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The CallThe CallThe CallThe CallThe Callto Seventh-day Adventiststo Seventh-day Adventiststo Seventh-day Adventiststo Seventh-day Adventiststo Seventh-day Adventiststo Care for Those in Needto Care for Those in Needto Care for Those in Needto Care for Those in Needto Care for Those in Need

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Pilgrims BooksPilgrims BooksPilgrims BooksPilgrims BooksPilgrims Books

VERSO

HB–792

The Forgotten Work

The Call to

Seventh-day Adventists

to Care for Those in Need

by Vance Ferrell

Published by Pilgrims Books

Altamont, TN 37301 USA

Printed in the United States of America

Cover and Text Copyright © 1996

by Vance Ferrell

PILGRIMS BOOKS - BOX 300 - ALTAMONT, TN 37301

THE MEDICAL MISSIONARY MANUAL. Considered to be the most comprehensiveSpirit of Prophecy compilation on the practical aspects of medical missionary work: Whyshould it be done? / Who should do it? / How should it be done? / Where should it be done? /What healing agencies should be employed? / Working principles / Small group work / TheBible pattern—and much, much more. (5½ x 8½) 352 pages.

THE WATER THERAPY MANUAL. This book is remarkable for its completeness ofscope, with simplicity of presentation. Basic principles and cautions / Over 100 watertherapies / The Kellogg remedies / Special temperature supplement / Five indexes: Disease,Therapies, Principles, Cautions, Illustrations. (5½ x 8½) 296 pages.

THE FORGOTTEN WORK: The Call to Seventh-day Adventists to Care for Those inNeed. This is a general overview of the entire history of the call to take up this work, thesolid beginning which was carried on in Battle Creek for over a decade, and the manner inwhich, in spite of adversities, it was quietly dropped by the organization. Key quotations andseveral pictures are included. (8½ x 11) 72 pages.

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST BENEVOLENT WORK: A Documentary. This is a supple-ment to The Forgotten Work: The Call to Seventh-day Adventists to Care for the Needy, andincludes 40 documents, plus pictures. (8½ x 11) 216 pages.

LEAH AND THE BENEVOLENT WORK. This is the astounding story of LeahSchmitke’s discovery of the benevolent work, and how she tried to promote it. It is a storythat takes us across continents and oceans. This is a saga you will not easily forget. (8½ x11) 80 pages.

THE TRUE MEDICAL MISSIONARY SERIES —

TOC

ContentsContentsContentsContentsContents

INTRODUCTION page 4

1 - THE CALL IS GIVEN page 7

2 - THE MESSAGE OF ISAIAH FIFTY-EIGHT page 23

3 - OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE page 30

4 - CONDITIONS AROUND US page 34

5 - OUR PEOPLE TAKE UP THE WORK page 37

6 - THE WORK COMES TO AN END page 52

7 - NOTHING LEFT BUT AN ADVENTIST GOODWILL page 56

8 - THE CALL REMAINS page 58

9 - HOW DO I GET STARTED? page 65

APPENDIX - PHOTOGRAPHS page 67

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This is the amazing story of a specialwork which was committed to Seventh-dayAdventists over a century ago; a work whichhas, for the most part, been obliterated.

This is the story of our ministry to youngpeople who have been orphaned by the lossof their parents, or, for one reason or an-other, have no home they can go to; to wid-ows with children; and to the needy.

Our people were urgently called upon byInspiration to take up this work. At one timeit was becoming a major part of our workat Battle Creek, and it was just beginningto extend throughout the field. —Then itstopped, and later generations know noth-ing about the fact that it was ever done orrecommended!

Perhaps we still would not know about thisforgotten part of the call to the marriage supper,if, many years ago, a young woman had notstayed for a time in the Takoma Park home ofone of Ellen White’s granddaughters (EllaRobinson)—and there learned the truth of thematter.

Researching the matter out, Leah Schmitke,whom God had blessed with speed typing abil-ity, copied hundreds of pages of material fromthe Spirit of Prophecy and historical materials.She traveled to various parts of the world (in-cluding George Muller’s orphanages in Bristol,England, and Franke’s orphanages in Germany),and, although consistently rebuffed when shepresented the need to our leaders to take up thegood work, finally was herself able to start sev-eral orphanages. She was encouraged in her ef-forts by the Robinsons, Dr. A.W. Trumann, andothers.

This is the story of the benevolent work, awork given us of God. It is about helping thosein need. It was originally part of the overall pic-ture of practical ministry called “medical mis-sionary work.” In the years since then, our peoplehave neglected natural remedies, vegetarian diet,

IntrIntrIntrIntrIntroductionoductionoductionoductionoductionhealthful dietetics, and the eight laws of health.But the benevolent work (helping those in need,in non-medical ways) has been even more for-gotten.

Leah Schmitke is now nearing the end of herlife in southern California. She has given thepresent writer a rather complete set of files onthe subject. Over the years, this dedicated Chris-tian lady has had such concern to bring thematter to the attention of others, that she pur-chased printing equipment and hired workersto print small booklets for her, detailing variousaspects of the matter. God has been pleased withher efforts.

The present writer is thankful that he canhave a part in gathering much of the most sig-nificant portion of this material into this volume(along with a supplementary volume of histori-cal documents), in the prayerful hope that it willawaken our people to a long-forgotten truth.

This present collection should provide youwith a major overview of how we were given—and then lost—this special ministry.

Aside from brief quotations, the bulk of thedocumentary material has been placed in a com-panion book, entitled, Seventh-day AdventistBenevolent Work: A Documentary. A third book,contains the autobiography of Leah Schmitke,dictated by Leah in the present writer’s home.

Leah and the Benovlent Work: This is theastounding story of Leah Schmitke’s discov-ery of the benevolent work and how she triedto promote it. It is a story that takes us acrosscontinents and oceans. This a saga you willnot easily forget.

Speaking of the forgotten message, Leah callsit the “Supper Call Message.” The people of Godwere called upon to go out into the highways andhedges and gather them in. The gathering wasto be done through a combined medical-health-benevolent work—all together a true medicalmissionary work! Here is a portion of a letterLeah sent us. It will provide you with a quick

55555insight into how such a work could be part ofthe special task assigned to the remnant:

“In studying this subject, you will find thatthe Christian help work was the center of thismessage, an important part of the loud cry mes-sage, which the brethren in 1898 rejected. Thisis the benevolent work which the people of Godwere called to do. Ministering to the needy ispart of the sanctification process which trainsthe soul for heaven. It all centers around ‘su-preme love for God and for mankind.’ If we donot love our neighbor, then we do not love Godeither. Claiming to love God, and at the sametime neglecting our duty to our fellow man, is adenial of faith which God cannot accept.

“As you notice in 8 Testimonies, pp. 70-75,the Supper Call Message is instruction to thechurch to go out into the highways and hedgesand help those who are unfortunate. It is partof the right arm; it is the other half of the medi-cal missionary work. Ellen White said this workwas hardly being touched with the tips of ourfingers. Today this special ministry to needysouls is almost entirely lost sight of.”—LeahSchmitke, letter to the writer, dated August19, 1992.

Helping children and those in need may seemto be far less in the limelight than preaching, sit-ting on a church board, or managing a confer-ence—but, in God’s sight, the former is a moredirect ministry to humanity; one which is farmore crucial to character building.

Ella Robinson, Ellen White’s granddaughter,deeply appreciated Leah Schmitke’s efforts, andwrote a forward to one of Leah’s books. We willinclude it below, to show Sister Robinson’s ap-preciation of efforts to bring again before ourpeople these forgotten truths.

Dores Eugene Robinson, one of the Farns-worth children, became one of Ellen White’s sec-retaries at Elmshaven. He there met her grand-daughter, Ella White. They were married in 1905.From 1928 to 1953, he was on the staff of theE.G. White Estate. Both he and Ella had a deepconcern that our people should carry out themessages given in the Spirit of Prophecy.

In the following statement, you will note thatElla Robinson tried to get the General Confer-ence to publish one of Leah Schmitke’s books,containing several urgent Spirit of Prophecy quo-tations a brief history of the benevolent work inthe church, plus a few documents. But it wasunsuccessful.

Here is Sister Robinson’s statement:“From the early days of the founding of the

Seventh-day Adventist Church, the importanceof the medical missionary and benevolent workwas emphasized and prominently featured inthe teachings of the church. It is very fitting,therefore, that the early history and facts relat-ing to the rise and progress of the benevolentinstitutions of the denominational program beprepared for the present generation, as thiswork is of the highest importance the closer wecome to the end of time.

“My late husband (Elder D.E. Robinson) andI have tried to assist Sister Leah Schmitke ingetting some of this material together, when shewas employed at our nation’s capital. My hus-band was closely connected with my grand-mother (Mrs. Ellen G. White), doing secretarialwork up to the time of her death in 1915. Thebook entitled The Story of Our Health Messagewas written by him some years ago. After theHome Missionary Secretary of the General Con-ference read the compilation of this volume, hefelt that this book, on The Story of Our Be-nevolent Institutions, should be put out by thedenomination as a twin sister to The Story ofOur Health Message. But for some reason thisbook has been delayed since then, yet after myvisit with Sister Schmitke and going over thevast material that she has collected since welast saw her in Washington, D.C., I am convincedthat now is the time for this book to get out atthe earliest possible time.

“The author has spent many years of pains-taking effort and study to prepare this volume.Drawing upon correspondence and documentsnot generally available, as well as from the Tes-timonies for the Church, Sister Schmitke haspresented an interesting historical sketch of thebackground and beginnings of the benevolentwork of the denomination which, from a humblestart, grew to encircle the world in its influence.

“Dr. A.W. Trumann, who for many yearsserved as medical superintendent in the de-nomination before his death, reviewed thismanuscript, and highly recommended that itbe reproduced for the benefit of the present gen-eration. At the time these benevolent institu-tions were operated in Battle Creek, Michigan,he was a young medical student. Later he was,for a time, one of the instructors in the HaskellOrphan Home.

“Because of various circumstances the be-nevolent work has been retarded for manyyears. It is hoped that by reviewing the histori-cal sketches of the work as it was carried on byour pioneer leaders of this denomination, weshall be better able to understand the blueprintas it was given to God’s people from the verybeginning of our message to the finishing of the

IntrIntrIntrIntrIntroductionoductionoductionoductionoduction

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“This volume is especially commendable toall Christian help workers and lay members,or those connected with philanthropic or be-nevolent work.

“Historical sketches of our first Seventh-dayAdventist Orphan Homes, Widows’ Homes,Homes for the Aged, and many other institu-tions are given here. These were operated un-der the supervision of the General Conference,and at the same time when J.H. Kellogg wasstill in good and regular standing in the church.They were intended to be pattern institutionsfor all other enterprises to follow. The work doneby these benevolent enterprises were carried outaccording to God’s blueprint, up until troublearose in the medical department, and a sepa-ration with Dr. Kellogg was necessary. Never-

theless, the work that God had outlined for thechurch in the benevolent work was never to belost sight of, in spite of the fact that some de-parted from the faith, so it behooves us not torepeat the same mistake that was made in thepast, but to press forward and accomplish thework that God is requiring of us.

“As the zeal and faithfulness of the pioneersof this message are recounted, and as the inci-dents and providences associated with the de-velopment, origin, and character of these be-nevolent institutions are read, it is our wish thatthe reader will be inspired anew, will feel anindividual responsibility to study and observethese principles and bring forth an abundanceof fruit, and will seek to impart the knowledgeof them to those who do not know them.”—Statement by Ella (White) Robinson.

77777

It is remarkable how frequently the callwas given to our people to take up this im-portant work. Yet why should we expect itto be otherwise? Caring for those in needreaches to the heart of both halves of godlyliving:

• In ministering to others, in the strength

of Christ, we are drawn closer to Him—andwe partake more fully of His character.

• In ministering to those in need, we

reach their hearts and are enabled to gradu-ally lead them into the message.

A thoughtful reading of this chapter willbring you into the depths of this specialmessage to our people:

How would they feel?—“How would a fa-ther and mother feel, did they know that theirchild, lost in the cold and the snow, had beenpassed by, and left to perish, by those who mighthave saved it? Would they not be terrible grieved,wildly indignant? Would they not denounce thosemurderers with wrath hot as their tears, intenseas their love? The sufferings of every man arethe sufferings of God’s child, and those whoreach out no helping hand to their perishing fel-low beings provoke His righteous anger. This isthe wrath of the Lamb. To those who claim fel-lowship with Christ, yet have been indifferent tothe needs of their fellow men, He will declare inthe great judgment day, ‘I know you not whenceyou are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniq-uity.’ ”—Desire of Ages, p. 825.

We must establish a home for orphan chil-dren—“While in Petoskey I had some conversa-tion with your physician in chief in regard to es-tablishing a home for orphan children at BattleCreek. I said that this was just what was neededamong us as a people, and that in enterprises ofthis kind we were far behind other denomina-tions.”—8 Testimonies, p. 133 (written in 1890).

We are to do good to all men—“We are to belaborers together with God. There are some whomanifest great affection for their relatives, for

1 - The Call is Given1 - The Call is Given1 - The Call is Given1 - The Call is Given1 - The Call is Giventheir friends and favorites, who yet fail to be kindand considerate to those who need tender sym-pathy, who need kindness and love. With ear-nest hearts let us inquire, Who is my neighbor?Our neighbors are not merely our associates andspecial friends, they are not simply those whobelong to our church, or who think as we do.Our neighbors are the whole human family. Weare to do good to all men, and especially to thosewho are of the household of faith. We are to giveto the world an exhibition of what it means tocarry out the law of God. We are to love Godsupremely, and our neighbors as ourselves.”—Review and Herald, January 1, 1895.

Let not their cries call down vengeance—“Christians are not excusable for permitting thewidow’s cries and the orphan’s prayers to as-cend to Heaven because of their suffering want,while a liberal Providence has placed in thehands of these Christians abundance to supplytheir need. Let not the cries of the widow andfatherless call down the vengeance of Heavenupon us as a people . .

“What will these church members say whenconfronted in the day of God by the worthy poor,the afflicted, the widows and fatherless, who haveknown pinching want for the meager necessitiesof life, while there was expended by these pro-fessed followers of Christ, for superfluous cloth-ing and needless ornaments, expressly forbid-den in the word of God, enough to supply alltheir wants? . .

“They have no ears for the cries of the needy,no eyes to behold the cold and almost nakedforms of women and children around them. Theylook upon real want as a species of crime, andwithdraw from suffering humanity as from a con-tagious disease. To such, Christ will say, ‘I wasan hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I wasthirsty, and ye gave me no drink; I was a stranger,and ye took me not in; naked, and ye clothedme not; sick and in prison, and ye visited menot.’ ”—Review and Herald, November 21,1878.

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deemer throws souls into the arms of the church,for them to care for unselfishly and train forHeaven, and thus be co-workers for Him. Butthe church too often thrusts them away, uponthe devil’s battlefield. One member will say, ‘It isnot my duty,’ and then bring up some triflingexcuse. ‘Well,’ says another, ‘neither is it my duty’;and finally it is nobody’s duty, and the soul isleft uncared for to perish. It is the duty of everyChristian to engage in this self-denying, self-sac-rificing enterprise. Cannot God return into theirgranaries, and increase their flocks, so that in-stead of loss there shall be increase? ‘There isthat scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there isthat withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendethto poverty.’ ”—2 Testimonies, p. 331.

Make a home for the homeless—“I ask youto consider this matter carefully. Think of thewants of the fatherless and motherless. Are notyour hearts stirred as you witness their suffer-ing? See if something cannot be done for the careof these helpless ones. As far as lies in yourpower, make a home for the homeless. Let everyone stand ready to act a part in helping forwardthis work. The Lord said to Peter, ‘Feed My

Lambs.’ This command is to us, and by openingour homes for the orphans, we aid in its fulfill-ment. Let not Jesus be disappointed in you.”—6Testimonies, p. 284.

Tested on the homeless—“Years ago I wasshown that God’s people would be tested uponthis point of making homes for the homeless;that there would be many without homes in con-sequence of their believing the truth. Oppositionand persecution would deprive believers of theirhomes, and it was the duty of those who hadhomes to open a wide door to those who hadnot.

“I have been shown more recently that Godwould especially test His professed people inreference to this matter. Christ for our sakesbecame poor that we through His poverty mightbe made rich. He made a sacrifice that He mightprovide a home for pilgrims and strangers inthe world seeking for a better country, even anheavenly. Shall those who are subjects of Hisgrace, who are expecting to be heirs of immor-tality, refuse, or even feel reluctant, to share theirhomes with the homeless and needy? Shall wewho are disciples of Jesus, refuse strangers anentrance to our doors because they can claim

KEY SECTIONS IN THE INDEX

The following listing of entries, in thethree-volume Index to the Writings of EllenG. White, will help you deepen your studyof this subject.

When only page numbers are given, it is ageneral entry. In the case of “Family, poor;”“Women, poor”; and “Youth, poor”; subentriesare listed. Example: “Family, poor” is foundin Volume 1 of the Index, on page 983, col-umn 2, 4/10s to 6/10s of the way down.

Destitute 1Index 795Destitution 1Index 795

Family, poor 1Index 983/2.4-6

Needy believer(s) 2Index 1876-1877Needy family(s) 2Index 1877Needy neighbor(s) 2Index 1877Needy person(s) 2Index 1877-1878

Orphan(s) 2Index 1931-1933

Orphanage 2Index 1933Orphan asylum 2Index 1933Orphanage boy(s) 2Index 1933Orphan girl(s) 2Index 1933Orphan home(s) 2Index 1933

Outcast(s) 2Index 1933-1934

Poor believer(s) 2Index 2079-2081Poorer class(s) 2Index 2081Poorest child 2Index 2081Poorest person(s) 2Index 2081Poor fund 2Index 2081Poor person 2Index 2081-2089Poverty 2Index 2096-2098Pauper 2Index 2003Pauperism 2Index 2003

Women, poor 3Index 3021/1.2Youth, poor 3Index 3084/1.3

Blind person(s) 1Index 311-312Lame person(s) 2Index 1483Sick person(s) 3Index 2547-2549

99999no acquaintance with the inmates?”—2 Testimo-nies, pp. 27-28.

If one soul is saved, what a victory isachieved—“Jesus, the dear Saviour, is prepar-ing a home for you; and why will not you in yourturn prepare a home for those who need it, andin thus doing imitate the example of your Mas-ter? If you are not willing to do this, when youshall feel that you need a habitation in the heav-ens, none will be awarded you. For Christ de-clared: ‘Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of theleast of these, ye did it not to Me.’ You that havebeen selfish, studying your own case and advan-tage all your life, your hours of probation arefast closing. What are you doing to redeem yourlife of selfishness and uselessness? Wake up!wake up! . . I implore you, my brethren in everyplace, rid yourselves of your icy coldness. En-courage in yourselves a love of hospitality, a loveto help those who need help.

“You may say you have been taken in andhave bestowed your means upon those unwor-thy of your charity, and therefore have becomediscouraged in trying to help the needy. I presentJesus before you. He came to save fallen man,to bring salvation to His own nation; but theywould not accept Him. They treated His mercywith insult and contempt, and at length they putto death Him who came for the purpose of giv-ing them life. Did our Lord turn from the fallenrace because of this? Though your efforts forgood have been unsuccessful ninety-nine times,and you received only insult, reproach, and hate,yet if the one-hundredth time proves a success,and one soul is saved, oh, what a victory ifachieved! One soul wrenched from Satan’s grasp,one soul benefited, one soul encouraged. Thiswill a thousand times repay you for all your ef-forts. To you will Jesus say: ‘Inasmuch as ye havedone it unto one of the least of these My breth-

ren, ye have done it unto Me.’ Should we notgladly do all we can to imitate the life of our di-vine Lord? Many shrink at the idea of makingany sacrifice for others’ good. They are not will-ing to suffer for the sake of helping others. Theyflatter themselves that it is not required of themto disadvantage themselves for the benefit of oth-ers. To such we would say: Jesus is our ex-ample.”—2 Testimonies, pp. 30-31.

God tests His professed followers—“Provi-dence, though unseen, is ever at work in the af-fairs of men. God’s hand can prosper or with-hold; and He frequently withholds from one whileHe seems to prosper another. All this is to testand prove men, and to reveal the heart. He letsmisfortune overtake one brother while He pros-pers others to see if those whom He favors haveHis fear before their eyes and will perform theduty enjoined upon them in His word, to lovetheir neighbor as themselves and to help theirpoorer brother from a love to do good. Acts ofgenerosity and benevolence were designed byGod to keep the hearts of the children of mentender and sympathetic, and to encourage inthem an interest and affection for one another,in imitation of the Master, who for our sakesbecame poor, that we through His poverty mightbe made rich.”—3 Testimonies, p. 547.

They need our sympathy and tender con-sideration—“Jesus honored the poor by shar-ing their humble condition. From the history ofHis life we are to learn how to treat the poor . .The poor should be treated with as much inter-est and attention as the rich. The practice of hon-oring the rich, and slighting and neglecting thepoor, is a crime in the sight of God. Those whoare surrounded with all the comforts of life orwho are petted and pampered by the world be-cause they are rich, do not feel the need of sym-pathy and tender consideration as do persons

KEY CHAPTERS IN THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY

There are many chapters in the Spiritof Prophecy which describe your duty asa child of God, in relation to those aboutyou who are in need.

Here are several of these special chap-ters:

1 Testimonies, pp. 170-172.

2 Testimonies, pp. 24-37, 307-314, 327-344.

3 Testimonies, pp. 511-521, 527-544

8 Testimonies, pp. 70-75.

Desire of Ages, pp. 637-641

Ministry of Healing, pp. 183-200.

Ministry of Healing, pp. 201-208.

Welfare Ministry, pp. 321-340.

Review, December 18, 1894.

Review, December 25, 1894.

Review, January 1, 1895.

Review, January 22, 1895.

4 Bible Commentary, pp. 1149-1152.

The Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is Given

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork1010101010whose lives have been one long struggle with pov-erty. The latter have little in this life to make themhappy or cheerful, and they will appreciate sym-pathy and love . . [We] should in no case neglectthis class; for by so doing we may neglect Christin the person of His saints.”—4 Testimonies, pp.550-551.

We are to do our duty to these orphans—“Were there no revelation to point out our duty,the very sight of our eyes, and what we know ofthe inevitable working of cause and effect, shouldarouse us to rescue these unfortunate ones. Ifthe members of the church would bring into thiswork the same energy and tact and skill that theyemploy in the common business relations of life,if they would seek wisdom from God and ear-nestly study how to mold these undisciplinedminds, many souls that are ready to perish mightbe rescued . . The Lord calls upon every mem-ber of the church to do his duty to these or-phans.”—6 Testimonies, pp. 282-283.

Be friends to the friendless—“All who pro-fess to have a Father in Heaven, who they hopewill care for them, and finally take them to thehome He has prepared for them, ought to feel asolemn obligation resting upon them to befriends to the friendless, and fathers to the or-phans, to aid the widows, and be of some prac-tical use in this world by benefiting humanity.Many have not viewed these things in a right light.If they live merely for themselves, they will haveno greater strength than this calls for . .

“Why is it not a duty which God enjoins uponyou who are able, to expend something for thebenefit of the homeless, even though they maybe ignorant and undisciplined? Shall you studyonly in the direction where you will receive themost selfish pleasure and profit? It is not meetto you to neglect the divine favor that Heavenoffers you if you will care for those who needyour care, and thus let God knock in vain at yourdoor. He stands there in the person of the poor,the homeless orphans, and the afflicted widows,who need love, sympathy, affection, and encour-agement. If you do it not unto one of these, youwould not do it unto Christ were He upon theearth.”—2 Testimonies, pp. 329-330.

The church is responsible for its own or-phans—“A dying father and mother left their jew-els to the care of the church, to be instructed inthe things of God and fitted for Heaven. Whenthese parents shall look about for their dearones, and one is found missing because of ne-

glect, what will the church answer? It is in a greatdegree responsible for the salvation of these or-phan children.”—2 Testimonies, p. 333.

We have the poor among us that we maybe tested and proved—“I am daily pained withexhibitions of selfishness among our people.There is an alarming absence of love and carefor those who are entitled to it. Our heavenlyFather lays blessings disguised in our pathway,but some will not touch these for fear they willdetract from their enjoyment. Angels are wait-ing to see if we embrace opportunities within ourreach of doing good—waiting to see if we willbless others, that they in turn may bless us. TheLord Himself has made us to differ,—some poor,some rich, some afflicted,—that all may have anopportunity to develop character. The poor arepurposely permitted to be thus of God, that wemay be tested and proved, and develop what isin our hearts.”—2 Testimonies, p. 28.

Satan advises neglect of the widow andorphan—“Satan has been the adviser of some.He tells them that if they would prosper they musthearken to his counsel: ‘Do not be overconsci-entious in regard to honor or honesty; look outsharply for your own interest, and do not be car-ried away with pity, softness, and generosity. Youneed not care for the widow and the fatherless.Do not encourage them to look to you and de-pend on you; leave them to look out for them-selves. Do not inquire whether they have food,or if you can bless them with thoughtful, kindlyattention. Take care of yourself. Get all into yourhands that you can. Rob the widow and the fa-therless, and turn away the stranger from hisright, and you will have means to supply yourvarious wants.’ Some have heeded this coun-sel.”—4 Testimonies, p. 494.

A record of indifference to the afflicted—“He (Christ) marks every act of selfishness, ev-ery act of indifference to the afflicted, the wid-ows, and the fatherless; and He writes againsttheir names, guilty, wanting, lawbreakers.”—Review and Herald, July 13, 1886.

We must open our hearts to their wants—“If we neglect the cases of the needy and the un-fortunate that are brought under our notice, nomatter who they may be, we have no assuranceof eternal life; for we do not answer the claimsthat God has upon us. We are not compassion-ate and pitiful to humanity because they may notbe kith or kin to us. You have been found trans-gressors of the second great commandment,

1111111111upon which the last six commandments depend,Whosoever offendeth in one point, is guilty ofall. Those who do not open their hearts to thewants, and the sufferings of humanity, will notopen their hearts to the claims of God as statedin the first four precepts of the decalogue . .

Worse than worldlings—“Although the cus-toms of the world are no criterion for us, yet Ihave been shown that the pitying sympathy andthe benevolence of the world for the unfortunatein many cases shame the professed followers ofChrist.”—3 Testimonies, p. 524.

Those who are the real commandmentkeepers—“The Samaritan represents a classwho are true helpers with Christ and who areimitating His example in doing good. Those whohave pity for the unfortunate, the blind, the lame,the afflicted, the widows, the orphans, and theneedy, Christ represents as commandment keep-ers, who shall have eternal life.”—3 Testimonies,p. 512.

We must remove the wrong—“God will holdthe church at __ responsible, as a body, for thewrong course of its members. If a selfish andunsympathizing spirit is shown to exist in any ofits members toward the unfortunate, the widow,the orphan, the blind, the lame, or those whoare sick in body or mind, He will hide His facefrom His people until they do their duty and re-move the wrong from among them . . He will nothearken to the prayer of His people while theorphan, the fatherless, the lame, the blind, andthe sick are neglected among them.”—3 Testi-monies, pp. 517-518.

Only two groups in the judgment—“Whenthe nations are gathered before Him, there willbe two classes, and their eternal destiny will bedetermined by what they have done or have ne-glected to do for Him in the person of the poorand suffering . . To their perplexed inquiries Heanswers, ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto oneof the least of these My brethren, ye have done itunto Me.’ ”—Desire of Ages, p. 637.

The road that Jesus walked—“Many feelthat it would be a great privilege to visit the scenesof Christ’s life on earth, to walk where He trod,to look upon the lake beside which He loved toteach, and the hills and valleys on which His eyesso often rested. But we need not go to Nazareth,to Capernaum, or to Bethany, in order to walkin the steps of Jesus. We shall find His footprintsbeside the sickbed, in the hovels of poverty, inthe crowed alleys of the great cities, and in every

place where there are human hearts in need ofconsolation. We are to feed the hungry, clothethe naked, and comfort the suffering and af-flicted. We are to minister to the despairing, andto inspire hope in the hopeless.”—Ministry ofHealing, pp. 105-106.

Partnership with heavenly beings—“Godand Christ and angels are all ministering to theafflicted, the suffering, and the sinful. Give your-self to God for this work, use His gifts for thispurpose, and you enter partnership with heav-enly beings . . When earthly things shall havepassed away, the watchers at heaven’s gates willbid you welcome . . Precious will heaven be tothose who have been faithful in the work of sav-ing souls.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 373.

Angels draw near and there is joy in heav-en—“When hearts sympathize with hearts bur-dened with discouragements and grief, when thehand dispenses to the needy, when the nakedare clothed, the stranger made welcome to a seatin your parlor and a place in your heart, angelsare coming very near, and an answering strainis responded to in heaven. Every act of justice,mercy, and benevolence makes melody in heaven. . Every merciful act to the needy, the suffering,is regarded as though done to Jesus. When yousuccor the poor, sympathize with the afflictedand oppressed, and befriend the orphan, youbring yourselves into a closer relationship toJesus.”—2 Testimonies, p. 25.

The Scriptures plainly tell us what to do—“The Word of God abounds with instruction asto how we should treat the widow, the father-less, and the needy, suffering poor. If all wouldobey this instruction, the widow’s heart wouldsing for joy; hungry little children would be fed;the destitute would be clothed; and those readyto perish would be revived . . And what a bless-ing would reward the workers! To many who arenow indolent, selfish, and self-centered, it wouldbe as life from the dead. There would be amongus a revival of heavenly charity and wisdom andzeal.”—6 Testimonies, pp. 284-285.

The genuine fruit—“The law of Jehovah isthe tree; the gospel is the fragrant blossoms andfruit which it bears.”—Review and Herald, April5, 1898. “Prayers, exhortation, and talk arecheap fruits, which are frequently tied on; butfruits that are manifested in good works, in car-ing for the needy, the fatherless, and widows, aregenuine fruits, and grow naturally upon a goodtree.”—2 Testimonies, p. 24.

The Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is Given

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork1212121212Helping those around us—“Strengthened in

spirit by the grace of God, we are to manifest aliving interest in those with whom we associate;for good works are to be the fruit that will mani-fest itself upon the Christian tree.”—Review andHerald, January 2, 1894.

The fragrance of helping others—“We needJesus, the Rose of Sharon, to beautify the char-acter and make our lives fragrant with goodworks, so that we shall be a savor of Christ untoGod.”—Review and Herald, August 14, 1894.

Helping the oppressed—“The Lord hasplainly stated what kind of devotion is accept-able to Him . .Those who profess to serve Godare to do the work of relieving the oppressed.They are to bear the fruit of the good tree. Thosewho are truly Christ’s will not bring oppressionin the home or the church.”—Review and Her-ald, June 12, 1894.

Actions which bring a curse on their do-ers—“Little Christlike tenderness is manifestedtoward the unfortunate. Many lavish tendernessupon themselves, and upon their favorites, butthe souls who most need attention, sympathy,and unselfish labor are neglected.

“The tender, pitying love of Jesus has beenexcluded from the heart, and self and its inter-ests have closed the ears against the appeals ofthe widow and the orphan. As a result of thislack of service to the needy and unfortunate,many are lifted up in pride, and are full of self-esteem and Phariseeism. They are cold, hard,unimpressible . . They are unapproachable, be-cause they are bound about with selfishness andself-importance. They have no home religion,they have no neighborhood religion, they haveno church religion. Their lives should be fragrantwith deeds of love and mercy, a savor of life untolife; but instead of this, they are destitute of love-liness as were the hill of Gilboa of dew and rain.

“Many of this class are placed in positions oftrust, and they know not the Father nor the Son.They may be zealous in certain things, and have somecharacteristics essential to the positions they occupy;but Christ, who weighs actions in the balance of thesanctuary, says, ‘I know thy works.’ ”—Review andHerald, February 10, 1891.

The conditions upon which eternal life isgranted—“The law of the Lord is perfect, con-verting the soul. The Lord Jesus weighs men inthe golden scales of the Sanctuary, and givesthem credit as far as their practice of the greatstandard of righteousness will justify . .

“The young man had inquired of the Master,‘What lack I yet?’ and Jesus had told him. Butwhen he ‘heard that saying, he went away sor-rowful: for he had great possessions’ . . Jesuslooked upon the ardent young man, and sawmaterial for the working out of a beautiful char-acter; but the young man had not taken into ac-count what was meant by practicing the com-mands of the law . . The question asked of Christinvolved the whole conduct of life, and in theanswer Jesus revealed the scheme of redemp-tion . . the moral standard of righteousness. Theyoung man had thought he understood all therequirements of the law . . He showed him whathe was lacking in the knowledge and practice ofthe law . . His neighbors were in suffering needof the good things which had been lent him ofheaven, through which he was to bless the widowand the fatherless . . He had no practical experi-ence . . He did not accept the conditions uponwhich eternal life was granted.”—Review andHerald, March 28, 1893.

He tests the love of His professed follow-ers—“Among all whose needs demand our in-terest, the widow and the fatherless have thestrongest claims upon our tender sympathy andcare . .

“The father who has died in the faith, restingupon the eternal promise of God, left his lovedones in full trust that the Lord would care forthem. And how does the Lord provide for thesebereaved ones? He does not work a miracle insending manna from heaven. He does not sendravens to bring them food, but He works amiracle upon human hearts. He expels selfish-ness from the soul, He unseals the fountain ofbenevolence. He tests the love of His professedfollowers by committing to their tender merciesthe afflicted and bereaved ones, the poor andthe orphan.”—Review and Herald, June 27,1893.

They need encouragement, sympathy, andtangible help—“Many a widowed mother withher fatherless children is bravely striving to bearher double burden, often toiling far beyond herstrength in order to keep her little ones with herand to provide for their needs. Little time hasshe for their training and instruction, little op-portunity to surround them with influences thatwould brighten their lives. She needs encourage-ment, sympathy, and tangible help. God callsupon us to supply to these children, so far as wecan, the wants of a father’s care . . Seek to aid

1313131313the careworn mother.”—Ministry of Healing, p.203.

We are able to provide the help—“In homessupplied with life’s comforts, in bins and grana-ries filled with the yield of abundant harvests, inwarehouses stocked with the products of theloom, and vaults stored with gold and silver, Godhas supplied means for the sustenance of theseneedy ones.”—Ministry of Healing, p. 202.

Dare we withhold from Christ’s needyones?—“The poor, the homeless, and the wid-ows are among us. I heard a wealthy farmer de-scribe the situation of a poor widow among them.He lamented her straitened circumstances, andthen said: ‘I don’t know how she is going to getalong during this cold winter. She has close timesnow.’ Such have forgotten the Pattern and by theiracts say: ‘Nay, Lord, we cannot drink of the cupof self-denial, humiliation, and sacrifice whichYou drink of, nor be baptized with the sufferingwhich You are baptized with. We cannot live todo others good. It is our business to take care ofourselves.’ Who should know how the widowshould get along unless it be those who have well-filled granaries? The means for her to get alongare at hand. And dare those whom God has madeHis stewards, to whom He has entrusted means,withhold from the needy disciples of Christ?”—2 Testimonies, pp. 32-33.

Donations of money are not enough—“What misery exists in the very heart of our so-called Christian countries! Think of the condi-tion of the poor in our large cities. In these citiesthere are multitudes of human beings who donot receive as much care and consideration asare given to the brutes. There are thousands ofwretched children, ragged and half starved, withvice and depravity written on their faces . . Andfrom these abodes of wretchedness piteous criesfor food and clothing are sent out by many whoknow nothing about prayer.

“By our churches there is a work to be doneof which many have little idea, a work as yet al-most untouched (Matthew 25:35-36, quoted).Some think that if they give money to this work,it is all they are required to do; but this is anerror. Donations of money cannot take the placeof personal ministry. It is right to give our means,and many more should do this; but accordingto their strength and opportunities, personalservice is required of all . . In doing this work wehave a favorable opportunity to set forth Christthe crucified one.”—6 Testimonies, pp. 275-276.

God is finding out what we are really like—“I saw that it is in the providence of God thatwidows and orphans, the blind, the deaf, andpersons afflicted in a variety of ways, have beenplaced in close Christian relationship to Hischurch; it is to prove His people and developtheir true character. Angels of God are watchingto see how we treat these persons who need oursympathy, love, and disinterested benevolence.This is God’s test of our character.”—3 Testi-monies, p. 511.

If the work is left undone, darkness willcome upon us—“The two great principles of thelaw of God are supreme love to God and unself-ish love to our neighbor. The first four command-ments and the last six hang upon, or grow outof, these two principles. Christ explained to thelawyer who his neighbor was, in the illustrationof the man who was traveling from Jerusalem toJericho and who fell among thieves and wasrobbed and beaten and left half dead. The priestand Levite saw this man suffering, but theirhearts did not respond to his wants. Theyavoided him by passing by on the other side . .

“The Levite and the priest represent a classin the church who manifest an indifference tothe very ones who need their sympathy and help.This class, notwithstanding their position in thechurch, are commandment breakers. The Sa-maritan represents a class who are true helperswith Christ and who are imitating His examplein doing good.

“Those who have pity for the unfortunate, theblind, the lame, the afflicted, the widows, theorphans, and the needy, Christ represents ascommandment keepers, who shall have eternallife . . There is a work for the church to do, which,if left undone, will bring darkness upon them.The church as a whole and individually shouldbring their motives under faithful examinationand compare their lives with the life and teach-ings of the only correct Pattern.

“Christ regards all acts of mercy, benevo-lence, and thoughtful consideration for the un-fortunate, the blind, the lame, the sick, the widow,and the orphan as done to Himself; and theseworks are preserved in the heavenly records andwill be rewarded. On the other hand, a recordwill be written in the book against those whomanifest the indifference of the priest and Leviteto the unfortunate, and those who take any ad-vantage of the misfortunes of others and increasetheir affliction in order to selfishly advantage

The Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is Given

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork1414141414themselves . . Disinterested benevolence is veryrare in this age of the world . . Then can thechurch triumph in God.

“But just as long as the church suffers self-ishness to dry up kindly sympathy and tender,thoughtful love and interest for their brethren,every virtue will be corroded. Isaiah’s fast shouldbe studied and close self-examination made witha spirit to discern whether there is in them theprinciples which God’s people are required topossess in order that they may receive the richblessings promised . . Here in this example wehave some idea of the responsibility resting uponthe church and work that God requires them todo in order to have His presence.”—3 Testimo-nies, pp. 511-513, 516, 519-520.

Caring for the blind—“God requires that Hispeople should not allow the poor and afflicted tobe oppressed. If they break every yoke and re-lease the oppressed, and are unselfish and kindlyconsiderate of the needy, then shall the bless-ings promised be theirs. If there are those in thechurch who would cause the blind to stumble,they should be brought to justice; for God hasmade us guardians of the blind, the afflicted, thewidows, and the fatherless. The stumbling blockreferred to in the Word of God does not mean ablock of wood placed before the feet of the blindto cause him to stumble, but it means much morethan this. It means any course that may be pur-sued to injure the influence of the blind brother,to work against his interest, or to hinder his pros-perity.

“A brother who is blind and poor and dis-eased, and who is making every exertion to helphimself that he may not be dependent, shouldbe encouraged by his brethren in every way pos-sible. But those who profess to be his brethren,who have the use of all their faculties, who arenot dependent, but who so far forget their dutyto the blind as to perplex and distress and hedgeup his way, are doing a work which will requirerepentance and restoration before God will ac-cept their prayers. And the church of God whohave permitted their unfortunate brother to bewronged will be guilty of sin until they do all intheir power to have the wrong righted.

“All are doubtless familiar with Achan’s case.It is recorded in sacred history for all genera-tions, but more especially for those upon whomthe ends of the world are come. Joshua lay moan-ing upon his face before God because the peoplewere obliged to make a disgraceful retreat be-

fore their enemies. The Lord bade Joshua arise:‘Get thee up; wherefore liest thou upon thy face?’Have I humbled without cause by removing Mypresence from thee? Does God forsake Hispeople without a cause? No; He tells Joshua thatthere is a work for him to do before his prayercan be answered. ‘Israel hath sinned, and theyhave also transgressed My covenant which I com-manded them: for they have even taken of theaccursed thing, and have also stolen, and dis-sembled also.’ He declares: ‘Neither will I be withyou any more, except ye destroy the accursedfrom among you.’

“It is a sin in any church not to search forthe cause of their darkness and of the afflictionswhich have been in the midst of them. Thechurch in ______ cannot be a living, prosperouschurch until they are more awake to the wrongsamong them, which hinder the blessing of Godfrom coming upon them. The church should notsuffer their brethren in affliction to be wronged.These are the very ones that should awaken thesympathy of all hearts and call into exercisenoble, benevolent feelings from all the followersof Christ.

“The true disciples of Christ will work in har-mony with Him and, following His example, willhelp those who need help . . all should seek tobe eyes for the blind and thus make him feel hisloss as little as possible. There are some whoimprove their eyes by watching opportunities towork for their own advantage to get gain, butGod may bring confusion upon them in a man-ner they do not expect.

“If God in His mercy has given the blind maninventive faculties that he can use for his owngood, God forbid that anyone should grudge himthis privilege and rob him of the benefits he mightderive from God’s gift to him. The blind manhas disadvantages to meet on every side in theloss of his sight. That heart in which pity andsympathy are not excited at seeing a blind mangroping his way in a world clothed to him in dark-ness, is hard indeed and must be softened bythe grace of God. Not a face can the blind manlook upon and there read kindly sympathy andtrue benevolence. He cannot look upon the beau-ties of nature and trace the finger of God in Hiscreated works. Their cheering gladness does notspeak to him to comfort and to bless when de-spondency broods over him. How quickly wouldhe exchange his blindness and every temporalblessing for the blessing of sight. But he is shut

1515151515up to a world of darkness, and his God-givenrights have been trampled upon that others mightgain.”—3 Testimonies, pp. 519-521.

How a rich man can enter heaven—“Thelove of Jesus and the love of money cannot dwellin the same heart . . Through love he is then tominister to the wants of the needy . . In this wayit is possible for a rich man to enter the king-dom of Heaven.”—Review and Herald, Septem-ber 16, 1884.

How a poor man can become rich—“Herethe power of wealth is seen. The influence of thelove of money over the human mind is almostparalyzing. Riches infatuate, and cause manywho possess them to act as though they werebereft of reason. The more they have of thisworld, the more they desire. Their fears of com-ing to want increase with riches. They have adisposition to hoard up means for the future.They are close and selfish, fearing that God willnot provide for them. This class are indeed poortoward God. As their riches have accumulated,they have put their trust in them, and have lostfaith in God and His promises. The faithful, trust-ing poor man becomes rich toward God by judi-ciously using the little he has in blessing otherswith his means. He feels that his neighbor hasclaims upon him that he cannot disregard andyet obey the command of God.”—Review andHerald, January 15, 1880.

Laodiceans are those who live for them-selves—“Love of self excludes the love of Christ.Those who live for self are ranged under the headof the Laodicean Church. The ardor of their firstlove has lapsed into a selfish egotism.”—Reviewand Herald, August 6, 1901.

Genuine Christians are not destitute oflove—“There is no such thing as a loveless Chris-tian. It is not possible for the heart in whichChrist abides to be destitute of love. The heartthat is cold and stern is not catching the bright,softening beams of the Sun of Righteousness.”—Review and Herald, April 3, 1900.

The spirit of self-denial is becoming rare—“Many will lose heaven unless they change theirselfish, unlovable, unsympathetic ways, andlearn that the Spirit of Christ is not selfish andforbidding, uncourteous and loveless . . Unlesswe practice Christ’s ways, and receive His Spirit,we are none of His. He desires us to reveal Hislove in word and action. All that we do shouldflow from a deep, abiding principle of love,—aprinciple that is after the similitude of Christ,

who is love and light and peace. But how little,how very little, of Christ’s character is revealed!The spirit of self-denial is becoming a rare thing.

“Yet there is love in our churches. There arethose who love God supremely and their neigh-bors as themselves. Their prayers and their almscome up before God as a memorial. The Lorddoes not lose sight of them. He is watching thosewho are walking in the light as fast as they re-ceive it. They are the objects of His specialcare.”—Review and Herald, April 3, 1900.

The disappointment of Christ is beyonddescription—“God says to His people to-day, ‘Ihave somewhat against thee, because thou hastleft thy first love’ (Revelation 2:4, quoted). Leav-ing the first love is represented as a spiritual fall.Many have fallen thus. In every church in ourland, there is needed confession, repentance, andreconversion. The disappointment of Christ isbeyond description. Unless those who havesinned speedily repent, the deceptions of the lastdays will overtake them. Some, though they donot realize it, are preparing to be overtaken. Godcalls for repentance without delay . . You haveleft your first love. Self-righteousness is not thewedding garment. A failure to follow the light oftruth is our fearful danger. The message to theLaodicean church reveals our condition as apeople.”—Review and Herald, December 15,1904.

They must be warned before it is too late—“What disposition will these make of the mes-sage of the True Witness to the Laodiceans?There can be no deception here. This messagemust be borne to a lukewarm church by God’sservants. This message must arouse the peopleof God from their security and dangerous de-ception in regard to their real standing beforeGod . . Anciently, when Elijah was sent with amessage from God to the people, they did notheed the warning. They thought Elijah unneces-sarily severe. He must, they thought, have losthis senses, that he would denounce them, thefavored people of God, as sinners, and theircrimes, so aggravating, that the judgments of Godwould awaken against them.”—Review and Her-ald, September 16, 1873.

Something has cut the cable and they aredrifting away—“Spiritual death has come uponmany who should be examples of zeal, purity,and consecration. Their practices speak moreloudly than their professions, and witness to thefact that some power has cut the cable that an-

The Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is Given

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork1616161616chored them to the Eternal Rock, and they aredrifting without chart or compass . .

“Though the professed followers of Christ arein a deplorable condition, they are not yet in sodesperate a strait as were the foolish virginswhose lamps were going out, and there was notime in which to replentish their vessels with oil.When the bridegroom came, those that wereready went in with him to the wedding; but whenthe foolish virgins came, the door was shut, andthey were too late to obtain entrance.

“But the counsel of the True Witness doesnot represent those who are lukewarm as in ahopeless case. There is yet a chance to remedytheir state, and the Laodicean message is full ofencouragement; for the backslidden church mayyet have the white robe of the righteousness ofChrist, that the shame of their nakedness neednot appear. Purity of heart, purity of motive, mayyet characterize those who are half-hearted andwho are striving to serve God and Mammon.They may yet wear their robes of character andmake them white in the blood of the Lamb.”—Review and Herald, August 28, 1894.

Those who come up, stand, and over-come—“Those who come up to every point, andstand every test, and overcome, be the price whatit may, have heeded the counsel of the True Wit-ness, and they will receive the latter rain, andthus be fitted for translation.”—1 Testimonies,p. 187.

Only those who obtain the victory—“I sawthat none could share the refreshing unless theyobtain the victory over every besetment, overpride, selfishness, love of the world, and overevery wrong word and action.”—Early Writings,p. 71.

Joined to their idols; let them alone—“Ifthey will not be purified through obeying thetruth, and overcome their selfishness . . the an-gels of God have their charge. ‘They are joinedto their idols, let them alone,’ and they pass onto their work, leaving them with their evil traitsunsubdued, to the control of evil angels.”—2Spiritual Gifts, p. 226.

Self must be crucified—“Self must be cru-cified in every one who shall enter the gates ofthe City of God.”—Manuscript Releases, Vol. 2,p. 226.

We must become meek, lowly children ofGod—“In the family of God in Heaven there willnot be one who is selfish. The peace and har-mony of the heavenly courts will not be marred

by the presence of one who is rough or unkind.He who in this world exalts self in the work givenhim to do will never see the kingdom of Godunless he is changed in spirit, unless he becomesmeek and lowly revealing the simplicity of a littlechild.”—8 Testimonies, p. 140.

Those who enter heaven—“None can enterheaven whose characters are defiled by the foulblot of selfishness.”—Review and Herald, May16, 1893. “Our hearts must be filled with un-selfishness before we can enter the city of God.”—Review and Herald, November 26, 1901.

Those who would not be happy in heaven—“Let none suppose that they can live a life of self-ishness, and then, having served their own in-terests, enter into the joy of their Lord. In the joyof unselfish love they could not participate. Theywould not be fitted for the heavenly courts. Theycould not appreciate the pure atmosphere of lovethat pervades heaven. The voices of angels andthe music of their harps would not satisfythem.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 364-365.

We cannot afford to miss it—“We can re-ceive of heaven’s light only as we are willing tobe emptied of self.”—Desire of Ages, p. 181. “Noone can afford to lose Heaven.”—5 Testimonies,p. 568.

Not one nook or corner—“Not one nook orcorner of the soul is to be a hiding place for self-ishness.”—8 Testimonies, pp. 139-140. “If this[selfishness] is not remedied, you will loseHeaven, and your happiness here will be greatlymarred.”—2 Testimonies, p. 56.

Lacking the principles of heaven—“Theselfish principles exercised on the earth are notthe principles which will prevail in heaven.”—Counsels on Stewardship, p. 133.

Making Calvary of none effect—“Selfish-ness is the great evil that makes of none effectthe preaching of the cross of Christ.”—Reviewand Herald, February 21, 1899. “Angels pitythese wandering ones. Angels weep, while hu-man eyes are dry and hearts are closed to pity.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 192.

True conversion—“True conversion is achange from selfishness to sanctified affectionfor God and for one another. Will the Seventh-day Adventists now make a thorough reforma-tion, that their sin-stained souls may be cleansedfrom the leprosy of selfishness?”—1 SelectedMessages, p. 115.

Selfishness must be recognized and over-come—“There exists in the hearts of many an

1717171717element of selfishness which clings to them likethe leprosy. They have so long consulted theirown wishes, their own pleasure and convenience,that they do not feel that others have claims uponthem. Their thoughts, plans, and efforts are forthemselves. They live for self, and do not culti-vate disinterested benevolence, which, if exer-cised, would increase and strengthen until itwould be their delight to live for others’ good.This selfishness must be seen and overcome; forit is a grievous sin in the sight of God.”—Reviewand Herald, July 13, 1886.

How we displease God—“I saw that He (God)is greatly displeased with the least manifestationof selfishness on the part of His professed peoplefor whom Jesus spared not His own preciouslife.”—Early Writings, pp. 268-269.

Constantly proving us—“The Lord is con-stantly proving us, to see if our work is free fromselfishness and pride.”—Review and Herald,April 18, 1912.

Being good and doing good—“By being goodand doing good Christ’s followers expel selfish-ness from the soul.”—Medical Ministry, p. 317.“Only when the church is composed of pure,unselfish members, can it fulfill God’s pur-pose.”—Review and Herald, May 21, 1901.

Constantly deny self by helping someoneelse—“Constant self-denying benevolence isGod’s remedy for the cankering sins of selfish-ness and covetousness.”—3 Testimonies p. 548.

We must win back what we have lost—“Willyou engage in this conflict anew, and win backthe precious gifts of which you are nearly desti-tute? You will have to make efforts more earnest,more persevering and untiring, than you haveever yet made. It is not merely to pray or fast,but it is to be obedient, to divest yourselves ofselfishness, and keep the fast which God haschosen, which He will accept. Many feel grievedbecause I have spoken plainly, but this I shallcontinue to do.” —2 Testimonies, p. 37.

Those who have been indifferent to theneeds of others—“To those who claim fellow-ship with Christ, yet have been indifferent to theneeds of their fellow men, He will declare in thegreat judgment day, ‘I know you not whence youare; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity.’ ”—Desire of Ages, p. 825.

How are you answering the one ques-tion?—“As you engage in this work, you havecompanions unseen by human eyes. Angels ofheaven were beside the Samaritan who cared for

the wounded stranger. Angels from the heavenlycourts stand by all who do God’s service in min-istering to their fellow men. And you have thecooperation of Christ Himself. He is the Restorer,and as you work under His supervision, you willsee great results.

“Upon your faithfulness in this work, not onlythe well-being of others, but your own eternaldestiny depends . . By accepting this work ofministry we place ourselves in His school to befitted for the courts of God. By rejecting it, wereject His instruction, and choose eternal sepa-ration from His presence . . By cooperating withheavenly beings in their work on earth, we arepreparing for their companionship in heaven . .angels in heaven will welcome these who on earthhave lived ‘not to be ministered unto, but to min-ister.’ In this blessed companionship we shalllearn, to our eternal joy, all that is wrapped upin the question, Who is my neighbor?’ ”—Christ’sObject Lessons, pp. 388-389.

Those who are numbered as His most pre-cious treasure—“The Father from His throne be-holds those who do these acts of mercy, andnumbers them as His most precious treasures.‘And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts,in that day when I make up my jewels’ . . Whenyou succor the poor, sympathize with the afflictedand oppressed, and befriend the orphan, youbring yourselves into a closer relationship toJesus.

“Mark, selfish Christian: every neglect of theneedy poor, the orphan, the fatherless, is a ne-glect of Jesus in their person.”—2 Testimonies,p. 26.

Angels want to work through you—“Is therenot something stimulating and inspiring in thisthought, that the human agent stands as the vis-ible instrument to confer the blessings of angelicangencies? . . The knowledge and activity of theheavenly workers, united with the knowledge andpower that are imparted to human agencies,bring relief to the oppressed and distressed. Ouracts of unselfish ministry make us partakers inthe success that results from the relief offered.”—6 Testimonies, p. 457.

Angels are anxiously waiting—“All heaventakes an interest, not only in the lands that arenigh and that need our help, but in the landsthat are afar off. The heavenly beings are watch-ing and waiting for human agencies to be deeplymoved by the needs of their fellow workmen whoare in perplexity and trial, in sorrow and dis-

The Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is Given

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork1818181818tress.”—6 Testimonies, p. 459.

Our most powerful preaching—“The goodworks of the children of God are the most effec-tual preaching the unbeliever has.”—1 Testimo-nies, p. 193. “Personal labor is far more effec-tive than is preaching, and yet this essential fea-ture of the work has been strangely neglected.”—Signs of the times, March 19, 1894.

True religion is more than prayer—“Truereligion is the work of grace upon the heart, thatcauses the life to flow out in good works, like afountain fed from living streams. Religion doesnot consist merely in meditation and prayer. TheChristian’s light is displayed in good works, andis thus recognized by others . . He will glorifyGod in his works, and lead others to honorHim.”—Review and Herald, September 18,1888.

Help them first—“During the life of Christthe sick and afflicted were objects of His specialcare. When He sent out His disciples He com-missioned them to heal the sick as well as topreach the gospel. When He sent forth the sev-enty He commanded them to heal the sick, andnext to preach that the kingdom of God had comenigh unto them. Their physical health was to befirst cared for, in order that the way might beprepared for their minds to be reached by thosetruths which the apostles were to preach.”—4Testimonies, p. 225. “During His ministry, Jesusdevoted more time to healing the sick thanpreaching.”—Ministry of Healing, p. 19.

Live the truth by helping others—“LetSabbathkeeping families move to the South andlive out the truth before those who know it not.These families can be a help to one another, butlet them do nothing that will hedge up their way.Let them do Christian help work, feeding thehungry and clothing the naked. This will have afar stronger influence for good than the preach-ing of sermons.”—7 Testimonies, pp. 227-228.

The power of unselfish ministry—“The loveof Christ, manifested in unselfish ministry, willbe more effective in reforming the evildoer thanwill the sword or the court of justice.”—Ministryof Healing, p. 106.

Help place them in homes—“All can dosomething for the needy little ones by helping toplace them in homes where they can be caredfor.”—Welfare Ministry, p. 221.

Shall we refuse Him a home?—“I am grievedat the selfishness among professed Seventh-dayAdventists everywhere. Christ has gone to pre-

pare eternal mansions for us, and shall we refuseHim a home for only a few days, in the person ofHis saints who are cast out? . . Those who finallyovercome and sit down with Christ in His thronewill follow the example of Jesus, and from a will-ing, happy choice will sacrifice for Him in theperson of His saints. Those who cannot do thisfrom choice will go away into everlasting pun-ishment.”—1 Testimonies, p. 680.

The good works done to suffering people—“Please read Matthew 25:31 . . the next time youtake the Bible at your morning or evening familydevotions. The good works performed by thosewho are to be welcomed to the kingdom weredone to Christ in the person of His sufferingpeople. Those who had done these good worksdid not see that they had done anything forChrist. They had done more than their duty tosuffering humanity. Those on the left hand couldnot see that they had abused Christ in neglect-ing the wants of His people. But they had ne-glected to do for Jesus in the person of His saints,and for this neglect they were to go away intoeverlasting punishment.”—1 Testimonies, p.679.

Three principles of true missionary work—“True missionary work is that in which theSaviour’s work is best represented, His meth-ods most closely copied, His glory best pro-moted. Missionary work that falls short of thisstandard is recorded in heaven as defective. Itis weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, andfound wanting.”—6 Testimonies, p. 230.

A work men might have done—“When di-vine power is combined with human effort, thework will spread like fire in the stubble. Godwill employ agencies whose origin man will beunable to discern, angels will do a work whichmen might have had the blessing of accomplish-ing, had they not neglected to answer the claimsof God.”—Review and Herald, December 15,1885.

Helping the suffering is the work to bedone—“Medical Missionary work is the pioneerwork. It is to be connected with the gospel min-istry. It is the gospel in practice, the gospel prac-tically carried out. I have been made so sorry tosee that our people have not taken hold of thiswork as they should. They have not gone outinto the places round about to see what they cando to help the suffering.”—General ConferenceBulletin, April 12, 1901.

We are to carry on the work He began—

1919191919“Christ is no longer in this world in person, togo through our cities and towns and villages,healing the sick; but He has commissioned usto carry forward the medical missionary workthat He began. In this work we are to do our verybest.”—9 Testimonies, p. 168.

The church was organized to carry onChrist’s work—“Someone must fulfill the com-mission of Christ; someone must carry on thework He began to do on earth; and the churchhas been given this privilege. For this purpose ithas been organized. Why, then, have not thechurch members accepted the responsibility?There are those who have seen this great neglect;they have seen the needs of many who are insuffering and want; they have recognized in thesepoor souls those for whom Christ gave His life,and their hearts have been stirred with pity, ev-ery energy has been aroused to action.”—6 Tes-timonies, p. 295.

What it means to not put on the weddinggarment—“In neglecting this work which iswithin their own borders, in refusing to bearthese burdens, the church is meeting with greatloss. Had the church taken up this work as theyshould have done, they would have been themeans of saving many souls. Because of theirneglect the Lord has looked with disfavor uponthe church. A love of ease and selfish indulgencehas been shown by many . . These slothful ser-vants are represented as coming to the weddingsupper without the wedding garment, the robeof the righteousness of Christ. They have nomi-nally accepted the truth, but they do not prac-tice it . .

“All the members should engage in mission-ary work. They should visit every family in theneighborhood and know their spiritual condi-tion. If professed Christians had engaged in thiswork from the time when their names were firstplaced on the church books, there would not nowbe such widespread unbelief, such depths of in-iquity, such unparalleled wickedness, as is seenin the world at the present time. If every churchmember had sought to enlighten others, thou-sands upon thousands would today stand withGod’s commandment-keeping people.”—6 Tes-timonies, pp. 295-296.

Ministers should have a part in it—“WhileI have been commissioned to point out the dan-ger of swaying things too heavily in the medicalmissionary line to the neglect of other lines ofservice, this does not excuse those who have heldthemselves aloof from the medical missionary

work . . The indifference among our ministersin regard to health reform and the medical mis-sionary work is surprising. Even those who donot profess to be Christians treat the subject withgreater respect than do some of our own people,and these are going in advance of us.”—6 Testi-monies, pp. 298-299.

Those who refuse to take part, should nottry to control it—“Those who cannot see theimportance and bearing of the medical mission-ary work should not feel authorized to endeavorto control any phase of it . . The reason why somany church members do not understand thisbranch of the work is that they are not followingtheir Leader step by step in self-denial and self-sacrifice . .

“Then why do not all our ministers heartilycooperate with those who are carry forwardmedical missionary work? Why do they not care-fully study the life of Christ, that they may knowhow He labored, and then follow His example?. . The work now being done in medical mis-sionary lines ought to have been done years ago,and would have been done if God’s people hadbeen soundly converted to the truth, if they hadstudied the word with humble hearts, if they hadreverenced the God of the universe and studiedHis will instead of pleasing themselves. Had ourpeople done this work, many persons of abilityand influence would have been converted andjoined us in giving the message of Christ’s sooncoming.”—6 Testimonies, pp. 300-301.

Doing the work will help you understandthe work—“Our ideas of Christian benevolencemust be worked out if we would have them en-larged. Practical work will accomplish far morethan sermons. The ideas of our ministers mustbroaden, and from an earnest personal experi-ence they should speak words that will arousethe dormant energies of the people.”—6 Testi-monies, pp. 302-303.

Large orphanages are not needed—“Whenall is done that can be done in providing for or-phans in our own homes, there will still be manyneedy ones in the world who should be caredfor . . To care for these needy ones is a goodwork, yet in this age of the world the Lord doesnot give us as a people directions to establishlarge and expensive institutions for this purpose.If, however, there are among us individuals whofeel called of God to establish institutions for thecare of orphan children, let them follow out theirconvictions of duty.”—6 Testimonies, p. 286.

Because of neglected opportunities and

The Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is Given

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork2020202020abuse of privileges—“Because of neglected op-portunities and abuse of privileges, the membersof these churches are not growing ‘in grace, andin the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour JesusChrist.’ 2 Peter 3:18. Therefore they are weak infaith, deficient in knowledge, and children inexperience. They are not rooted and groundedin the truth. If they remain thus, many delusionsof the last days will surely deceive them, for theywill have no spiritual eyesight to distinquish truthfrom error.”—6 Testimonies, pp. 424-425.

Those who do not want the cross, will notreceive the crown—“The Lord has no place inHis work for those who have a greater desire towin the crown than to bear the cross. He wantsmen who are more intent upon doing their dutythan upon receiving their reward—men who aremore solicitous for principle than for promo-tion.”—Ministry of Healing, pp. 476-477.

God presents to you those you should carefor—“To my sisters I would say: Be daughters ofbenevolence . . You may have thought that if youcould find a child without fault, you would takeit, and care for it; but to perplex your mind withan erring child, to unlearn it many things andteach it anew, to teach self-control, is a workwhich you refuse to undertake. To teach the ig-norant, to pity and to reform those who haveever been learning evil, is no slight task; butHeaven has placed just such ones in your way.They are blessings in disguise.”—2 Testimonies,p. 27.

It is not pets but children which shouldbe cared for—“Many who have no children oftheir own could do a good work in caring for thechildren of others. Instead of giving attention topets, lavishing affection upon dumb animals, letthem give their attention to little children whosecharacters they may fashion after the divine si-militude. Place your love upon the homelessmembers of the human family. See how many ofthese children you can bring up in the nurtureand admonition of the Lord.”—Ministry of Heal-ing, pp. 203-204.

We should use every opportunity to helpothers—“We do not want to misuse any of God’screatures, but we should give our first attentionto those souls for whom Christ died; and weshould not allow our means to flow out in thesefoolish channels for our own selfish gratification.We should use all of God’s gifts in gaining anexperience that will help us to benefit our fellowcreatures, and advance the missionary work; forin doing this, we are laying up for ourselves trea-

sure in heaven.“Every self-sacrificing work and effort that

shall be made for the sake of Christ, to reflectback glory to God, in educating and training our-selves for this kind of labor, will meet with theapproval of Heaven; and God Himself will con-nect with these efforts, and put His seal uponthem. This work may appear to us very feeble,and we may never in this life understand theresults of such labor; but God knows all aboutit, and we must sow continually beside all wa-ters, not knowing which will prosper, this orthat.”—Review and Herald, November 6, 1888.

Putting property and furnishings first—“Too often those who are enjoying the gifts of Godadd house after house, and farm after farm, totheir possessions . . How long, O Lord! how long,shall this state of things exist? God will judgethe world in righteousness by that man Jesuswhom He hath ordained to judge the quick andthe dead; and those who have long neglected tofeed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to give re-lief and comfort to suffering humanity, will haveto render an account to God for the misapplica-tion of his intrusted talents. What a record willthen appear of money spent on pleasures andthe gratification of appetite in wine and liquorand rich dainties, for extravagant houses andfurniture and dress, while human beings re-ceived not one pitying look, not one word of sym-pathy.”—Review and Herald, January 4, 1898.

Matthew Eighteen—“Let us study the eigh-teenth chapter of Matthew. This chapter shouldenlighten our eyes.”—8 Testimonies, p. 73.

Place them where they will be preparedfor heaven—“As these homeless ones are placedwhere they can obtain knowledge and happinessand virtue, and become sons and daughters ofthe heavenly King, they will be prepared to act aChrist-like part in society. They are to be so edu-cated that they in their turn will help others. Thusthe good work will be extended and perpetu-ated.”—6 Testimonies, p. 287.

God’s blessing rests upon those who workwith Him—“When the Lord moves upon thechurches, bidding them to do a certain work,and they refuse to do that work; and when some,their human efforts united with the divine, en-deavor to reach the very depths of human woeand misery, God’s blessing will rest uponthem.”—8 Testimonies, pp. 72-73.

The blessing will return—“When Elijahcame to the widow of Sarepta, she shared hermorsel with the prophet of God, and he wrought

2121212121a miracle, and caused that in that act of makinga home for His servant, and sharing her morselwith him, she herself was sustained, and her lifeand that of her son preserved. Thus will it provein the case of many, if they do this cheerfully forthe glory of God.”—2 Testimonies, p. 29.

They do not see the wants of the needy—“From what has been shown me, Sabbathkeepersare growing more selfish as they increase inriches. Their love for Christ and His people aredecreasing. They do not see the wants of theneedy, nor feel their sufferings and sorrows.”—2 Testimonies, p. 24.

To bear the cross of Christ—“To bear thecross of Christ is . . to practice Christian cour-tesy, even when it is inconvenient to do so.”—4Testimonies, p. 627.

Would these also fail of receiving the prom-ise?—“The first generation had been condemnedto perish in the wilderness because of their un-belief, yet the same spirit appeared in their chil-dren. Would these also fail of receiving the prom-ise?”—Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 417-418.

What is being done to meet the commandof Jesus?—“Please read the invitation to the sup-per, and the last call to be made. Study what isbeing done to meet the command of Jesus. Icannot understand why such indifference ismanifested.”—8 Testimonies, p. 72.

The pitiful cries of a suffering world—“Whydo we not become enthused with the spirit of

Christ? Why are we so little moved by the pitifulcries of a suffering world? . . The church mustrealize its obligation to carry the gospel of presenttruth to every creature. I entreat you to read thethird and fourth chapters of Zachariah. If thesechapters are understood, if they are received, awork will be done for those who are hungeringand thirsting for righteousness.”—6 Testimo-nies, p. 296.

A message to church leaders on all lev-els—“If you will not encourage medical mission-ary work in the church, it will be done withoutyour consent; for it is the work of God, and itmust be done.”—8 Testimonies, p. 75.

He gives you the work because He lovesyou—“The Lord could carry forward His workwithout our cooperation. He is not dependenton us for our money, our time, or our labor. Butthe church is very precious in His sight. It is thecase which contains His jewels, the fold whichencloses His flock, and He longs to see it with-out spot or blemish or any such thing. He yearnsafter it with unspeakable love. This is why Hehas given us opportunities to work for Him, andHe accepts our labors as tokens of our love andloyalty.”—6 Testimonies, p. 261.

They are to hear God’s voice through us—“God designs that the sick, the unfortunate, thosepossessed of evil spirits, shall hear His voicethrough us. Through Human agents, He desiresto be a comforter, such as the world has never

PERSONAL MINISTRIESOF ELLEN AND JAMES WHITE

Ellen and James White, themselves, setan example in ministering to the needs ofthe unfortunate.

Welfare Ministry, pages 321 to 340 isa compilation of many such incidents.

“After my marriage I was instructed that Imust show a special interest in motherlessand fatherless children, taking some undermy own charge for a time, and then findinghomes for them. Thus I would be giving oth-ers an example of what they could do . . Ihave taken children of three to five years ofage, and have cared for them, educated them,and trained them for responsible positions.I have taken into my home from time to timeboys from ten to sixteen years of age, givingthem motherly care and a training for ser-

vice. I have felt it my duty to bring before ourpeople that work for which those in everychurch should feel a responsibility. While inAustralia I carried on this same line of work,taking into my home orphan children, whowere in danger of being exposed to tempta-tions that might cause the loss of theirsouls.”—E.G.White, Review and Herald,July 26, 1906.

“ ‘No one feels like taking the responsiblityof such cases now. Brother White always tookthe charge of them’ . . He would take them tohis own house till every chair and bed was full,then he would go to his brethren and have themtake those whom he could not. If they neededmeans, he would give to them, and invite oth-ers to follow his example. There must be menin Battle Creek to do as he has done, or thecurse of God will follow that church.”—1 Tes-timonies, p. 677.

The Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is GivenThe Call is Given

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork2222222222seen.”—Manuscript 65b, 1898.

This is your opportunity to proclaim thegospel—“Here is an opportunity to proclaim thegospel—to hold up Jesus, the hope and conso-lation of all men. When the suffering body hasbeen relieved, and you have shown a lively inter-est in the afflicted, the heart is opened, and youcan pour in the heavenly balm. If you are look-ing to Jesus, and drawing from Him knowledgeand strength and grace, you can impart His con-solation to others because the comforter is withyou.”—Medical Missionary, January, 1891.

Obeying the law means ministry to oth-ers—“The priest and Levite had no excuse fortheir coldhearted indifference. The law of mercyand kindness was plainly stated in the Old Tes-tament Scriptures. It was their appointed workto minister to just such cases as the one whomthey had coldly passed by. Had they obeyed thelaw they claimed to respect, they would not havepassed this man by without helping him.”—Manuscript 117, 1903.

He is willing to accept you—“He will accept

all who have ability, if they will devote themselvesto him in willing service.”—Review and Herald,December 15, 1885.

Are we in the same danger as was Judas?—“Satan is playing the game of life for every soul.He know that practical sympathy is a test of pu-rity and unselfishness of the heart, and he willmake every possible effort to close our hearts tothe needs of others, that we may finally be un-moved by the sight of suffering. He will bring inmany things to prevent the expression of loveand sympathy. It was thus that he ruined Judas.Judas was constantly planning to benefit self. Inthis he represents a large class of professedChristians of today. Therefore we need to studyhis case. We are as near to Christ as he was. Yetif, as with Judas, association with Christ doesnot make us one with Him, if it does not culti-vate within our hearts a sincere sympathy forthose for whom Christ gave His life, we are inthe same danger as was Judas of being outsideof Christ, the sport of Satan’s temptations.”—6Testimonies, pp. 264-265.

THE CASE OF HANNAH MORE

Ellen White tells us it was the eventssurrounding the tragic end of HannahMore which especially brought to her at-tention the increasing selfishness comingin upon the people of God.

Ironically, Hannah More was an experi-enced foreign missionary; and for a numberof years thereafter, our denomination did nothave one. Our people badly needed her coun-sel and help. But, according to Ellen White,they let her die.

Hannah More is mentioned in both Vol-umes 1 and 2 of the Testimonies. She hadbeen a missionary in a foreign field for anotherProtestant denomination, but then acceptedthe Advent message. Rejected by her formerfriends, this experienced missionary movedto Battle Creek, hoping she would find em-ployment and a home among our people. Shewas 58 years old at the time. But she foundneither a job or a home. Destitute, she wasforced to move to northern Michigan amongunbelievers. There, in a squalid, cold room,she died and was buried by a non-Adventistminister, who sent an obituary to the Reviewfor publication.

Learning what had happened, Ellen White

was shocked and wrote these words:“God wants that we should have means

that we may, as in time past, help where helpis needed. Satan wants to tie our hands inthis respect and lead others to be careless,unfeeling, and covetous, that such cruel workmay go on as in the case of Sister More.”—1Testimonies, p. 678.

“In this testimony I speak freely of the caseof Sister Hannah More, not from a willingnessto grieve the Battle Creek Church, but from asense of duty . . I present the frightful facts inthis case to arouse our people everywhere toa sense of their duty. Not one in twenty of thosewho have a good standing with Seventh-dayAdventists is living out the self-sacrificing prin-ciples of the Word of God.”—1 Testimonies,p. 632.

Hannah More’s story is told in 1 Testimo-nies, pp. 632 and 666-680; 2 Testimonies,pp. 140-145 and 332; 3 Testimonies, pp. 407-408.

You will want to read this account for your-self, and see how God regards our neglect innot making homes for the homeless aged, wid-ows, and fatherless and motherless children.The dates were 1867 for the experiences inVolume 1, and 1868 for those in Volume 2.

2323232323

Ellen White made a remarkably largenumber of comments on Isaiah 58—more,in fact, than for any other chapter in themajor or minor prophets, including Daniel.

Many of those messages cluster aroundthe concept that the entire ministry and mes-sage of the Advent people focuses on threeessential aspects: the medical work, the be-nevolent work, and the giving of the Sab-bath message.

She repeatedly counsels us to read Isaiah58. So read it just now.

And then read this:

Summary—“The union that should exist be-tween the medical missionary work and the min-istry is clearly set forth in the fifty-eighth chap-ter of Isaiah. There is wisdom and blessing forthose who will engage in the work as presented.This chapter is explicit, and there is in it enoughto enlighten anyone who wishes to do the will ofGod. It presents abundant opportunity to wit-ness to suffering humanity, and at the same timeto be an instrument in God’s hands of bringingthe light of truth before a perishing world. If thework of the third angel’s message is carried onin right lines, the ministry will not be given aninferior place, nor will the poor and sick be ne-glected. In His Word God has united these twolines of work, and no man should divorcethem.”—Counsels on Health, pp. 514-515.

Read Isaiah 58—“Read Isaiah 58, ye whoclaim to be the children of light. Especially doyou read it again and again who have felt so re-luctant to inconvenience yourselves by favoringthe needy. You whose hearts and homes are toonarrow to make a home for the homeless, readit; you who can see orphans and widows op-pressed by the iron hand of poverty and boweddown by hardhearted worldlings, read it. Are you

afraid that an influence will be introduced intoyour family that will cost you more labor, read it. . The reason why God’s people are not morespiritually minded, and have no more faith, Ihave been shown, is because they are narrowedup with selfishness. The prophet (Isaiah) is ad-dressing Sabbathkeepers, not sinners, not un-believers, but those who make great pretensionsto godliness. It is not the abundance of yourmeetings that God accepts. It is not the numer-ous prayers, but the rightdoing, doing the rightthing, and at the right time. It is to be less self-caring, and more benevolent. Our souls mustexpand. Then God will make them like a wa-tered garden, whose waters fail not.”—2 Testi-monies, pp. 35-36.

The whole of the chapter—“The whole ofthe fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah is to be regardedas a message for this time, to be given over andover again.”—Special Testimonies, Series B, No.2, p. 5.

It will be fulfilled—“The whole chapter isapplicable to those who are living in this periodof the earth’s history. Consider this chapter at-tentively; for it will be fulfilled.”—Manuscript 36,1897.

Of the highest importance—“What saith theLord in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah? Thewhole chapter is of the highest importance.”—8Testimonies, p. 159.

“Many Seventh-day Adventists fail to realizethe responsibility which rests upon them to co-operate with God and Christ for the saving ofsouls. They do not show forth to the world thegreat interest God has in sinners. They do notmake the most of the opportunities grantedthem. The leprosy of selfishness has taken holdof the church. The Lord Jesus Christ will healthe church of this terrible disease if she will behealed. The remedy is found in the fifty-eighth

2 - The Message2 - The Message2 - The Message2 - The Message2 - The Messageof Isaiah Fifof Isaiah Fifof Isaiah Fifof Isaiah Fifof Isaiah Fif ty-eightty-eightty-eightty-eightty-eight

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork2424242424chapter of Isaiah.”—Counsels on Stewardship,p. 85.

The Lord has a message for His people—“Our work is to arouse the people. Satan withall his angels has come down with great power,to work with every conceivable deception tocounterwork the work of God. The Lord has amessage for His people. This message will beborne, whether men will accept or reject it. As inthe days of Christ, there will be the deep plottingsof the powers of darkness, but the message mustnot be muffled with smooth works or fairspeeches, crying peace, peace, when there is nopeace, to those who are turning away from God,to the wicked’ [Isaiah 58:1-2, quoted].”—Manu-script 36, 1897.

The recipe Christ has prescribed—“In thefifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah Christ has shownhow this condition of things may be changed.He says: . .“This is the recipe that Christ hasprescribed for the fainthearted, doubting, trem-bling soul. Let the sorrowful ones, who walkmournfully before the Lord, arise and help some-one who needs help.”—6 Testimonies, p. 266.

A deeper experience is needed—“Many inthe church are represented to me as seeing menlike trees walking. They must have another anddeeper experience before they discern the snaresspread to take them in the net of the deceiver.There must be no halfway work done now. TheLord calls for stanch, decided, whole-souled menand women to stand in the gap, and make upthe hedge [Isaiah 58:12-14, quoted].

“There is a decided testimony to be borne byall our ministers in all our churches. God haspermitted apostasies to take place in order toshow how little dependence can be placed onman. We are to look to God; His word is not Yeaand Nay, but Yea and Amen.”—Notebook Leaf-lets, No. 19, pp. 2-3.

Show them where they are making a mis-take—“My brethren, you need to study morecarefully the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Thischapter marks out the only course that we canfollow with saftey . .

“ ‘Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like atrumpet, and show my people their transgres-sions, and the house of Jacob their sins.’ Thoughthey are called the people of God, the house ofJacob, though they profess to be linked with Godin obedience and fellowship, they are far fromHim. Wonderful privileges and promises havebeen given to them, but they have betrayed theirtrust. With no words of flattery may the message

be given them. ‘Show my people their transgres-sion, and the house of Jacob their sins.’

“Show them where they are making a mis-take. Set their danger before them. Tell them ofthe sins they are committing, while at the sametime they pride themselves on their righteous-ness. Apparently seeking God, they are forget-ting Him, forgetting that He is a God of love andcompassion, long-suffering and goodness, deal-ing justly and loving mercy. Worldly policy hascome into their business and religious life. Theirhearts are not purified through the truth. Godlooks upon their outward ceremonies of humil-ity as a solemn mockery. He regards all religioussham as an insult to Himself.

“The people of whom the prophet spokemake a high profession of piety, and point to theirfasting and to other external forms as an evi-dence of their piety. But their deeds were taintedby the leprosy of selfishness and covetousness.They had nothing except that which they had firstreceived from God. He bestowed His goods onthem that they might be His helping hands, do-ing what Christ would do were He in their place,giving a true representation of the principles ofheaven.”—Letter 76, 1902.

It opens an extensive vineyard to beworked—“The piety and advanced spiritualknowledge and growth of a church is propor-tionate to the zeal, piety, and missionary intelli-gence that has been brought into it, and carriedout of it to be a blessing to the very ones whoneed our assistance the most. Again I urge youto consider Isaiah 58, which opens a wide ex-tensive vineyard to be worked upon the lineswhich the Lord has pointed out. When this isdone there will be an increase of moral sourcesand the church will no more remain almost sta-tionary. There will be blessing and power attend-ing their labor. The selfishness that has boundup their souls they have overcome, and now theirlight is being given to the world in clear, brightrays of a living faith and godly example. The Lordhas His promises for all who will do His require-ments.”—Manuscript 14a, 1897.

Take these destitute children—“Fatherlessand motherless children are thrown into thearms of the church, and Christ says to His fol-lowers, Take these destitute children, bring themup for Me, and ye shall receive your wages. I haveseen much selfishness exhibited in these things.Unless there is some special evidence that theythemselves are to be benefited by adopting intotheir family those who need homes, some turn

2525252525away and answer: No. They do not seem to knowor care whether they are saved or lost. That, theythink, is not their business. With Cain they say:‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ They are not willingto be put to inconvenience or to make any sacri-fice for the orphans, and they indifferently thrustsuch ones into the arms of the world, who aresometimes more willing to receive them than arethose professed Christians. In the day of God,inquiry will be made for those whom Heaven gavethem the opportunity of saving. But they wishedto be excused, and would not engage in the goodwork unless they could make it a matter of profitto them. I have been shown that those who refusethese opportunities for doing good will hear fromJesus: ‘As ye did it not to one of the least ofthese, ye did it not to Me.’ ” Please read Isaiah58 . .

“This is the special work now before us. Allour praying and abstinence from food will availnothing, unless we resolutely lay hold of thiswork. Sacred obligations are resting upon us.Our duty is plainly stated. The Lord has spokento us by His prophet. The thoughts of the Lordand His ways are not what blind, selfish mortalsbelieve they are or wish them to be. The Lordlooks on the heart. If selfishness dwells there,He knows it. We may seek to conceal our truecharacter from our brethren and sisters, but Godknows. Nothing can be hid from Him.”—2 Testi-monies, pp. 33-34.

Care for the aged at home—“The matter ofcaring for our aged brethren and sisters whohave no homes is constantly being urged. Whatcan be done for them? The light which the Lordhas given me has been repeated: It is not best toestablish institutions for the care of the aged . .Nor should they be sent away from home to re-ceive care. Let the members of every family min-ister to their own relatives. When this is not pos-sible, the work belongs to the church, and itshould be accepted both as a duty and as a privi-lege . .

“The minister should educate the variousfamilies and strengthen the church to care forits own sick and poor . . Let them deny them-selves luxuries and needless ornaments, thatthey may make the suffering needy ones com-fortable. In doing this they practice the instruc-tion given in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah,and the blessing there pronounced will betheirs.”—6 Testimonies, p. 272.

All can do something for the needy littleones—“We felt that the Lord’s instruction in

Isaiah 58 was for us, and that His blessing wouldattend us in obedience to His Word. All can dosomething for the needy little ones, by helpingto place them in homes where they can be caredfor.”—Welfare Ministry, p. 221.

When you meet suffering souls, helpthem—“I have been instructed to refer ourpeople to the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Readthis chapter carefully and understand the kindof ministry that will bring life into the churches.The work of the gospel is to be carried by meansof our liberality as well as by our labors. Whenyou meet suffering souls who need help, give itto them. When you find those who are hungry,feed them. In doing this you will be working inlines of Christ’s ministry. The Master’s holy workwas a benevolent work. Let our people every-where be encouraged to have a part in it.”—Manuscript 7, 1908.

The third angel’s message is to be one withthis work—“I have no fears of workers who areengaged in the work represented in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. This chapter is explicit,and is enough to enlighten anyone who wishesto do the will of God. There is plenty of opportu-nity for everyone to be a blessing to humanity.The third angel’s message is not to be given asecond place in this work, but is to be one withit. There may be, and is a danger of burying upthe great principles of truth when the work is tobe to the message what the hand is to the body.The spiritual necessities of the soul are to bekept prominent.”—Letter 24, 1898.

It is sealed with the seal of God—“The fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah contains present truthfor the people of God. Here we see how medicalmissionary work and the gospel ministry are tobe bound together as the message is given to theworld. Upon those who keep the Sabbath of theLord is laid the responsibility of doing a work ofmercy and benevolence. Medical missionarywork is to be bound up with the message, andsealed with the seal of God.”—Evangelism, pp.516-517.

Our work needs cleansing too—“[Christ de-clared,] ‘It is written, My house shall be calledthe house of prayer, but ye have made it a den ofthieves.’ Then the Restorer practiced His medi-cal missionary work. ‘The blind and the lamecame to Him in the temple, and He healed them.’The market places, the merchandise stores, needcleansing. Courts of justice, Lawyer’s offices, themedical fraternity, need purifying. Shall we saythat the medical missionary work needs cleans-

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The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork2626262626ing? Christ, who came to our world to reveal theFather’s heart of tender compassion, has shownus the methods which Sabbathkeepers are tofollow in their work. These are plainly specifiedin the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. God will notbe a party to any dishonest transaction. The soulwho keeps the Sabbath is stamped with the signof God’s government, and he must not dishonorthis sign. By closely examining the Word of God,we may know whether we have the King’s mark,whether we have been chosen and set apart tohonor God.”—Medical Ministry, p. 123.

Those who have no special care for any-one except themselves—“But every man’s workis to be tested, and brought into judgment, andbe rewarded as his works have been . . (Prov-erbs 3:9-10; Isaiah 58:6-7, quoted). Read thenext verse, and notice the rich reward promisedto those who do this. ‘Then shall thy light breakfor as the morning, and thine health shall springforth speedily’ [Isaiah 58:8]. Here is an abun-dantly precious promise for all who will interestthemselves in the cases of those who need help.How can God come in and bless and prosperthose who have no special care for anyone ex-cept themselves, and who do not use that whichHe has entrusted to them, to glorify His nameon the earth?”—2 Testimonies, pp. 331-332.

Like the rich young ruler—“The peoplewhom the prophet [referring to Isaiah 58] is com-manded to warn are blinded, under a deception.They have a form of godliness, and regard them-selves as entitled to special favor and blessing,because they make a high profession and keepup a round of religious service. This nourishestheir self-complacency, and they feel as the youngman who came to Christ, claiming to have keptall the commandments, and asked, ‘What lack Iyet?’ ”—Review and Herald, October 13, 1891.

The command is: Minister to those moreneedy than yourself—“The fifty-eighth chapterof Isaiah is a prescription for maladies of thebody and soul. If we desire health and true joyof life, we must put into practice the rules givenin this scripture. Of the service acceptable toHim, and its blessings, the Lord says [Isaiah58:7-11]: . . If those who are suffering from illhealth would forget self in their interest for oth-ers; if they would fulfill the Lord’s command tominister to those more needy than themselves,they would realize the truthfulness of the pro-phetic promise, ‘Then shall thy light break forthas the morning, and thine health shall springforth speedily.’ ”—Ministry of Healing, pp. 256-

258.You are to search for them—“Please read

Isaiah 58 [Isaiah 58:5-11, quoted]. This is thespecial work now before us. All our praying andabstinence from food will avail nothing unlesswe resolutely lay hold of this work. Sacred obli-gations are resting upon us. Our duty is plainlystated. The Lord has spoken to us by Hisprophet. The thoughts of the Lord and His waysare not what blind, selfish mortals believe theyare or wish them to be. The Lord looks on theheart. If selfishness dwells there, He knows it.We may seek to conceal our true character fromour brethren and sisters, but God knows . .

“The fast which God can accept is described.It is to deal thy bread to the hungry and to bringthe poor which are cast out to thy house. Waitnot for them to come to you. The labor rests noton them to hunt you up and entreat of you ahome for themselves. You are to search for themand bring them to your house. You are to drawout your souls after them. You are with one handto reach up and by faith take hold of the mightyarm which brings salvation, while with the otherhand of love you reach the oppressed and re-lieve them . .

“If you engage in this work of mercy and love,will the work prove too hard for you? Will youfail and be crushed under the burden, and yourfamily be deprived of your assistance and influ-ence? Oh, no; God has carefully removed alldoubts upon this question, by a pledge to youon condition of your obedience. This promisecovers all that the most exacting, the most hesi-tating, could crave. ‘Then shall thy light breakforth as the morning, and thine health shallspring forth speedily.’ Only believe that He isfaithful that hath promised. God can renew thephysical strength. And more, He says He will doit. And the promise does not end here. ‘Thy righ-teousness shall go before thee; the glory of theLord shall be thy rearward.’ God will build a for-tification around thee. The promise does not stopeven here. ‘Then shall thou call, and the Lordshall answer. Thou shalt cry, and He shall say,‘Here I am.’ If ye put oppression from you andremove the speaking of vanity, if ye draw out yoursoul to the hungry, ‘then shall thy light rise inobscurity and thy darkness be as the noonday:and the Lord shall guide thee continually, andsatisfy thy soul in drought (famine), and makefat thy bones. And thou shalt be like a wateredgarden, and like a spring of water whose watersfail not.’ ”—2 Testimonies, pp. 33-35.

2727272727In doing it, you yourself will be helped—

“To those who minister to the necessities of thehungry and afflicted, the promise is, ‘Then shallthy light arise in obscurity.’ Many are in obscu-rity. They have lost their bearings. They knownot what course to pursue. Let the perplexedones search out others who are in perplexity, andspeak to them words of hope and encourage-ment. When they begin to do this work, the lightof heaven will reveal to them the path that theyshould follow. By their words of consolation tothe afflicted they themselves will be consoled.By helping others, they themselves will be helpedout of their difficulties.”—Manuscript 116, 1902.

Arise, and help someone who needs help—“As believers in Christ we need greater faith. Weneed to be more fervent in prayer. Many wonderwhy their prayers are so lifeless, their faith sofeeble, and wavering, their Christian experienceso dark and uncertain. Have we not fasted, theysay, and ‘waIked mournfully before the Lord ofhosts’?

“In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah, Christhas shown how this condition of things may bechanged. He says: ‘Is not this the fast that I havechosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, toundo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressedgo free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not todeal thy bread to the hungry, and when thou seestthe naked, that thou cover him, and that thouhide not thyself from thine own flesh.’ This isthe recipe that Christ has prescribed for the faint-hearted, doubting, trembling soul. Let the sor-rowful ones, who walk mournfully before theLord, arise and help someone who needs help. .

“To those who have been engaged in this workI would say: Continue to work with tact and abil-ity. Arouse your associates to work under somename whereby they may be organized to cooper-ate in harmonious action. Get the young menand women in the churches to work. Combinemedical missionary work with the proclamationof the third angel’s message. Make regular, or-ganized efforts to lift the church members out ofthe dead level in which they have been for years. . God’s people must realize their great needand peril, and take up the work that liest near-est them.

“With those who engage in this work, speak-ing words in season and out of season, helpingthe needy, telling them of the wonderful love ofChrist for them, the Saviour is always present,

impressing the hearts of the poor and miserableand wretched. When the church accepts its God-given work, the promise is [Isaiah 58:8, quoted].Christ our righteousness; He goes before us inthis work, and the glory of the Lord follows.

“All that heaven contains is awaiting the draftof every soul who will labor in Christ’s lines. Asthe members of our churches individually takeup their appointed work, they will be surroundedwith an entirely different atmosphere. A bless-ing and a power will attend their labors. Theywill experience a higher culture of mind andheart. The selfishness that has bound up theirsouls will be overcome. Their faith will be a liv-ing principle. Their prayers will be more fervent.The quickening, sanctifying influence of the HolySpirit will be poured out upon them, and theywill be brought near to the kingdom of heaven.”—6 Testimonies, pp. 266-268.

Here are those who will bear the banner—“[Isaiah 58:8-14, quoted] Here are given the char-acteristics of those who shall be reformers, whowill bear the banner of the third angel’s mes-sage, those who avow themselves God’s com-mandment-keeping people, and who honor God,and are earnestly engaged, in the sight of all theheavenly universe, in building the old wasteplaces. Who is it that calls them, ‘the repairersof the breach, the restorers of paths to dwellin’?—It is God. Their names are registered inheaven as reformers, restorers, as raising thefoundations of many generations.”—Review,October 13, 1891.

They will flash the light of truth on sys-tems of error and oppression—“As the end ap-proaches, the testimonies of God’s servants willbecome more decided and more powerful, flash-ing the light of truth upon the systems of errorand oppression that have so long held the su-premacy. The Lord has sent us messages for thistime to establish Christianity upon an eternalbasis, and all who believe the present truth muststand, not in their own wisdom, but in God; andraise up the foundation of many generations.These will be registered in the books of heavenas repairers of the breach, the restorers of pathsto dwell in. We are to maintain the truth becauseit is truth, in the face of the bitterest opposition.God is at work upon human minds; it is not manalone that is working. The great illuminatingpower is from Christ; the brightness of His ex-ample is to be kept before the people.”—Letter1f, 1890.

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sion for suffering humanity—“The work speci-fied in these words [Isaiah 58] is the work Godrequires His people to do. It is a work of God’sown appointment. With the work of advocatingthe commandments of God and repairing thebreach that has been made in the law of God, weare to mingle compassion for suffering human-ity. We are to show supreme love to God; we areto exalt His memorial, which has been troddendown by unholy feet; and with this we are tomanifest mercy, benevolence, and the tenderestpity for the fallen race. ‘Thou shalt love thy neigh-bor as thy self.’ As a people we must take hold ofthis work. Love revealed for suffering humanitygives significance and power to the truth.”—Spe-cial Testimonies, Series A, No. 10, pp. 3-4.

The work of restoring the moral image ofGod in man—“I cannot too strongly urge all ourchurch members, all who are true missionaries,all who believe the third angel’s message of thefifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. The work of be-nevolence enjoined in this chapter is the workthat God requires of His people to do at this time.It is a work of His own appointment. We are notleft in doubt as to where the message applies,and the time of its marked fulfillment, for weread: ‘They that shall be of thee shall build theold waste places. Thou shalt raise up the foun-dations of many generations; and thou shalt becalled, the repairer of the breach, the restorer ofpaths to dwell in.’

“God’s memorial, the seventh-day Sabbath,the sign of His work in creating the world, hasbeen displaced by the man of sin. God’s peoplehave a special work to do in repairing the breachthat has been made in His law;—and the nearerwe approach the end, the more urgent this workbecomes. All who love God will show that theybear His sign by keeping His commandments.They are the restorers of paths to dwell in. TheLord says: ‘If thou turn away thy foot from theSabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holyday, and call the Sabbath a delight, . . then shaltthou delight thyself in the Lord, and I will causethee to ride upon the high places of the earth.’

“Thus genuine medical missionary work isbound up inseparably with the keeping of God’scommandments, of which the Sabbath is espe-cially mentioned, since it is the great memorialof God’s creative work. Its observance is boundup with the work of restoring the moral image ofGod in man. This is the ministry which God’s

people are to carry forward at this time. Thisministry, rightly performed, will bring rich bless-ings to the church.”—6 Testimonies, pp. 265-266.

“In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah is out-lined the work which God’s people are to do.They are to magnify the law and make it honor-able, to build up the old wasted places, and toraise up the foundations of many generations.To those who do this work, God says, [Isaiah58:12-14, quoted]. The Sabbath question is tobe the issue in the great final conflict in whichall the world will act a part . . Each Sabbath in-stitution bears the name of its author, an inef-faceable mark that shows the authority of each.It is our work to lead the people to understandthis. We are to show them that it is of vital con-sequence whether they bear the mark of God’skingdom or the mark of the kingdom of rebel-lion, for they acknowledge themselves subjectsof the kingdom whose mark they bear. God hascalled us to uplift the standard of His downtrod-den Sabbath. How important, then that our ex-ample in Sabbathkeeping should be right.”—6Testimonies, pp. 352-353.

Amid great opposition, they become loyalto their God—“[Isaiah 58:8-14, quoted] Wheredo we find the people who are thus addressed?Who is it that shall build the old waste places,and raise up the foundation of many generations?Where are the people who have had light fromheaven to see that a breach has been made inthe law of God?

“In Revelation, John says, ‘The temple of Godwas opened in heaven, and there was seen inHis temple the ark of His testament’ (Revelation11:19). John saw in vision the Lord’s peoplelooking for His coming and searching for truth.As the temple of God was opened unto Hispeople, the light of the law of God, which was inthe ark, shone forth. Those who receive this lightare brought to view in the proclamation of theThird Angel’s Message.

“This angel is seen flying in the midst ofheaven, ‘saying with a loud voice, If any manworship the beast and his image, and receivehis mark in his forehead or in his hand, the sameshall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, whichis poured without mixture into the cup of hisindignation . . Here is the patience of the saints:Here are they that keep the commandments ofGod and the faith of Jesus.’

“This is the people that are repairing the

2929292929breach in the law of God. They see that the Sab-bath of the fourth commandment has been sup-planted by a spurious sabbath, a day that hasno sanction in the Word of God. Amid great op-position they become loyal to God, and take theirposition under the standard of the Third An-gel.”—Manuscript 48, 1900.

Who is doing it?—“Soon the Lord is com-

FOR FURTHER STUDY

Isaiah 58:1—Read Ezekiel 3:18; Matthew3:7; 23:1-3, 33; Luke 20:45-47; Acts 7:51; 2Corinthians 13:2.

Isaiah 58:2—Jeremiah 42:20; Ezekiel33:31; Proverbs 15:8; Matthew 15:8; Mark4:16-17; Titus 1:16; James 1:22.

Isaiah 58:3-5—Malachi 3:14; Zechariah7:5-6; Proverbs 21:27; Luke 18:9-14.

Isaiah 58:6-7—Exodus 21:2; Leviticus25:39, 50; Jeremiah 34:8-9; Nehemiah 5:1-13; Matthew 25:35-36; 6:17-18; 1 Peter 2:5; 1John 3:17; Psalm 41:1.

Isaiah 58:8—Psalm 97:11; 112:4; Job42:12; Proverbs 4:18; Malachi 4:2; Acts 10:4.

Isaiah 58:9—Psalm 34:15; Isaiah 65:24;Psalm 66:18; 1 John 3:22.

Isaiah 58:10-11—Psalm 25:9; 32:8;48:14; 73:24; 33:18-19; 37:19; 34:9, Proverbs11:25.

Isaiah 58:12—Nehemiah 2:17; Isaiah61:4; Amos 9:14; Isaiah 51:3.

Isaiah 58:13—Exodus 20:8-11; Deutero–nomy 5:15; Exodus 31:13-17; Nehemiah13:15-22; Jeremiah 17:21-27; Isaiah 56:6-7;Psalm 122:1; 27:4.

Isaiah 58:14—Deuteronomy 32:13;33:29; Philippians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:8; Genesis28:14; Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 24:35.

ing to this earth with power and great glory. Thework that we are to do is outlined in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah. Who is doing thiswork?”—Review and Herald, December 17,1901.

When God says something, it is important.Let us put important things first, where theybelong.

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About 2,000 years ago, Jesus and theNew Testament Church set the example. Heloved children and was kind to them. He min-istered to the sick. He found the needy andhelped them.

His followers did likewise, for Christian-ity changes people. It makes them like God.

We are to work as our Lord did, in ear-nest, whole-hearted ministry to others.

Back in New Testament times, the Romangovernment did not provide for widows and or-phans. But in the early centuries, as the numberof Christians increased, they took in homelesschildren and raised them. This was the generalpractice at the time of the first persecutions. Totake in an orphan to raise was considered anhonor among Christians down through the cen-turies. They cared for needy widows and oldpeople. They ministered to the sick.

THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

We clearly observe such clean, godly livingin the New Testament Church:

“I was pointed back to the days of theapostles, . . they were also taught that the wid-ows and fatherless had a claim upon their char-ity. Pure and undefiled religion is defined, tovisit the widows and fatherless in their afflic-tion, and to keep unspotted from the world.”—1 Testimonies, 190.

Dorcas was an example of a good disciple(Acts 9:36). She cared for all the needy peopleshe could find. Her life is an example for us to-day. The young church had a plan for caring fortheir widows (1 Timothy 5:9). The believers caredfor the needy in the church, especially the house-hold of faith, as well as others (Acts 2:44-45;4:32-35; Gal 6:10). Deacons were appointed tooversee this task (Acts 6). The believers sup-ported the poor and needy (1 Thessalonians5:14-15; cf. Acts of the Apostles, pp. 87-96).

This work of benevolence also included train-ing the young people, so that they would latermake good parents. A Christian writing from the

3 - Our Christian Heritage3 - Our Christian Heritage3 - Our Christian Heritage3 - Our Christian Heritage3 - Our Christian Heritage

very early centuries said this:“Orphans as well as widows are always com-

mended to Christian love. The bishop is to havethem brought up at the expense of the churchand to take care that the girls be given, when ofmarriageable age, to Christian husbands, andthat the boys should learn some art or handi-craft and then be provided with tools and placedin a condition to earn their own living, so thatthey may be no longer than necessary a burdento the church.”—Apostolic Constitutions, IV. 11,Tr. Uhlbrn, p. 185.

THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS

But aside from the example of the earlyChristians, first and foremost, we have the ex-ample of our Master:

“Then were there brought unto him little chil-dren, that he should put his hands on them,and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. ButJesus said, Suffer [Greek: do not hinder] littlechildren and forbid them not to come unto me;for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.”—Mat-thew 19:13-14 (cf. Desire of Ages, p. 511).

Mark and Luke add this verse:“Verily, I say unto you, Whosoever shall not

receive the kingdom of God as a little child, heshall not enter therein.”—Mark 10:13-15 (Luke18:15-17; cf. Desire of Ages, p. 517).

Later Jesus said to Peter:“Lovest thou me more than these? He saith

unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I lovethee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.”—John21:15.

FEED MY LAMBS

“The charge given to Peter by Christ just be-fore His ascension was ‘Feed My lambs.’ Andthis charge is given to every minister. WhenChrist said to His disciples, ‘Suffer the littlechildren to come unto Me, and forbid them not;for of such is the kingdom of God,’ He wasspeaking to His disciples in all ages.”—GospelWorkers, p. 207.

This charge to care for the lambs is also forus today—and it includes caring for orphans.

“The Lord said to Peter, ‘Feed My Lambs.’This command is to us, and by opening our

3131313131the city, and bring in hither the poor, and themaimed, and the halt, and the blind . . Go outinto the highways and hedges, and compel themto come in, that my house may be filled.”—Luke14:21, 23.

The people of God were called upon to go tothe highways and hedges and gather them in.The gathering was to be done through medical-health-benevolent work—a uniting of all com-ponents of true medical missionary work, whichin turn must be united with spiritual ministry—which is prayer and the teaching of God’s Word!

Those who would partake of the marriagesupper of the Lamb in heaven (Rev 19) will onearth have helped to bring the poor and needyto that supper (Luke 14).

“I saw another angel fly in the midst ofheaven.”—Revelation 14:6.

We represent that angel with the urgent mes-sage. Our assignment is to go everywhere aboutus and gather in the people. Not only are we togo to the rich and the favorable; we are to go tothe poor, the weak, and the most needy. We areto minister as Christ ministered.

THE HINGE OF THE JUDGMENT

In that great day, when the sheep are sepa-rated from the goats, the test of the judgmentwill be clearly perceived by everyone. Thoughthey were warned of it centuries before by ourLord; the day of reckoning will finally have ar-rived:

The test of the judgment will be what Christ’sfollowers have done for Him in the person of thepoor and needy.

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory,and all the holy angels with him, then shall hesit upon the throne of His glory. And before himshall be gathered all nations: and he shall sepa-rate them one from another, as a shepherddivideth his sheep from the goats.”—Matthew25:31-32.

What we do for Christ, in the person of thefrail ones, will in that day be the hinge of thejudgment:

“And he shall set the sheep on his right hand,but the goats on the left. Then shall the Kingsay unto them on his right hand, Come, yeblessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom pre-pared for you from the foundation of the world:For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; Iwas thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was astranger, and ye took me in; naked, and yeclothed me. I was sick, and ye visited me. I wasin prison and ye came unto me.

“Then shall the righteous answer him, say-

homes for the orphans we aid in its fulfillment.Let not Jesus be disappointed in you.”—6 Tes-timonies, p. 284.

God is testing our hearts, to see if we reallylove Him and appreciate the great atonement Heis completing for us.

“By our love and service for His needy chil-dren, we prove the genuineness of our love forHim. To neglect them is to declare ourselvesfalse disciples, strangers to Christ and Hislove.”—Ministry of Healing, p. 205.

Compare that statement with the urgentstatement in Desire of Ages, 825.

THE SUPPER CALL MESSAGE

Ministry to the frail, the weak, and those inneed is an essential aspect of the “supper callmessage.”

“Please read the invitation to the supper andthe last call to be made. Study what is beingdone to meet the command of Jesus . . Let usstudy the eighteenth chapter of Matthew. Thischapter should enlighten our eyes. ‘Take heed,’Christ says, ‘that ye despise not one of theselittle ones; for I say unto you, that in heaventheir angels do always behold the face of MyFather which is in heaven.”—8 Testimonies, pp.72-73.

We just read in the above passage that weshould give careful attention to Matthew 18. Youwill want to read it. That chapter tells what itmeans to be a member of the kingdom of heaven(18:1): We must care for children (18:2-7); wemust put away sin from us (18:8-9); we mustcooperate with Christ’s objective by helping thelittle ones (18:10-11); we must go in search ofthe frail and lost ones (18:12-14). In view of thegreat debt of forgiveness we have received, wemust minister that forgiveness to others (18:15-35).

We are told about the supper call message inLuke 14:12-15.

“When thou makest a dinner or a supper,call not . . thy rich neighbors; lest they also bidthee again, and a recompense be made thee.But when thou makest a feast, call the poor,the maimed, the lame, the blind: And thou shaltbe blessed; for they cannot recompense thee:for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrec-tion of the just.”—Luke 14:12-14.

In order to explain this more fully, Jesus thengave the parable of the great supper (Luke 14:15-24). The command was urgent. The servantswere sent out “into the highways and hedges” tosearch for those in need—and bring them in.

“Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of

Our Christian HeritageOur Christian HeritageOur Christian HeritageOur Christian HeritageOur Christian Heritage

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork3232323232ing, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, andfed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? Whensaw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? ornaked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we theesick, or in prison and came unto thee?

“And the King shall answer and say untothem, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye havedone it unto one of the least of these my breth-ren, ye have done it unto Me.”—Matthew 25:33-40.

Then the King shall turn to the other group:“Then shall he say also unto them on the left

hand . . saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuchas ye did it not to one of the least of these, yedid it not to me.”—Matthew 25:41-46.

Think not that this is a matter of little im-portance. —An entire chapter in Desire of Ageswas written to explain its importance! Read it:Desire of Ages, chapter 70; pages 637 to 641.It says it all.

“Thus Christ on the Mount of Olives picturedto His disciples the scene of the great judgmentday. And He represented its decision as turningupon one point. When the nations are gatheredbefore Him, there will be but two classes, andtheir eternal destiny will be determined by whatthey have done or have neglected to do for Himin the person of the poor and the suffering.”—Desire of Ages, 637. Read the entire chapter;it is not long.

A FATHER TO THE FATHERLESS

To be Christlike is to be Godlike, for this isthe way God is toward us. God’s promise to or-phans is:

“When my father and my mother forsake me,then the Lord will take me up.”—Psalm 27:10.

God is described as being a Father to thefatherless. What a wonderful promise that is!He will also defend and relieve them, and do jus-tice to the needy. The day of judgment will be thefinal defense and justice. Consider these prom-ises:

“A Father of the fatherless, and a judge of thewidows, is God in his holy habitation.”—Psalm68:5.

[Yes, He will] “defend the poor and father-less; do justice to the afflicted and needy.”—Psalm 82:3.

“The Lord preserveth the strangers; he reliev-eth the fatherless and widow.”—Psalm 146:9.

In contrast are the attitudes of the mercilessheathen:

“They break in pieces thy people, O Lord,and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widowand the stranger, and murder the fatherless.”—Psalm 94:5-6.

HE WILL AVENGE HIS OWN

God will avenge His own.“Thou hast seen it; for thou beholdest mis-

chief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: thepoor committeth himself unto thee; thou artthe helper of the fatherless.”—Psalm 10:14.

“Lord, thou has heard the desire of thehumble; thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wiltcause thine ear to hear: to judge the fatherlessand the oppressed, that the man of the earthmay no more oppress.”—Psalm 10:17-18.

God’s judgments are pronounced againstthose who neglect the fatherless and the poor:

“As a cage is full of birds, so are their housesfull of deceit; therefore they are become great,and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine;yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked; theyjudge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless,yet they prosper; and the right of the needy dothey not judge. Shall I not visit for these things?saith the Lord: shall not my soul be avenged onsuch a nation as this? A wonderful and hor-rible thing is committed in the land.”—Jeremiah5:27-30.

Elsewhere, through Jeremiah we are told:“Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and

deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the op-pressor: and do not wrong. Do no violence tothe stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, nei-ther shed innocent blood in this place.”—Jeremiah 22:3.

But to those who refused to defend and helpthe poor and weak, the promise is that theirhouse will erelong be desolated (Jeremiah 22:4-5, 7-9).

Leah Schmitke has deep feelings about thismatter. She went through many years of suffer-ing and persecution for her faith and her con-cerns. Several years ago, she wrote these wordsin her typical, very direct, way:

“So my dear brothers and sisters, when theLord says ‘Do this and do that,’ what right everhave we as human beings to go contrary to Hisorders, the Captain of the Host? Who has au-thority to act over Him, our Creator!—LeahSchmitke.

“We must repent of the past evil of our do-ings, and seek God with all our hearts. We mustbelieve that God means just what he says, andmake no compromise with evil in any way. Weshould humble ourselves before God, and con-sider any loss preferable to the loss of his fa-vor.”—Review and Herald, June 29, 1911.

“When the Lord sent warnings to His peopleat the time Jerusalem was to be destroyed, Hegave them a sign when the danger was ap-proaching, and told them to get out! Those that

3333333333heeded the warning, were saved from thatdoom. But those who did not listen, and stayedright on, and mocked God by disregarding Hiscounsel, were left to their fate. God could nothelp them. Christ wept over Jerusalem. So to-day He is shedding tears over those who haveno tears to shed for themselves.”—Leah Schmitke,undated manuscript.

My friend, it is a solemn duty to carry thecall to the marriage supper to everyone. Longago we were warned:

“O how terrible it is to treat the Lord with

dissimulation and neglect, to scorn His coun-sel with pride because man’s wisdom seems somuch superior. Just as the blood must be inthe veins of the body, and circulate there withits vitalizing power, so Christ must dwell in theheart. Then souls will be rooted and groundedin the truth. The truth with all its sanctifyingpower must dwell in the heart by faith. Then itbecomes our own property, and Christ our per-sonal Saviour. The pardon of all our transgres-sion will be a living experience to us.”—Letterdated December 1, 1898.

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Some may imagine that conditions areso improved today that there is no furtherneed to help the unfortunate. Yet, less thanan hour ago, the present writer heard a ra-dio news report that the numbers of chil-dren who are homeless is increasing fasterthan any other age group in America! It wasstated that, at the present time, 20 percentof the people who go to relief shelters forfood are homeless children.

In Ellen White’s day, conditions were alsoserious. So her statements, made at thattime, apply equally to our time.

For nearly four years, the war between theNorth and the South had been in progress. Dur-ing the winters of 1864 to 1866, it was espe-cially difficult for Seventh-day Adventists. At first,President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 mento enlist in the Union army. But as the Civil Warintensified, a second call was made for additionalmen—another 30,000. Then, later, another callwas made which brought great hardships to thefamilies left behind. Many of the soldiers gavetheir lives for their country, and never returned.

In various parts of the nation homeless chil-dren on the streets were taken into almshouses,and some were confined in jails. This was done,not because they were bad children, but becausethey had no homes to go to.

Concerning this condition, we read the fol-lowing report released in 1864:

“It was not the sight of homeless children inthe streets, as with Mr. Brace of New York in1853, not the memory of little children seen inalmshouses in college days, as with Mr. VanArsdale of Illinois in 1883; not even the story ofcold, hungry and beaten children indenturedin family homes, as with members of the firstState Board of Charities in Massachusetts in1863-1864; but the sight of little children insolitary confinement in jail that stirred Bostonwomen to action in 1863. What they saw is toldin these words, quoted in a leaflet entitledChildren’s Aid Society: Its Origin and Objects,

4 - Conditions Ar4 - Conditions Ar4 - Conditions Ar4 - Conditions Ar4 - Conditions Around Usound Usound Usound Usound Us

1864:

“ ‘Some ladies interested in the Newsboy’sSchool, having occasion to visit certain boysconfined in Boston Jail for petty larceny, foundthat the jail always contained a number of chil-dren, from 10 to 15 years of age, who were keptin solitary confinement. Each one is alone frommorning till night, except when by accident hesees a passing face or receives a visit.

“In addition, little children, ten or twelveyears old accused of crime, but not convicted,and unable to find bail, are here shut up bythemselves without society or occupation. Theystand by their grated door, clinging to its bars,as birds cling to the bars of their cage, watch-ing hour after hour in hopes of seeing the faceof a passing visitor or officer; or they sit on thebed, crying, refusing to sleep or eat.’ ”—Depen-dent Child, Thurston, 1864, p. 171.

Such conditions occurred not in farawaylands but in America. As noted earlier, condi-tions have not improved much in the interven-ing years. Then as now, children are found starv-ing in American homes, children with inadequateclothing.

These conditions have not changed.“Some 100,000 children are sitting in jails

and jail-like institutions throughout the coun-try. They are as young as six. Most, perhaps 60percent, are not delinquents. They have com-mitted no criminal acts . . They are in jails (thou-sands of them illegally, without benefit of courthearings or attorneys or specific release dates)because there is no place else for them to be.These jails, which have many different names—detention centers, training schools, even hos-pitals—have guards and locks and, for the mostpart, bars and high walls.”—Magistrate DavidS. Schaffer, of the Chicago Juvenile Court,quoted in Charles Mangel, editorial, LookMagazine, June 29, 1971.

Later, in the above article, Mangel interviewedChuck. He was seven when he was sent to prisonbecause he had no parents to care for him. Theydid not want him around. At that young age, hebegan a training in criminal behavior. Mangel in-terviewed him when he was 35. Chuck had spent

353535353526 years in some kind of institution, and hadbeen out ten months—the longest period of timehe had been freed since he was seven.

Here is what happened to this child, whoseonly fault originally, was that he did not have ahome he could go to:

“ ‘My mother put me in an orphanage when Iwas seven,’ he recalled. Why? ‘I don’t know. Myparents were both working. I was an only child.I don’t think they wanted me around. They wereboth pretty young.’

“Chuck kept running away, trying to go hometo his parents. After three years, the orphanagegave up and sent him back. But he didn’t wantto go to school. While truant one day, he wan-dered into a variety store, picked up a hard-boiled Easter egg from a display and ate it. Aneighbor told his mother.

“The next day, Chuck’s mother petitioned thecourt to have him committed as an uncontrol-lable child. (In many states, “incorrigible” chil-dren, solely on petition of a parent, school, orpolice officer, can be held until age 21. New Jer-sey last year imprisoned a boy until newspaperpublicity forced his release. He was five). Chuck,12, was sent to a reformatory. He was to staythere for most of the next four years. He haddone nothing more serious than eat the egg andplay hooky.

“ ‘When you go into reform school at 12 orso,” he told me, “and you see a guy maybe ayear or two older in there for robbing; he’s a bigman. You look up to him. You listen to him. Ilistened to stories about [criminal] jobs. I justtook it all in my head.’

“What did you learn?

“I learned the best time to break into a mar-ket, how to get into a closed gas station, how toempty a jewelry-store window, how to find outif a house is empty and get in quietly, how tosell the junk you deal.’ (Eight out of ten kids—including those who enter these institutions fornon-delinquent behavior—commit crimes afterthey leave. Three out of four are back in jailwithin five years.)

“After a year at the reformatory, Chuck got atwo-week home leave. He could barely wait totest his new knowledge. ‘I hitchhiked across thestate line the first night out—they told me notto mess with your hometown—and crashed intotwo closed gas stations. I went into the cashregisters and the vending machines. I still re-member, I got $50 in one and $20 in the sec-ond. That was big money for me. I was 13½. Ihit two more when that money ran out. Now Ihad some stories to tell when my leave was up.’

“Chuck learned ‘how to stick a knife in a guy,

shoot a gun. They taught me to fight; they mademe want to do it, to get revenge. The kids saidif you’ve got the guts to stick it out till you’re aguy, then you’re OK. Otherwise, you’re a punk.This went on, day after day. All we did was talk.They had pictures of guns and showed us howto load them. Over and over. When I got outand got a gun, I felt at home with it.’

“Discharged at 14, Chuck formed a three-boy gang and started breaking into houses. ‘Wewould do 12-15 houses in an afternoon whenpeople were out.’

“His career had begun, it was to take himinto four different reformatories, Federal andstate prisons, through five knifings of other in-mates—he tried to kill each, but failed—throughepisodes and drugs. When discharged the lasttime, he had been out of confinement a total of13 days of the 13½ years. Now he sat with me,worrying about his future.

“He lost five jobs because his employerslearned he is an exconvict; another because ofhis temper. Although he is trying to stay clean,he had broken into two houses the week beforewe talked. He is trying to stay off pills and li-quor but may be losing. He is continually look-ing over his shoulder, afraid he’ll be caught forthose entries, dodging friends he made in prisonwho are looking for him so they can get back tothe only real work any of them knows. ‘I get twoor three offers a week.’

“Chuck doesn’t know what he will do. He hasthe defenses of a child. ‘He is terror-stricken,’ anew friend of his told me. ‘He carries a knifebecause he’s afraid someone will stab him inthe back. He doesn’t believe anyone could lovehim. He tried to con me until he realized I wasn’tout to hurt him, that I wanted to help. He doesn’tknow what it is to be happy.’

“The only thing Chuck is sure about is ‘thatit started in reform school. ‘That was my tradeschool, that’s where I learned, and all those inreform school with me. Eight out of ten guys Isaw in prison were in reform school with me.’

“These are not isolated examples. They rep-resent dozens of boys and girls I met across thecountry, non-delinquent or borderline delin-quent children who are committed to institu-tions for indeterminate stays under the guiseof treatment. But only five out of 100 get it.

“Instead, they find themselves in a worldgoverned by brutality (one survey reported ma-jor punishment in two out of three institutions)and a different code of conduct. ‘Imagine,’ saidone researcher, ‘what can happen to a ten-year-old boy, whose only offense is to have been de-serted by his parents—when he is assigned abed between a burglar and a homicide suspect.’

Conditions ArConditions ArConditions ArConditions ArConditions Around Usound Usound Usound Usound Us

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork3636363636Inevitably, they learn a new set of rules.

“No one, anywhere, demands an accountingof what happens to these children. Nobodytouches their lives. Except on a hit-or-miss ba-sis, no hand exists to support a stumbling child,no hand exists to help good families that findsurvival impossible without assistance. I inter-viewed poor parents of disturbed or brain-in-jured kids who committed their children indesperation because they could find no otherpromise of treatment. Each ‘incorrigible’ childwent to jail. None got the promised treatment.Schools simply eject kids who do not learn—90,000 under 16 walk the streets all day in NewYork City; 60,000 in Philadelphia; 36,000 in De-troit; 53,000 in Los Angeles.

“Most judges refuse to visit the institutionsthey sentence kids to. Three out of four juve-nile courts have neither diagnostic services toseek out reasons for a child’s behavior nor treat-ment services to help a child before commit-ting him to an institution.

“Logic plays little part in our treatment ofchildren in trouble. We imprison a child of sevenand tell ourselves he is the failure. We maintainwe will treat him, but only one of 20 institutionemployees is assigned to rehabilitation. Yet ourFederal Government spends $480 million foran ominous crime act, and only $14.7 millionfor delinquency prevention—versus $4.4 billionfor highway construction. We complain end-lessly about money, yet we will spend as highas $12,000 to keep one child in a jail cell forone year when most could be helped in smallgroup homes for a third of that sum. ‘Secureinstitutions are necessary for some ten percentwho are dangerous,’ says Milton Rector of theNational Council on Crime and Delinquency.

“We know our juvenile prisons are failures,yet we plan to increase their capacities by al-most 50 percent. We deplore the need to putnon-delinquents with hardcore child crimi-nals—and some 10,000 in with adult prison-ers—yet unblushingly continue to do it. In 1961,New York State passed a law forbidding non-

delinquents to be placed in facilities housingdelinquents. The jails started to empty. Sud-denly there was no need for all those guards.Forty percent were let go. They protested. Thelegislators repealed the law and returned to theold system.”—Charles Mangel, Look Magazine,June 29, 1971.

The Spirit of Prophecy had the solution tothe problem. Families should help one anothercare for homeless children, so they would notwind up in jails and enter a life of crime. In addi-tion, orphanages should be established:

“If all were done that could be done in pro-viding homes in families for orphan children,there would still remain very many requiringcare. Many of them have received an inherit-ance of evil. They are unpromising, unattrac-tive, perverse, but they are the purchase of theblood of Christ, and in His sight are just as pre-cious as are our own little ones. Unless a help-ing hand is held out to them, they will grow upin ignorance and drift into vice and crime. Manyof these children could be rescued through thework of orphan asylums.

“Such institutions, to be most effective,should be modeled as closely as possible afterthe plan of a Christian home. Instead of largeestablishments, bringing great numbers to-gether, let there be small institutions in differ-ent places. Instead of being in or near sometown or large city, they should be in the countrywhere land can be secured for cultivation andthe children can be brought into contact withnature and can have the benefits of industrialtraining.

“Those in charge of such a home should bemen and women who are largehearted, cultured,and self-sacrificing; men and women who un-dertake work from love to Christ and who trainthe children for Him. Under such care manyhomeless and neglected ones may be preparedto become useful members of society, an honorto Christ themselves, and in their turn helpingothers.”—Ministry of Healing, pp. 205-206.

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1868THE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION

It was in the year 1868 that a specialmessage came to the Advent people. Theywere to care for the needy, minister to thefriendless, and, when necessary, makehomes for the homeless.

“Years ago I was shown that God’s peoplewould be tested upon this point of makinghomes for the homeless; that there would bemany without homes in consequence of theirbelieving the truth. Opposition and persecutionwould deprive believers of their homes, and itwas the duty of those who had homes to open awide door to those who had not. I have beenshown more recently that God would speciallytest His professed people in reference to thismatter.”—2 Testimonies p. 27.

That same year, the General Conference metin Session in Battle Creek. The opening meetingwas on May 12. There were only about 5,000members and about 25 or 30 experienced min-isters in the denomination back then. As a rule,the churches had to rely on local elders to dothe preaching.

So only 13 accredited delegates attended theSession (one each from New York, Maine, Ohio,and Missouri; two from Iowa; and four fromMichigan). In addition two others were seatedby vote of those present. Two concerns were fore-most on the agenda:

“They felt that . . the holding of annual statecamp meetings, and the organization of system-atic relief of poverty and suffering among thebelievers, were worthy of immediate consider-ation at the Conference.”—Review, March 4,1937.

This resulted in two special actions:“The importance of Health Reform and medi-

cal missionary work was recognized by the ap-pointment of Dr. M.[erritt] G. Kellogg to leadout in an educational program for health among

the churches.

“Provision was made for systematic, unitedaction in caring for the worthy poor among thebrethren. For this there was formed the Sev-enth-day Adventist Benevolent Associationwith a membership fee of ten dollars, open to‘all our people who are willing to enter into it,’the elders and deacons of each local church toact as its agents in promoting its work. JamesWhite was elected president, and there was as-sociated with him a secretary, a treasurer, andtwo other persons to serve with him as an ex-ecutive committee. There was an enthusiasticresponse to the plan presented, and one hun-dred fifty of those present enrolled as chartermembers.”—Review, March 4, 1937.

It is highly significant that our medical andbenevolent work began at about the same time.The above decision occurred only five years af-ter Ellen White received her important healthreform vision.

Having received this message, many familiesin the church began more fully to turn their at-tention to helping the needy, and a good workwas started.

1890CALL TO START AN ORPHANAGE

But, with the passing of years, as the denomi-nation grew, the interest waned. By 1890, therewere about 50,000 members, and many of themwere more lax than the faithful believers had beenin 1868. It was becoming impossible to findenough homes for the orphans who needed help.

After the 1888 Conference in Minneapolis,the Lord sent a message to Ellen White to sharewith our leaders and with Dr. John HarveyKellogg: It was time that an orphanage be estab-lished in Battle Creek, as a pattern which couldbe copied by our people in other parts of thefield.

“To the Managers of the Battle Creek Sani-

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The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork3838383838tarium—Dear Brethren: While in Petoskey, I hadsome conversation with your physician-in-chief[J.H. Kellogg] in regard to establishing a homefor orphan children in Battle Creek. I said thatthis was just what was needed among us as apeople, and that, in enterprises of this kind, weare far behind other denominations.”—8 Testi-monies, p. 133.

There are those who say the idea of an or-phanage was invented by Dr. Kellogg. But this isnot true. The project was presented to the Gen-eral Conference Session held in the spring of1891 (March 19-22), by Dr. Kellogg at the re-quest of Ellen White.

In his opening statement, requesting thatconstruction be started on the project, he re-ferred to the 1868 instruction (which had beengiven in 2 Testimonies, pp. 24-27).

“I dare say that if we had had an institutiontwenty-five years ago, where orphans could havebeen trained, there would not be such a dearthof workers at the present time. It is a Christianduty we owe to care for these friendless orphans.If you take the volumes of the Testimonies, andlook in Volume 2, you will find something writ-ten in 1868, twenty-three years ago, and thereyou will find this expression, ‘There is a decidedwant of care for widows, orphans, and the feebleof the flock.’ ”—J.H. Kellogg, General Confer-ence Bulletin, 1890.

Ellen White had been urging the care of theorphans and the needy for years. As examples,read “The Care of Orphans,” 6 Testimonies,281-287; and “Our Duty to the Household ofFaith,” 6 Testimonies, pp. 269-272.

However, from the very start, there had beenopposition by some of our people to the work—both the health reform work and the benevolentwork. But those who believed the Testimonieskept moving forward.

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

1 - Relief Department. Medical Missionary,May 1890. Several examples of orphans whohave been contacted and helped (2 pages).

1891ORPHANAGE CONSTRUCTION APPROVED

At the March 19-22, 1891, General Confer-ence Session, the necessity of a home for orphansand aged persons was presented. The delegatestook action, and a temporary board of trusteeswas appointed. This seven-man committee wasasked to take the matter into immediate consid-

eration, and given power to act.Elder O.A. Olsen, president of the General

Conference, chaired the Session and said this:“I think we can hardly appreciate the impor-

tance and extent of the measure which we havemet to carry into effect this afternoon. It com-prehends more, it will have a wider range, andit will be more effectual in accomplishing im-portant results, than we at present can reallyunderstand.

“As the importance and extent of missionarywork has dawned upon us more and more, weare made to realize that we ought to enlarge allour plans; that the work should not be confinedto Bible readings, etc., but should extend tocaring for the needy and the suffering whereverwe may find them.

“I am certain that when our missionary workthus enlarges its scope and enters this field, weshall find an interest arising among our peoplesuch as we have never seen manifested up tothis time.

“In this line of work every church and everybeliever can participate. There is no church, noplace, and no community where such work isnot needed, where much cannot be accom-plished in carrying it out, much suffering berelieved, and the glory of God advanced thereby.

“It seems to me that nothing can be moreproper and consistent than taking such actionas this, while planning as we are at this timefor the enlargement of our work. This effortmust grow into an immense work in its extentand results.”—O.A. Olsen, quoted in 1896 Medi-cal Missionary and Benevolent [MMBA] Year-book.

It is clear that it was our church leaders whobegan this institutional project; it was not merely“Kellogg’s project,” as later charged.

Approval for a home for the aged was alsogiven at that General Conference Session.

However, there was opposition. Throughoutthe 1890s it was to intensify. Gradually, thiswould lead Kellogg into paths he would not oth-erwise have entered.

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

2 - The Orphans’ Home, an article by EllenWhite in the June and July, 1991, issues of theMedical Missionary Bulletin. An appeal to ourpeople to do something concrete for the needywidows and fatherless and motherless children(9 pages in 5).

3 - The Need for An Orphans’ Home, an ad-dress by Dr. J.H. Kellogg on March 16, 1891, atthe 1991 General Conference Session. The

3939393939many needs of homeless children, and how theyneed our care. Concluded by a presentation ofIsaiah 58, and the need for a home for the aged(17 pages in 9).

1892ORPHANAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Mrs. E.H. Whitney had been a primary moverin getting the orphanage started. Because of herearly generous contributions, she was known asthe founder of the orphanage. However, when itcame time to start construction, there was stillnot enough money.

“After one year has passed, we, with muchregret and chagrin, curtailed the size and planof the proposed buildings, and proceeded toadjust the plans to fit the small amount do-nated. We had just provided plans and askedfor bids, when to our joy and surprise a strangerunknown to us before, hearing of our disap-pointment in having to accept a small buildingthat we hoped to get, stepped forward, unasked,and gave us a donation sufficiently large enoughto erect the Home for the orphans. This we ac-cepted providential, and feel to thank God forthis timely aid, which will enable us to erect asecond building for the aged and infirm worthypersons.”—Elder L. McCoy, Review, December20, 1892.

That stranger was Mrs. Caroline E. Haskell,a non-Adventist who lived in Chicago. Thiswealthy Presbyterian woman had come to BattleCreek to recover her health at the Sanitarium.While there, she told Dr. Kellogg that, due to herhusband’s recent untimely death, she had inher-ited his wealth. Commenting that she did notneed all that money, she inquired if there wereany special projects which the Sanitarium wasinterested in pursuing. Kellogg told her aboutthe forthcoming orphanage, and she said shewould be delighted to contribute. Mrs. Haskell(apparently no relation to Stephen N. Haskell,our denominational evangelist and writer) gavea donation of $30,000 to help toward its con-struction.

The original plan had been to erect a singlebuilding, housing both the orphans and the aged.The name suggested by Kellogg for it at the 1891Session was the James White Memorial Homefor Orphans and Aged Persons.

But, because of the generous $30,000 dona-tion which made possible the erection of a largerbuilding, the orphanage was named the HaskellOrphan Home. A separate home for the agedwas later built, and named the James White

Home for the Aged. (Mrs. Haskell had plannedto give $10,000 toward its construction, but,according to a 1909 General Conference report,that money was never received.)

Before the orphanage construction was com-pleted, the Sanitarium kindly let the orphanagestaff and children be located in, what was thenknown as, the old pioneer building.

“I should say here that we have now in ourcharge 30 children from various states, whomwe have thought proper to care for, while [the]Sanitarium has furnished gratis in the old pio-neer building, which is steam heated, as a homefor them until our building is ready. We havehundreds of applicants as worthy as these,whom we would be glad to take, but are obligedto refuse.”—Elder L. McCoy, Review, Decem-ber 20, 1892.

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

4 - The Need for an Orphan Home in BattleCreek. December 20, 1892. Elder L. McCoy. Theproblems, the large donation, and the need to move

forward in its construction (3 pages in 2).

1893EXPANSION OF THE WORK

We are told that, by the time this orphanagewas completed—it was already full. The orphansmoved into the facility in January 1893.

“The Haskell Orphan Home was completedon January 25, 1892. During the time the build-ing was under construction, the family of needychildren was constantly increasing. Applicationscame in from all parts of the United States, ofthe most pitiful and urgent character. At the timeof the dedication, the family in the Home num-bered 95.”—Medical Missionary, 1893.

Notice how this, our first Adventist orphan-age, was supported:

“The Haskell Home was entirely dependentupon voluntary contributions for its mainte-nance, as it had no endowments. Its manyfriends responded nobly to the support of theHome.”—Ibid.

Although the orphanage and old age homewere owned by the denomination, both were pri-vately funded by donations.

The Benevolent Association was expandedin scope on March 19, 1893, at which time itsname was changed to the International MedicalMissionary and Benevolent Association.

In that year, the Association voted to estab-lish similar benevolent institutions all over the

Our POur POur POur POur People Takeople Takeople Takeople Takeople Take Up the We Up the We Up the We Up the We Up the Workorkorkorkork

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork4040404040world. The 1893 General Conference Sessionapproved this action, voting to support it as bestthey could.

“The International Missionary and Benevo-lent Association is an organization effected forthe purpose of conducting various charitableenterprises in this and other countries. Its ob-jects are stated as follows in a resolutionadopted at a meeting called for the purpose oftaking preliminary steps looking toward a per-manent organization, March 19, 1893:

“ ‘The objects of this Association shall be toerect and manage homes for orphan childrenand for friendless aged persons, also hospitalsand sanitariums for the treatment of the sickpoor and others, the same to be either self-sup-porting or supported in whole or in part byfunds secured for the purpose; to establish dis-pensaries in cities, medical missions at homeand abroad, visiting nurses’ work, ChristianHelp work; to educate missionary physiciansand nurses; to provide for the needy poor; topromulgate the principles of health and tem-perance, and to do good in a variety of ways,independent of denominational or sectarianinterests.’ ”—March 19, 1893, Action, quotedin 1893 MMBA Yearbook, p. 3.

The Haskell donation of $30,000 was re-ceived in 1892 for the orphans’ home in BattleCreek. More donations followed for the openingof other benevolent facilities elsewhere:

“Early in 1893 a gift of $40,000 from H.S.P.and F.H. Wessels, of South Africa, had openedthe way for a medical mission in Chicago.Smaller sums, ranging from $10,000 down, hadalso been received, which the friends of the en-terprise accepted as indications of Providencethat the work should be enlarged and placedupon a permanent basis.”—1893 Medical Mis-sionary and Benevolent Association [MMBA]Yearbook, p. 57.

The expansion of the Benevolent Associationincluded merging of the International Healthand Temperance Association into it. This placedthe medical and benevolent work of our denomi-nation together.

In this same year (on January 1, 1893) theHome for the Aged opened in Battle Creek. Itwas officially known as the James White Me-morial Home. Ellen White had also urged thebuilding of this institution.

The year 1893 also saw the expansion oforganized Christian help work:

“In the fall of 1892 the plan of organizedChristian Help work, which has been so cor-dially welcomed by a large number of ourchurches, was evolved, and in June, 1893, the

Chicago Mission, for which the work of the visi-tation nurses in Chicago had laid the founda-tion, was formally opened.”—1896 MMBA Year-book, p. 59

In addition, other aspects of the broad healthand medical missionary work of our people ex-panded:

“A number of health missionaries were li-censed and sent out as lecturers, teachers ofdietetics and healthful cookery, etc., and abranch of the Battle Creek Sanitarium wasopened in Chicago.”—Ibid.

The year 1893 also saw the opening of theChicago Medical Mission and the Workingmen’sHome. Meals and beds were provided at little orno cost at the mission, along with preaching ser-vices. Within a few weeks, several hundred werecoming to the mission each week.

“In six months there were ten trained nursesand physicians constantly engaged, besides halfa dozen men who had been rescued by the Mis-sion from lives of misery and degradation.”—1896 MMBA Yearbook, p. 336.

Regarding this extension of the work intorescue missions, the Spirit of Prophecy has pro-vided us with special cautions. We will list themin the last chapter in this book.

At last, it appeared that all phases of—whatEllen White summarized as—“true medical mis-sionary work” were enlarging in the church: natu-ral healing, health reform, health educational,benevolent ministry to the needy; and were be-ing combined with spiritual ministry to the soul.The work of Christ, while here on earth, wasagain being done.

“The truth for this time, the Third Angel’sMessage, is to be proclaimed with a loud voiceas we approach the great final test. This testmust come to the churches in connection withtrue medical missionary work.”—Loma LindaMessages, p. 336.

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

5 - Special Light about Medical MissionaryWork–1. A presentation given on February 12,1893, by J.H. Kellogg. An appeal to our peopleto accept a duty which is clearly given in theBible and Spirit of Prophecy (10 pages).

6 - Special Light about Medical MissionaryWork–2. Delivered on February 13, 1893, by J.H.Kellogg. Conclusion of that appeal (6 pages).

7 - Openings for Medical Missionary Workat Home and Abroad. Given on February 14,1893, by J.H. Kellogg. Additional quotations aregiven, concluded by several examples of people

4141414141who have been helped by such work (7 pages).

8 - The Relief Work Medical Missionary,1893. Recent activity at the orphanage (2 pages).

1894FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

On January 25, 1894, the Haskell Home wasofficially dedicated. A number of addresses weregiven to those assembled. We will reprint out-standing portions in Benevolent Work: A Docu-mentary.

The Widow’s Home was established at BattleCreek, Michigan, in 1894. It opened with fourmothers and 18 children, all of whom wereyounger than ten years of age.

At this time, because there was no state aidor welfare, many widows with little ones were indire need.

In our day, state aid eases this problem some-what. But the Spirit of Prophecy said our peoplewould be tested in regard to our care of widows,orphans, and the afflicted. In 1862 we were told:

“God in His providence has afflicted individu-als to test and prove others. Widows and inva-lids are in the church to prove a blessing to thechurch. They are a part of the means whichGod has chosen to develop the true characterof Christ’s professed followers and to call intoexercise the precious traits of character mani-fested by our compassionate Redeemer . . I wasshown that a most solemn duty rests upon thechurch to have an especial care for the desti-tute widows, orphans, and invalids.”—1 Testi-monies, pp. 273-274.

In 1868 we were given this message:“He [God] stands there in the person of the

poor, the homeless orphans, and the afflictedwidows, who need love, sympathy, affection, andencouragement. If you do it not unto one of theseyou would not do it unto Christ were He uponthe earth.”—2 Testimonies, p. 330.

This message comes from 1875:“I saw that it is in the providence of God that

widows and orphans, the blind, the deaf, thelame, and persons afflicted in a variety of ways,have been placed in close relationship to Hischurch; it is to prove His people and developtheir true character.”—3 Testimonies, p. 511.

On February 27, 1894, Elder C.T. Craig, oneof the pioneers in the Advent Movement, wrote avery appealing message in the Review to the be-lievers who wished to adopt children. It is anappealing, but brief, article. We will include it inthe companion volume (the benevolent documen-tary).

“I have been instructed that we should makeprominent the testimony of some of the oldworkers who are now dead. Let them continueto speak through their articles as found in theearly numbers of our papers. These articlesshould be reprinted, that there may be a livingvoice from the Lord’s witnesses.”—Counsels toWriters and Editors, p. 26.

The June 19, 1894, issue of the Review in-cluded an article by Elder L. McCoy, secretaryof the Benevolent Association, in which he de-scribed at length many details about thechildren’s home and what was happening there.

In November, an appeal by Ellen White wassent to the church to take up the work of minis-tering to those in need.

In a related appeal (in Evangelism, 516-517),our people were told that the work of mercy andcompassion described in Isaiah 58 is sealed withthe seal of God!

“It is just as essential that the people of Godin this day bear in mind how and when theyhave been tested, and where their faith hasfailed, where they have imperiled His cause bytheir unbelief, and also by their self-confidence. . As God’s people thus review the past, theyshould see that the Lord is ever repeating Hisdealings. They should understand the warningsgiven, and should beware not to repeat theirmistakes.”—7 Testimonies, p. 210 [emphasisours].

“It is thus that God still tests His people. Andif they fail to endure the trial, He brings themagain to the same point, and the second timethe trial will come closer, and be more severethan the preceding. This is continued till theybear the test, or, if they are still rebellious, Godwithdraws His light from them, and leaves themin darkness.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p.437.

It is not necessary for everyone to go out andestablish an orphanage, but we can all do whatwe can—right where we are—to minister to theneeds of others around us.

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

9 - Portions of addresses given on January25, 1894, at the dedication of the HaskellHome: (1) Bishop Gillespie, president of theMichigan State Board of Charities and Correc-tions; (2) Uriah Smith; (3) J.N. Loughborough;(4) J.H. Kellogg; (5) Mrs. E.H. Whitney, founderof the Haskell Home. The address by Kellogggives worthwhile information about the Homeitself; Mrs. Whitney’s remarks provide informa-tion on Mrs. C.E. Haskell. The other addresses

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The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork4242424242are more generalized (12 pages in 7).

10 - Adopting Children, by Elder C.T. Craig,Review, February 27, 1894. Appeal to considerit carefully and care for them properly, if done(2 pages in 1).

11 - Adoption a Most Serious Responsibil-ity, E.G. White compilation. Several principlesinvolved (3 pages in 2).

12 - Our Orphans, by L. McCoy, Secretary ofthe Benevolent Association, in Review, June 19,1894. Many details about the size, organization,and daily schedule of the orphanage are hereprovided (3 pages in 2).

13 - Represent God in Benevolence, appealby E.G. White to the church, printed in Medi-cal Missionary, November 1894. An appeal tothe church to take up the work of ministeringto those in need (4 pages in 2).

14 - Christian Help Work: Its Aims and Meth-ods. Home Missionary, 1894. Instruction relat-ing to diet, clothing, cleanliness, and need tohelp the poor (3 pages).

15 - Relief Department: Home Finding Cen-ter. Medical Missionary Bulletins, 1894, 1895.Lists of children in need of homes, and lists ofcouples who wish to adopt (2 pages).

16 - The Widow’s Home. Spirit of Prophecyquotations. Activities of the widows at this BattleCreek home. A photograph (9 pages).

1895FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS

The year 1895 brought increased activity onseveral fronts, both in Battle Creek and else-where.

Although a widows’ home was in the plan-ning stage, several widows with their childrenwere already being cared for. Each widow hadone or more children and, at the home, was ableto provide her own income:

“A Widows’ Home has been projected, andfour widows with their thirteen children havebeen received. The mothers have been givenwork enough to pay for the support of the chil-dren, and the enterprise is thus far self-sup-porting.”—Report by J.H. Kellogg, General Con-ference Bulletin, February 4, 1895.

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

17 - Work of the Medical Missionary and Be-nevolent Association. General Conference Bul-letin, February 3, 1895. Personal experiencesand observations by six physicians in helpingpeople in the cities (Drs. Kress, Rand, Winegar,Dow, George, Paulson, and Mrs. Kress) (8 pages

in 4).

18 - Report of the Visiting Committee, byMrs. E.H. Whitney. Read to the MMBA, andprinted in the General Conference Bulletin,February 28, 1895. Observations at the orphans’home, plus insights on the home for the aged(8 pages in 4).

19 - Christian Help Work: Children’s Meet-ings. Medical Missionary, July 1995. Descrip-tion of missionary meetings for children (1page).

1896SUMMARY TO 1896

By this year, there were 14 organized Chris-tian Help bands and 44 voluntary bands, scat-tered throughout North America. The good workwas spreading fast.

We are fortunate to have a copy of most ofthe 1896 Yearbook of the International Medi-cal Missionary and Benevolent Association[MMBA]. It provides an abundance of back-ground material. We will try to include much ofit in the companion book of documentation. Hereare the items which will be included:

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

20 - Excerpts from the 1896 Medical Mis-sionary and Benevolent Association (MMBA)Yearbook (72 pages in 36):

Title Page

To the Friends of Humanity

Introduction

Missionary Sanitariums, Hospitals, Dispen-saries, and Other Self-Supporting InstitutionsAffording Relief

The S.D.A. Medical Missionary and Benevo-lent Association

The Chicago Medical Mission and Working-men’s Home

The Medical Missionary College Settlement

The Haskell Home for Orphan and Desti-tute Children

The Missionary Mothers’ Training School

The James White Memorial Home for theAged

The Relief Work

The Christian Help Work. On pages 111-112of the Yearbook, locations of 58 help bands arelisted.

The S.D.A. Medical Missionary and Benevo-lent Association Proceedings

The Diamond Fields Benevolent Associationand Home [Kimberley, South Africa]

4343434343The Plumstead Orphans’ Home [Cape Town,

South Africa]

The California Orphans’ Home [Oakland,California]

Reports from Missionary Mothers andTeachers [various parts of the United States]

1897THE HASKELL HOME APPEAL

Beginning in October 1897, the HaskellHome began sending out quarterly journals, de-scribing activities at the Home. We have copiesof eleven issues. In the companion documentarybook, we will provide you with reprints of thoseissues. They span eight years (1897 to 1905),but we will place these close together for ease ofreading. Christian mothers will find the articlesto be excellent. Those interested in caring fororphans or starting an orphanage will find thatcollection—along with all the other material inthis present book—very helpful.

The following interesting summary (datedOctober 1904) was in one of those journals:

“Several things have led us of late to cast aglance over the work the Home has been doingthese thirteen years or more since its inception. . The average number of children in the Homefor the past eight or nine years has been onehundred. Our records give the names of betweenfive and six hundred children who have beeninmates of the Home for a longer or shorterperiod. Among these have been but sixteendeaths, only two by accident.

“Sixty-seven have been placed from the Homeitself in homes, which arrangement, with a fewexceptions, has proved mutually satisfactory.This does not include more than three timesthat number who have found homes throughour agency, but have never connected with thefamily [at the Home]. Still a much larger num-ber of children have been inmates of the Homefor a time to tide over a period of misfortune inthe family, but have been returned to friends orguardians.

“Looking over the list of those who have goneout from us we are led to praise God for whatHe has done for us. Several are either teachingor are preparing themselves for church-schoolwork. Two or more are nurses, and are doingexcellent work. Several of the girls are married,two of them being wives of physicians, and withtheir husbands are connected with the Lord’swork.”—“A Retrospect,” Haskell Home Appeal,Vol. 8, No. 1, October 1904.

See Seventh-day Adventist Benevolent

Work: A Documentary:

21 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 1, No. 1, Oc-tober 1897. Introduction; manual training de-partment (8 pages).

22 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 1, No. 3, April1898. Methods of school work; Inside the JamesWhite Home for the Aged (8 pages).

23 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 2, No. 3, April1899. Positive and negative training; Class reci-tation on sewing; Practical missionary work (8pages).

24 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 3, No. 1, Oc-tober 1899. Missionary mothers; A missionarymeeting; A lesson in farming; Letters; Notes (8pages).

25 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 3, No. 3, April1900. The daily program; Annual financial re-port; Home happenings (4 pages).

26 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 4, No. 1, Oc-tober 1900. The domestic education of children;A glimpse of practical education; Our mission-ary mothers’ training class; Incidents from theschoolroom (8 pages).

27 - A Call to Reorganize, Reconsecrate, andAdvance. April 1, 1901. A talk given by EllenWhite in the Battle Creek College Library, di-rected to the ministers and Doctor Kellogg (2pages in 1).

28 - News from the Haskell Home. Review,April 30, 1901. Report of Elder R.C. Porter andGeneral Conference leaders, following their visitto the Home (1 page).

29 - E.G. White Visit to the Haskell Home.July 7, 1901. E.G.W. letter to Kellogg (1 page).

30 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 5, No. 3, April1902. Training in truthfulness; The school in thehome; The James White Home; Home happen-ings (8 pages).

31 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 6, No. 2-3,April 1903. The cultivation of self-respect; Thechild and the Bible; Home happenings (8 pages).

32 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 7, No. 1, Oc-tober 1903. Our foremost need; The Haskellhome training class (4 pages).

33 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 8, No. 1, Oc-tober 1904. A visit from Sister White; The Biblein childhood; A retrospect; Home happenings (4pages).

34 - Haskell Home Appeal, Vol. 8, No. 3, April1905. Self-consciousness in children; The homeinfluence; The father’s place in the family; Homehappenings (8 pages).

35 - Photographs taken at the Haskell

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The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork4444444444Home. Collected from various sources (18 pic-tures on 4 pages; see the Haskell Home Appealsfor many other pictures).

1898-1905A CHANGING SITUATION

Satan was not sleeping at the heart of thework. Busily trying to find ways to destroy theprogress of the united work, he was making greatprogress.

True medical missionary work consists ofseveral interwoven parts. United, they are aChristlike personal ministry to the needs of oth-ers. Here are many of these aspects:

(1) Spiritual ministry. This includes far morethan preaching. It includes group and one-to-one instruction, praying for and with people,praying for them when apart. It includes mis-sionary visits, canvassing, Bible studies, and allforms of spiritual conversations and appeals.

(2) Healthful Living. This includes properdiet, clothing, and the use of the eight naturalremedies (Ministry of Healing, p. 127) for main-taining health.

(3) Health instruction. This is done throughpersonal instruction, cooking schools, nutritionclasses, etc.

(4) Physical care. This would include medi-cal attention, nursing care, hydrotherapy treat-ments, the use of herbs, home and sanitariumcare utilizing the eight remedies.

(5) Benevolent and help work. This is thepart we are emphasizing in this present book. Itis only part of the whole, but it is a necessarypart. The whole would not be complete withoutit.

If you stop to think about it, none of the abovefive aspects of ministry can really be separatedfrom the others. They are a part of a great whole;they are part of helping people in a real world.They are part of an outflowing genuine Chris-tian experience.

The 1896 MMBA Yearbook listed severalthings included in the benevolent work: (1) Pro-viding emergency help, such as meals, lodging,nursing care, garments, laundry, giving baths,applying dressings, etc. (2) Christian help classesin healthful living, nutrition, etc. (3) Helping thehomeless and destitute. Each of these three as-pects can be provided on an individual basis, bygroups working together (help bands), or by in-stitutions.

According to the Spirit of Prophecy, certain

emphases stand out: By helping people in thesepractical ways, you are showing them the love ofGod; you are helping them come to Christ andto a knowledge and acceptance of salvation; youare helping them help themselves.

But Satan wanted to destroy this beautifulpattern. He used mutual jealousies to creep inbetween the leaders of the church and JohnHarvey Kellogg, the leader of the medical work.

It is an intriguing fact that Ellen White saidthat Kellogg was a converted man when the Min-neapolis Conference ended. Writing five yearslater, she said this:

“After the meeting at Minneapolis, Dr. Kelloggwas a converted man, and we all knew it. Wecould see the converting power of God workingin his heart and life . . Many souls have beenconverted, many wonderful cures have beenwrought. The Lord stood by the side of Dr.Kellogg as he performed difficult operations.When the doctor was overwrought by taxing la-bor, God understood the situation, and He putHis hand on Dr. Kellogg’s hand as he operated,and through His power the operations were suc-cessful.

“I wish this to be understood. Over and overagain I have encouraged Dr. Kellogg, telling himthat the Lord God of Israel was at his right hand,to help him, and to give him success as he per-formed the difficult operations that meant lifeor death to the ones operated upon. I told thedoctor that before he took up his instrumentsto operate upon patients, he must pray for them.The patients saw that Dr. Kellogg was underthe jurisdiction of God, that he understood Hispower to carry on the work successfully, andthey had more confidence in him than in worldlyphysicians.

“The Lord wants us to do our duty. He wantsus to understand that Dr. Kellogg shall not bepushed out of his place, but that he shall standacknowledged and supported in his God-givenwork. This he will be if his feet are planted onthe truth of the living God. If they are not plantedon this truth, specious temptations will comein, through scientific theories regarding Godand His work.”—General Conference Bulletin,1903, pp. 86-88.

This is a remarkable statement, in view ofthe fact that it was penned in 1903. Keep in mindthat it was Kellogg who kept urging the leadersat the General Conference and Review to whole-heartedly endorse the benevolent work. It wasKellogg who—even before the Haskell Home wasbuilt—had voluntarily cared for orphans in his

4545454545own home. It was Kellogg who continued urgingsupport of the benevolent work all through the1890s. It was Kellogg who quoted the Bible andSpirit of Prophecy profusely. This was the manwhom Ellen White said was “converted.”

For years, Doctor Kellogg had shown favorto orphans, even caring for them in his home.

“Dr. Kellogg took a great interest in the wel-fare of children and young people. He and hiswife had no children of their own, but they pro-vided the funds for the education of many youngpeople, virtually rearing 40 boys and girls, andadopting many of them.”—S.D.A. Encyclopedia,p. 723.

But the opposition increased. Do not under-estimate the strength of it. It was especially fo-cused on Ellen White and her counsels. In an-other book by the present author (The Editionsof Great Controversy), the enmity of church lead-ers in Battle Creek against Ellen White herselfhas been shown. In 1888, they refused to pub-lish her most important book!

When it appeared that Dr. Kellogg might begaining in status, they began opposing him. Inthe present writer’s biography of Kellogg andBallenger (The Alpha of Apostasy), facts arebrought out, showing that J.H. Kellogg was notmerely the one championing the benevolentwork—at a time when church leaders were lesscertain about it,—but he was also the one urgingthat they stand true to healthful living, and to avegetarian diet. In addition, next to Ellen White,Kellogg was the leading individual championingnatural remedies, as opposed to the druggingdone in the world.

On one side were the leaders at the GeneralConference and the Review; on the other wasJohn Kellogg. As the opposition increased,Kellogg chose to let it drive him into a corner. Heshould not have reacted in that way, but he did.

“God has not forsaken His people, but Hispeople have forsaken Him. Those in BattleCreek should have worked for the ones whoneeded their help. Dr. Kellogg took up the workthey did not do. The spirit of criticism shownto his work from the first has been very unjust,and has made his work hard. The lack of sym-pathy his brethren have shown him has pre-pared the way for the work he has been doingin criticising them. The Lord has no justifica-tion for any such work.”—Letter, January 1898.

“God does not endorse the efforts put forthby different ones to make the work of Dr. Kelloggas hard as possible, in order to build themselvesup. God gave the light on health reform, and

those who rejected it, rejected God. One andanother who knew better, said that it all camefrom Dr. Kellogg, and they made war upon him.This had a bad influence on the doctor. He puton the coat of irritation and retaliation. Goddid not want him to stand in a position of war-fare, and he does not want you to stand there. . We have the authority of the Bible for ourinstruction.”—Series B, No. 6, p. 31.

Gradually, this opposition led Kellogg downa road which he would not otherwise have en-tered. He gathered lawyers about him and de-cided that he would take over the sanitarium—after getting the denomination to rebuild it afterthe fire. (In other words, the church memberspaid for the Battle Creek Sanitarium twice, andKellogg still took it away from them!) He dabbledin Eastern mysticism—and devised a theory thatGod was in everything.

Then, when the split came, all the importantprinciples, given through the Spirit of Prophecy,which Kellogg stood for—were gradually dis-carded by church leaders. When Kellogg left, veg-etarianism, natural remedies, and the benevo-lent work slowly dropped out of sight. They werenot abruptly terminated, but quietly ignored todeath.

The wreckage of that split we live with todayin our denomination. That was the Alpha of Apos-tasy, and, we are told, the Omega would be muchworse.

It is believed by many that the Omega apos-tasy began in earnest when the error found wideracceptance in our ranks that it is no longer nec-essary to keep the law of God. Instead, we aretold, it is time to celebrate, for we have beensaved at the cross and no longer need try, in thestrength of Christ, to put away our sins or obeythe laws of God.

The split between Kellogg and our leadersseparated the various parts of whole, true gos-pel: ministers, physicians, natural remedies,health instruction, physical care, and benevo-lent work. As a result, today they tend to be sepa-rated from one another.

It is time they be reunited.We cannot wait for someone else to begin the

good work. Draw the circle around yourself andyour family, step inside the circle and begin min-istering to the needs of others. The God of heavenwill approve of your actions. He will be by yourside to help you and your loved ones as you be-gin this good work.

As you labor, keep in mind that the term,

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The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork4646464646“medical missionary work,” originally includedthe benevolent work. It was to work hand-in-hand with the spiritual ministry to the soul. Theyall were to be together.

“The gospel ministry is needed to give per-manence and stability to the medical mission-ary work; and the ministry needs the medicalmissionary work to demonstrate the practicalworking of the gospel. Neither part of the workis complete without the other.”—6 Testimonies,p. 289.

“In all His (Christ’s) labors He united themedical missionary work with the ministry ofthe word.”—6 Testimonies, 292.

“The Holy Spirit never has, and never will inthe future, divorce the medical missionary workfrom the gospel ministry. They can not be di-vorced.”—Series B, No. 7, p. 64.

“The right hand is used to open doors throughwhich the body may find entrance. This is thepart the medical missionary work is to act. It isto largely prepare the way for the reception ofthe truth for this time. A body without hands isuseless. In giving honor to the body, honor mustalso be given to the helping hands, which areagencies of such importance that without themthe body can do nothing. Therefore the bodywhich treats indifferently the right hand, refus-ing its aid, is able to accomplish nothing.”—Manuscript 55, 1901.

“Unless there is a breaking away from theinfluence that Satan has prepared, and a reviv-ing of the testimonies that God has given, soulswill perish in their delusion. They will acceptfallacy after fallacy, and will thus keep up a dis-union that will always exist until those who havebeen deceived take their stand on the right plat-form.”—Series B, No. 7, p. 63.

“While I have been commissioned to pointout the danger of swaying things too heavily inthe medical missionary line to the neglect ofother lines of service, this does not excuse thosewho have held themselves aloof from the medi-cal missionary work. Those who have not beenin sympathy with this work should now be verycareful how they speak, for they are not intelli-gent on this subject. Whatever their position inthe conference, they should be very guarded ingiving utterance to sentiments that will help noone. The indifference and opposition that somehave manifested in reference to this questionmakes it inconsistent that their words shouldhave a large influence. They are not clear-sighted.”—6 Testimonies, pp. 298-299.

“The health reform, I was shown, is a part ofthe third angel’s message and is just as closelyconnected with it as are the arm and hand withthe human body. I saw that we as a people must

make an advance move in this great work. Min-isters and people must act in concern. God’speople are not prepared for the loud cry of thethird angel. They have a work to do for them-selves which they should not leave for God todo for them. He has left this work for them todo . . one cannot do it for another.”—1 Testi-monies, p. 486.

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

36 - Diary: January 1898. E.G. White. State-ment about J.H. Kellogg, and how the breth-ren, instead of fighting him, should have unitedwith him in extending the benevolent work inmany places, January 1898 (2 pages).

1906TERMINATION PLANS

By 1906, the situation in Battle Creek haddramatically unraveled. For years, Kellogg hadbeen devising ways to gain legal control of thelarge Battle Creek Sanitarium. As for their part,church leaders had been anxious to separatefrom the benevolent work.

Leaders at the General Conference and Re-view, both of which had by this time moved to asleepy town called Takoma Park on the outskirtsof Washington, D.C., wanted to unhook from ex-tra responsibilities which they considered extra-neous.

In the year 1906, an explanatory article ap-peared in the pages of the Review. But, beforequoting it, it would be well to summarize it—soyou will better grasp its import. It is vital thatyou catch the meaning of this! You are readingof the action of our church leaders to rid thedenomination of benevolent institutions. Fromthis time forward, down through the decades,our church would have nothing to do with a veryimportant work that Ellen White said our churchshould do:

In 1898, eight years earlier, a new corpora-tion had been initiated—for the purpose of trans-ferring the children’s home and the home forthe aged out of denominational control. Thiswas done quietly, with little or no mention beingmade of it at the time to our people. But it wasdone with the full concurrence of the leaders ofthe General Conference and Lake Union Confer-ence. They participated in and approved the ac-tion. Dr. Kellogg and his associates were alsopresent.

But the actual property transfer did not oc-cur until 1904. The next year. 1905, this new

4747474747corporation (which had been given the name, In-ternational Medical Missionary Association) de-clared bankruptcy. (It is possible that churchleaders were told it was nearing bankruptcy, sothey would be more willing to let the propertiesbe taken entirely out of their hands.)

This entire changeover was revealed tochurch members in 1906—two years after it wascompleted. The reasons given for the transfer ofboth institutions to a new corporation were these:(1) The corporate control of the orphans’ homeand the home for the aged should be given to themanagers of the benevolent institutions. (2) Thework of caring for orphans and old people is “un-denominational”—and the Adventist Churchshould not be connected to it.

In answer to this: First, 43 of the 48 chil-dren and 22 of the 28 old people, currently inthose institutions—were Seventh-day Adventists!Should we not take care of our own? Second, itwas true that, to some extent, those entities min-istered to the needs of non-Adventists—butshould they not do so? Are they not missionaryprojects, dedicated to winning souls? Third, ourdenomination originally started those projectsin order to both do missionary work and helpour own people. The institutions were wonder-fully fulfilling the objectives for which they wereestablished by our denomination.

Church leaders had declared that theywanted to separate both projects from thechurch. It was considered wise to abandon bothareas of missionary work. It is for this reasonthat, in the following article, the managers of theHaskell Home, appealed directly to the membersof the church to send them donations to providecontinuing support for both homes, which werenearly 100 percent full of believers or believers’children.

The above is a summary of this notice. Hereis its complete text. It was printed in the Reviewin 1906:

In Regard to the Closing of the HaskellHome: It is well-known that there are two insti-tutions quite closely connected with the BattleCreek Sanitarium, though under different man-agement, for the care and maintenance of thesetwo classes, the helpless aged people and help-less orphan children.

“For fifteen years or more these institutionshave been fostered and supported in part bythe denomination of Seventh-day Adventists.But the present leaders of the denominationhave now seen fit to renounce their obligation

further to contribute to the support of thesedependent classes so long as they are connectedwith these institutions: the Haskell Home forOrphans and the James White Memorial Homefor Aged Persons. The reason given for this ac-tion on the part of these persons is essentially,that these institutions are no longer under thedenominational control. It is charged by themthat while these institutions were under the careand control of the International Medical Mis-sionary Association, their titles were surrepti-tiously transferred from that association. Uponinquiry we are informed that as early as 1898,independent legal corporations were formed foreach of these institutions for the purpose ofholding the property which had been and mightbe bequeathed to them.

“This step was taken with the full knowledgeand concurrence of the General Conferencecommittee, the President of the General Con-ference and of the Union Conference being mem-bers of the new corporation and participatingin the work. It is true that the transfer of theproperty did not take place for six years afterthe organizing step was taken, or until 1904.But the International Medical Missionary As-sociation did not go into the receiver’s handsuntil the following year (1905).

“It was certainly a proper step to secure tothe orphans and aged people the property whichrightfully belonged to them. Another reasongiven by the General Conference authorities forrelinquishing their care of these dependentpeople and children is that these institutionsand their work is declared to be undenomin-ational, that is, they are unwilling to continueto contribute to the poor and weak and depen-dent aged and children when they are no longerwithin denominational lines and control. How-ever, investigations show that of the 48 childrenin the Orphans’ Home, 43 are the children ofSeventh-day Adventist parents; and of the 22inmates of the James White Memorial Home,22 of them are Seventh-day Adventists. It is truethat these institutions are not exclusively de-nominational; that is, their benefits are avail-able to needy people and children of any de-nomination, as far as they are able to care forthem, although it can easily be seen that pref-erence has been given to the denominationwhich has assisted in caring for them. The fol-lowing written statement of a General Confer-ence Committee shows that the above does notmisrepresent the situation, though a wrongimpression is given by the statement concern-ing the institutions being diverted:

“ ‘For many years before the decease of El-der James White, he was greatly exercised overthe question of providing for the aged and or-

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The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork4848484848phans among us. Finally a Home for Aged wasestablished at Battle Creek, Michigan, both havebeen diverted in a technical way from denomi-national ownership and control, hence the needof our coming to the relief of the helpless of ourpeople at once.’

“Now it is necessary to appeal from the deci-sion of the Conference leaders in this matter tothe people themselves, and we wish it to beunderstood that these needy institutions are stilldoing their Christian work, and they need thesupport of those who have stood by them inthe past. They have felt very seriously the with-drawal of this help. The number of children andteachers has of necessity been such reduced.No doubt God will care for the orphans and forhis aged children, but he gives us the privilegeof cooperating with him in this matter. Contri-butions, large and small, may be sent to theTreasurer of the Haskell Home, Battle Creek,Michigan, and donations of cash of food orclothing for these children of God are always inorder and will be permitted to interfere withour regard for those whom God has placed uponour care.”—Review, 1906.

You will recall that our reprinted issues ofthe Haskell Home Appeal ended in 1905. Youmay also remember that we learned that, as ofOctober 1904, the Home had consistently aver-aged 100 children.

Yet the above article tells us that denomina-tional leaders washed their hands of the orphan-age in 1904, and that, by 1906, the enrollmentat the orphanage was down to 48. It is clear that,at the time the above article was prepared, theorphanage was struggling for its life—for ourpeople were being encouraged to no longer helpprovide for this missionary outreach.

1907NEARING THE END

By early 1907, both homes had been sepa-rated from the denomination both legally andfinancially. We have found that this separationwas made with the approval of church leaders.

However, some hope had glimmered whenchurch leaders, probably because of strong pro-tests from the field, again agreed to provide par-tial support for Seventh-day Adventists still inthe two homes. But both were still struggling andthe number of people in both institutions hadbeen drastically reduced.

A clarifying article appeared in 1907: “These homes for orphans and for aged

people, respectively, are passing through a pe-

culiar experience just now since the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference authoritieshave undertaken to care for those inmates ofthese institutions who are members of that de-nomination, as far as they wish to pass undertheir care. A committee has been appointedby the Conference authorities to close the chil-dren and old people’s homes, and this work isnow being done so that the number of the in-mates is being considerable reduced.

“It should be understood that this movementis undertaken and being carried on by the Con-ference and not by the managers of the home.It is not intended by the managers to close thehomes or to restrict the noble work which theyhave been created to do. No one will be requiredto leave these homes by the managers; for theyare still ready and willing to continue the carethey have hitherto exercised over these classes.Those who have children in the homes or chil-dren for whom they are responsible need nothave them removed unless they choose to doso. It is not the wish of the management of thesehomes to relinquish their care of these aged andinfirm people or the children. Nor is it their wishto obstruct the Conference authorities in theirendeavor to assume the charge of as many ofthese dependents as they choose to do, providedproper arrangements for their care can bemade.

“The report is being circulated that theHomes are to be closed up. We wish to statethat at present the closing of these homes isnot part of the plans of those having them incharge. It is felt that in assuming the charge ofquite a number of the present inmates the Con-ference authorities are making provision thatmuch more of this good work is to be done.There are still thousands and thousands ofhomeless children and helpless aged peoplewho need Christian care, and if the present fami-lies are cared for by the General Conferenceauthorities then the places made vacant maybe filled by others equally or perhaps more de-pendent and needy, and so the work will go onif it please God to have it do so, unless the sameoversight as before, with the same principles inview.

“It is not possible to read the future, but wehave the same privilege of trusting God that wehave ever had in behalf of these good homes,and we have confidence to plead that he whohears the cry of the ravens, who feeds the spar-rows and clothes the lilies, who cares for thewidow and the orphan will still provide for theHaskell Home for Orphans and the JamesWhite Memorial Home for the Aged. To thefriends and well-wishers of this work we are

4949494949able to say that no one in either of the Homeswill be left out in the cold. No one will be sentaway by the Managers for want of willingnessor ability to care for him. We hope that ourfriends will pray for the Homes and will con-tinue to remember them in their offerings. Asplans for the future are developed they will beplaced before our readers.”—Medical Mission-ary, 1907, p. 176 [emphasis ours].

But think not that all the fault was on oneside. At the same time that denominational lead-ers were cutting loose from the orphanage, JohnHarvey Kellogg was devising plans to take themover. Ellen White warned that he was using falsetheories, mind control, and lawyers to accom-plish his objectives:

“Notwithstanding the warnings given, Satan’ssophistries are being accepted now just as theywere accepted in the heavenly courts. The sci-ence by which our first parents were deceivedis deceiving men today. Ministers and physi-cians are being drawn into the snare . . Theenemy has been working under a species ofscientific devising, even as he worked in Eden. . Let not your sons and daughters be gatheredthere to receive their education. Powerful agen-cies have been stealthily working there to sowthe seeds of evil . .

“I have a warning for all our people in all ourchurches . . There is a work being carried onthrough lawyers that is not after the divine si-militude. This is manifest in efforts to get pos-session of property that he does not and shouldnot control . . For years the Lord has lookedwith displeasure upon this course of action. Ihave done all that I could to encourage theleader in this work to turn to the Lord with fullpurpose of heart, but he has gone on in his ownway, regardless of the light given him . . he hasnot changed in principle. His heart is decep-tive, and he deceives others.”—Series B, No. 7,pp. 30-32.

The attempts to sever the right arm from themessage, and make it “nondenominational,”were being done by both sides.

“He [Doctor Kellogg] is doing all in his powerto create a division between the medical workand the ministry of the Word.”—Series B, No 7,p. 61.

The orphanage was being orphaned; part ofthe right arm was being cut off. In the process, itwas passing under the control of a man whoshould not control it. The warning had been sentout, through the pen of Inspiration, not to sendchildren to Battle Creek, lest they imbibe dan-gerous errors.

So, in 1909, the agony of the orphanage cameto an end.

1909THE END OF THE ORPHANAGE

Friday, February 5, 1909, the Battle CreekJournal, emblazoned the disaster in large type:

“HASKELL HOME IS BURNED

“Destruction of The Famous InstitutionFounded By Dr. J.H. Kellogg is Complete.

“SITE MARKED BY SMOKING RUINS TO-DAY

“Under Which Lie the Bodies of Cecil Coutant,Lena McClavy and George Goodenow.

“CAUSE OF THE CATASTROPHE A DEEP MYSTERY

“Little Children Escape, Almost Unclad - Sev-eral Prove of Heroic Mettle.

“Three little lives were lost at an early hourFriday morning in a fire which reduced BattleCreek’s noted orphanage, the Haskell Home, toa mass of smouldering ruins. The mere prop-erty loss, amounting to about $50,000, is over-shadowed by the loss of the following lives:

LENA MCLAVY, Battle Creek, aged 14 years.

CECIL COUTANT, Iowa, aged 12 years.

GEOGGE GOODENOW [sic: elsewhere, this is-sue spelled it “George Goodenow”; later issuesspelled it “George Goodnow”] (colored), Chat-tanooga, Tennessee, aged 10 years.

“That the death list is not much more exten-sive is due largely to the heroism of Mary Arm-strong, aged 15 years, and her brother, JamesArmstrong, 14 years old, to whom at least tenlives may be indisputably accredited.”—BattleCreek Journal, Friday, February 5, 1909.

The fire, which reduced the orphanage toashes within two hours, was first noticed shortlybefore 1:25 a.m. Fire Chief Weeks said it appar-ently started in the basement. It was later con-firmed that the heating stoves had, as usual, beenchecked earlier on Thursday evening. In addi-tion, there were no electric lines into the build-ing, other than a phone line. So the cause of thefire was never solved. Some suspected arson,but most doubted that possibility.

Unfortunately, three children died.“That the death list is not much larger, is due

to the heroism of fifteen-year-old Mary Arm-strong and her brother, James Armstrong, agefourteen.

“Mary Armstrong, the oldest girl in theschool, proved herself a true heroine andthrough her nerve and courage the lives of tenlittle girls who were sleeping in the femaledormitory on the third [top] floor were saved.Suddenly awakening, the girl discovered theroom in which she and the rest of the girls were

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The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork5050505050quartered to be filled with smoke. Below couldbe heard the crackling of flames. The room wason the third floor in the northwest corner of thebuilding, and the two means of exit were by theback stairs and an outside fire escape.

“Arousing the girls, who tumbled forth fromtheir beds, frantic with fear, Mary groped herway through the darkness to the back stairwayto find escape impossible because of the densesmoke and flames which were flickering theirway to the top floor. Then she discovered thatthe fire escape in another part of the buildingwas impossible to reach. Gathering the smallergirls around her, the older girl felt her way tothe window on the west end of the room andpeered out. Below she saw her brother, James,age fourteen, who with most of the boys hadbeen ushered to safety by Superintendent andMrs. R.S. Owen. James was urging the girl tojump to the place he was standing on, the roofof a coal shed, two stories below.

“The girl did not waver. Seizing two of thesmaller girls, she dropped them in the arms ofher sturdy young brother, who caught them asbest as he could and so broke their falls. PearlArmstrong, age 6, and Bernice Edwards, age 5,were rescued in this way. But the brave littleboy was unable to hold the rest as they fell.

“Seven of the little ones, clad only in theirnight clothes, jumped the entire distance to to-tal safety, miraculously escaping injury.

“The last two girls to stand by the windowwere Mary Armstrong and Cecil Coutant, oneof the victims.

“ ‘Jump,’ cried the older girl.

“ ‘I’m afraid,’ replied Cecil.

“Unable to withstand the stifling smokelonger, Mary jumped and landed on the roof ofthe coal shed, twenty-five feet below. Her fallstunned her. And she next remembers beingcarried into the nearby house of A.J. Hemp-stead, the gardener of the institution. In a shorttime the entire building crashed to the base-ment.”—Battle Creek Journal, Friday, Febru-ary 5, 1909.

This was a great tragedy. We all mourn, andwe are sure that many back then did also. Thiswas but one of a series of fires which occurredat Battle Creek. Ellen White predicted that firesmight occur.

“The ‘Sanitarium Fires,’ So-called: Therecords of the [Battle Creek] fire departmentshow the following disastrous fires to have vis-ited West End institutions, concerned at onetime or other with the Adventist faith:

“June 1, 1891, Sanitarium Engine Room$22,000 loss, cause gasoline explosion.

“January 11, 1893, Battle Creek College

Bldg., $7,00 loss, cause unknown.

“February 3, 1895, Sanitarium Health FoodCol, $12,000 loss, cause unknown.

“July 19, 1898, Sanitarium Health Food Co.,$10,500 loss, cause unknown.

“April 12, 1900, Sanitarium Nut Food Col,$5,200 loss, cause explosion.

“July 21, 1900, Old Food Factory, $10,500loss, cause unknown.

“April 27, 1901, College Building, $5,300loss, cause unknown.

“February 18, 1902, Sanitarium and Hospi-tal, $250,000 loss, cause unknown.

“Dec. 30, 1902, Review and Herald,$300,000 loss, cause unknown.

“May 13, 1903, Sanitarium Barn, $4,000loss, cause incendiary.

“July 10, 1905, Sanitarium Ice House,$1,300 loss, cause unknown.

“February 5, 1909, Haskell Home, $50,000loss, cause unknown.

“Total: $678,300.”—Battle Creek Journal,Friday, February 5, 1909.

Repeatedly, for nearly two decades, EllenWhite had pled with the leaders in Battle Creekto not do the improper things they were doing.They were living for themselves, trying to gaincontrol over institutions afar, building up im-mense buildings in Battle Creek while the restof the field was almost empty of missionary fa-cilities, and devoting themselves to internecinewarfare in order to gain personal advantages,financial advantages, and greater control.

“Why did the Lord permit Jerusalem to bedestroyed by fire the first time? Why did Hepermit His people to be overcome by their en-emies, and carried into heathen lands? . . Itwas because they had failed to be His mission-aries, and had built walls of division betweenthemselves and the people round about them.The Lord scattered them, that the knowledgeof His truth might be carried to the world.”—S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol. 2, p. 1040 / 2:1

“We were instructed not to accumulate inter-ests in that one place, but to enlarge our sphereof labor. There was danger that Battle Creekwould become as Jerusalem of old—a power-ful center. If we do not heed these warnings, theevils that ruined Jerusalem will come upon us.Pride, self-exaltation, neglect of the poor, andpartiality to the wealthy—these were the sins ofJerusalem.”—8 Testimonies, p. 133.

As a result of the fires in Battle Creek, theinstitutions were scattered everywhere. BattleCreek today is like Shiloh of old; it has no sig-nificant Adventist institutions of any kind. (As

5151515151we earlier reported, on May 17, 1993, the BattleCreek Hospital was, for the last time, sold to non-Adventists.)

“The Lord signified His displeasure by per-mitting the principal buildings of these institu-tions to be destroyed by fire . . They have failedof doing the very work that God ordained shouldbe done to prepare a people to ‘build the oldwaste places’ and to stand in the breach, as rep-resented in the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah.

“In this scripture, the work we are to do isclearly defined as being medical missionarywork. This work is to be done in all places. Godhas a vineyard; and He desires that this vine-yard shall be worked unselfishly. No parts areto be neglected. The most neglected portionneeds the most wide-awake missionaries to dothe work which, through Isaiah, the Holy Spirithas portrayed: [Isaiah 58:6, 10-12, quoted].”—8 Testimonies, pp. 218-219.

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

37 - Battle Creek Journal, Friday, February5, 1909, issue (8 pages).

38 - Battle Creek Journal, Saturday, Febru-ary 6, 1909, issue (4 pages).

39 - Battle Creek Journal, Wednesday, Feb-ruary 10, 1909, issue (4 pages).

There is an intriguing footnote to this fire. Inlater years, Leah Schmitke tried to locate peoplewho had been in the Haskell Home. Several pro-vided her with brief experiences of their remem-brances of the home.

One response came from a Charles Robson,of Ohio. Here are two paragraphs from his let-ter. The first provides you with background; thesecond is remarkable—for it reveals that, priorto the Haskell Home fire, Ellen White sent a warn-ing for the children to leave because a fire wouldoccur:

“My story begins with the loss of the bestfriend a man ever had—my mother. She diedwhile I was less than a year old. When I wasbetween five and six years old, my father placedme in the Haskell Orphan Home in BattleCreek. At first, I was placed in what was knownas ‘Family Number One’ (the infant family). Thisfamily was made up of children from infancyup to about the age of eight years, if my memoryis correct. A lady by the name of Keller was thefamily mother of Family Number One, whichwas housed in the main building . .

“[After telling of an incident which occurred‘six or eight weeks’ before he left the orphan-age, Charles says:] How well do I rememberthe winter previous to the above incident whenFamily Number Two was taken to the [BattleCreek “Dime”] Tabernacle for Sabbath School.I was in Family Number Two at this time. Wewere sitting in the balcony and I can remem-ber as well as if it were yesterday. The elder ofthe church arose and said, ‘Brothers and sis-ters, I have a very important and painful an-nouncement to make. Word has just been re-ceived from Sister Ellen White to the effect thatany parents having children in the HaskellHome are requested to take them out of thehome, as it is going to be destroyed by fire.’This was some time during the winter [of 1907-1908], and it wasn’t until some time later dur-ing the winter, that my father took me out andtook me to Chicago. It was during the followingwinter [1908-1909] that my father was read-ing the Chicago newspaper. He called my at-tention to the newspaper item concerning thefire [February 5, 1909] which destroyed theHaskell Orphan Home and burned up withthree children in it. I know he stated that, hadhe not obeyed the notice and announcementmade in the Tabernacle, that I might have beenone of the three.”—Charles E. Robson, Mt.Vernon, Ohio, no date.

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“This was done without the approval of the con-stituency which the trustees represented. It wasdone without even the knowledge of the denomi-nation that has established and maintained theseinstitutions from their inception to that time.”

Daniels went on to relate that the reason givenfor so transferring the deeds—was the (false?)report that the Association was on the brink offinancial ruin, and that, by handing the deeds tothe two homes (orphans and aged), the collapsewould not take any other entities down.

Evidence indicates that was a false report.In spite of fluctuations in enrollment, each homecontinued to receive adequate support to carryon its activities.

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

40 - Seventh-day Adventists and the HaskellHome, A.G. Daniels, Battle Creek Inquirer,April 25, 1909; reprinted in Review, May 13,1909 (3 pages).

It was Satan’s plan to swing the denomina-tion as far away from the physical truths (ofhealth reform, natural remedies, benevolentcare), as Kellogg had swung everything he con-trolled in the other direction (away from doctri-nal truths, or even affiliation with the denomi-nation).

But an event occurred at the beginning of thedecade of the 1890s, which greatly acceleratedthe crisis.

General Conference leaders were anxious toget Ellen White out of the country, so they couldrun the denomination to suit themselves. So, in1891, three years after their embarrassing de-feat at Minneapolis, they asked Ellen White togo to Australia. She had no light to do so, butthe Lord gave her no light to remain; so she went.It was His purpose to let the leaders have what

6 - The W6 - The W6 - The W6 - The W6 - The WorkorkorkorkorkComes to an EndComes to an EndComes to an EndComes to an EndComes to an End

Although denominational leaders wantedto dispense with any official authorization,ownership, or backing of benevolent insti-tutions, Doctor Kellogg was doing his partto gain control of them. How did Kellogg getthe orphanage and old people’s home awayfrom the denomination?

A detailed article, entitled Seventh-day Ad-ventists and the Haskell Home, appeared in theApril 25, 1909, issue of the Battle Creek In-quirer, and was reprinted in the Review on May13. We will reprint the entire article in the com-panion book to this one: Seventh-day Adven-tist Benevolent Work: A Documentary. It is animportant article, which you will want to read.

In his article, Elder A.G. Daniels detailed thefact that the denomination, at its 1891 Session,got the project started, and then, along with otherdonors, provided funding to build and maintainit. “By far the larger share of the money used inthe enterprise was supplied by the denomina-tion.”

The original plan, in the early 1890s, wasfor the denomination to own these benevolentinstitutions; but, because this did not fit Michi-gan laws at the time, the understanding was toobtain a change in the law. But, instead, the smallcommittee, entirely unauthorized, set upon theBenevolent Association in 1893—and handedover to it the deeds and ownership of both insti-tutions.

In late 1898, the Association formed sepa-rate, subsidiary corporations for each of thoseinstitutions. We are elsewhere told that GeneralConference officers agreed to that transference.

The next step came on April 18, 1904, whenthe deeds of the two institutions were turned overto their respective corporations—thus makingthem independent. In his article, Daniels said:

5353535353they wanted—with the result that their mistakeswould rebound to their own loss.

Writing in December 1898 to O.A. Olsen,(General Conference president from October 17,1888, to February 19, 1897), she said this:

“I have not, I think, revealed the entire work-ing that led me here to Australia. Perhaps youmay never fully understand the matter. The Lordwas not in our leaving America. He did not re-veal that it was His will that I should leave BattleCreek. The Lord did not plan this, but He letyou all move after your own imaginings. TheLord would have had W.C. White, his mother,and her workers remain in America.

“We were needed at the heart of the work,and had your spiritual perception discerned thetrue situation, you would never have consentedto the movements made. But the Lord read thehearts of all. There was so great a willingnessto have us leave, that the Lord permitted thisthing to take place. Those who were weary ofthe testimonies borne were left without the per-son who bore them. Our separation from BattleCreek was to let men have their own will andway, which they thought superior to the way ofthe Lord.

“The result is before you. Had you stood inthe right position the move would not have beenmade at that time. The Lord would have workedfor Australia by other means and a strong in-fluence would have been held at Battle Creek,the great heart of the work. There we shouldhave stood shoulder to shoulder, creating ahealthful atmosphere to be felt in all our con-ferences.

“It was not the Lord who devised this matter.I could not get one ray of light to leave America.But when the Lord presented this matter to meas it really was, I opened my lips to no one,because I know that no one would discern thematter in all its bearings. When we left, reliefwas felt by many, but not so much by yourself,and the Lord was displeased; for He had set usto stand at the wheels of the moving machineryat Battle Creek . .

“Such great responsibilities call for the con-tinual counsel of God, that they may be carriedforward in a right way. But this counsel wasnot considered a necessity. That the people ofBattle Creek should feel that they could haveus leave at the time we did, was the result ofman’s devising, and not the Lord’s. The sum ofthe matter is proved, and its figures are beforeyou.”—Manuscript Release, Vol. 10, p. 392 (Let-ter dated December 1, 1898).

How great was the loss! At the very time thather help was needed, it had been removed. As aresult, among other unfortunate events, the

transference of ownership of the orphanage andhome for the aged was approved in 1898.

The groundwork for the split between themedical/health/benevolent work—and the de-nomination—was laid in the 1890s, while EllenWhite was in Australia (1891-1900).

“I wish to sound a note of warning to ourpeople nigh and far off. An effort is being madeby those at the head of the medical work inBattle Creek to get control of property overwhich, in the sight of the heavenly courts, theyhave no rightful control. I write now to guardministers and lay members from being misledby those who are making these efforts. There isa deceptive work going on to obtain property inan underhand way. This is condemned by thelaw of God. I will mention no names. But thereare doctors and ministers who have been influ-enced by the hypnotism exercised by the fatherof lies. Notwithstanding the warnings given,Satan’s sophistries are being accepted now justas they were accepted in the heavenly courts . .

“I have a warning for all our people in all ourchurches . . There is a work being carried onthrough lawyers that is not after the divine si-militude.”—Series B, No. 7, pp. 30-32 (June28, 1905).

The results were disastrous. Leading mendecided that the church must be separated fromthe homes caring for the needy.

In the height of the crisis, a worker connectedwith the two homes wrote this:

“These homes for orphans and for agedpeople, respectively, are passing through a pe-culiar experience just now since the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference authoritieshave undertaken to care for those inmates ofthese institutions who are members of that de-nomination, as far as they wish to pass undertheir care. A committee has been appointed bythe Conference authorities to close the childrenand old people’s homes, and this work is nowbeing done so that the number of the inmatesis being considerable reduced.

“It should be understood that this movementis undertaken and being carried on by the Con-ference and not by the managers of the home.It is not intended by the managers to close thehomes or to restrict the noble work which theyhave been created to do.”—Medical Missionary,1907, p. 176.

The denomination voted to start the work in1890, and organized it in 1893. In 1898, whileEllen White was in Australia, the work was es-sentially transferred to the control of DoctorKellogg. In 1904 the final backing out of the or-phan, aged, and city mission institutions was

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The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork5454545454completed. By the next year, church leaderswould no longer provide church support to suchprojects.

It is of special interest that, in the followinghistorical summary, it is said that in 1905 theMedical Department of the General Conferencewas established and took up the work laid downin 1904.

But that is not the full story; all it took upwas the medical part of the work! It left theorphan work orphaned; it let the homes for theaged die out; and the city missions without en-couragement.

Dozens of such missionary projects, scat-tered throughout America and overseas, wereessentially abandoned. If they managed to sur-vive on their own, fine; but henceforth, theywould have no encouragement or support fromchurch leadership, and no intervention by thechurch in getting local governments to permitthe projects to start or continue.

They were abandoned. For decades thereaf-ter, if anyone wished to start an orphanage forAdventist or other children, he was destined toreceive no encouragement from church leader-ship on any level. Satan had won another vic-tory in his long-standing efforts to eliminate allphases of the special work committed to Sev-enth-day Adventists.

Here is this brief historical summary:“International Medical Missionary and Be-

nevolent Association: A legal corporationfounded in 1893 under the name Seventh-dayAdventist Medical Missionary and BenevolentAssociation (renamed International MedicalMissionary and Benevolent Association in1896). It was dissolved in 1904. The associa-tion aimed to promote the medical activities ofthe denomination and to hold the properties ofthe church’s medical and charitable enterprises.The objectives of the association, specifically,were:

“to erect and manage homes for orphan chil-dren and for friendless aged persons, also hos-pitals and sanitariums for the treatment of thesick, poor, and others, the same to be eitherself-supporting or supported in whole or in partby funds secured for the purpose; to establishdispensaries in cities, medical missions at homeand abroad, visiting nurses’ work, ChristianHelp work; to educate missionary physiciansand nurses; to provide for the needy poor; topromulgate the principles of health and tem-perance and to do good in a variety of ways(Yearbook of the International Medical Mission-ary and Benevolent Association, 1896, pp. 58-

59).

“The activities of the association were takenover largely by the Medical Department of theGeneral Conference that was created in 1905.”—SDA Encyclopedia, p. 597.

It is a tragedy that the work closed down.Yet, from the days when the call was first givento take up this neglected work, there were ele-ments of opposition which did not want it to goforward.

“Christians are not excusable for permittingthe widow’s cries and the orphan’s prayers toascend to Heaven because of their sufferingwant, while a liberal Providence has placed inthe hands of these Christians [an] abundanceto supply their need.

“Let not the cries of the widow and father-less call down the vengeance of Heaven uponus as a people! . .

“What will the church members say whenconfronted in the day of God by the worthy poor,the afflicted, the widows and fatherless, whohave known pinching want for the meager ne-cessities of life, while there was expended bythese professed followers of Christ, for super-fluous clothing, and needless ornaments ex-pressly forbidden in the Word of God—enoughto supply all their wants? . .

“They have no ears for the cries of the needy,no eyes to behold the cold and almost nakedforms of women and children around them.They look upon real want as a species of crime,and withdraw from suffering humanity as froma contagious disease.

“To such, Christ will say, ‘I was an hungered,and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and yegave me no drink; I was a stranger, and ye tookMe not in; naked, and ye clothed me not; sickand in prison, and ye visited me not.”—Review,November 21, 1878.

Nearly two decades ago, Leah Schmitke metone of the Haskell Home orphans (in his sixtiesby that time), a Mr. Irwin, who was a faithfulmember of the Yucaipa S.D.A. Church in Cali-fornia. This is what he had to say about the or-phan work:

“He happened to do some plumbing for mesome years ago while I lived on Prospect Streetin Loma Linda. I accidentally had some picturesof the Haskell Orphan Home laying on the dav-enport, and he noticed them as he passed by.His eyes were filled with tears as he saw thosepictures. Gazing at them, he just bubbled overwith joy. Before he left my home that day, heasked to see them once again—and then saidemphatically, ‘Why in the world did our people

5555555555ever discontinue that work? It is the greatestmissionary work in the world?’ He then men-tioned that there were either four or five chil-dren from his immediate family in the HaskellHome back then.”—Leah Schmitke, statement,undated.

He was right; it is a wonderful way to do mis-sionary work. When you read the companion vol-

ume to this one, Seventh-day Adventist Be-nevolent Work: A Documentary, the little pic-tures of the children at the Haskell OrphansHome will deeply touch your heart. A mostwonderful work was done at that institution.If the present writer was not so old, he wouldstart one himself.

The WThe WThe WThe WThe Work Comes to an Endork Comes to an Endork Comes to an Endork Comes to an Endork Comes to an End

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7 - Nothing Lef7 - Nothing Lef7 - Nothing Lef7 - Nothing Lef7 - Nothing Lef tttttbut an Adventist Goodwillbut an Adventist Goodwillbut an Adventist Goodwillbut an Adventist Goodwillbut an Adventist Goodwill

In 1868 an urgent call was given to ourpeople to begin engaging in benevolent min-istry to the needy all around them. This wasa call to our church to take up a long-ne-glected work. By 1896, there were over fiftymissionary bands and several orphanages.

But when the work was stopped, it wasstopped! All we have left is bake sales, old-clothing stores for the world, and potlucksfor our people.

The years passed, and, although insurancemoney was received when it burned down, wehear no more about John Harvey Kellogg’s plansto rebuild the orphanage. From the best we cantell, he may have built a small one.

In later years, financial mismanagementbrought down his sanitarium, and ultimately itwent into bankruptcy.

Kellogg passed away in his Battle Creek homeon December 14, 1943, without having returnedto the church. In the present writer’s publica-tion, The Alpha of Apostasy (a biography of J.H.Kellogg and Albion Ballenger), it is noted that,as late as the early 1940s, Kellogg was still specu-lating in Eastern mysticism. Having forsaken theSpirit of Prophecy, spirits of devils led him intostill deeper error. So it will be with all who for-sake those precious writings.

David Paulson, M.D., earnestly believed theSpirit of Prophecy and in carrying on the benevo-lent work. Graduating as a physician in 1894,two years later he married a woman physician,Mary Wild.

In 1899, David and Mary left the Battle CreekSanitarium to pioneer the medical and benevo-lent work among the needy in Chicago.

Because the Spirit of Prophecy said weshould build no large medical centers within the

cities, later they began to consider the need for asanitarium outside the city.

A prominent business friend, C.B. Kimbell,made available an abandoned country estate inthe village of Hinsdale at a low figure, withoutinterest and with long-term payments.

Moving onto the property the husband andwife physician team began treating the needy, andgathering a staff. In October 1899, the HinsdaleSanitarium and Benevolent Association was or-ganized.

In addition to its medical program and schoolof nursing, by 1914 the sanitarium conductedseveral benevolent projects: the Good Samari-tan Inn for indigent patients, the rescue homefor girls, the gospel program for prisoners, thehealth education work, medical evangelistictours, and the continuing of the medical/benevo-lent mission (the Lifeboat Mission) in Chicagoitself. To encourage young people to work at thesanitarium without sacrificing their education,Hinsdale Academy was established nearby.

In addition, Paulson edited the Lifeboat, amagazine devoted to the promotion of thesanitarium’s charitable medical and social workin Chicago. As if all that were not enough to keephim busy, in 1906 he became president of theAnti-Cigarette League, and traveled and lecturedagainst the use of tobacco.

It is obvious that David and Mary Paulsontook to heart the counsels of the Spirit of Proph-ecy in regard to carrying on a strong benevolentprogram, and combining it with the medical,evangelistic, and educational work.

But, never robust in health, in 1916 at theage of 48, David died.

The next year, 1917, Mary turned the deedsof the institution over to the Lake Union Confer-ence, but without financial control or obligation.Because it had no responsibility, the union of-

5757575757fice was willing to accept the offer. Later, in 1932,Mary remarried and her second husband, alsoa physician, saw little value in the benevolentwork. So, at that time, the final remnants of itdisappeared from the Chicago area.

You will recall that the 1896 Medical Mis-sionary and Benevolent Association Yearbookmentioned the locations of 58 benevolentprojects being carried on by local Adventist

churches scattered throughout North America.That demonstrates how rapidly the work hadbeen growing, just before Satan got in andstopped it at the heart of the work.

In the years since, our benevolent work hasbeen reduced to merely gathering, sorting, andmending old clothes. Then selling or giving themaway.

Nothing is left but Adventist Goodwill stores.

Nothing LefNothing LefNothing LefNothing LefNothing Left but an Adventist Goodwillt but an Adventist Goodwillt but an Adventist Goodwillt but an Adventist Goodwillt but an Adventist Goodwill

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8 - The Call Remains8 - The Call Remains8 - The Call Remains8 - The Call Remains8 - The Call RemainsLeah Schmitke gave the best years of her

life to forwarding the benevolent work.Among her papers, the present writer foundthis:

“Ellen White wrote:

“ ‘Would we know how Christ regards it? Howwould a father and mother feel, did they knowthat their child, lost in the cold and the snow,had been passed by, and left to perish, by thosewho might have saved it? Would they not beterribly grieved, wildly indignant? . . The suf-ferings of every man are the sufferings of God’schild, and those who reach out no helping handto their perishing fellow beings provoke His righ-teous anger. This is the wrath of the Lamb.’ ”—Desire of Ages, p. 825.

“Did you notice that ‘this is the wrath of theLamb.’ That means business! ‘God means whatHe says.’ He does not fool. It doesn’t pay to foolwith God. His wrath is a very strange thing, anda strange act.

“People will say, ‘Oh, He is too merciful to dothat, peace, peace, when sudden destructioncometh.’ When the Lord sent a message throughNoah for 120 years, and warned and warnedthe world, did they heed the message? No, theymade fun of Noah. Only eight were saved. Heloved them to death in the flood. So it will benow.

“The Bible said, ‘As it was in the days of Noah,so shall it be when the Son of man cometh.’ Hehas threatened to destroy this world unless theyreform. He came with the third angel’s message,a message of love and mercy. How has this mes-sage been treated? Have we been true repre-sentatives of Christ, who know this message?Have we revealed the love of Christ to the world,as He told us to follow His example in doing thework of Isaiah 58? If not why not? It must bedone before Christ can come.

“All these years we have delayed His coming,because we have become cold and heartless.Our love is dead, and the True Witness finds uslukewarm, rich and increased with goods, sit-ting on the easy chair in need of nothing. Asleepon the job; while the slumbering party has takenits snooze, the enemy has stolen a march on

us, and he is about to overtake us.

“The Laodicean Ship, with its sleeping peopleis about to sink. It has no chart or compass.The Medical Ship is pulling into the wrong har-bor. A crisis is before them. An iceberg is aheadof them, but they are too blind to see it. An alarmmust be given. The slumbering party must beawakened.

“When a mother sings a lullaby to her infantto put it to sleep, she sings a sweet lullaby, ‘Rock-a-bye, my baby darling,’ Violinists often playthat song, Brahm’s Lullaby. That is a good songto sing with the fiddlers when you put people tosleep, but when you want to wake them up, youhave to lay all the fiddlers aside. God can’t usefiddlers when He wants to wake up a bunch ofpeople that are ready to be drowned in themiddle of the ocean or perish in the lake of fire.He uses trumpeters, and He blows those trum-pets as loud as He can. That is why He sentIsaiah with a message, with a loud cry. He didnot tell Isaiah to come and whisper into theirears, and tell them to be sure and not tell any-one else what I am telling you. He said:

“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like atrumpet, and shew my people their transgres-sion, and the house of Jacob their sins.”—Isaiah58:1.

“That verse is full of meaning. There is some-thing definitely wrong, and what could it be?That chapter is written for Seventh-day Adven-tist people, and not for unbelievers. And whenit says, ‘Cry Aloud,’ it means that. It means thereis danger. We have slipped up on something,and what could it be? Something is radicallywrong? What could it be? ‘The Bridegroom isat the door.’ The ten virgins have been sleepingduring the tarrying time; now the call is here,so all of a sudden they must arouse from theirsleep. Five will be prepared, while the othersfail to have oil in their lamps. They did notsearch out the reason for their barreness. Theyhad no fruit in their lives. They lived a selfishlife, only for themselves; they neither loved theirneighbor, nor God. Their whole life had beenone self-centered interest. Money was their idolin their life. They forgot to buy the pearl of greatprice, as they did not realize that they had to

5959595959give up everything, their idols and all to receivethe pearl. So now they are found wanting. ‘Whatdoes it profit a man, though he gain the wholeworld and lose His own soul?’”—Leah Schmit-ke, undated manuscript.

The call continues, for God’s Word hasnot changed. Its messages are just as ur-gent as ever. Not only are they in the Spiritof Prophecy, they are also in the Bible.

THE BIBLE SPEAKSABOUT WIDOWS AND ORPHANS

WE ARE TO HELP THEM

“If I have withheld the poor from their de-sire, or have caused the eyes of the widow tofail; or have eaten my morsel myself alone, andthe fatherless hath not eaten thereof . . if I havelifted up my hand against the fatherless, when Isaw my help in the gate.”—Job 31:16-17, 21.

“Defend the poor and fatherless; do justiceto the afflicted and needy.”—Psalm 82:3.

“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve theoppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for thewidow . . The princes are rebellious, and com-panions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, andfolloweth after rewards: they judge not the fa-therless, neither doth the cause of the widowcome unto them.”—Isaiah 1:17, 23.

“If ye oppress not the stranger, the father-less, and the widow, and shed not innocent bloodin this place, neither walk after other gods toyour hurt: then will I cause you to dwell in thisplace, in the land that I gave to your fathers, forever and ever.”—Jeremiah 7:6-7.

“Pure religion and undefiled before God andthe Father is this, To visit the fatherless and wid-ows in their affliction, and to keep himself un-spotted from the world.”—James 1:27.

“And in those days, when the number of thedisciples was multiplied, there arose a murmur-ing of the Grecians against the Hebrews, becausetheir widows were neglected in the daily minis-tration.”—Acts 6:1.

“Honor widows that are widows indeed. Butif any widow have children or nephews, let themfirst learn to show piety at home, and to requitetheir parents: for that is good and acceptablebefore God. Now she that is a widow indeed, anddesolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in sup-plications and prayers night and day. But shethat liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth ..Let not a widow be taken into the number un-

der threescore years old, having been the wife ofone man, well reported of for good works; if shehave brought up children, if she have lodgedstrangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, ifshe have relieved the afflicted, if she have dili-gently followed every good work.”—1 Timothy5:3-6, 9-10.

WAYS THEY MIGHT BE HELPED

“At the end of three years thou shalt bringforth all the tithe of thine increase the same year,and shalt lay it up within thy gates: And theLevite, (because he hath no part nor inheritancewith thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless,and the widow, which are within thy gates, shallcome, and shall eat and be satisfied; that theLord thy God may bless thee in all the work ofthine hand which thou doest.”—Deuteronomy14:28-29.

“And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thyGod, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, andthy manservant, and thy maidservant, and theLevite that is within thy gates, and the stranger,and the fatherless, and the widow, that are amongyou, in the place which the Lord thy God hathchosen to place his name there . . And thou shaltrejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thydaughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidser-vant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the father-less, and the widow, that are within thy gates.”—Deuteronomy 16:11, 14.

“Thou shall not pervert the judgment of thestranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take thewidow’s raiment to pledge: But thou shalt re-member that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, andthe Lord thy God redeemed thee thence: there-fore I command thee to do this thing. When thoucuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hastforgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go againto fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for thefatherless, and for the widow: that the Lord thyGod may bless thee in all the work of thine hands.When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shaltnot go over the boughs again: it shall be for thestranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard,thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be forthe stranger, for the fatherless, and the widow.”—Deuteronomy 24:17-21.

“When thou hast made an end of tithing allthe tithes of thine increase the third year, whichis the year of tithing, and hast given it unto theLevite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow,that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

The Call RemainsThe Call RemainsThe Call RemainsThe Call RemainsThe Call Remains

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork6060606060then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, Ihave brought away the hollowed things out ofmine house, and also have given them unto theLevite, and unto the Stranger, to the fatherless,and to the widow, according to all thy command-ments which thou has commanded me: I havenot transgressed thy commandments, neitherhave I forgotten them.”—Deuteronomy 26:12-13.

GOD ALSO CARES FOR THEM

“Thou has seen it; for thou beholdest mis-chief and spite, to requite it with thy hand: thepoor committeth himself unto thee; thou art thehelper of the fatherless. Lord, thou hast heardthe desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare theirheart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: to judgethe fatherless and the oppressed, that the manof the earth may no more oppress.”—Psalm10:14, 17-18.

“When my father and my mother forsake me,then the Lord will take me up.”—Psalm 27:10.

“He doth execute the judgment of the father-less and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giv-ing him food and raiment.”—Deuteronomy10:18.

“A father of the fatherless, and a judge of thewidows, is God in his holy habitation.”—Psalm68:5.

“The Lord preserveth the strangers; herelieveth the fatherless and widow; but the wayof the wicked he turneth upside down.”—Psalm146:9.

“Leave thy fatherless children, I will preservethem alive; and let thy widows trust in me.”—Jeremiah 49:11.

“Asshur shall not save us; we will not rideupon horses: neither will we say any more to thework of our hands, Ye are our gods: for in theethe fatherless findeth mercy.”—Hosea 14:3.

”And I will gather the remnant of my flockout of all countries whither I have driven them,and will bring them again to their folds; and theyshall be fruitful and increase.”—Jeremiah 23:3.

“The blessing of him that was ready to per-ish came upon me: and I caused the widow’sheart to sing for joy.”—Job 29:13.

“The Lord will destroy the house of theproud: but he will establish the border of thewidow.”—Proverbs 15:25.

“Because I delivered the poor that cried, andthe fatherless, and him that had none to helphim. The blessing of him that was ready to per-ish came upon me: and I caused the widow’s

heart to sing for joy.”—Job 29:12-13.

THE WICKED DO NOT HELP THEM

“Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherlesschild. If thou afflict them in any wise, and theycry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry;and My wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill youwith the sword; and your wives shall be widows,and your children fatherless.”—Exodus 22:22-24.

“Cursed be he that perverteth the judgmentof the stranger, fatherless, and widow.”—Deute–ronomy 27:19.

“Remove not the old landmark; and enter notinto the fields of the fatherless: for their Redeem-er is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.”—Proverbs 23:10, 11.

“Woe unto them that decree unrighteous de-crees, and that write grievousness which theyhave prescribed; to turn aside the needy fromjudgment, and to take away the right from thepoor of my people, that the widows may be theirprey, and that they may rob the fatherless!”—Isaiah 10:1-2.

“They are waxen fat, they shine; yea, theyoverpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge notthe cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet theyproper; and the right of the needy do they notjudge.”—Jeremiah 5:28.

“And I will come near to you to judgment;and I will be a swift witness against the sorcer-ers, and against the adulterers, and against thefalse swearers, and against those that oppressthe hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fa-therless, and that turn aside the stranger fromhis right, and fear not me, saith the Lord ofhosts.”—Malachi 3:5.

“Is not thy wickedness great? and thine iniq-uities infinite? . . Thou hast sent widows awayempty, and the arms of the fatherless have beenbroken.”—Job 22:5, 9.

“They drive away the ass of the fatherless,they take the widow’s ox for a pledge . . He evilentreateth the barren that beareth not: and doethnot good to the widow.”—Job 24:3, 21.

“If I have withheld the poor from their de-sire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail. . then let mine arm fall from my shoulder blade,and mine arm be broken from the bone.”—Job31:16, 22.

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypo-crites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for apretense make long prayer: therefore ye shallreceive the greater damnation.”—Matthew

616161616123:14.

See also Job 6:27; 22:9; 24:3; Zechariah7:10; Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47.

THE BIBLE SPEAKSABOUT THE POOR

“Better is the poor that walketh in his integ-rity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is afool.”—Proverbs 19:1.

“Better is the poor that walketh in his up-rightness, than he that is perverse in his ways,though he be rich.”—Proverbs 28:6.

WE ARE TO HELP THEM

“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment:thou shalt not respect the person of the poor,nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righ-teousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.”—Leviticus 19:15.

“Did not I weep for him that was in trouble?was not my soul grieved for the poor?”—Job30:25.

“There is that maketh himself rich, yet hathnothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yethath great riches. The ransom of a man’s life arehis riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke . .Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but thereis that is destroyed for want of judgment.”—Prov-erbs 13:7-8, 23.

“He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: buthe that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.”—Proverbs 14:21.

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth untothe Lord; and that which he hath given will hepay him again.”—Proverbs 19:17.

“The rich and the poor meet together: theLord is the maker of them all . . He that hath abountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth ofhis bread to the poor.”—Proverbs 22:2, 9.

“The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, histhrone shall be established for ever.”—Proverbs29:14.

“For I was an hungered, and ye gave me nomeat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: . .Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I sayunto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of theleast of these, ye did it not unto me.”—Matthew25:42, 45.

“For the poor shall never cease out of theland: therefore I command thee, saying Thoushalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, tothy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”—Deuteronomy 15:11.

“The wicked borroweth, and payeth notagain: but the righteous sheweth mercy, andgiveth . . He is ever merciful, and lendeth; andhis seed is blessed.”—Psalm 37:21, 26.

“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: theLord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lordwill preserve him, and keep him alive; and heshall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wiltnot deliver him unto the will of his enemies. TheLord will strengthen him upon the bed of lan-guishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sick-ness.”—Psalm 41:1-3.

“Unto the upright there ariseth light in thedarkness: he is gracious, and full of compas-sion, and righteous. A good man showeth favour,and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with dis-cretion . . He hath dispersed, he hath given tothe poor; his righteousness endureth for ever;his horn shall be exalted with honor.”—Psalm112:4-5, 9.

“He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:but he that hideth his eyes shall have many acurse.”—Proverbs 28:27.

“The righteous considereth the cause of thepoor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.”—Proverbs 29:7.

“Open thy mouth, judge righteously, andplead the cause of the poor and needy . . Shestretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, shereacheth forth her hands to the needy.”—Prov-erbs 31:9, 20.

“Take counsel, execute judgment; make thyshadow as the night in the midst of the noon-day; hide the outcasts; bewray not him thatwandereth. Let mine outcasts dwell with thee,Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face ofthe spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, thespoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumedout of the land.”—Isaiah 16:3-4.

“Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, andthat thou bring the poor that are cast out to thyhouse? when thou seest the naked, that thoucover him; and that thou hide not thyself fromthine own flesh? . . And if thou draw out thy soulto the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; thenshall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy dark-ness be as the noonday.”—Isaiah 58:7, 10.

“Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be accept-able unto thee, and break off thy sins by righ-teousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercyto the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tran-quility.”—Daniel 4:27.

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect,

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The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork6262626262go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor,and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and comeand follow me.”—Matthew 19:21.

“But rather give alms of such things as yehave.”—Luke 11:41.

“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provideyourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure inthe heavens that faileth not, where no thiefapproacheth, neither moth corrupteth.”—Luke12:33.

“Then said he also to him that bade him,When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call notthy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kins-men, nor thy rich neighbors; lest they also bidthee again, and a recompense be made thee. Butwhen thou makest a feast, call the poor, themaimed, the lame, the blind.”—Luke 14:12-13.

“And Zaccheus stood, and said unto theLord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I giveto the poor; and if I have taken any thing fromany man by false accusation, I restore him four-fold.”—Luke 19:8.

“I have showed you all things, how that solabouring ye ought to support the weak, and toremember the words of the Lord Jesus, how hesaid, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”—Acts 20:35.

“He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity;he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showethmercy, with cheerfulness . . Distributing to thenecessity of saints; given to hospitality . . There-fore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst,give him drink: for in doing thou shalt heap coalsof fire on his head.”—Romans 12:8, 13, 20.

“And though I bestow all my goods to feedthe poor, and though I give my body to be burned,and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”—1 Corinthians 13:3.

“But this I say, He which soweth sparinglyshall reap also sparingly; and he which sowethbountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every manaccording as he purposeth in his heart, so lethim give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for Godloveth a cheerful giver.”—2 Corinthians 9:6-7.

“Only they would that we should rememberthe poor; the same which I also was forward todo.”—Galatians 2:10.

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us dogood unto all men, especially unto them who areof the household of faith.”—Galatians 6:10.

“Let him that stole steal no more: but ratherlet him labour, working with his hands the thingwhich is good, that he may have to give to him

that needeth.”—Ephesians 4:28.“Remember them that are in bonds, as

bound with them; and them which suffer adver-sity, as being yourselves also in the body.”—He-brews 13:3.

WAYS THEY MIGHT BE HELPED

“And when ye spread forth your hands, I willhide mine eyes from you; yea, when ye makemany prayers, I will not hear; your hands arefull of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put awaythe evil of your doings before mine eyes; ceaseto do evil; learn to do well; seek judgment, re-lieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, pleadfor the widow . . If ye be willing and obedient, yeshall eat the good of the land; but if ye refuseand rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword:for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.”—Isaiah1:15-17, 19-20.

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eatthe fat, and drink the sweet, and send portionsunto them for whom nothing is prepared: for thisday is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry;for the joy of the Lord is your strength . . And allthe people went their way to eat, and to drink,and to send portions, and to make great mirth,because they had understood the words thatwere declared unto them.”—Nehemiah 8:10, 12.

“But the seventh year thou shalt let it restand lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat:and what they leave the beasts of the field shalleat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vine-yard, and with thy oliveyard.”—Exodus 23:11.

“If thy brother be waxen poor, and hath soldaway some of his possession, and if any of hiskin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem thatwhich his brother sold. And if the man have noneto redeem it, and himself be able to redeem it;then let him count the years of the sale thereof,and restore the overplus unto the man to whomhe sold it; that he may return unto his posses-sion. But if he be not able to restore it to him,then that which is sold shall remain in the handof him that hath bought it until the year of jubi-lee: and in the jubilee it shall go out, and he shallreturn unto his possession . .

“And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallenin decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him:yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; thathe may live with thee. Take thou no usury of him,or increase: but fear thy God: that thy brothermay live with thee. Thou shalt not give him thymoney upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals forincrease . . And if thy brother that dwelleth by

6363636363thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thoushalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:But as a hired servant, and as a sojourner, heshall be with thee, and shall serve thee unto theyear of jubilee: And then shall he depart fromthee, both he and his children with him, and shallreturn unto his own family, and unto the pos-session of his fathers shall he return. For theyare my servants, which I brought forth out of theland of Egypt: they shall not be sold as bond-men. Thou shalt not rule over him with rigor;but shalt fear thy God.”—Leviticus 25:35-37, 39,41-43.

“And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleepwith his pledge: In any case thou shalt deliverhim the pledge again when the sun goeth down,that he may sleep in his own raiment, and blessthee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee be-fore the Lord thy God.”—Deuteronomy 24:12-13.

GOD ALSO CARES FOR THEM

“He judged the cause of the poor and needy;then it was well with him: was not this to knowme? saith the Lord.”—Jeremiah 22:16.

“For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleththe hungry soul with goodness . . And there hemaketh the hungry to dwell, that they may pre-pare a city for inhabitation . . Yet setteth he thepoor on high from affliction, and maketh himfamilies like a flock.”—Psalm 107:9, 36, 41.

“For he shall stand at the right hand of thepoor, to save him from those that condemn hissoul.”—Psalm 109:31.

“He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, andlifteth the needy out of the dunghill; that he mayset him with princes, even with the princes ofhis people.”—Psalm 113:7-8.

“I will abundantly bless her provision: I willsatisfy her poor with bread.”—Psalm 132:15.

“I know that the Lord will maintain the causeof the afflicted, and the right of the poor.”—Psalm140:12.

“Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob forhis help, whose hope is in the Lord his God: . .which executeth judgment for the oppressed:which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseththe prisoners.”—Psalm 146:5, 7.

“The rich and poor meet together: the Lordis the maker of them all . . Rob not the poor,because he is poor: neither oppress the afflictedin the gate.”—Proverbs 22:2, 22.

“The poor and the deceitful man meet to-gether: the Lord lighteneth both their eyes.”—

Proverbs 29:13.“If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and

violent perverting of judgment and justice in aprovince, marvel not at the matter: for he that ishigher than the highest regardeth; and there behigher than they.”—Ecclesiastes 5:8.

“But with righteousness shall he judge thepoor, and reprove with equity for the meek ofthe earth: and he shall smite the earth with therod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lipsshall he slay the wicked.”—Isaiah 11:4.

“And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, andthe needy shall lie down in safety: and I will killthy root with famine, and he shall slay thy rem-nant . . What shall one then answer the messen-gers of the nation? That the Lord hath foundedZion, and the poor of his people shall trust init.”—Isaiah 14:30, 32.

“For thou hast been a strength to the poor, astrength to the needy in his distress, a refugefrom the storm, a shadow from the heat, whenthe blast of the terrible ones is as a storm againstthe wall.”—Isaiah 25:4.

“The meek also shall increase their joy in theLord, and the poor among men shall rejoice inthe Holy One of Israel.”—Isaiah 29:19.

“When the poor and needy seek water, andthere is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst,I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel willnot forsake them.”—Isaiah 41:17.

“Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord: forhe hath delivered the soul of the poor from thehand of evildoers.”—Jeremiah 20:13.

“I will also leave in the midst of thee an af-flicted and poor people, and they shall trust inthe name of the Lord.”—Zephaniah 3:12.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, becausehe hath anointed me to preach the gospel to thepoor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted,to preach deliverance to the captives, and recov-ering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty themthat are bruised, to preach the acceptable yearof the Lord.”—Luke 4:18.

“Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath notGod chosen the poor of this world rich in faith,and heirs of the kingdom which he hath prom-ised to them that love him?”—James 2:5.

THE WICKED DO NOT HELP THEM

“Because that he remembered not showmercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man,that he might even slay the broken in heart.”—Psalm 109:16.

“The poor is hated even of his own neighbor:

The Call RemainsThe Call RemainsThe Call RemainsThe Call RemainsThe Call Remains

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork6464646464but the rich hath many friends.”—Proverbs14:20.

“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth hisMaker: but he that honoreth him hath mercy onthe poor.”—Proverbs 14:31.

“The poor useth entreaties; but the richanswereth roughly.”—Proverbs 18:23.

“Wealth maketh many friends; but the pooris separated from his neighbor.”—Proverbs19:4.

“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of thepoor, he also, shall cry himself, but shall notbe heard.”—Proverbs 21:13.

“See also Ex 23:3, 6.

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9 - How Do I Get Started?9 - How Do I Get Started?9 - How Do I Get Started?9 - How Do I Get Started?9 - How Do I Get Started?So you want to get started doing true

medical missionary work—but where do youstart? What do you do?

Here are several ideas.

First, let us review the scope of true medicalmissionary work. We will quote a statement madeearlier in this book:

True medical missionary work consists of anumber of interwoven parts. United, they are aChristlike personal ministry to the needs of oth-ers. Here are several of these aspects:

(1) Spiritual ministry. This includes far morethan preaching. It includes group and one-to-one instruction, praying for and with people,praying for them when apart. It includes mis-sionary visits, canvassing, Bible studies, andall forms of spiritual conversations and appeals.

(2) Healthful living. This includes properdiet, clothing, and the use of the eight naturalremedies (Ministry of Healing, p. 127) for main-taining health.

(3) Health instruction. This is done throughpersonal instruction, cooking schools, nutritionclasses, etc.

(4) Physical care. This would include medi-cal attention, nursing care, hydrotherapy treat-ments, the use of herbs, home and sanitariumcare utilizing the eight remedies.

(5) Benevolent and help work. This is thepart we are emphasizing in this present book.It is only part of the whole, but it is a necessarypart. The whole would not be complete withoutit.

(6) Prison ministry. Jesus spoke about theimportance of this work, and our people shouldbe engaged in it.

If you stop to think about it, none of the abovesix aspects of ministry can really be separatedfrom the others. They are a part of a great whole;they are part of helping people in a real world.They are part of an outflowing genuine Chris-tian experience.

The above summary provides us with a widerange of activities which may be carried on.

You may recall that the 1896 MMBA Year-

book listed several things which were part of thebenevolent work back then: (1) Providing emer-gency help, such as meals, lodging, nursing care,garments, laundry, giving baths, applying dress-ings, etc. (2) Christian help classes in healthfulliving, nutrition, etc. (3) Helping the homelessand destitute. Each of these three aspects canbe provided on an individual basis, by groupsworking together (help bands) or by institutions.

How should you begin? Begin right where youare! Thousands of years ago, Job said that hesearched out the cause of the widow and theunfortunate. There are individuals in yournearby community that need help. You will findthem in your church; you will find them in homesnot far away. A few casual conversations willmake them known. If you do not know who is inneed, there are others who do.

Begin in a small way and do what you can.There are overworked mothers who would ap-preciate a friend coming in to help wash thedishes and clean up the living room. Take yourchildren, and they will have an early start in ex-periencing the joy of ministering to those in need.

Do this help work a little here and a littlethere. Carry over a loaf or two of bread, or asack of flour or potatoes. Bake a covered dishand take it to a widow. Let your children helpwash someone’s clothes. While that is going on,read to them something comforting in the Bible,Desire of Ages, Mount of Blessing, or Steps toChrist. Help a young boy find work for the sum-mer. If you are a Christian woman, find a younggirl you can befriend. There are many who needencouragement to stand true. If you are a Chris-tian man, there are boys who need your help.

Pray with and for those in need. Let themsee Jesus in you, and lead them to Him.

Keep a second tithe fund, and dip into it forbenevolent or missionary activities. Accordingto Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 530-531, thesecond tithe was to be used for just such pur-poses.

The FThe FThe FThe FThe Forgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Worgotten Workorkorkorkork6666666666“The contributions required of the Hebrews

for religious and charitable purposes amountedto fully one fourth of their income. So heavy atax upon the resources of the people might beexpected to reduce them to poverty; but, on thecontrary, the faithful observance of these regu-lations was one of the conditions of their pros-perity.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, 527.

According to the Spirit of Prophecy, certainemphases stand out: By helping people in thesepractical ways, you are showing them the love ofGod; you are helping them come to Christ andto a knowledge and acceptance of salvation; youare helping them help themselves.

However, in carrying on this ministry of rec-onciliation, we have been given cautions:

1 - We should help others to help themselves.For example, it is better to help a person findwork than to give him money to sit in idleness.

2 - Paul counseled us that the younger wid-ows should be encouraged to remarry. Yet thereare those in need, who are hard workers andtrying to save their children—who desperatelyneed our help.

3 - Those who work in city missions and cityhealth restaurants should be mature persons,who can take the strain of the constant work,city living, and deleterious influences, withoutlosing their faith. The reason given is that thereare too many temptations in those cities, andsome of our young people, working in thoseplaces, have been overwhelmed.

4 - The instruction is given that we are not tomaintain any missionary or medical institutionsin the cities, other than small facilities which areto serve as “feeders” to our larger establishments(natural healing sanitariums) in the country.

5 - These small city projects can include hy-drotherapy and herbal treatment rooms, and hy-gienic restaurants.

6 - Financial support is to come through con-tributions, and in some cases, products madein the home. In funding these needs, as for ex-ample in funding an orphanage, the rule ofthumb is for believers to provide the financialsupport for their own; but obtain donations fromthe world to support those not of our faith.

7 - We are told that it is not best for the der-elicts and outcasts (those who have befogged andruined their minds with alcohol or hard drugs)to do this work. Only those who are speciallycalled to that work should take it up.

8 - Advent believers, in caring for children

(whether in homes or in their own orphanages)should give preference to the children of believ-ers,—and especially those who have suffered fortheir faith. But we should not neglect the needsof other worthy poor.

9 - We should also work for the general pub-lic in various ministries, such as benevolent,health, educational, and medical. These projectsare always to be combined with the sharing ofour special religious messages.

10 - The establishing of orphanages is fine.But, when there is a choice, it is better that theybe cared for in the home of a Christian family.

11 - It is also better that the aged live withfamilies than to be in homes for the aged.

12 - Children are required by Heaven to carefor their parents.

Other counsels have also been given, whichyou will find as you study more deeply into thematter.

The split between Kellogg and our leadersseparated the various parts of whole, true gos-pel: ministers, physicians, natural remedies,health instruction, physical care, and benevo-lent work. As a result, today they tend to be sepa-rated from one another.

It is time they be reunited.We cannot wait for someone else to begin the

good work. Individually, with your family, or to-gether with another family or two,—set to work.

God will bless your efforts. He will be by yourside to help you and your loved ones as you be-gin this good work.

As you minister to the physical needs of hu-manity, you are reaching their hearts. Opportu-nities for prayer and Bible study will follow soonafter.

May God bless and keep you. Soon the gateswill swing open to receive you. When God sepa-rates the sheep from the goats, He will have aspecial place for you close to His heart. For, co-operating with His grace, you have become likeHim whom you love so much.

See Seventh-day Adventist BenevolentWork: A Documentary:

41 - Beginning of the Orphan Work (1835-1838)by George Muller, from his autobiography (23 pagesin 12).

42 - Children in the Closing Scenes of ThisEarth’s History, by A.W. Spalding and E.G. White (20pages in 10).