his danger, these would prove his eternal ruin. The Saviour saw in him a self-love and assurance that would overbear even his love for Christ. Much of infirmity, of unmortified sin, carelessness of spirit, unsanctified temper, heedlessness in entering into temptation, had been revealed in his experience. Christ’s solemn warning was a call to heart searching. Peter needed to distrust himself, and to have a deeper faith in Christ. Had he in humility received the warning, he would have appealed to the Shepherd of the flock to keep His sheep. When on the Sea of Galilee he was about to sink, he cried, “Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30. Then the hand of Christ was outstretched to grasp his hand. So now if he had cried to Jesus, Save me from myself, he would have been kept. But Peter felt that he was distrusted, and he thought it cruel. He was already offended, and he became more persistent in his self-confidence.

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Jesus looks with compassion on His disciples. He cannot save them from the trial, but He does not leave them comfortless. He assures them that He is to break the fetters of the tomb, and that His love for them will not fail. “After I am risen again,” He says, “I will go before you into Galilee.” Matthew 26:32. Before the denial, they have the assurance of forgiveness. After His death and resurrection, they knew that they were forgiven, and were dear to the heart of Christ.

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Jesus and the disciples were on the way to Gethsemane, at the foot of Mount Olivet, a retired spot which He had often visited for meditation and prayer. The Saviour had been explaining to His disciples His mission to the world, and the spiritual relation to Him which they were to sustain. Now He illustrates the lesson. The moon is shining bright, and reveals to Him a flourishing grapevine. Drawing the attention of the disciples to it, He employs it as a symbol.

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“I am the true Vine,” He says. Instead of choosing the graceful palm, the lofty cedar, or the strong oak, Jesus takes the vine with its clinging tendrils to represent Himself. The palm tree, the cedar, and the oak stand alone. They require no support. But the vine entwines about the trellis, and thus climbs heavenward. So Christ in His humanity was dependent upon divine power. “I can of Mine own self do nothing,” He declared. John 5:30.

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“I am the true Vine.” The Jews had always regarded the vine as the most noble of plants, and a type of all that was powerful, excellent, and fruitful. Israel had been represented as a vine which God had planted in the Promised Land. The Jews based their hope of salvation on the fact of their connection with Israel. But Jesus says, I am the real Vine. Think not that through a connection with Israel you may become partakers of the life of God, and inheritors of His promise. Through Me alone is spiritual life received.

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“I am the true Vine, and My Father is the husbandman.” On the hills of Palestine our heavenly Father had planted this goodly Vine, and He Himself was the husbandman. Many were attracted by the beauty of this Vine, and declared its heavenly origin. But to the leaders in Israel it appeared as a root out of a dry ground. They took the plant, and bruised it, and trampled it under their unholy feet. Their thought was to destroy it forever. But the heavenly Husbandman never lost sight of His plant. After men thought they had killed it, He took it, and replanted it on the other side of the wall. The vine stock was to be no longer visible. It was hidden from the rude assaults of men. But the branches of the Vine hung over the wall. They were to represent the Vine. Through them grafts might still be united to the Vine. From them fruit has been obtained. There has been a harvest which the passers-by have plucked.

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“I am the Vine, ye are the branches,” Christ said to His disciples. Though He was about to be removed from them, their spiritual union with Him was to be unchanged. The connection of the branch with the vine, He said, represents the relation you are to sustain to Me. The scion is engrafted into the living vine, and fiber by fiber, vein by vein, it grows into the vine stock. The life of the vine becomes the life of the branch. So the soul dead in trespasses and sins receives life through connection with Christ. By faith in Him as a personal Saviour the union is formed. The sinner unites his weakness to Christ’s strength, his emptiness to Christ’s fullness, his frailty to Christ’s enduring might. Then he has the mind of Christ. The humanity of Christ has touched our humanity, and our humanity has touched divinity. Thus through the agency of the Holy Spirit man becomes a partaker of the divine nature. He is accepted in the Beloved.

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This union with Christ, once formed, must be maintained. Christ said, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” This is no casual touch, no off-and-on connection. The branch becomes a part of the living vine. The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from the root to the branches is unobstructed and constant. Separated from the vine, the branch cannot live. No more, said Jesus, can you live apart from Me. The life you have received from Me can be preserved only by continual communion. Without Me you cannot overcome one sin, or resist one temptation.

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“Abide in Me, and I in you.” Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life of unreserved surrender to His service. The channel of communication must be open continually between man and his God. As the vine branch constantly draws the sap from the living vine, so are we to cling to Jesus, and receive from Him by faith the strength and perfection of His own character.

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The root sends its nourishment through the branch to the outermost twig. So Christ communicates the current of spiritual strength to every believer. So long as the soul is united to Christ, there is no danger that it will wither or decay.

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The life of the vine will be manifest in fragrant fruit on the branches. “He that abideth in Me,” said Jesus, “and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” When we live by faith on the Son of God, the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in our lives; not one will be missing.

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“My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away.” While the graft is outwardly united with the vine, there may be no vital connection. Then there will be no growth or fruitfulness. So there may be an apparent connection with Christ without a real union with Him by faith. A profession of religion places men in the church, but the character and conduct show whether they are in connection with Christ. If they bear no fruit, they are false branches. Their separation from Christ involves a ruin as complete as that represented by the dead branch. “If a man abide not in Me,” said Christ, “he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

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“And every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth [pruneth] it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” From the chosen twelve who had followed Jesus, one as a withered branch was about to be taken away; the rest were to pass under the pruning knife of bitter trial. Jesus with solemn tenderness explained the purpose of the husbandman. The pruning will cause pain, but it is the Father who applies the knife. He works with no wanton hand or indifferent heart. There are branches trailing upon the ground; these must be cut loose from the earthly supports to which their tendrils are fastening. They are to reach heavenward, and find their support in God. The excessive foliage that draws away the life current from the fruit must be pruned off. The overgrowth must be cut out, to give room for the healing beams of the Sun of Righteousness. The husbandman prunes away the harmful growth, that the fruit may be richer and more abundant.

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“Herein is My Father glorified,” said Jesus, “that ye bear much fruit.” God desires to manifest through you the holiness, the benevolence, the compassion, of His own character. Yet the Saviour does not bid the disciples labor to bear fruit. He tells them to abide in Him. “If ye abide in Me,” He says, “and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” It is through the word that Christ abides in His followers. This is the same vital union that is represented by eating His flesh and drinking His blood. The words of Christ are spirit and life. Receiving them, you receive the life of the Vine. You live “by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. The life of Christ in you produces the same fruits as in Him. Living in Christ, adhering to Christ, supported by Christ, drawing nourishment from Christ, you bear fruit after the similitude of Christ.

DA 677.2

In this last meeting with His disciples, the great desire which Christ expressed for them was that they might love one another as He had loved them. Again and again He spoke of this. “These things I command you,” He said repeatedly, “that ye love one another.” His very first injunction when alone with them in the upper chamber was, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” To the disciples this commandment was new; for they had not loved one another as Christ had loved them. He saw that new ideas and impulses must control them; that new principles must be practiced by them; through His life and death they were to receive a new conception of love. The command to love one another had a new meaning in the light of His self-sacrifice. The whole work of grace is one continual service of love, of self-denying, self-sacrificing effort. During every hour of Christ’s sojourn upon the earth, the love of God was flowing from Him in irrepressible streams. All who are imbued with His Spirit will love as He loved. The very principle that actuated Christ will actuate them in all their dealing one with another.

DA 678.1

This love is the evidence of their discipleship. “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples,” said Jesus, “if ye have love one to another.” When men are bound together, not by force or self-interest, but by love, they show the working of an influence that is above every human influence. Where this oneness exists, it is evidence that the image of God is being restored in humanity, that a new principle of life has been implanted. It shows that there is power in the divine nature to withstand the supernatural agencies of evil, and that the grace of God subdues the selfishness inherent in the natural heart.

DA 678.2

This love, manifested in the church, will surely stir the wrath of Satan. Christ did not mark out for His disciples an easy path. “If the world hate you,” He said, “ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for My name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent Me.” The gospel is to be carried forward by aggressive warfare, in the midst of opposition, peril, loss, and suffering. But those who do this work are only following in their Master’s steps.

DA 678.3

As the world’s Redeemer, Christ was constantly confronted with apparent failure. He, the messenger of mercy to our world, seemed to do little of the work He longed to do in uplifting and saving. Satanic influences were constantly working to oppose His way. But He would not be discouraged. Through the prophecy of Isaiah He declares, “I have labored in vain, I have spent My strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely My judgment is with the Lord, and My work with My God.... Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and My God shall be My strength.” It is to Christ that the promise is given, “Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and His Holy One, to Him whom man despiseth, to Him whom the nation abhorreth; ... thus saith the Lord: ... I will preserve Thee, and give Thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages; that Thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Show yourselves.... They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall He guide them.” Isaiah 49:4, 5, 7-10.

DA 679.1

Upon this word Jesus rested, and He gave Satan no advantage. When the last steps of Christ’s humiliation were to be taken, when the deepest sorrow was closing about His soul, He said to His disciples, “The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.” “The prince of this world is judged.” Now shall he be cast out. John 14:30; 16:11; 12:31. With prophetic eye Christ traced the scenes to take place in His last great conflict. He knew that when He should exclaim, “It is finished,” all heaven would triumph. His ear caught the distant music and the shouts of victory in the heavenly courts. He knew that the knell of Satan’s empire would then be sounded, and the name of Christ would be heralded from world to world throughout the universe.

DA 679.2

Christ rejoiced that He could do more for His followers than they could ask or think. He spoke with assurance, knowing that an almighty decree had been given before the world was made. He knew that truth, armed with the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, would conquer in the contest with evil; and that the bloodstained banner would wave triumphantly over His followers. He knew that the life of His trusting disciples would be like His, a series of uninterrupted victories, not seen to be such here, but recognized as such in the great hereafter.

DA 679.3

“These things I have spoken unto you,” He said, “that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Christ did not fail, neither was He discouraged, and His followers are to manifest a faith of the same enduring nature. They are to live as He lived, and work as He worked, because they depend on Him as the great Master Worker. Courage, energy, and perseverance they must possess. Though apparent impossibilities obstruct their way, by His grace they are to go forward. Instead of deploring difficulties, they are called upon to surmount them. They are to despair of nothing, and to hope for everything. With the golden chain of His matchless love Christ has bound them to the throne of God. It is His purpose that the highest influence in the universe, emanating from the source of all power, shall be theirs. They are to have power to resist evil, power that neither earth, nor death, nor hell can master, power that will enable them to overcome as Christ overcame.

DA 680.1

Christ designs that heaven’s order, heaven’s plan of government, heaven’s divine harmony, shall be represented in His church on earth. Thus in His people He is glorified. Through them the Sun of Righteousness will shine in undimmed luster to the world. Christ has given to His church ample facilities, that He may receive a large revenue of glory from His redeemed, purchased possession. He has bestowed upon His people capabilities and blessings that they may represent His own sufficiency. The church, endowed with the righteousness of Christ, is His depositary, in which the riches of His mercy, His grace, and His love, are to appear in full and final display. Christ looks upon His people in their purity and perfection, as the reward of His humiliation, and the supplement of His glory,—Christ, the great Center, from whom radiates all glory.

DA 680.2

With strong, hopeful words the Saviour ended His instruction. Then He poured out the burden of His soul in prayer for His disciples. Lifting His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour is come; glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son also may glorify Thee: as Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.”

DA 680.3

Christ had finished the work that was given Him to do. He had glorified God on the earth. He had manifested the Father’s name. He had gathered out those who were to continue His work among men. And He said, “I am glorified in them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are.” “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; ... I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.”

DA 680.4

Thus in the language of one who has divine authority, Christ gives His elect church into the Father’s arms. As a consecrated high priest He intercedes for His people. As a faithful shepherd He gathers His flock under the shadow of the Almighty, in the strong and sure refuge. For Him there waits the last battle with Satan, and He goes forth to meet it.

From Heaven With Love

How the Holy Spirit Makes Christ’s Work for Us Effective

HLv 448.3

Before offering Himself as the sacrificial victim Christ sought for the most essential gift to bestow on His followers. “I will pray the Father,” He said, “and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you orphans: I will come to you.” John 14:16-18, margin. While Christ was on earth, the disciples had desired no other helper. Not until deprived of His presence would they feel their need of the Spirit, and then He would come.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 9, 1886

4LtMs, Ms 9, 1886, par. 15

It is through the Son of God that we claim the promises that He has left on record for us. Here we have come out, and are keeping His commandments, because we see it is His requirement. We make ourselves peculiar from the world in this respect, and as we follow the best light we have in keeping His commandments, it is our privilege to claim His blessing, and then lay our whole burden upon Jesus Christ and claim by faith His rich salvation. While Satan will press upon your soul his darkness and tell you you cannot be saved, tell him, Jesus died for me; it was a whole sacrifice that was made in my behalf, and I claim a whole salvation. The Master would have me joyful, for He has said it. John 15. The Word of God declares plainly and positively, “Herein is My father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples ... these things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [Verses 8, 11.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 25, 1885

4LtMs, Ms 25, 1885, par. 10

I am sick through the cold that I have contracted. May the Lord help me, is my prayer. I venture into the hall again. Find the hall well filled. Spoke to the people from (John 15), first eight verses. The Lord did help me. His Holy Spirit rested upon me and upon the people.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 26, 1885

4LtMs, Ms 26, 1885, par. 11

I spoke to the people—a hall full—Friday night [October 16] from John 15. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman.” [Verse 1.] The people listened with good interest. After meeting closed a young man introduced himself as an interpreter and offered to interpret for me. Brother Matteson is much better interpreting English into Danish than into Swedish. This young man is not of our faith; says he was converted two years ago in Australia. Has studied the English language in America. There are many who wish he would interpret, for he has so much better knowledge of the Swedish language than Brother Matteson; but I shall say nothing to bring this about, for it might not make the best impression of Brother Matteson. We rode to our temporary home in a hack. We could come in street cars, but we have to change cars to make the journey.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 21, 1889

6LtMs, Ms 21, 1889, par. 30

I spoke to a good congregation under the tent from the first verses of the fifteenth chapter of John. The Lord let His blessing rest upon me in large measure. All seemed to be deeply interested. Thank God, thank God for His matchless love! My heart is melted and I rejoice with the views I have of the great goodness and mercy and love of God to fallen men. In consideration of this, how feeble are our efforts, how weak our endeavors to be like Jesus and to glorify His holy name!

6LtMs, Ms 21, 1889, par. 88

Some way, before we are aware of it, we manifest little faith in Him who alone can lead and guide and bless us. We bend ourselves under a weight of care and perplexity, as if the whole weight and success of the cause depend on our finite efforts, when Christ has said, “Without me ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] If we would bear this always in mind and work intelligently, yet trustingly, we would see how large things the Lord can do for us when we make Him our confidence and our all. I will not worry. I will be a willing instrument in the hands of the Lord and let Him work, let Him use me to His own glory.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 46, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 46, 1890, par. 4

We rode in the streetcar about three quarters of an hour to the hall—the place of meeting. This was a commodious place. The hall was full and I spoke with freedom upon the lesson of Christ to His disciples—the vine and the branches. John 15. The Lord gave me much freedom and the trembling of nerves left me after I had spoken about five minutes. His grace strengthened me. My own soul was watered while I was trying to water others, and I knew the presence of Jesus was in our midst. His Spirit and grace were watering the seed sown. Praise the name of the Lord! I sought to bring before the people the necessity of knowing what Jesus Christ was to us individually. A theoretical knowledge of Jesus Christ is quite universal, but a practical knowledge of Jesus Christ those only who are in truth united as the branch to the parent vine stock know what Jesus is to them. They draw the sap and the nourishment from the living Vine and they yield the same fruit as the parent stock.

6LtMs, Ms 46, 1890, par. 9

I spoke to a full house at eleven o’clock Sabbath a.m. with much freedom. I do not think I have ever seen a better class of people before me. There was nobility and intelligence. We had a good social meeting. Many excellent testimonies were borne. The sisters Charlotte and Sarah Haskins, whom I knew in my youth, were present to hear me. I was glad to meet them. Spoke from John 15.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Lt 109, 1890

6LtMs, Lt 109, 1890, par. 15

I slept last night about ten hours; praise the Lord, praise His holy name. I believe He will give me strength and grace. I am making my home with Sister Ellen Warfe, one of the number, a kind family. We have things here convenient and pleasant. I shall go to Danvers Wednesday. I have been so deeply interested in John, chapters 14, 15, 16, and 17 that I am writing on the subject. I have written twelve pages today upon (John 14), for fear I should have the force of the subject wear away from my mind. This will come in Life of Christ. I have in all forty pages written.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 42, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 42, 1890, par. 19

I feel intensely when I read and dwell upon the subjects contained in the 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th chapters of John. These lessons are of deep import and need to be studied and even committed to memory. The richest promises are found here. I am pained when I see so little real, genuine piety among Seventh-day Adventists, when we have had so great light. We must be more diligent searchers of the Word, that we may speak a word in season to the oppressed, the sorrowful, the afflicted. We must keep the mind as a storehouse of truth from which to draw the richest consolation to impart to others who are ready to perish. “Thus saith the Lord” and “It is written” should be ever upon our lips, and our souls should be like a natural garden whose waters fail not, refreshing all who are around us. Let us read the Bible and study the meanings of every word.

6LtMs, Ms 42, 1890, par. 58

Rain commenced in the night and continued all day. I see, notwithstanding the rain, the people are coming in from Connecticut [?] and Nashua. The church was full of people in the afternoon. I tried to speak to them from (John 15) on the relation of the branch to the vine. The atmosphere was very heavy and lifeless, and it seemed impossible for all the people to keep awake. We called for them to rise up and sing and yet there was an oppression in the atmosphere in the room.

6LtMs, Ms 42, 1890, par. 99

When you bring the truth as it is in Jesus into the inner sanctuary of the soul, then Christ is abiding in you. “Without me ye can do nothing,” He says. [John 15:5.] Make an entire surrender to God. Your will, your preference, must be submerged in God’s will and held there firmly day by day, hour by hour. Then you will triumph in the God of your salvation.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 37, 1892

7LtMs, Ms 37, 1892, par. 34

I attended meeting and spoke from the fifteenth chapter of John. The Lord came very near by His Holy Spirit. I invited those who had no evidence of their acceptance with God to come forward, that we might unite in prayer. Many responded, and we had an excellent season of prayer. Those who had been treating the erring in an unscriptural manner made confession and asked the forgiveness of their brethren and sisters, and especially of those whom their unwise course had driven from the fold. The softening, subduing influence of the Holy Spirit was felt upon hearts. We are assured that the presence of Jesus was with us, and we are sure that this church will see better days.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 40, 1891

7LtMs, Ms 40, 1891, par. 35

The schoolhouse was filled and some came from quite a distance. I spoke from John, chapter 15. I had much freedom in speaking and all listened with earnest interest. Elder E. J. Waggoner followed, speaking on baptism. Then there were teams prepared to take those who were to be baptized about three miles. E. J. Waggoner administered the sacred ordinance to nine willing souls who felt that it was their duty to be baptized, and they were received into the church. I did not go to the baptism, but the report of those who did go say it was a blessed season. The Spirit of the Lord was there. Ten minutes before four we were on our way to Battle Creek. E. J. Waggoner returned in our carriage.

7LtMs, Ms 40, 1891, par. 85

I had a deep and solemn sense of the requirements of God, in speaking from John 15.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 21, 1892

7LtMs, Ms 21, 1892, par. 32

I attended meeting, and spoke from the fifteenth chapter of John. The Lord came very near by His Holy Spirit. I invited those who had no evidence of their acceptance with God to come forward, that we might unite in prayer. Many responded, and we had an excellent season of prayer. Those who had been treating the erring in an unscriptural manner made confession and asked the forgiveness of their brethren and sisters, and especially of those whom their unwise course had driven from the fold.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 16j, 1892

7LtMs, Lt 16j, 1892, par. 3

Time is given to unimportant matters, but the very things of eternal consequence scarcely arrest the attention and seem to make but faint impress on the mind. Actions speak for themselves. The thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John need careful study and earnest practice if we honor God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. We cannot afford to be living in neglect of the very duties, specified by our Substitute and Surety, that bear the divine credentials to the world that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

7LtMs, Lt 16j, 1892, par. 4

Now the very highest missionary work to be done by the chosen of God is that they are earnest doers of the words of Christ. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another.” John 15:16, 17. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 27, 1891

7LtMs, Ms 27, 1891, par. 9

Jesus knew our danger. He tells us in (John 15:16), “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” He ordains that you individually shall bear fruit.

7LtMs, Ms 27, 1891, par. 20

(John 15:17-21) points to the opposition between Christ and the world, and to the persecution inflicted upon Christ and His followers. The world does this because they know not the Father who sent Jesus into the world. We do not want to be so ignorant. We want to know Christ, whom to know aright is life eternal.

7LtMs, Ms 27, 1891, par. 21

In John 15. He points you to trials, to conflicts. He asks if you can endure the conflict; then He points to eternal realities and shows you the thousands of angels sent to be ministers to those who are heirs of salvation. Though He shows the armies arrayed against you, yet He tells you that you need not be discouraged, for the Captain of the Lord’s host is with you as with the Lord’s people in Joshua’s time. There is the Captain of our salvation who is at work for every one. What we want is to know how to fight the battle. The victory is not in the minister or the layman, but in the Captain of the Lord’s host who fights the battle for us. He dwells with him that is of a contrite spirit. We are to humble our hearts.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 7, 1891

7LtMs, Ms 7, 1891, par. 30

In the fifteenth chapter of John the false and the real membership of the church is represented. Many who have united with the church have never joined themselves heart and soul to Jesus Christ. In the striking symbol of the vine and the branches, the Lord Jesus gives the characteristics of the true and the false child of God. [The] true branch, grafted into the living vine, imbibes nourishment from the parent stalk, and bears rich clusters of genuine fruit. “It is my Father’s good pleasure,” said Christ, “that ye bear much fruit.” [Verse 8.] This is the evidence to the world that you are not only hearers, but doers of the Word. The branch proves that it is a part of the vine by the nature and abundance of the fruit it produces.

7LtMs, Ms 7, 1891, par. 31

Christ presented the branch which bears no fruit. “As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” [Verses 4-6.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Ms 39, 1891

7LtMs, Ms 39, 1891, par. 15

Two classes in our world—then listen to the words of One who knows, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.” 1 John 4:4, 5. Souls are being deluded. The fear and love of God have not a controlling power. The world is their Master, and they chase after its delusive, flattering mirage. Listen to One who gave His life for the world, “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” [John 3:16.] He spake as never man spake. The whole of (John 15) contains the most important lesson. Read it; obey it. Again, hear the voice of God, “Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.” [Matthew 6:24.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 26, 1891

7LtMs, Lt 26, 1891, par. 2

Today I have spoken to the patients and to those connected with the Health Retreat upon the words found in John the fifteenth chapter. The chapel was full. When I entered the desk I was so weak that I could scarcely stand, but the Lord gave me His Holy Spirit, and I know He spoke to hearts today.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 80, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 80, 1893, par. 23

We all go out six miles to Petone. Elder Starr, his wife, Elder Israel, and Willie go in the morning in the cars. Sister Tuxford, Sister Israel, Emily, and I go in hack after dinner. Elder Starr spoke in forenoon on the inspiration of the Scriptures. I spoke to them in the afternoon upon the lessons of Christ in fifteenth chapter of John. Precious things unfold to my mind constantly, making the Word of God to me shine forth in greater and increased loveliness. I wish to preserve every ray of light the Lord shall be pleased to give me to impart to others.

8LtMs, Ms 80, 1893, par. 26

I arise early. Have not slept since three o’clock, but did not leave my bed until past four. I find the inclination is almost irresistible to do a larger amount of writing and speaking than is prudent for my health. My head aches and I do greatly desire more than mortal energy to engage in the service of God. But the Word declares, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6. We may have ever so great earnestness and zeal, but unless the Holy Spirit is abiding with us, making a place for the truth in the hearts of the people, disappointment will mark all our endeavors. We long for Jesus’ presence. “Without me,” He says, “ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] Thank the Lord for a pleasant day.

8LtMs, Ms 80, 1893, par. 36

Arise early to engage in work. Last night I was, in my dreams, in Kaeo, standing before the little church assembled and was saying some plain words to them. I said, You need a deeper work of the grace of God in your hearts. You need to make the Word of God your study. You are altogether too much absorbed in business, and have but very little deep insight into spiritual things. You are not growing in the Christian graces. The Lord Jesus spoke plainly with His disciples in (John 15 and 16) in regard to the difficulties that they should meet in the world.

8LtMs, Ms 80, 1893, par. 37

The Lord our Saviour knew every phase of experience His disciples would meet and all the conflicts they would experience. The Lord Jesus Christ said to His disciples, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18-21.

8LtMs, Ms 80, 1893, par. 40

Christians can maintain an untarnished reputation if they are Christians, which means Christlike. God has made every provision that through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ they should not fail nor be discouraged in a dark, troubled future, which He knew must come. The Lord Jesus Christ is grieved for His disciples, that they must pass through manifold afflictions from the world. He prepares them for that time of trial, of great temptation to lose their faith, by presenting before their minds the hopeful part of the future. He must mingle the bright, hopeful lines with the dark. (John 15:26): “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.”

8LtMs, Ms 80, 1893, par. 41

Then He tells them that they will also cooperate with the Holy Spirit. The great Source of their strength—which is our changeless consolation and hope and courage—would ever be within their reach. They were to be Christ’s witnesses. “And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” John 15:27. They should be His faithful representatives to an apostate world. While in the world they are not to be of the world, but bear a faithful testimony against the evil that is working in worldly policy plans contrary to the truth and righteousness. “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.” John 16:1.

8LtMs, Ms 80, 1893, par. 43

These (chapters 14, 15, 16, 17) of John are of highest value for every soul who is consecrating his life to the service of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 8 (1893)

Ms 84, 1893

8LtMs, Ms 84, 1893, par. 19

Sunday I spoke in Odd Fellows’ Hall. There was a small company out and several not of our faith. I spoke to them above one hour with much earnestness, for the subject seemed of importance to me, and I knew it was of vital importance to those who were listening. I also spoke in the evening to a roomfull in the hired house of Brother Wilson. I had much freedom in dwelling upon practical godliness; the fifteenth chapter of John was my text—the subject of the vine and the branches, the importance of bearing fruit to the glory of God.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 56, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 56, 1894, par. 16

This morning I arose at four o’clock, and begun writing this which I now send to you; five pages were written yesterday morning, and afterward I attended meeting in a tent for young people. About forty were present. I had much freedom in speaking to them. Brethren Rousseau and Teasdale conducted the meeting. At the same time there was a general meeting for prayer and testimony in the large tent, and I went there also, and spoke for a short time with freedom. Many precious testimonies were borne, asking prayers for friends. In the afternoon I addressed a large congregation from John 15. I had special freedom and strength given me. Then we had a meeting of praise and thanksgiving to God. It was one of the most precious Sabbaths that we have enjoyed. Many bore this testimony: “The Lord’s name be magnified.” We praise His holy name for such freedom. Many not of our faith were present.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 83, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 83, 1894, par. 3

Brother Corliss spoke at 11 a.m., and a revival effort was made. About seventy-five responded. Then opportunity was given for testimonies, and the meeting continued until about two o’clock. This was a most blessed meeting. I spoke at 3 p.m. from (John 15)—the vine and the branches. The Lord gave me freedom. There was fully as large an attendance as we had last year on the Sabbath at Middle Brighton. There was a large number present who were not of our faith, and many of them seemed deeply interested.

9LtMs, Lt 83, 1894, par. 12

Let your rest be in Christ. If you are “rooted and built up on him,” the sudden blasts of temptation will not affect you. [Colossians 2:7.] He says, “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” [John 15:5.] Jesus communicates the current of spiritual strength to every believer, even as the vine stock sends its life, in the sap, to the outermost twig. As long as you and your associates in your mission reach down into Christ and draw your supplies from Him, there is no danger that you will wither or decay.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 79, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 79, 1894, par. 12

Elder Corliss gave a discourse in the forenoon upon the subject of baptism. It was a most powerful sermon. Expressions were made regarding it, such as, He outdid himself. Surely this is what always should be—out of self in Jesus Christ. “Without me, ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] Out of self in Christ; He speaks through the human agent. Those newly come to the faith were fully settled in regard to their duty.

9LtMs, Ms 79, 1894, par. 13

At three p.m. in the afternoon I spoke to a crowded tent from John 15. “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” [Verse 5.] The Lord gave me much freedom. I dwelt particularly upon the duty of parents to educate and train their children, not only for this life, but for the future immortal life, that all their powers and capabilities entrusted to them by God should be employed in such a way that they will be a blessing to humanity. ...

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 16, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 16, 1894, par. 39

I love Christ. I see in Him matchless charms. I want to be like Him and glorify His name upon the earth. We read that we shall have the Holy Ghost and glory in tribulation and have joy in Him, because He commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [Romans 5:3-8.] And then we read in (John 15), “Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [Verses 8-10.] Will that make you sorrowful? Will you walk in the way that is cast up for the righteous, and water it with your tears? Cover it with your tears? No, one hundred times, No.

9LtMs, Ms 16, 1894, par. 40

“These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full.” [Verse 11.] This is just what we want as obedient children. We want to walk in the light as Christ is in the light. “Well,” you say, “do you always feel the light in a marked manner?” No, I do not always. But when Satan casts his hellish shadow athwart my pathway, I do not look at it or talk of it, and glorify the devil by talking of him and his power and what a hard time I am having. No, I cleave right through the shadow and by faith take hold of Jesus Christ. By beholding we “are changed into the same image from glory to glory.” [2 Corinthians 3:18.] Talk faith. Every doubt you express is a seed sown, and that seed will take root in some heart. We do not want to speak one word of doubt and thus praise the devil for his wonderful power to keep [us] in subjection. No, Christ has purchased me and redeemed me. Satan has no power over me. I am free in Christ Jesus because I believe in Him.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 43, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 1

John, the fifteenth chapter. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away; and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it (pruneth it), that it may bring forth more fruit.” [Verses 1, 2.]

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 3

“Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you.” [Verses 2-4.] The very same sap and nourishment that nourishes the parent stock, nourishes the branch abiding in the vine. Christ is represented by the vine that imparts the nourishment, the vitality, the life, the spirit, the power, [so] that the branch can bear fruit, and then when affliction and disappointment comes, you are to show altogether a different character of fruit than the world. There is the evidence that you are connected with Jesus Christ, and that there is a power that sustains you in all your afflictions and disappointments and trials; and this power and this grace sweetens every affliction. [When] the cup of suffering may be placed to your lips, there is a Comforter, and Helper. The cup of consolation is placed in the hand, and it may be the happiest period of your life.

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 4

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” [Verse 4.] Now, here are the most precious jewels of truth for every individual soul of us. Here is the only election in the Bible, and you can prove yourself elected of Christ by being faithful; you can prove yourself the chosen of Christ by abiding in the Vine. And He tells you that if you do not abide in the Vine, then you can bear no fruit. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” [Verse 5.]

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 7

Let us see what He says about it. Here He declares Himself to be the Vine. “Ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” [Verse 5.] Now, do you think that Jesus Christ who died upon the cross of Calvary to pay the penalty of transgression, to become a substitute and surety before the justice of God, to die on Calvary’s cross that we might become partakers of the divine nature—the sap that flourishes in the parent stock—that Jesus is going to be with us when we are walking right contrary to the commandments of God? He has given us another test, He has given us another trial, He has given us another probation, that we may prove whether we will be loyal to the God of heaven, to obey His commandments, or whether we will be disloyal because we consider that it is our privilege to be so. Because we cannot see the end from the beginning, and judge whether we are coming out all right or not, is it not best for us to believe God? Is it not best for us to be right because it is right?

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 8

Well now, He says, “Without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” [Verses 5, 6.] Well, what shall we do about the matter? Shall we consent to open the heart to Jesus and let Him come in? Shall we hear His knock at the door of our hearts and His voice saying that He has the gold, and He has the white raiment, and He has the eyesalve, and here are His goods that He wants us to buy of Him? Will we do it? It is our privilege to do it if we will; it is the greatest privilege and blessing that could ever be granted to the human being. In obeying God, shall we become fools and idiots? We may in the sight of the world. They may say it, but is it so? “The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.” [Psalm 119:130.] Do we believe it? God wants us to arouse, and to exercise that living faith that shows our dependence upon Him entirely. Where is your faith? God help us that we may not think that after a time we will keep God’s commandments. We must keep them now if we would represent Christ in character.

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 9

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.] Disconnect from Christ because you think you will have a fairer chance outside of Him? Disconnect from Him, and then where are the rich treasures of heaven that when God gave us Jesus, He shows to the world, He shows to the universe of heaven. He testifies to the worlds unfallen—what? That He could not do more for man than He has done. That there was no reserve power greater that He could give to man, because when He gave Jesus He gave Himself, the God of heaven, and He gave all the treasures of heaven. Here we may draw from the heavenly resources of our strength.

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 11

Now we have the promise. Whatsoever we ask, we shall receive, because we abide in Christ, and we are obedient children to all the commandments of God. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me,” (now you know how God must love His only begotten Son) “so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” [Verses 8, 9.] So you see that the election that is for every one of us depends on our obedience. You can be disobedient and separate from God, and you can be obedient and continue in His love. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.” Here is the condition of continuance. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [Verse 10.]

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 13

The whole universe of heaven is looking upon this earth while the great conflict is being carried on between Christ, the Prince of life, and Satan, the prince of the world. And the same conflict was taken up by His disciples when Christ left our world, so that we are to work and carry the plan of the battle and the contest after Christ’s devising, after the pattern. We are to imitate the example of Jesus Christ in obedience. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.” [Verse 10.] “These things have I spoken unto you”—to make you have just as hard a time as you could in this life, to take away from you all the pleasure and gratification that you can have in this world that I have created. Is that what He means? Not a bit of it. But let us see.

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 14

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [Verse 11.] Do you think the butterfly has any joy that is of any real value or desirable? I answer, No. What is the joy that is of any value? It is that which comes from the eternal source of wisdom, that which comes from Jesus Christ, our what? What is [He]? [Our] Saviour. [He] saves us from all the temptations, the trials and difficulties that we shall meet here, as He met them. And He has promised that His joy shall remain in us and our joy should be full. Now what is His joy? “Who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is forever set down at the right hand of God.” [Hebrews 12:2.]

9LtMs, Ms 43, 1894, par. 27

Well, Christ says, “Take my yoke upon you. I have kept my Father’s commandments. 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.” [John 15:10; Matthew 11:29.] Then what? “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” [Verse 30.] Now, if you are complaining of the heavy load, and all you can hear from your lips is complaining and murmuring for the self-denying you have to make for Christ, you do not know anything about self-denial. Everything you can do for Jesus is such a pleasure and gratification. You never talk about the great sacrifices you are making, no, because you are one with Christ, and you feel it is very, very little you can do if you do your best, and you are doing all you can with your entrusted capital of money He has put into your hands, and with your influence.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Ms 41, 1894

9LtMs, Ms 41, 1894, par. 15

Elder Corliss gave a discourse in the forenoon upon the subject of baptism. It was a most powerful sermon. Expressions were made regarding it such as, “He outdid himself.” Surely this is what always should be—out of self in Jesus Christ. “Without me, ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] Out of self in Christ, He speaks through the human agent. Those newly come to the faith were fully settled in regard to their duty.

9LtMs, Ms 41, 1894, par. 16

At three p.m. in the afternoon I spoke to a crowded tent from John 15. “I am the vine, ye are the branches.” [Verse 5.] The Lord gave me much freedom. I dwelt particularly upon the duty of parents to educate and train their children, not only for this life but for the future, immortal life, that all their powers and capabilities entrusted to them by God should be employed in such a way that they will be a blessing to humanity. In co-operating with God and doing His service, and working in Christ’s lines, we are uplifting humanity by precept and example. We are obeying the will of God expressed in His holy law by educating our children in righteous principles, that they may educate others.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 23, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 23, 1896, par. 1

Your case has been presented before me, and I feel drawn out to write to you. You are a professor of godliness. You have taken upon you the solemn responsibility of a minister of Christ, yet you are satisfied with a low level in the Christian life. In your mind sacred things are mingled with that which is common and carnal. You have not yet endured as seeing Him who is invisible. You have a high opinion of self, and have nurtured self. You do not comprehend the words of Christ, “Without me ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.] You may be active, you may plan and devise; you study, and you may teach the Scriptures; but unless the transforming grace of Christ shall take possession of your heart; unless the thoughts and the imagination are purified, and brought into captivity to the will of Christ; unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God, you will not, cannot have eternal life. And you will ere long become offended, and turn away from the truth, saying, “These are hard sayings; who can hear them?” [See John 6:60.] Two paths are before you; you must make a decided change in your practical life in almost every respect, and become one with Christ, or you will deny Christ in character, and put Him to open shame.

11LtMs, Lt 23, 1896, par. 5

I have been very much distressed in regard to the action of Elder Corliss in laying hands upon you, and setting you apart for the ministry. You were not prepared for this great work. Had Elder Corliss consulted me in regard to the wisdom of ordaining you to the ministry, I should have said, Wait until he has a deeper conviction of what constitutes sacred service to God. Wait until selfishness is expelled from the heart. Wait until he has learned to yoke up with Christ, till he has learned of Christ meekness and lowliness of heart. Wait until self is hid with Christ in God. Wait until he has a more humble estimate of himself, and better understands the meaning of the words of Christ, “Without me ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.]

11LtMs, Lt 23, 1896, par. 22

As one who loves your soul, and who has an interest in your wife and your children, I urge you to begin now, while it is called today, to act the flesh and blood of the Son of God. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.” [John 6:53.] Read John 6:54-65. The same lesson is taught in the 15th chapter of John, under the symbol of the vine and its branches.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 12d, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 12d, 1896, par. 1

I awakened this morning at half past three. I dressed and as usual asked that the blessing of the Lord would rest upon me, committing my soul to God as unto a faithful creator. I asked that the Holy Spirit would be with me through the day, to mold and fashion my character after the divine similitude. I placed myself in the hands of God as the only thing I can do. Then I commenced writing in my diary some things in regard to (John 15), the true vine and the branches.

Manuscript Release No 1033

South Lancaster, Friday, October 24, 1890

MR1033 13.1

Rain commenced in the night and continued all day. I see notwithstanding the rain the people are coming in from Connecticut and Nashua. The church was full of people in the afternoon. I tried to speak to them from John 15 on the relation of the branch to the vine. The atmosphere was very heavy and lifeless and it seemed impossible for all the people to keep awake. We called for them to rise up and sing and yet there was an oppression in the atmosphere in the room.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 98, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 98, 1896, par. 31

It is a lamentable truth that there are tares, counterfeit Christians, in the church. But because of this will you look at them, and feed on their defective character? If you do, you too will be ranked among the tares. Christ is the only perfect pattern of Christianity. Let us hear what He says. “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.” [John 6:35, 51, 53-55.] The same principles are found in John 15. The explanation of this is given, “It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” [John 6:63.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 12c, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 12c, 1896, par. 1

Friday, March 20, I arose early, about half past three o’clock in the morning. While writing upon the fifteenth chapter of John, suddenly a wonderful peace came upon me. The whole room seemed to be filled with the atmosphere of heaven. A holy, sacred Presence seemed to be in my room. I laid down my pen and was in a waiting attitude to see what the Spirit would say unto me. I saw no person. I heard no audible voice, but a heavenly Watcher seemed close beside me. I felt that I was in the presence of Jesus. The sweet peace and light which seemed to be in my room it is impossible for me to explain or describe. A sacred, holy atmosphere surrounded me, and there were presented to my mind and understanding matters of intense interest and importance. A line of action was laid out before me as if the unseen presence was speaking with me. The matter I had been writing upon seemed to be lost to my mind and another matter distinctly opened before me. A great awe seemed to be upon me as matters were imprinted upon my mind.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 63, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 63, 1896, par. 11

I have received a letter from Fannie Bolton, very much after the same that she has previously written. While I feel pity and sadness for her, I do not feel that I can again connect with her. Yesterday I wrote some things in reference to the past, in the experience I have had with Caldwell and _____. Then I was writing upon the fifteenth chapter of John. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 66, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 66, 1897, par. 2

Throughout the fifteenth chapter of John, Christ kept up the figure of the living connection which the branches must have with the Vine. This is presented as a positive necessity if they would be fruit-bearing branches. “Without me,” He says, “ye can do nothing” that will be acceptable to God. [Verse 5.] “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the Vine, no more can ye except ye abide in me.” [Verse 4.] A vital connection with Christ is essential for spiritual life. The branch must become a part of the living vine. And there is a certainty in the words, “Because I live, ye shall live also.” [John 14:19.]

12LtMs, Ms 66, 1897, par. 3

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:7.] The indwelling of the words of Christ makes all men one with Him. He has the mind of Christ, the attributes of Christ, and there is perfect harmony between his will and that of the Father. Each will evidence his discipleship by his obedience to that Word. “Herein is my Father glorified,” says Christ, “that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” [Verse 8.] And again, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” [Matthew 5:16.] “That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ; being filled with the fruit of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” [Philippians 1:10, 11.]

12LtMs, Ms 66, 1897, par. 12

The Lord sees the necessities and the peril of the soul. He came to our world in the garb of humanity, that His humanity might meet our humanity. While we were in sin, He pledged His life for us. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.” [John 15:13.] There is love for the sinner, but God hates the sin. Therefore He does not leave His tempted ones with eyes that are nearly blind to their own imperfections. “As many as I love,” He says, “I rebuke and chasten. Be zealous therefore and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcome, and am set down with my Father in His throne.” [Revelation 3:19-21.]

12LtMs, Ms 66, 1897, par. 22

If we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, we will be obedient to the Word. He enjoins upon His followers, “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” [John 15:9.] By your course of action show your faith in Me and let the world and the heavenly universe witness your enjoyment of My love. When obedient to My words you will glorify Me. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [Verse 10.]

12LtMs, Ms 66, 1897, par. 23

Christ stands at the head of humanity. There was in Christ a subjection of the human to the divine. He clothed His divinity with humanity and placed His own person under the obedience of divinity. Satan tempted Adam and Eve to believe that they should be as gods. Christ requires that humanity shall obey divinity. In His humanity Christ was obedient to all of His Father’s commandments. And now He says to His disciples, “These things have I spoken unto you that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you.” [Verses 11, 12.] “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you that ye also love one another.” [John 13:34.] Christ had expressed His love for man in that He had given His life for the ransom of the world. And this love is to measure the love that His disciples should ever evidence for one another.

12LtMs, Ms 66, 1897, par. 25

“Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” “By this shall all man know that ye are my disciples”—disciples of Him who laid down His life for those whom He loved. “Ye are my friends,” He says, “if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard from my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye may ask the Father in my name He may give it you. These things I command you that ye love one another.” [John 15:13-17; 13:35.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 115, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 115, 1897, par. 13

How many things the Lord had told His disciples in regard to His sufferings and death and resurrection. Why then did the disciples look on the dark side, and feel so wholly discouraged. Had not Christ anticipated their disappointment? Had He not given them the precious instruction in John 14, 15, 16? “Let not your heart be troubled,” He had said, “Ye believe in God: believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also. ... Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father; for my Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.” [John 14:1-3, 27-29.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 179, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 179, 1897, par. 23

Spoke to the people. There was a goodly number assembled and the Lord gave me freedom in speaking from (John 15), presenting to the people the evidence that the human agent loves God because he keeps His commandments.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Ms 40, 1897

12LtMs, Ms 40, 1897, par. 15

The four apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, all bear record that Jew and Gentile, rulers, kings, and governors, priests and people, all classes and tongues, were represented in rejecting and crucifying Christ, the Son of God, a man who was innocent, and against whom they could find no proof. The synagogue of Satan, the prince of darkness and his evil agents, united in a desperate companionship with disloyal, evil men. They resolved to put the whole power of their corrupt energies to work to put out of the world the light of truth.

12LtMs, Ms 40, 1897, par. 38

In speaking of the close of the world’s history, Christ shows that there will be a repetition of the deeds done to our divine Lord. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the words that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my sayings, they will keep yours also. ... But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me, and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” [John 15:18-20, 26, 27.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 104, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 104, 1898, par. 2

Last Sabbath, although feeling quite weak, I desired to speak to the people from the fifteenth chapter of John. Early last Sabbath morning I awoke. In the night I had been going over the ground covered in that chapter. In the morning Brother Starr spoke, and all said he did excellently well. I did not attend the meeting. I thought I could stand and talk in the afternoon, but I had not sufficient strength and remained sitting most of the time. I kept rising, hoping I could stand and speak, but I could not. I am not strong, but I am resting my case in the hands of the great Physician. I will not think of myself, or worry or talk of myself.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 160, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 160, 1898, par. 17

There is no excuse for any of us to be spiritually weak, lukewarm, unbelieving, and full of wrath. There is no excuse for us to draw apart from one another, breaking the links of the golden chain that connect us with each other and with God. We have read over and over again the Scripture in (John 15): “Without me ye can do nothing.” “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered, and men gather them up, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” [Verses 5, 6.] We need to see that we must be practical Christians. The question to be answered is, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Who is co-operating with God in character-building in their own individual experience?”

13LtMs, Ms 160, 1898, par. 27

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye ask anything in my name I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. ... He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.” [John 14:13-15, 21.] “The pure in heart shall see God.” [Matthew 5:8.] Yes, they will endure the seeing of Him who is invisible. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might abide in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:10, 11.]

13LtMs, Ms 160, 1898, par. 28

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” [John 15:12; 13:34.] If our hearts are not purified from our hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong, if they are not cleansed from inherent sin, Christ cannot enter. The work of grace cannot be carried on in the heart that is not rooted and grounded in the love of Christ Jesus. Paul writes, “That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” [Ephesians 3:17-19.] Entire sanctification is essential. Stretch every spiritual nerve and muscle, that you may attain to perfect conformity to the will of God. Talk this, pray this. Keep in view what must be done to build one another up in the most holy faith. Without holiness no man can see God. This unduly estimating self and demeriting others is a stream that flows from Satan into the heart to flow forth to others.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 130, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 130, 1898, par. 2

On the Sabbath Elder Starr spoke in the forenoon. In the afternoon I spoke from John 15. I sought to impress upon the people the lesson of that wonderful parable of the vine and the branches. John 15:1-6. There are two kinds of connection between the branches and the vine. The one is deceptive, superficial. The crowd pressing upon Christ had no living union with Him by genuine faith. But a poor woman that had been many years a great sufferer and had spent all her living upon physicians but was made no better, but rather worse, thought if she could get within reach of Him, if she could only touch the hem of His garment, she would be made whole. Christ understood all that was in her heart, and He placed Himself where she could have the opportunity she desired. He would use that act to distinguish the touch of genuine faith from the casual contact of those who were crowding about Him from mere curiosity.

13LtMs, Lt 130, 1898, par. 5

A deep impression was made as I spoke from (John 15), on the vine and the branches. I spoke of the wonderful contrast between the spurious branches and the true branches, those that have a vital connection with the parent stock. I read only a few verses, to imprint upon their minds the necessity of abiding in Christ.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 129, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 129, 1898, par. 6

Meetings have been held every day. On Sunday there was no morning meeting. All the camp was busy in repairing the injury done to the tents; all worked diligently, so that the meeting might begin at eleven o’clock. At three p.m., when I spoke, the tent was crowded to its utmost capacity, and there was a wall of people on the outside. On the Sabbath I spoke on the fifteenth of John; on Sunday, on the fourteenth; the Lord gave me great freedom. These two meetings on Sabbath and Sunday were excellent, because the God of Israel was walking through our encampment.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 23, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 23, 1898, par. 20

The fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John are rich in promises, and are calculated to be of inestimable value to the disciples in their future work. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, who is so plainly revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures, believe [also] in me as the brightness of his glory, the manifestation of his character. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I would not deceive you, I go to prepare a place for you, to secure for you the right to a home in my Father’s kingdom. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. I left the royal courts of heaven to come to you, to show you the way. And if I have come to the earth for your sake, I will be with you in the mansions I have prepared. Let not sorrow fill your hearts, because I love you; and whither I go ye know and the way ye know.” [See John 14:1-4.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 131, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 131, 1898, par. 5

On Friday night the wind blew a gale. All Sabbath there was a tempest of wind and rain. It looked rather discouraging, but no one seemed to be discouraged. On Sabbath quite a large number of those not of our faith were out to the meeting. I spoke in the afternoon. The Lord helped and strengthened me. I spoke from (John 15), “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.” All listened intently. I called for those who desired to consecrate themselves to God before the New Year commenced, to live in newness of life, to come forward. Quite a number came forward, and many bore their testimony.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 160a, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 160a, 1898, par. 18

There is no excuse for any of us to be spiritually weak, lukewarm, unbelieving, and full of wrath. There is no excuse for our drawing apart from one another, breaking the links of the golden chain that should connect us with one another and with God. We have read over and over again the Scriptures in (John 15): “Without me ye can do nothing.” “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth, as a branch, and is withered, and men gather them up and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” [Verses 5, 6.] We need to see that we must be practical Christians. The question to be answered is, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Who is co-operating with God in character building, in their own individual experience?”

13LtMs, Ms 160a, 1898, par. 29

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye ask anything in my name, I will do it. If ye love me, keep my commandments. ... He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father; and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.” [John 14:13-15, 21.] “The pure in heart shall see God.” [Matthew 5:8.] They shall endure the seeing of Him who is invisible. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might abide in you, and that your joy might be full.” [John 15:10, 11.]

13LtMs, Ms 160a, 1898, par. 30

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye love one another.” [John 15:12; 13:34.] If our hearts are not purified from our hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong, if they are not cleansed from inherent sin, Christ cannot enter. A work of grace cannot be carried on in the heart that is not rooted and grounded in the love of Christ Jesus. Paul writes, “That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.” [Ephesians 3:17-19.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 136, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 136, 1899, par. 2

Our heavenly Father has made every provision that this should be. Read the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John. There we are shown what God desires to do for the human race. If the Holy Spirit could come upon us as it came upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost, eyes now blinded would be opened, for the scales would fall from them.

14LtMs, Ms 136, 1899, par. 29

God’s people can expect nothing less than persecution, for their Master was persecuted, and He says to them, “The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.” “These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the synagogues; yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.” [John 15:20; 16:1-3.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Ms 192, 1899

14LtMs, Ms 192, 1899, par. 18

I spoke in the morning to a little company upon faith, from the 15th chapter of John. Meeting was at six o’clock. I see we all must have the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The heavy slumber is upon the church members. There needs to be an awakening. The Lord helped me to bear my testimony to encourage all our people to pray in faith. The promise of the Holy Spirit is not really sought after, and is deemed to be a matter to be neglected, for consideration at a more favorable opportunity. This impartation of the Holy Spirit is for the church who have had light, and if sought after—cutting away every other needless thing that hinders—it will flow in rich currents to the soul and will bring all other blessings in its train. Many good testimonies were borne. But, oh, how evident it is we are not receiving the falling of the Spirit of God it is our privilege to have! In the afternoon I had words to speak to the people.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 90, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 90, 1900, par. 2

I praise the Lord today that He is very merciful to me. I was enabled to speak to the people in the chapel with freedom from (John 14 and 15), upon obedience to all the commandments of God.

15LtMs, Ms 90, 1900, par. 11

There was a Sabbath school in the morning, followed by a testimony meeting. In the afternoon I spoke from (John 14, 15) upon the keeping of the commandments every Sabbath. This is God’s memorial of creation to be observed, and the test comes upon every professed Christian. If men will take the Word of God just as it reads, they will love God and keep His commandments. The observance of the Sabbath is the sign between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not—obedience in the face of all the world who worship a false sabbath. Those who will risk the consequences and transgress the Sabbath have not the sign to distinguish them from the world.

15LtMs, Ms 90, 1900, par. 44

I thank the Lord I was enabled to sleep until four o’clock a.m. My heart is drawn out after God. I realize our helplessness and the impossibility of bearing fruit abundantly unless I am abiding in the Vine, a living branch. I long after God. “Without me,” saith Christ, “ye can do nothing.” [John 15:5.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 20, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 20, 1900, par. 2

There are only two classes in our world. Christ declared, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” [John 15:10.] “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.” “If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” [John 14:21, 23.] Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will stand under the banner of Prince Emmanuel?

15LtMs, Lt 20, 1900, par. 9

On Sabbath morning we felt drawn out to pray most earnestly that the Lord would make this day, His memorial, very precious to those who should assemble to worship Him in Maitland, and give them encouragement. The Spirit of the Lord was in our morning service. I presented the words found in the fourteenth and fifteenth chapters of John regarding the obedience those must reveal who are sons and daughters of God. I looked earnestly for the faces of some who ought to have been present, for they are convicted of the truth. But to take their position on the side of truth seems to them a step of humiliation. Plain evidence has been set before them, but the cross looms up before them, and they dare not venture. If they had less anxiety and more faith, it would be for their present and eternal good.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 23, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 23, 1900, par. 2

Monday I returned home from a visit to Maitland. The work is going forward there. They have had one baptism, and will have another, we think, next Sunday. We left Cooranbong last Friday after dinner, and drove twenty-seven miles before sundown. On Sabbath afternoon I spoke in the tent to a good audience. My talk was mostly the Word of God as found in the fourteenth and fifteenth chapters of John, upon the love of Christ being evidenced by the keeping of His commandments. Obedience to the commandments, I presented, as the Bible test for all who have had the privilege of light. I had perfect freedom.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 53, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 53, 1900, par. 4

In our Bible, we might ask, Why need Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in the Gospels, why need the Acts of the Apostles, and the variety of writers in the Epistles, go over the same thing?

15LtMs, Lt 53, 1900, par. 6

We are not to feel that we must speak the very same things, giving the same representation in the same words, and yet there is to be unity in the diversity. All the different testimonies unite to form one whole, as the books of the Bible are brought together, and bound under one cover. But should Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John go off on some tangent, contradicting each other’s testimony, then there would be confusion. In the presentation of truth by different minds, there is to be unity in diversity.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 131, 1900

15LtMs, Lt 131, 1900, par. 3

The will of God in regard to His people is plainly expressed in the sixth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John. If this instruction cannot cure dissension, what can my words or my presence do? I tell you that souls are sick and in need of a physician, but they think themselves whole, and in place of humbling themselves before God as a little child, they are trying to humble someone else. If they would live the prayer of Christ, the sure result would be realized—unity with one another and with Christ.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 76, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 76, 1901, par. 8

We need to study carefully and prayerfully the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John. If we study these chapters with a heart softened and subdued, we shall receive ideas which will make us wise unto salvation.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 129, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 129, 1901, par. 5

I wish now to urge these important matters of truth upon you, that you may be impressed in a decided manner, for your eternal happiness depends upon your submission and obedience to the words of Jesus Christ, to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” Now the explanation: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” [John 6:57, 63.] Connect these words with (John 15), and we can better understand their meaning: “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” [Verse 3.] Will we understand?

16LtMs, Ms 129, 1901, par. 22

This is our work—constantly to cherish love and not hatred in our hearts. (John 15:17): “These things I command you, that ye love one another.” (Verse 14): “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” Who can look into the heart of this great mystery, and find it to be love, without catching the same spirit, and binding up his very life and soul with Christ in God, without feeling it thrill through every faculty of his soul? The voice that makes this last prayer for His disciples is the voice of Christ our Redeemer. Does not that voice thrill through every faculty of your soul? That love expressed throws open to us the gates of Paradise. Henceforth the surrendered soul lives in complete harmony with God. The Spirit has taken the things of Christ and shown them unto us with so transforming an effect that we become new creatures in Christ Jesus.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 125, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 125, 1901, par. 64

The disciples were filled with great joy. Over and over again they repeated the words Christ had spoken to them in His last lessons, as recorded in the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John; and every one had something to say about the instruction, especially with regard to the words of the fourteenth of John:

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 129b, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 129b, 1901, par. 8

Christ says, “As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” Then comes the explanation, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” [John 6:57, 63.] Connecting these words with those found in the fifteenth chapter of John, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” [Verse 3], we can better understand their meaning. Shall we understand?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 139, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 139, 1902, par. 1

I thank the Lord this morning for His keeping power. I awake very early, unable to sleep. During the past night, my mind has been greatly burdened. I am bidden to bear to those who minister in word and doctrine the message that they need to be converted; for they do not understand the philosophy of the genuine missionary work that should be done by those who are acquainted with present truth. In the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John, God’s will is plainly outlined before them. It is their privilege to believe that God means just what He says. God desires them to believe every verse in these chapters and to live them out before their brother ministers.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 71, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 71, 1902, par. 5

Knowing the trials that would come to His church through unconverted believers, Christ spoke the words of encouragement found in the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters of John. These chapters are full of encouragement and hope. To those who study them, they impart a courage that will enable them to stand fast in the most trying hour. As long as time shall last, these chapters will bring to the true believer strength and assurance.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 264, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 264, 1902, par. 11

I have been having a marked experience in light given that what our people need is the Holy Spirit of God to cleanse away the defilement of unkind rubbish of talk and passing judgment. Until this is done, all the counsels that we may have will prove a detriment. Unless they are a savor of life unto life, they will be a savor of death unto death. The lips need to have the living coal placed upon them to cleanse away the self-assured conversation which hurts souls and is spoiling the work of God. It is the strange fire that many are handling, and Christ’s words to them in the 13th chapter of John, and in the 14th and 15th and 17th chapters, are not heeded.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 169, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 169, 1902, par. 45

God cannot work through us miraculously while we are unconverted. It would spoil us; for we would take it as an evidence that we were perfect before Him. Our first work is to become perfect in His sight, by living faith claiming His promise of forgiveness. “Ask what ye will,” Christ declared to His disciples, “and it shall be done unto you.” Let us remember that He also said, “He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me. And he that seeth Me seeth Him that sent Me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.” “Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me not; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also.” “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” [John 15:7; 12:44-46; 14:19; 15:4.] Those who see Christ by living faith, those who abide in Him, will have power to work miracles for His glory.

17LtMs, Ms 169, 1902, par. 50

When we are willing to have our own minds unsoldered, and resoldered by the melting influences of the Spirit of God, we shall understand with new enlightenment Christ’s instruction to us as recorded in the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John. O how great are the possibilities that He has placed within our reach! He says, “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.” [John 16:23.] He promises to come to us as a Comforter to bless us. Why do we not believe these promises? That which we lack in faith we make up by the use of drugs. Let us give up the drugs, believing that Jesus does not desire us to be sick, and that if we live according to the principles of health reform, He will keep us well.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Ms 59, 1902

17LtMs, Ms 59, 1902, par. 1

“I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” [John 15:1, 2.] Those who claim to believe on Jesus Christ should gain an understanding of the fifteenth chapter of John and reveal its teachings in the daily life.

17LtMs, Ms 59, 1902, par. 2

“Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” [Verse 3.] It is through obedience to the Word that Christ’s disciples are made clean. Those who reject the Word, which is represented in the sixth chapter as the bread of life, remain unclean.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 217, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 217, 1903, par. 22

Before Christ left His disciples, He gave them plain, distinct lessons in regard to the future. He urged them to remember that He would not leave them in blindness and ignorance. He would make them acquainted with His purposes and plans. He gave them evidence, in a special manner, of His love for them; for He desired that in all their work and their councils, they should bring this love to mind. He knew the trials and temptations that they were to meet, and in the fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John, He gives them instruction that would strengthen them for the difficulties before them. Brother Tenney, study these chapters. They will help you in your work.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 188, 1903

Thoughts on John 14-16

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 91, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 91, 1903, par. 15

Why do we need a Matthew, a Mark, a Luke, a John, a Paul, and all these other writers who have borne their testimony in regard to the life of the Saviour during His earthly ministry? Why could not one of the disciples have written a complete record, and thus have given us a connected account of Christ’s life and work? The Gospels differ. One writer brings in points that another does not bring in. If these points are essential, why did not all these writers mention them? It is because the minds of men differ and do not comprehend all things in exactly the same way. Some Scripture truths appeal much more strongly to the minds of certain persons than to others; some points appear to be much more important to some than to others. The same principle applies to speakers. Some speakers dwell at considerable length on points that others would pass by quickly or not mention at all. Thus the whole truth is presented more clearly by several than by one. In the Gospels the records blend in one harmonious whole.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Lt 232, 1903

18LtMs, Lt 232, 1903, par. 48

My brethren and sisters, study the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth chapters of John. The words of these chapters explain themselves. “This is life eternal,” Christ declared, “that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] In these words the personality of God and of His Son is clearly spoken of. The personality of the one does not do away with the necessity for the personality of the other.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 18 (1903)

Ms 146, 1903

18LtMs, Ms 146, 1903, par. 1

We need to understand the words of Christ found in the fifteenth chapter of John. “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered, and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” [Verses 1-6.]

18LtMs, Ms 146, 1903, par. 3

“If ye abide in Me,” Christ continues, “and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” [Verses 7-10.]

18LtMs, Ms 146, 1903, par. 5

“These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” [John 15:11.] The Lord is not pleased to see any of His blood-bought heritage sad, and hopeless, and discouraged. Let us appropriate these words to ourselves and take fresh courage. To cherish and to obey the words of Christ brings joy, and peace, and all the other blessings of heaven.

18LtMs, Ms 146, 1903, par. 10

“They said therefore unto Him, What sign showest Thou, then, that we may see, and believe Thee? What dost Thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, that ye also have seen Me, and believe not.” [Verses 30-36.] “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.” [Verses 53-56.] Compare this statement with the words, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” [John 15:4.]

18LtMs, Ms 146, 1903, par. 13

Obedience to the words of Christ brings spiritual life. To continue in obedience brings eternal life. By receiving Christ’s words we receive Him. “If ye keep My commandments,” He says, “ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” [John 15:10.]

18LtMs, Ms 146, 1903, par. 26

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you: if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for My name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent Me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth Me hateth My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both Me and My Father also. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated Me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me. And ye shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.” [John 15:12-27.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 62, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 62, 1904, par. 16

God calls upon His people in Battle Creek to put away their enmity and criticism and evil speaking. He calls upon them to cease to bear false witness, which neither gives nor brings relief. They need the living connection with the true wine that is spoken of in the fifteenth chapter of John. Let them dismiss the suggestions of the enemy and keep close to the great Teacher.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 38, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 38, 1904, par. 59

Last Sabbath I spoke in the Takoma Hall, which was well filled. I spoke from the fifteenth chapter of John, and my own soul was refreshed as I dwelt upon this important subject. A number of the citizens were present, and the owner of the hall was there also.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 144a, 1904

19LtMs, Ms 144a, 1904, par. 2

Last Sabbath I spoke in the Takoma Hall, which was well filled. I spoke from the fifteenth chapter of John, and my own soul was refreshed as I dwelt upon this important subject. A number of the citizens were present, and the owner of the hall was there also.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 19 (1904)

Ms 166, 1904

Nashville, Tennessee

June 25, 1904

Notes only; filed in DF 151.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 145, 1906

“Laguna Street Church,” San Francisco, California

November 3, 1906

Previously unpublished. +NoteOne or more typed copies of this document contain additional Ellen White handwritten interlineations which may be viewed at the main office of the Ellen G. White Estate.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 1

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.” [John 15:1-4.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 2

Let us bear these words in mind and carry them out in all our works. Let us remember that if we claim to be believers in Christ, and yet do not the works of Christ; if we are studying all the time how we shall gain temporal advantages for ourselves, we shall miss the mark. By working selfishly, we reveal that we have concluded to take ourselves in our own hands, to make our own mark, and to follow our own inclinations, and yet we continue to make a profession of godliness. In doing this, we wonderfully deceive ourselves. Not one of us can afford to do it. It is too expensive a matter for us to claim to be children of God, and yet work away from the life of Christ. We should, every one of us, be in a position where we glorify God day by day.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 3

“Now ye are clean through the Word.” [Verse 3.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 4

“Through the Word.” [Verse 3.] We must know what the “Word” is. We must understand what it means, what it says. We are not in safety at all, unless we search the Scriptures; for in them we think we have eternal life—and we do, if we obey.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 5

“Abide in Me, and I in you.” [Verse 4.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 6

Wonderful privilege! Is this possible? Can we abide in Christ, and Christ abide in us? This is possible. We can, and our life will be filled with happiness. We might expend all our strength and capabilities on ourselves, in advantaging ourselves, in trying to please ourselves, and in conforming with the spirit and temper of the world; but what then? We would lose eternal life that would otherwise be ours. Yes; we cannot afford to live a divided life. We must live a life of consecration to God. When we shall consecrate our lives to God, the grace of Jesus Christ will come upon us. It is the simplicity of godliness that enables us to honor and glorify God, and that gives us a clear understanding of what the will of God is.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 7

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.” [Verses 4, 5.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 8

The bearing of much fruit is evidence that we abide in Christ. Then how careful we should be to carry out every word of instruction, every requirement, found in the Word; for God’s will concerning man is given to us line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. It is given that we may be placed in a position where we can honor God upon the earth by living in accordance with His character. We are then representing to the world what it means to abide in Christ. God will help us with all the heavenly powers, the heavenly angels, to do His will, to communicate to us the strength, the power, the facility, that will enable us to come right to the people where they are, and by living faith awaken an interest in the truth in the minds of those who know not the truth.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 9

There is a world to save; and if you and I have a living connection with God, if Christ is abiding in our hearts by a living, active faith, we shall manifest that faith in our works, and thus bear testimony to the whole world. Our lives are to be so fully assimilated in the life of Christ that wherever we come into contact with humanity, we shall testify by our words and actions that we are abiding in the True Vine.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 10

Christ is not here in person to speak for Himself; but He has given us His Word. He tells us to eat it; He tells us to live it. We are to bring our life into right relation to Him, that He may speak to the world through us. Will we do it? Will we ever put on Christ? Will we ever abide in Christ? Will we have life to the glory of God? My dear brethren and sisters, examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith. Except Christ be in you, you are reprobates.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 11

I hope that not a soul of us who is here today will attain to a cheapness of experience. In our association with one another, we should try to be a help and a blessing. In all that we say and do, we are to keep Christ in view, that we may not dishonor Him in any way. If you think that some one is wrong, and speak to him in a discourteous manner, you are liable to arouse in his mind a spirit similar to that which you have manifested. This you cannot afford to do. This is working in harmony with Satan’s purpose. Not one of us can afford to lend his influence on the side of the enemy. We need to lay hold on Christ Jesus and to exemplify His character in the life practice. Then those with whom we associate will see that we are not shaping our characters after the worldly similitude. They will see that we are living in accordance with the divine pattern, which we behold.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 12

When you went down into the water and were baptized in the name of the three great Worthies in heaven, you professed to be dead unto the world. As a solemn token of your profession of faith, you were laid under the water, in the sight of the heavenly universe, and were baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. At that time, the apostle declares, “Ye are dead, and your life is hid”—where?—“with Christ in God.” [Colossians 3:3.] He who chooses to have a living connection with our Saviour will have a living connection with our God; and he will exemplify the spirit of Christ in life and character.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 13

This is what you have pledged yourself, in the presence of the whole heavenly universe, to do. And if, in association with the world, you reveal an ambition to act and look and dress and talk like worldlings; if you reveal worldliness of mind and character, you dishonor God greatly. Christ left the royal courts that He might redeem mankind. He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown and came to this earth to stand at the head of humanity. At the same time, He retained His divine nature while living in the guise of humanity. Why? In order that divinity and humanity, combined in our Lord, might make such an impression upon the human family that they would, by a living connection with Him, escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 14

The enemy of our souls is no ordinary foe. He was once one of the highest intelligences in the heavenly universe. And since his fall from heaven, he has had long experience in dealing with human minds, and in manipulating them in accordance with his will. We can be saved from his snares only by beholding and imitating the life of Christ. This is our only hope. We must die to the world and to sin and be baptized. Then we shall have the privilege of walking in newness of life.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 15

Christ has trodden the path before us. He has borne every test that could be brought to bear upon Him by Satan. He has made it possible, by a life of obedience, for us to become partakers of the divine nature, and to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. Thus we shall reveal to the world that we are His children, His chosen people.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 16

The Jews failed of fulfilling God’s purpose, and hence they were cut off. They can be grafted into the parent stock again and bear fruit to the glory of God, if they, in humility, stand on the right platform. Notwithstanding Christ’s miracles, the Jews—His own chosen people—refused to receive Him. They ascribed His power to cast out devils to the chief of devils. They were not able to discern the divinity of His mission. They disconnected from the True Vine and were cut off altogether.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 17

These words regarding fruit bearing were spoken by Christ to His disciples in the presence of the Jewish people who flocked around Him on every side. The disciples were able to understand Him, because of the simplicity of His words. And every soul of us who chooses to believe in Christ can understand His words.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 18

Who is this Jesus? Ask Isaiah who He is, and he will declare: “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” [Isaiah 9:6.] In Him all the attributes of God are combined. And those who claim to be His followers, and to reveal in their lives similar attributes, are to stand on vantage ground. They are not to be easily offended. Under provocation, they are to remain patient and kind. Thus they will properly represent Christ. As Christians imitate His meek and lowly disposition their consciences will be void of offense toward God or man. They will know that they are not hurting the feelings of others by speaking harsh words or words of criticism.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 19

Christ is our living, working Master. We little appreciate the advantage we enjoy of standing on the platform of eternal truth, and of carrying out this truth in our missionary work. We have opportunities everywhere, in every place. And right where we are living, we are to represent Christ in our life practice.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 20

I receive many, many letters—some of them sent from places thousands of miles away—asking me to pray for certain individuals, that they may have this or that blessing. Often, when reading such letters, I feel a sadness come over my spirit. Why? Because those who have written do not seem to recognize Christ, who has said, “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” [Matthew 7:7.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 21

We have a Friend who knows every heartbeat, who knows every circumstance; and yet we are prone to look to someone else, perhaps thousands of miles away, to pray for us. Why can we not pray for ourselves? We mistake our Lord. We do not fully understand Him. He is just as willing to hear any other poor, trembling soul as He is to hear me. He calls upon all to study His life. This is what He means by the eating of His flesh and the drinking of His blood. He declares, “The flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” [John 6:63.] We are to stand where we shall manifest this life—where the truth can sanctify soul, body, and spirit.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 22

Every one who recognizes the value of a human soul will work to bring forth fruit to the glory of God by working for souls. He will be a co-worker with Christ Jesus. “Ye are laborers together”—together, together—“with God.” [1 Corinthians 3:9.] As you place yourself in right relation with those who are out of Christ, and labor lovingly for them, you will not have so much delicacy that you fear to speak to them. There are souls who are starving for a word of comfort and encouragement—a word that you can give. We must all strive to help one another and to climb the hills of difficulty.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 23

Many times I receive a letter saying that the writer had sent to me for advice regarding a certain thing, but had not received any reply. There is a reason for this. I have much to do. Often messages are given me that I must write out as fast as my pen can go. Frequently, I am up at one o’clock in the morning, tracing these messages. And God helps me. I know He does. Words come to my mind to trace on paper; and before my breakfast is ready, at half-past seven o’clock, it is no unusual thing for me to have finished writing out ten or fifteen pages of letter paper, or even more, to be sent to places where help is needed in order to surmount difficulties.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 24

Let no one hesitate to come freely to Jesus, for He has said, “Ask, and ye shall receive.” [John 16:24.] Do not pass Him by. Depend not on what some human being may tell you. Go to Jesus. He died a most cruel, humiliating death in order that He might bring you into right relation with Himself as your Saviour, as your Redeemer, as your Helper, as One who can give life. His Word is life, eternal life.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 25

And this is what we want—life eternal. We must not fail of making sure of this. If you are a child of God, and feel in need of more power and grace, just go to the Saviour, and say, “I am needy, Lord. I desire Thy help. May my heart be so sanctified to Thee that I may reveal Thee to those who are around me.” He will hear and answer such a prayer. But there is a part for you to act. You are to be a co-laborer with God. He will work, and you are to work. Through self-denial and self-sacrifice, you are to place yourself in a position where you shall be a partaker with Christ of His sufferings. It is important that we understand this fully. We are not “dummies” merely, but have a part to act in the divine plan of salvation.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 26

We need to have a greater burden for souls than we reveal. We need to manifest love for perishing souls, and to be so fully conversant with the Word that we can teach man and women regarding the life to come.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 27

Here, sitting before me, is a mother with several children. A solemn responsibility rests upon this mother, with reference to these children. Every mother is to mold and fashion the minds of her children after the divine similitude. It is of no use to think that it is unnecessary to do more than a haphazard work for them. Mothers are to watch, lest the enemy shall take possession of the children’s minds. Parents, give your children to Christ, and work with Him in the formation of character. Watch the unfolding of the mind. Lead your children into the fold of Christ. As you do this, you will be instructed by Him, and your reward will be great. You will not have to write thousands of miles off to receive instruction regarding what you ought to do. Christ is near. Seek Him right where you are. He is your help, your strength, your frontguard and your rearward, the Mighty Counselor. He will place us on an exalted platform before the world.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 28

We see what difficulties you are in here at San Francisco. What is the use to put your mind and soul and body to tax to please the world? What is the use of it? We see the highest authorities that have been ruling in San Francisco in contention. They are acting like a family of unruly little children, contending for place and position. What confidence can we have that such men are suitable to carry the responsibilities connected with the governing of this city? I ask you, What confidence can we have in them? We need to learn who is the Mighty Counselor. We need to depend on the One who came into this world and from childhood lived under the supervision of God and of a pious mother who brought Him up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 29

What a lesson of obedience there is in the readiness of Jesus to return to His home at Nazareth after His parents found Him sitting at the feet of the doctors in the temple! Supposing He was in the company that was returning, His parents journeyed from Jerusalem and left Him behind. It took only one day for them to lose Him, and it was three days before they found Him. During this time, the mother was in great agony of mind. Finally the parents recognized His voice in the temple, and there they found Him among the doctors, listening to them and asking questions.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 30

The doctors were astonished at His learning, as He had never been in one of their schools. And yet when the mother said unto Him, “Son, why hast Thou thus dealt with us? behold, Thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing,” Jesus, who had been talking upon the realities that were to come to the world, in the revelation of Jesus Christ, said unto them, “How is it that ye sought Me? wist ye not that I must be about My Father’s business?” “They understood not the saying which He spake unto them.” But the mother understood much of what this meant. She knew that Jesus was beginning to realize His relation to His heavenly Father. And what did the Saviour do? “He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but His mother kept all these sayings in her heart.” [Luke 2:48-51.] There in His humble home He worked at the carpenter’s trade. In every experience in life He revealed the character of His heavenly Father and was an exemplar of filial obedience.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 31

This record is given for the instruction of mothers and fathers. We need to be truly converted to God. Our faculties are to be made keen, our intellects to be increased in strength by a cultivation of the principles of self-denial and self-sacrifice that actuated the life of Christ.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 32

When I think of these things in the night season, my prayer is, “O God, help me to present to the people the simplicity of true godliness.” This is what I greatly desire to do. We are liable to try to get up above the work of God. We should try to come down to the level of true Christianity. Let us not disappoint our Lord by uttering trifling, fretful, impatient words. Let us never scold. Why, such words are not Christlike. The enemy of our souls prompts such words. Often, under provocation, silence is eloquence. When words are spoken that irritate, remain silent. Nothing equals this form of reproof to the one who would hurt your feelings. Let us learn of Christ Jesus and be crucified with Him. Crucifixion of self—this is often lost sight of. Let us not shrink from following the pathway that Christ has trod.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 33

Let us read on: “He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. ... If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [John 15:5, 7.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 34

Do we realize this? “Ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [Verse 7.] How wonderful this promise! Who made it?—the One who gave His life for the world. Cannot you take Him at His word? Cannot you plead with Him, repeating this promise, and then saying, “You said it, Lord, You said it; and now I come to Thee; I am tempted, I am tried; and now, I beseech Thee, grant me help!” Let your heart break before Him. It would not hurt you at all, were you to shed some tears. Remember how Christ used to go with His disciples into some solitary place, and then He would leave them, and they would soon hear Him at a little distance from them, praying for hours at a time, with strong supplication and tears. “Why should He do this?” you inquire. Oh, He was tempted in all points like as we are, and He felt the need of drawing strength from the great Source of all strength, to bear the trials that came upon Him.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 35

And thus it is with us. When we are sorely tempted, we have a sure Refuge. The Saviour understands all about our great need, and He will never disappoint us when we come to Him with sincerity of purpose and make our requirements known. Pray, O pray, brethren and sisters! This is the way we must obtain the victory. You cannot gain victories by resting satisfied with a half-hearted experience. We must by agonizing pleadings obtain an experience in wrestling with God that will strengthen us for every unforeseen trial. The Holy Spirit is granted to every one who is in need of divine power and who places himself in connection with heavenly agencies.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 36

“If a man abide not in Me,” Christ declares, “he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered.” How many of us are withered? In a withered branch there is no vitality, and from it there is produced no fruit unto life eternal. Of withered branches it is said, “Men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” [Verse 6.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 37

“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” [Verse 7.] “And My words abide in you.” This implies a careful study of the Word. Brethren and sisters, study the Bible. Put your novels into the fire. Make a great bonfire of all the novels you have. Let them not come into the hands of your children. Let every novel be consumed. You have no time to read them, nor have your children.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 38

The promise, “Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you,” is conditional; it is dependent on whether we abide in Christ, and His words abide in us.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 39

“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” [Verse 8.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 40

There is much missionary work to be done in this city and in Oakland. If you approach the people in the simplicity of Christ, and in a kind way help them and speak with them, you will see of the salvation of God. In Cooranbong, when our work was starting there, we had meager facilities for holding meetings; and often we would appoint an outdoor meeting in a country district. I would stand in the bed of our phaeton and speak to the men and women who gathered there; and then we would try to get acquainted with them. Mothers were there, with their babies in their arms; and the tears would roll down their faces as they listened to the words spoken. Thus we labored in many places around Cooranbong. Now, that is an important center for our work in Australasia and the islands of the sea. We have a good foothold in Australia; the publishing work, the educational work, and the sanitarium work are all established on a firm basis. The blessing of the Lord rested upon the early efforts put forth there and is resting upon the work there still.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 41

We cannot expect to see souls brought to a knowledge of the truth, while we sit still and do nothing. And if we leave all the work to the ministry, we make a sad mistake. The minister has his work of ministering in the desk; and there remains a most solemn, important work to be done by the church members;—house-to-house work. There are papers that can be carried to the homes of the people. There are opportunities of reading to the people and telling them of the importance and the simplicity of the truth contained in these publications. There are many opportunities for doing a work similar to that which Elder Haskell and his wife have been teaching many to do. We thank God that they have been meeting with success in doing this line of work; but we desire to see a larger number who understand that they must give their lives to Jesus Christ and His service.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 42

We are to be laborers together—remember the “together”—with God. [1 Corinthians 3:9.] Christ works, and we must co-operate with Him in order to draw the attention of the people to Him. You must work to awaken an interest in souls. You must be converted men and women, daily converted. It is not safe for you to be unconverted and to remain under your own control—no, not for a single hour; because Satan will watch his opportunity and may bring some misfortune upon you when you are not upheld by the power of God.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 43

“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love.” [John 15:8, 9.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 44

This means a great deal. Christ revealed His love for us by coming to this world to seek and to save the lost. Let us remember the injunction, “Continue ye in My love.” [Verse 9.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 45

“If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” [Verse 10.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 46

Let us abide in His love. To the parents who are here, I would say: For Christ’s sake manifest the patience and meekness and love of the Saviour toward your little children.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 47

“These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” [Verse 11.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 48

He does not speak these things unto you to make you cross, but “that your joy might be full.” [Verse 11.] He speaks to you in order that you may look to Him and draw from Him strength and light and power.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 49

“This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.” [Verses 12-15.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 50

“Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you”—just think of that—“and ordained you”—will you remember that?—“that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” [Verse 16.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 51

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for My name’s sake, because they know not Him that sent Me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had had no sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.” [Verses 18-22.]

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 52

If we will to do the will of God, we shall know His doctrine. We shall not be in perplexity. When I consider in the night season what a happy privilege is set before those who believe in Christ Jesus; when I consider how they can present to Him the promise, “Ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you” [Verse 7]; when I realize that if we abide in Him, we shall ask the proper thing, I am overwhelmed with the thought of the love of God. Abiding in Him, we shall not ask for riches or for the pleasures of this world, but we shall ask to be Christlike, and our Redeemer will make us Christlike.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 53

Jesus loves us with a love that is infinite. He desires that we shall all be happy in this life, and that we shall receive, finally, the life that measures with the life of God, eternal life in the kingdom of glory. This is what our Saviour desires us to have. Let us all stand on the side of the One who enables us to overcome. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” [Revelation 3:21.] Will we do this? The battle, the striving, is left with us. It is not necessary for you to try to do something wonderful of yourself. You need only to believe in Christ. Believe that He will take you just as you are. Believe that His power will rest upon you. Believe that He gives you just what you ask for. In believing thus, you will find that the grace of Jesus Christ will be upon you, and you will praise Him because of your infinite privileges.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 54

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” [Colossians 3:1.] Enter not into the frivolities of the world. Enter rather upon the suffering part of religion, if need be. You need not make yourselves sufferers unnecessarily. You need not place yourselves where you are not called upon to stand; for then you are not in reality partaking of Christ’s sufferings. But wherever you are, be prepared to look unto Jesus, who is the Author and the Finisher of your faith. Realize that there is a mighty working agency in the heavenly courts, and that Christ is presenting your cases before the Father.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 55

No matter how great a sinner you have been, if you truly repent of your sins, you will be forgiven, and He will allow you to stand before Him. He presents His wounded hands to the Father, and declares: “I have graven them upon the palms of My hands.” [Isaiah 49:16.] His pierced hands He presents before His Father as an evidence of His right to ask that men and women shall be overcomers, if they repent. And every one that sincerely repents of his sins will be enabled to overcome.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 56

Let us seek to get away from our sins. Let us put away sin from us. Let us come right to Christ, and say, Here I am, all sinful and polluted. I cast my helpless soul upon Thee. I believe in Thee. I will honor Thee upon the earth. I will be a partaker of Christ’s sufferings on this earth, for He was a partaker of suffering on my behalf when He was on earth. I will, I will yield my whole heart and affection to Christ.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 57

And when you have made this surrender, do not afterward give way to a spirit of scolding and fretting. A manifestation of such a spirit will give no relief at all. Use your power of speech to the glory of God. Let you lips utter only those words that will honor God’s name. Go right to unbelievers and ask them if they have a few moments to listen to something you desire to read from one of our publications. And then take the Scriptures, and show the people what these things mean. In this way you can be laborers together with God. This is what is wanted. Will you do it? Every soul that will repent before God will be forgiven. The converting power of God will be revealed through those who become united with the True Vine. Under temptation, they will bear the right kind of fruit to the glory of God.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 58

I have presented these few words before you, and I now beg of you, for Christ’s sake, to humble yourselves before God. Do not try to humble someone else. Let us humble ourselves before God. Every one is to deal with his individual self. When we are converted, we shall be able to strengthen our brethren. We are not to find fault and complain, but we are to come to Jesus Christ and let Him convert the soul. This prepares us to co-operate with God in the conversion of other souls.

21LtMs, Ms 145, 1906, par. 59

Missionary work is to be done all through these cities. Lay right hold of this missionary work. Yield not to discouragement. The power of God will attend you because you have been baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and the names of these three Worthies of heaven you can present as your power and efficiency. You are to remain dead unto the world and alive unto God. May the Lord’s blessing rest upon you, and may you have the comfort of His grace day by day and finally shout the triumphs of victory in the kingdom of glory. We can meet there. Oh, may God help us. I believe He will.

Manuscript Release No 1033

Washington, D. C., Wednesday, November 12, 1890

MR1033 25.3

We rode in the streetcar about three quarters of an hour to the hall, the place of meeting. This was a commodious place. The hall was full and I spoke with freedom upon the lesson of Christ to His disciples—the vine and the branches. John 15. The Lord gave me much freedom and the trembling of nerves left me after I had spoken about five minutes. His grace strengthened me.—Manuscript 46, 1890, 1-2 (Diary 16, p. 310).

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 228, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 228, 1906, par. 4

I am recovering from an attack of influenza. Yesterday I spoke at the sanitarium from the fifteenth chapter of John: “I am the vine; ye are the branches.” [Verse 5.] I was strengthened to speak for an hour. The chapel was well filled. This is the first time I have spoken at the sanitarium since I came home from Southern California. The influenza has dealt quite severely with me, but I am now very much better. The heat is a great hardship, but I am able to do a fair amount of work every day. The early morning hours are the most favorable for me. This morning I arose at two o’clock.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 350, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 350, 1906, par. 2

I feel deeply grateful for the blessings I daily enjoy. I am still able to speak in public. Last Sabbath I spoke in the church in San Francisco. I feel so thankful that this building was spared through the earthquake and the fire. There was a fair-sized audience, but more might have been accommodated in the church. I spoke from the fifteenth of John: “I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman.” [Verse 1.] I felt refreshed and strengthened to speak words in season. The Lord gave me a distinct message to bear, and I know that the influence of the Holy Spirit attended the words spoken. All seemed to listen attentively and to receive the word.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 290, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 290, 1906, par. 5

Brother and Sister Kress, I hope we will, through the evidence that Christ has given us, revive our faith daily, through the Word. Be of good courage. I am only troubled as I see men who ought to know the Way, the Truth, and the Life, stumbling in uncertain paths and losing their faith in the works and ways of God. O what a treasure is the fifteenth chapter of John! It is full of encouragement and assurance and hope. I would advise you to talk faith and to lift others up on the platform of faith.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Lt 336, 1906

21LtMs, Lt 336, 1906, par. 5

What a wonderful mission was given to the disciples. It was their last week together, and Christ desired to prepare their minds for the coming trial, for the separation that was shortly to take place, for the wicked things they would see Him suffer at the hands of men. This was to be their trial—to see the sufferings of their Lord. He, their Saviour, was to be betrayed by Judas into the hands of wicked men. He was to suffer rejection. But He comforted His disciples with the words of encouragement found in the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters of John.