Those who belong to Christ's army must work with concerted action.

They cannot be faithful

soldiers unless they obey orders. United action is essential. An army in which every part acts without
reference to the other parts has no real strength. In order to add new territory to Christ's kingdom His
soldiers must act in concert. God's plans and purposes must be carried out in solid, straightforward lines.
He calls for a united army which moves steadily forward, not for a company composed of
independent atoms. The strength of His army is to be used for one great purpose. Its efforts are to be
concentrated upon one great point--the magnifying of the laws of His kingdom before the world,
before angels, and before men. {20MR 28.2}
Desultory efforts and meaningless actions will produce little good results. Satan seeks in every possible
way to bring disorder among God's soldiers, so that he may point to their ranks as broken and disorganized.
Unless the will of every soldier is wholly submitted to God, the work will not see what God desires it to
see. {20MR 28.3}

My Thoughts: Satan is the one working to break and disorganize the work and to bring it to the place
where many independent ministries are acting without reference to orders and organization. Such work is
not what God desires. Does this condemn self-supporting work? No, but it places a burden on all SDA’s to
work with each other ‘in concert.’

The notice of the higher prices placed on the book should never have been published. No explanation of
this was made at the time. If nothing in explanation could have been written, the notice would better have
remained unpublished. {20MR 50.2}
I will make no rash moves, but I cannot submit to the arrangements made. They are unjust. The money
used in paying canvassers for selling the first edition was misspent, for I should have received the profits on
that edition. I know where to use this means to the very best advantage, and yet I have nothing to use in any
way. I economize in every way possible, and still do not have sufficient to meet running expenses. {20MR
50.3}
I am sick at heart and discouraged over the present state of affairs. If the notice of the advance in price
had been published before the first ten thousand books were sold, it would have been far better. I have
trusted too much in my brethren. I regret making this mistake. In the future I must look after my own
interests more closely.--Letter 15, 1885.

My note: Though the previous paragraphs indicate the importance working ‘in concert” Ellen White
herself did not take this to extremes. When money was involved and responsible men were taking advantage
of her and mismanaging, she regretted giving them as much leeway as she had and determined not to hand
over her personal affairs again. It is also interesting that Ellen White economized ‘in every way possible.’
She had a right to profits from her work. The fact that those profits were going to support other ministries o
the SDA church (i.e. the publishing house and canvassers) was not sufficient to rob her of her right to
chose which ministries to support with what should have been hers.
[Isa. 28:9, 10]. {20MR 110.4}
Thus the word of the Lord is patiently to be brought before the children, and kept before them by
parents who believe the word of God. "For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this
people. To whom He said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the
refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the Lord was unto them precept upon precept,
precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and
fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken" [verses 11-13]. Why? Because they did not heed
the word of the Lord that came unto them. {20MR 110.5}
This means those who have not received instruction, but have cherished their own wisdom, and have
chosen to work themselves according to their own ideas. The Lord gives these the test, that they shall
either take their position to follow His counsel, or refuse and do according to their own ideas, and
then the Lord will leave them to the sure result. In all our ways, in all our service to God, He speaks
to us, "Give Me thine heart." It is the submissive, teachable spirit that God wants. That which gives
to prayer its excellence is the fact that it is breathed from a loving, obedient heart. God requires
certain things of His people. If they say, I will not give up my heart to do this thing, the Lord lets
them go on in their supposed wise judgment without heavenly wisdom until this Scripture is fulfilled.
{20MR 111.1}
You are not to say, "I will follow the Lord's guidance up to a certain point that is in harmony with
my own judgment," and then hold fast to your ideas, refusing to be molded after the Lord's
similitude. {20MR 111.2}

My Note: The idea that many of God’s counsels are optional is not well supported. We are tested over our
willingness to be submissive, our willingness to give up all things and everything that God requires,
nothing excepted. Our children should hear the counsels repeatedly while growing that they might yield to
them the easier when grown.

I do not think it is best to urge you to take hold at the Health Retreat, for you feel no burden. Therefore I
think you would do positive harm, and then this would confirm your faithless utterances. If you have no
burden of the matter, then we do not want you. The Lord has shown me in a distinct manner that you
were not influenced by the right spirit in leaving the institution when you did. Thus it stands registered in
the books of heaven, and I was shown that you were not of the right mind and judgment. You are inclined
to fanatical sentiments on some things, and you regard your strong feelings as presentiments from the
Lord, when He has nothing to do with it. Now, please stop walking in this unsanctified independence
and self-confidence, for it will prove your ruin unless you see the evil and repent of it and submit to
follow the way of the Lord. {20MR 119.4}

My note: We want only men that have a burden for the work to work with us. Those needing a job or a
place or seeking pleasant company are not the ones that will add strength. If they do not have a burden for
the work, they will have other burdens of their own making. In this case the man had a tendency to extreme
ideas and thought that his strong feelings were indications of God’s will. What a warning to those that have
chosen courses of action because they felt ‘impressed’ by their ‘strong feelings.’

Do you think there could be the approval of God upon such a movement [to unite with certain men in a
certain ministry]? We have seen it tried many, many times, but by and by there has always been a
working out of rebellion and disorderly elements, which have been unable to harmonize, and the result
eventually has been departing from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and the loss of the soul.
{20MR 365.1}
Now, my brother, I have a request to make of you, which is to make haste slowly. I do not want you to
connect with these elements. You are a man of very set, determined traits of character, and when things go
contrary to your ideas you are greatly disturbed. Your life course has been opened before me. You have
had a wrestling life, and when your course has been questioned or opposed, you have been trained by
course of circumstances to push just as hard to make your plans a success as that you were opposed.
This element of character still exists with you, and it is a dangerous element to you and others to be brought
into your religious life, because you may in some things be inclined to push when you may not have the
Lord back of you to push with you. I know that the Lord can use you as His instrument, if you will be
passive in His hands. He can make you a conqueror, if you are willing to submit to the light. {20MR
365.2} . . . .
I call upon you, my brother, in the name of the Lord to unite with us, to close every door through which
Satan would enter to cause strife and alienation among brethren. Let us counsel together. There has been
altogether too much moving in one's own independent judgment. Self-sufficiency and self-esteem lay
at the foundation of the greatest trials and discords that have ever existed among the people of God.
The angel of God has repeated again and again, Press together! Press together! Be of one mind, of one
judgment! Let God be your leader! Follow His footsteps! {20MR 369.2}
My brother, God's people are one body. God has a people whom He is leading, teaching, and
guiding, that they may teach and lead and guide others. There will be among the remnant of these
last days, as there was with ancient Israel, those who wish to move independently of the body, who
are not willing to be subject to the body of the church, who are not willing to submit to advice or
counsel, but ever bear in mind that God has a church upon the earth, and to that church God has
delegated power. {20MR 369.3}
He expects them to grow up as a holy temple unto the Lord. Men will rise up against reproof; men
will despise counsel; men will depart from the faith; men will apostatize; they will want to follow
independent judgment. Just as surely as they do this, disaster and ruin of souls will be the result. In short,
Satan will become their leader, and will work constantly to tear down the things which God is building up,
and follow their own finite judgments and plans. {20MR 369.4}

My note: What interesting counsels! A warning to me: While I have had to push against obsticals in my
‘wrestling life,’ I should be careful about doing this in religious matters. I do not want to push where my
God is not pushing ‘with me.’ It is interesting to me also that when Ellen warned this man not to unite with
certain men, she quickly invited him to join with her, his defects notwithstanding. This is a bold approach.
Which men was he not to unite with? Those who in the past had shown a pattern of being at the center of
independent movements and rebellions. God has given ‘authority’ to his church, and is raising up men to
be teachers and guides. Am I one of these. I fear the answer is yes. The angel spoke to Ellen White here
with the same words he had used decades earlier…the church was to ‘press together, press together.’ How
can I do that today?

The Christian physician cannot maintain a supreme regard for his own individuality, acting in his
profession without reference to his accountability to God or the relation he sustains to the cause of God at
large. He should not enter upon important enterprises, such as the establishment of a sanitarium, upon his
own independent judgment. The physicians employed in our institutions should have a sacred regard for
honor and loyalty. If they fail to walk uprightly, if they do not honor the principles that should control the
followers of Christ, then let the church take action in their case. Let the Bible rule be followed just as the
Master, Christ Jesus, has taught. {20MR 383.3}
Be the physicians great or small, if they refuse to submit to church discipline, after suitable time has
been given for patient labor as Christ has directed, they should be separated from the church as unworthy of
its fellowship. Grave sins are registered in the books of heaven, [but] have been concealed or passed over
without action by the church as though wrong- doing in a physician must not be noticed. This is all wrong,
and will bring reproach upon the cause of God. The fact that the physician occupies a position of influence
is the very reason why, in case of wrong- doing on his part, there should be careful investigation by
judicious persons. Let our health institutions be purged of every evil, that the blessing of God may rest
upon these, His instrumentalities. {20MR 383.4}
Men wonder at the course of Judas who sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver; but are not similar sins
still committed by those who have the name of being the disciples of Christ? Do not men, yes, physicians,
consider themselves at liberty, through pretense and sophistry originating from the suggestions of Satan, to
sell their honor [and] sacrifice integrity in order to secure some worldly advantage? {20MR 383.5}

My note: Responsible men, as physicians, those wise and interested in service are not at liberty to start
institutions, even sanitariums, without reference to the wisdom of his brethren. And when such important
men do wrong and do not submit to the church, they should be separated from her fellowship. Has this been
done? It was with Kellogg. Ellen mentions here ‘loyalty’ and this is something I want to study more. What
does it mean in relation to the church?
 Without the divine working, man could do no good thing. God calls every man to repentance, yet man
cannot even repent unless the Holy Spirit works upon his heart. But the Lord wants no man to wait until he
thinks he has repented before he takes his steps toward Jesus. The Saviour is continually drawing men to
repentance; they need only to submit to be drawn, and their hearts will be melted in penitence. {19MR
118.1}
Man is allotted a part in this great struggle for everlasting life; he must respond to the working of the
Holy Spirit. It will require a struggle to break through the powers of darkness, and the Spirit works in him
to accomplish this. But man is no passive being, to be saved in indolence. He is called upon to strain
every muscle and exercise every faculty in the struggle for immortality; yet it is God that supplies the
efficiency. {19MR 118.2}
No human being can be saved in indolence. The Lord bids us, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate; for
many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" [Luke 13:24]. "Wide is the gate, and broad
is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and
narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" [Matt. 7:13, 14]. {19MR 118.3}

My note: This passage is fascinating in reference to the question regarding whether it is easier to be saved
or to be lost. Our work is to yield to have our hearts melted, and then to put our whole energy into service.

Many act as if health and disease were things entirely independent of their conduct, and entirely outside
their control. They do not reason from cause to effect, and submit to feebleness and disease as a necessity.
Violent attacks of sickness they believe to be special dispensations of Providence, or the result of some
overruling, mastering power; and they resort to drugs as a cure for the evil. But the drugs taken to cure the
disease weaken the system. If those who are sick would exercise their muscles daily, women as well as
men, in outdoor work, using brain, bone, and muscle proportionately, weakness and languor would
disappear. Health would take the place of disease, and strength the place of feebleness. {19MR 230.4}

My note: What a promise is in that last sentence! Amen. I claim it.

There is a great work to be done in this country. Some who are laboring for the people do not know what
true conversion means. Some seem to think that if they can do a certain work, they are converted. But
they are not submissive to the Spirit of the Lord. {19MR 290.4}

My note: What a solemn delusion is in these words. If God works with us with power, is that evidence that
we are converted? No, not necessarily. Judas worked miracles.

Little expenses must be carefully guarded against. To deny one's self in little as well as in great
things is necessary to prosperity and happiness. Yet strict economy may be carried into covetousness.
Religion, with her strong, even, well-balanced principles, will prove a safe anchor. Every ear will hear the
requirement, "Give an account of thy stewardship." We are accountable to God for all we possess. In all
things we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God. {19MR 326.3}
By what means shall the young man repress his evil propensities, and develop what is noble and good in
his character? The will, intellect, and emotions, when controlled by the power of religion, will become
transformed. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." Here is a
principle underlying every act, thought, and motive if the entire being is under control of the will of God.
{19MR 326.4}
The voice and passions must be crucified. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth
me." The will, the appetites and passions, will clamour for indulgence, but God has implanted within you
desires for high and holy purposes, and it is not necessary that these should be debased. This is only
so when we refuse to submit to the control of reason and conscience. We are to restrain our passions and
deny self. {19MR 327.1}
The unsanctified mind fails to receive the strength and comfort which God has provided for all who will
come to Him. There is an unrest, a burning desire for something new, to gratify, to please and fascinate
the mind, and this indulgence is called pleasure. Satan has alluring charms with which to engage the
interest and excite the imagination of youth and fasten them in his snare. Do not build your character on the
sand. {19MR 327.2}
My note: The underlying theme in these four paragraphs is that self-denial brings happiness. A statement
already quoted self-indulgence is the source of many of the issues and problems in our church. What can
we do practically to be happy? Guard against little expenses that are indulging self. If we neglect this, the
high desires planted in us will be degraded. Ellen does not seem to concur with the worldlings definition of
‘pleasure.’

8-4-03

[Matt. 24:45-51]. We have a most sacred commission. {18MR 162.2}

Those who are in any way connected with the church of God must be humble, revealing the meekness of
Christ. All are invited to come to Christ in their great need, and to take His yoke upon them. "Learn of Me,"
says the divine Teacher, Christ, "for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." If [only] all would heed the invitation!
It greatly dishonors God for anyone in any way to disregard the great salvation brought to mankind at so
great a cost, even the life of the only begotten Son of God. Men and women have no right to refuse the
invitation of Him who has died for their redemption. Christ offers life eternal to those who choose to be
obedient and submissive to God's will in this life. By bearing the yoke of willing obedience, they testify to
worlds unfallen, to angels, and to men, that they have accepted Christ as their Ruler, and are conforming
their lives in accordance with His will. The Lord calls souls to repent and be converted. {18MR 163.1}
[My note: We here often that every man has a right to his own opinion. That is not entirely true. I have a
right to not believe my fellow men, but I have not right to disbelieve God. While we are free to refuse
Christ’s invitation, that freedom is not permission. The next statement, from p. 202, seems like a comment
on this idea.]
Those who refuse to accept Christ's invitation to wear His yoke of obedience and to learn of Him His
meekness and lowliness, will not form characters that fit them to become members of the royal family,
children of the heavenly King. Before the universe such persons bear a direct testimony against Christ.
They do their Saviour a great wrong. By their choice they reveal that they despise the great salvation which
the heavenly Father has placed within their reach. They do not properly estimate the value that Christ has
placed upon them. They fail of realizing that Christ has purchased them at an infinite cost.{18MR 163.2}.
[My note: In the judgment men witness against Christ by refusing to become like Him. The next few
sentences, below, show the work of the judgment. Why are all men not saved? Because their characters do
not fit them for the companionship of sinless angels. Then the work for now must be character
development. What is God’s purpose in giving us a time of probation? So that we might ‘acquaint’
ourselves with the ‘terms of salvation.’ This must be a problematic phrase for those that think anything that
has ‘terms’ is not a free gift..]
The Lord is doing a great work in the earth. With intense interest He is examining every man's
fitness of character to associate with the sinless angels and with the redeemed family in heaven. Not
one of the ransomed host will be disposed to begin a rebellion similar to the one that Satan began before
the creation of our race. The Lord gives men and women probationary time in which to acquaint
themselves with His terms of salvation. They are given opportunity to unite with Him, as "laborers
together with God," to mold their characters after the similitude of the Divine. Thus they heed His words of
counsel, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to
will and to do of His good pleasure." They profit by the words of warning: "Take heed to yourselves, lest at
any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day
come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole
earth." {18MR 163.4}
All who are careless and indifferent, all who have given themselves to the world body, soul, and spirit,
to deceptive practices to accomplish their own ends, will find themselves, whatever their position,
unready for His appearing. "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to
escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" without fault and
blameless. {18MR 164.1}
Christ is made the Judge of every man's character. All judgment is given by the Father into His hands.
Daily this examination of every man's character is being carried on. God is particular in requiring
everyone to be truthful in speech, without the least prevarication and deception, after the world's way, and
thus denying the righteousness of Christ. "By their words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou
shalt be condemned." {18MR 164.2}
Many, many are trusting to their own righteousness. They set up a standard for themselves and do
not submit to the will of Christ and allow Him to clothe them with the robe of His righteousness. They
form characters according to their own will and pleasure. Satan is well pleased with their false
religion. They misrepresent the perfect character--the righteousness--of Christ. How sad it is.
Themselves deceived, they deceive others. They are not accepted of God. They are liable to lead other
souls into false paths. They will at last receive their reward with the great deceiver--Satan. {18MR
164.3}
My note: How is it that by our words we will be condemned? In the examination of character they show
whether we have received the Righteousness of Jesus. Who are the class that trust to their own
righteousness? They include that large class that forms their characters as they chose and expect God to
save them, that do not submit to have Christ’s life formed within, whatever they may or may not believe
about salvation by faith

The luster of Christ's jewels depends on the polishing that they receive. God does not compel us to be
polished. We are left free to choose to be polished or to remain unpolished. But everyone who is
pronounced worthy of a place in the Lord's temple must submit to the polishing process. He must consent
to have the sharp edges cut away from his character, that it may be shapely and beautiful, fitted to represent
the perfection of Christ's character. {18MR 202.1}
The Lord is dishonored when, because His people do not live in the light of the Sun of Righteousness,
they reflect no more light than common pebbles. He is dishonored when their service is tarnished with the
leprosy of selfishness. {18MR 202.2}

The Lord has light and wisdom for His people, which they should expect, receive, and cherish. Let there
be decided changes made. Let those who have been accusers, and who have stood ready to take offense
at any word or move that seemed to them to be ill-advised, humble their hearts, and pray that the
spirit of division and dissension may be taken away. The Lord has a work for all to do who will submit
to be worked by His Holy Spirit. {18MR 236.1}
Study the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. These words will be literally fulfilled; yet the time is passing, and
the people are asleep. They refuse to humble their souls and to be converted. Not a great while longer will
the Lord bear with the people who have such great and important truths revealed to them but who refuse to
bring these truths into their individual experience. The time is short. God is calling. Will you hear? Will you
receive His message? Will you be converted before it is too late? Soon, very soon, every case will be
decided for eternity.--Letter 106, 1909.
My note: What is the spirit of division and dissention? It is standing ready to take offence at any word or
move that seems to be ill-advised. That spirit will prevent the sealing of Ezekiel 9 and will bring on the
judgments there threatened…that seems to the import of the second paragraph.

I beseech you by the mercies of God that you take your position for the right without reference to
the will or judgment of your wife. You have allowed her mind to be a controlling power in your life.
Yet you do not see this or many other things you ought to see because you are not prepared to see them in
the light of the Spirit of God. For years your wife has refused to submit herself to the influence of the Holy
Spirit. She has never been transformed in character. She has a strong mind and a powerful influence over
you which confuses your judgment, making you in some respects a weak man. While you allow her to lead
you on, while you consent to merge your individuality in hers, anything I may say to you or write to you
will be as idle tales. {18MR 263.1} . . . .
While your wife is making up her mind what she will do, Satan has decided what he will do in order to
carry out his purposes. He is seeking a door by which he can enter your mind and take possession of it, to
make of it a workshop for himself. If your wife repents and is converted, if in contrition of heart she asks
for pardon for her estrangement from God, and as a little child bows in submission before Him, He will
receive her and bless her. But repentance must come before conversion can take place. I tremble for her
and for you. Unless she is converted, soul, body, and spirit, Satan will use her as his helping hand to
mislead others. {18MR 264.4}
My note: Just as Ellen White warned women against submitting their individuality to their husbands, here
she warns a husband against submitting to the false spirit of his wife. There is also an interesting statement
here, that repentance must come before conversion. Some would urge that calls to repent be saved tilll after
conversion, but this does not appear to be correct.

The critical and censorious spirit that is ever ready to find occasion for reproof and condemnation
in others, shows a narrow mind, and plainly reveals a man who has never carefully studied and
correctly read the pages of his own heart. God is in earnest with us. We should come in such close
connection with Jesus Christ as is represented by the branch that is grafted into the living vine. Then we
shall be partakers of the sap and nourishment from the vine, and shall bear fruit to the glory of God.
{18MR 318.1}
You are now passing through a critical experience. I entreat of you not to be hasty, not to be
discouraged, but to submit your case to God. Wait upon the Lord and do His will, and in this hour of trial
He will work for you and you will obtain a precious experience. Give God a chance to work. Lay low at the
foot of the cross, and God will teach you precious lessons. {18MR 318.2}

How may we know whether or not we know ourselves? One way would be to check our spirit. Are we ever
ready to catch persons in wrong doing or thinking? Ever ready to condemn? Then we know not our own
selves.

Those who have not taken themselves in hand to control impulse, to subdue self and bring themselves in
obedience to the principles of the law of God, will not, can not, be happy or at peace and rest. They need
the meekness and lowliness of Christ. They need to learn daily in His school, to wear His yoke, to lift His
burdens, to deny inclination, to sacrifice a seeming present good to a future good, a personal advantage for
a general advantage. {18MR 315.2}
The fountain of content [as in ‘satisfaction’] must spring up in the soul. He who seeks happiness by
changing his outward surroundings without changing his own disposition, will find that his efforts will only
produce fresh disappointments. He carries himself with him. His unrest, his impatience, his uncontrollable
thoughts and impulses, are ever present. The great trouble is in himself. He has never learned of Christ the
lesson of meekness and lowliness of heart. He has never fallen upon the Rock and been broken. Self has
been cherished. The will has never been trained to submit. The unyielding spirit has never been brought
into subjection to the will of God. There are many youth who, because they cannot find happiness in plans
of their own devising, will not accept it in God's appointed way. They wonder over their unhappiness, and
count their best friends--those who discern their difficulties--their enemies. They cling with tenacious grasp
to their impressions and their ideas of just what they must have and what they must do in order to be happy,
but they lose sight of the fact that the Lord rules alone, and that He is shaping circumstances. {18MR
316.1}
God says, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways. . . . For as the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
Then let finite beings be humble and submissive in their desires, realizing that God uses many influences
which it is beyond their power to control. We must take self in hand; we must do our duty faithfully; and in
this work peace and rest and happiness will come. We must discipline self, seeking to bring it under the
control of intelligent reason. We must have a true sense of what the last six commandments mean. There
are opportunities daily of practicing forgetfulness of self, and being a blessing to those around us.

You are now passing through a critical experience. I entreat of you not to be hasty, not to be
discouraged, but to submit your case to God. Wait upon the Lord and do His will, and in this hour of trial
He will work for you and you will obtain a precious experience. Give God a chance to work. Lay low at the
foot of the cross, and God will teach you precious lessons. {18MR 318.2}
Self-denial must be practiced in the home. Every member of the family should be kind and courteous,
and should studiously seek in all their words and actions to bring peace, contentment, and happiness. Not
all members of the family have the same disposition, the same stamp of character, but through self-
discipline one can help another, bringing them near, binding them together by words of love and
forbearance. {18MR 318.3}
But, my brother, in your family there has not been that cultivation of courtesy, Christian politeness, and
deference and respect for one another that would prepare its members to marry and make happy families of
their own. The lessons that should have been learned in tender sympathy and in patience, kindness, and
respect for the members of the family, have not been learned. In the place of tenderness, courtesy, and love
there have been sharp words, clashing of ideas, the combative spirit, the criticizing, dictatorial spirit. There
has been a great want of the spirit of Christ. {18MR 318.4}
In every family there should be, and will be, if Christ is abiding in the heart, affection and love for one
another; not a spasmodic love expressed in fond caresses, but a love that is abiding. It is an abiding
principle which distinguishes the grace of love, a principle high and elevated, sacred and holy, of altogether
a different character than that love awakened by impulse, a passion that is fitful and that dies suddenly
when tested and tried. {18MR 319.1}

A man cannot put his feet in the path of holiness without evil men and evil angels uniting against him.
Evil angels will conspire with evil men to destroy the servants of God. Those who are rebuked for their evil
thoughts will hate the reprover of sin and will try to wrench him from the service of Christ. The conflict
may be long and painful, but we have the pledged word of the Eternal that Satan cannot conquer us unless
we submit to his control. {18MR 343.4}
Christ was crucified as a deceiver, yet He was the light and life of the world. He endured the
contradiction of sinners against Himself. {18MR 344.1}

The Lord would bring His people into a position where they will not touch nor taste the flesh of dead
animals. Then let not these things be prescribed by any physician who has a knowledge of the truth for this
time. There is no safety in eating the flesh of dead animals, and in a short time the milk of the cow will also
be excluded from the diet of God's commandment- keeping people. In a short time it will not be safe to use
anything that comes from the animal creation. Those who take God at His word and obey His
commandments with the whole heart will be blessed. He will be their shield of protection. But the Lord will
not be trifled with. Distrust, disobedience, and alienation from God's will and way will place the sinner in a
position where the Lord cannot give him His divine favor. {18MR 354.1}
All heaven is working to resist Satan's power, to bind the strong man. The angels of God are working to
put restrictions upon the power of the enemy until man shall be fully tested and tried. Hear the gracious
invitation made to every soul: "He that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out." This is not a bodily
movement, but the submitting of the human will to the will of supreme wisdom. The human agent does not
have to go into heaven to bring God down, or into the deep to bring Him up. He is not far from every one
of us. "In Him we live, move, and have our being." {18MR 354.2}

Every heart that is controlled by these principles in 1896 will be loyal. When those who are in God's
service resort to accusation, they are adopting Satan's principles to cast out Satan. It never will work. Satan
will work. He is working upon human minds by his crooked principles. These will be adopted and acted
upon by those who claim to be loyal and true to God's government. How shall we know that they are
untrue, disloyal? "By their fruits ye shall know them." {18MR 361.3}
The Lord saw the use that Satan was making of his power, and he set before him truth in contrast with
falsehood. Time and time again during the controversy Satan was ready to be convinced, ready to admit
that he was wrong. But those he had deceived were ready also to accuse him of leaving them. What could
he do--submit to God, or continue in a course of deception? He chose to deny truth, to take refuge in
misstatements and fraud. {18MR 362.1} . . . . I beseech of all who engage in the work of murmuring and
pitying themselves because something has been said or done that does not suit them, and that does not, as
they think, give them due consideration, to remember that they are carrying on the very work Satan began
in heaven. They are following in his track, sowing unbelief, discord, and disloyalty, for no one can entertain
feelings of disaffection, and keep it to himself. He must tell others that he is not treated as he should be.
Thus others are led to murmur and complain. This is the root of bitterness springing up, whereby many are
defiled. {18MR 363.1}

Religion not only improves but beautifies the disposition and the character. Christ must be blended with all
our thoughts, our feelings, our affections. He must be exemplified in the minutest details of everyday
service in the work that He has given us to do. When, in the place of leaning upon human understanding or
conforming to worldly maxims, we sit at the feet of Jesus, eagerly drinking in His words, learning of Him,
and saying, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" our natural independence, our self-confidence, our
strong self-will, will be exchanged for a childlike, submissive, teachable spirit. When we are in right
relation to God, we shall recognize Christ's authority to direct us and His claim to our unquestioning
obedience.--Letter 186, 1902.

We shall surely fail of salvation unless the natural elements in our character, the discordant elements, are
brought daily and hourly into unity with Christ's character. Unruly, debasing tendencies and passions
cannot reign in the heart controlled by the Spirit of Christ. There are many who have never submitted their
will and way fully without any reserve to Jesus Christ. {17MR 143.1}
There need to be far more lessons in the ministry of the Word of true conversion than of the arguments
of the doctrines, for it is far easier and more natural for the heart that is not under the control of the Spirit of
Christ to choose doctrinal subjects rather than the practical. There are many Christless discourses given, no
more acceptable to God than was the offering of Cain. They are not in harmony with God. {17MR 143.2}

As I consider the past history of our people in Battle Creek, I suffer intense agony of soul. It seems, if I
could, that I would roll back the years that have been, and blot them out from their history. Very recent
transactions tell us that those who have not yet learned their lesson, who have not had a depth of experience
in the things of God, have come forward with their bold words. They are fluent in words but destitute of
true understanding. True education would teach them to listen to the words of wisdom, "Be still, and know
that I am God." Their words have been like a brawling brook; lacking depth, it makes the most noise.
{17MR 213.1} [1898]
But the Lord has not left His people. He will work with each heart that turns fully to Him. Many of
those who are so ready of speech are not under the inspiration of the Spirit of God. Will these ever learn
from the lesson book to be doers of the Word? Striplings who have but a limited experience are coming to
the front; and this is well if they have learned the meekness and lowliness of Jesus Christ. {17MR 213.2}

In the law of the kingdom of God who rules the sinless inhabitants of heaven are to be found the
principles that should lie at the foundation of the laws of earthly governments. The laws of these
governments should be in harmony with the law of Jehovah, the standard by which all created beings are to
be judged. No man should be forced to act in harmony with human laws that are in direct opposition to the
law that God has given. {17MR 319.1}
The law of God, with its binding claims and its solemn injunctions, should be clearly and distinctly set
forth just as it is given in the decalogue. We should make efforts to call together large congregations to hear
the words of the gospel minister. And those who preach the word of the Lord should speak the truth. They
should bring their hearers, as it were, to the foot of Sinai, to listen to the words spoken by God amidst
scenes of awful grandeur. These words are as changeless and eternal as the throne of Jehovah. {17MR
319.2}
Those who have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit will not fail to urge the claims of the law of
God, and to impress upon the rulers and the subjects of earthly nations the importance of obeying the
commandments of God. Let all understand that they are working in harmony either with the Lord or with
the great rebel, the enemy of God and man. {17MR 319.3}
By the repetition of the solemn words spoken by the Monarch of the universe, and the presentation of
His claims upon the human family, many will be impressed. {17MR 319.4}

In selecting teachers for our schools we should use every precaution, knowing that it is as solemn a matter
as selecting men for the ministry. Let wise men who can discern character make the selection, choosing
those who are calm and kind, who have the love of God in their hearts, for in every sense teachers are to be
missionaries. Their course of action, like that of teachers in the Sabbath school, should tend to the winning
of their pupils to Jesus. If teachers have not love in their hearts, they will give a wrong mold to the
character of their pupils. Kindness and love will induce obedience where arbitrary authority, strict rules,
and an overbearing, commanding manner will work utter failure in the management of pupils. {16MR
66.2}
Christian consistency should be manifested toward your children in the home and in the church, in a
pleasant, courteous manner. To place over young children in a church school teachers who are proud and
unloving, is wicked. A teacher of this stamp will do more harm to those who are just developing character
than all the influence of one of a different character can counteract. If the teacher is not submissive to God,
and has not love for the children over whom he presides, he should be dismissed. Or if he shows partiality
to those who please his fancy and manifests indifference to those who are less attractive, to those who are
restless and nervous, he should not be employed, for the result of his work will be a loss of souls to Christ.
{16MR 66.3}

Will the people of God heed the voice of warning, and cultivate love? Will they lay aside their
suspicions and jealousies? They cannot do this unless they fall all broken before God. Many have made,
and are still making, great blunders. They love their own way so well that they will not surrender to God's
way. Many have been convinced that they have grieved the Spirit of God by their resistance of light, but
they hated to die to self, and deferred to do the work of humbling their hearts and confessing their sins.
They would not acknowledge that the reproof was sent of God, or the instruction was from heaven, until
every shadow of uncertainty was removed. They did not walk out into the light. They hoped to get out of
difficulty in some easier way than by confession of sin, and Satan has kept hold of them, and tempted them,
and they have had but feeble strength to resist him. {16MR 111.1}
Evidence has been piled upon evidence, but they have been unwilling to acknowledge it. By their
stubborn attitude they have revealed the soul malady that was upon them, for no evidence could satisfy
them. Doubt, unbelief, prejudice, and stubbornness, killed all love from their souls. They demanded perfect
assurance, but this is not compatible with faith. If the rays of light which shone at Minneapolis were
permitted to exert their convincing power upon those who took their stand against light, if all had yielded
their ways, and submitted their wills to the Spirit of God at that time, they would have received the richest
blessing, disappointed the enemy, and stood as faithful men, true to their convictions. They would have had
a rich experience. But self said, No. Self was not willing to be bruised. Self struggled for the mastery.
{16MR 112.1}
And every one of these souls will be tested again on the points where they failed then. They have less
clearness of judgment, less submission, less genuine love for God and for their brethren now than before
the test and trial at Minneapolis. In the books of heaven they are registered as wanting. Self and passion
developed hateful characteristics. {16MR 112.2}
Since that time, the Lord has given abundance of evidence in messages of light and salvation. No more
tender calls, no better opportunities, could be given them in order that they might do that which they ought
to have done at Minneapolis. The light has been withdrawing from some, and ever since they have walked
in sparks of their own kindling. No one can tell how much may be at stake when neglecting to comply with
the call of the Spirit of God. {16MR 112.3}

Now, if those who were to engage in running a race for earthly honor were obliged to submit themselves
to such severe discipline in order to succeed, how much more necessary it is for those who are to engage in
the work of the Lord to be thoroughly disciplined and prepared if they would succeed in that which they
undertake. Their preparation should be as much more thorough, their earnestness and self-denying efforts
as much greater, than those of the aspirants for worldly honors, as heavenly things are of more value than
earthly. The mind as well as the muscles should be trained to put forth the most diligent, persevering effort.
The road to success is not a smooth way over which we are borne in rail cars, but it is a rugged path, filled
with obstacles which can be surmounted only by patient toil. {16MR 139.2}

There was Brother Leroy Nicola, whom the Lord has blessed with ability. If his will were subdued to
God's will, then a work would be accomplished for him that would make him an instrument of
righteousness; but just as long as he cherishes doubts, as long as he feels at liberty to criticize, he will not
grow spiritually. The dark shadows will encompass him, uncertainty and discouragements will take
possession of reason, and he who feels too proud to bend his will is found weak as a child in moral strength
and often almost helpless. Why will he not be healed? He has not the consoling consciousness that he has
the Spirit and favor of God. He is educating his mind to doubt and criticize. {16MR 221.1}
How my soul longed to see these ministers walking in the footprints of Jesus, pursuing the path He trod,
rough and thorny though it may be, but with the assurance that Jesus has traveled it before them and
commanded them to follow in His steps. When the will consents to do this, when there is a crucifixion of
self, then can they cheerfully take hold of every duty. Then how joyfully is everything begun, carried
through, and finished in the name of the Lord God of hosts! Then they can run and not be weary, walk and
not faint. Perplexed about the ways and works of God, a cloud of uncertainty hanging over them, and often
grievously disappointed and almost loosening the hands to let go, they have but little consciousness of the
Lord's presence and are fitful, undecided.
Oh, what a blessed privilege to know that we are entirely submissive to the will of God, that we are
walking at all times in the light of His countenance, hearkening to the words that He shall speak concerning
us, and not venturing a step without His counsel and His direction.

She is a terrible burden to her husband, for she does not try to make herself useful or bear her share of life's
responsibilities. If she would reason, she would see how unjust it is for her to expect him to labor for her
support while she gives herself up to annoy, perplex, and harass him. She adds nothing to the family
income, yet thinks it her privilege to spend as she pleases. At the same time she feels at liberty to give way
to her feelings like a spoiled child, taking offense at nothing, and indulging in outbursts of passion until life
is a burden to him. When away from her husband she is cheerful, and appears to be well, as long as she can
have her own way. {16MR 301.3}
When she wants to do a thing, she can endure what many women would think a heavy tax upon their
physical powers. But when desired to do anything which is distasteful to her, she assumes the air of a
martyr, and is incapable of any exertion. Much of her illness is feigned, in order to create a sensation. She
is angry with her husband because she cannot make him submit to her control, because he has tried to
preserve his identity, and not yield up his God-given manhood. {16MR 302.1}
She thinks that everyone must do as her mother and others have done-- indulge her and consult her
wishes; and she is determined to bring them to it. Should her husband yield to her, he would lose his
manhood; and should those whom God has placed over the Chicago mission pet her and gratify her wishes,
they would be unfaithful to their trust. Should her spirit be allowed to have the ascendancy in the mission,
evil angels would become the ruling power. {16MR 302.2}

In this case it is not the woman whom Brother Craig is dealing with, but a desperate, satanic spirit. {16MR
304.2}
The Lord has a work for Brother Craig to do, but if he is overcome by these outbursts on the part of his
wife, he is a lost man, and she is not saved by the sacrifice. {16MR 304.3}
His best course with this child-wife, so overbearing, so unyielding, and so uncontrollable, is to take her
home and leave her with the mother who has made her what she is. Though it must be painful, this is the
only thing for him to do if he would not be ruined spiritually, sacrificed to the demon of hysterics and
satanic imaginings. Satan takes entire control of her temper and will, and uses them like desolating hail to
beat down every obstruction. Her husband can do her no good, but is doing himself incalculable harm, and
robbing God of the talents and influence He has given. {16MR 304.4} . [skipping 9 pages] .. . . You can,
my sister, be made better by your husband's influence; but if you are not, he will most assuredly be
hindered by the atmosphere that surrounds your life. How difficult for him to perfect a religious character
while constantly breathing this atmosphere! How hard for him when in your company to elevate his soul to
pure, spiritual thoughts! How difficult to keep in mind fruitful subjects of meditation! How often he is
perplexed to know just what course he should pursue toward you! You are a stumbling block to him,
whether he sees it or not. {16MR 314.1}
God, who searches the heart, takes notice of its desires. He will forgive your past life of frivolity, your
pretense, your deception, if you will now repent and seek His grace, that you may live unto Him and Him
alone. "The Lord looketh upon the heart." "He remembereth that we are dust." "I will bring evil upon this
people, even the fruit of their own thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto My words, nor to My
law, but rejected it." This need not be your case, but it will be unless you turn square about. {16MR 314.2}
You cannot make this change yourself, but Jesus can, and will do this if you ask Him and submit
yourself wholly to Him, not seeking your own will but God's will, no longer trying to please self but
educating yourself to be useful. Your time is golden and should be spent in seeking to lay up a treasure in
the heavens. You must forget your darling self. Live no longer to please yourself, but to please God.
{16MR 314.3}

No one needs to spend sleepless moments in regard to his life insurance papers. His title deed as heir of
God and joint-heir with Jesus Christ [is] to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and that fadeth not away.
God is responsible for every soul who wears the sign of His government, who is loyal and true to the
Sabbath, and through obedience to the Sabbath, true to every principle in the Decalogue. "He that keepeth
My words, loveth Me," Christ said. Thus faith and works are combined, the inward working of the Holy
Spirit and outward demonstration of practical godliness. The proof of heart-love is obedience to God's
commandments. All who love God will study His words. They will eat His flesh and drink His blood, living
and acting in constant submission to His will. {15MR 40.3}
These words must be heeded. Medical missionary work means the eternal law of right in daily practice.
[Deut. 10:1-5, quoted.] God has preserved His commandments, written the second time with His own
finger.

My note: This is interesting on the relation of life insurance to Sabbath observance. As I just heard recently
that the husband should take full responsibility for everything done in and by his family, so it looks here
that Jesus does the same for those that submit to the Law of God.