But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9.

God gives men the light, but many are filled with a self-sufficient, masterly spirit; and they strive by carrying out their own ideas to reach a height where they will be as God. They place their mind first, as if God must serve with them. Herein lies the danger in this: Unless God shall in some way make these men understand that He is God, and that they are to serve Him, human inventions will be brought in that will lead away from Bible truth, notwithstanding all the cautions that have been given.

The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. When a church proves unfaithful to the word of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities. But, if these in turn do not purify their lives from every wrong action, if they do not establish pure and holy principles in all their borders, then the Lord will grievously afflict and humble them and, unless they repent, will remove them from their place and make them a reproach….

God is not “worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing” (Acts 17:25). No magnificence of outward display can please God, when the heart is serving idols and the hands are polluted with iniquity. The Holy Spirit will unite with those in the church who, with contrition of heart, will walk humbly with God. To all who look to Him and walk in the footsteps of Christ, He gives sanctification, comfort, and victory over the world. The people of God, His chosen kingdom, are not as a stagnant pool. They are as a river, constantly flowing, and as it advances becoming deeper and wider, until its life-giving waters are spread over all the earth. Whenever the gospel of God is received, its grace heals the maladies that sin has produced. The Sun of Righteousness arises with healing in His beams. Light, strength, and refreshing come from the Lord, and the good fruit borne bears witness to a work of righteousness.—Manuscript 33, April 27, 1903, “God’s Purpose for His Church.”

From The Upward Look – Page 131

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Psalm 37:3.

The Lord is acquainted with all our circumstances. When that Ethiopian traveler was reading the Scriptures, as he rode in his chariot, angels of God were looking upon the scene. One of the disciples was sent to meet the chariot, and when he came to the place, he saw the man studying the Scriptures. Philip said to him, “Understandest thou what thou readest?” He answered, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” Then Philip opened to him the Scriptures. And when he had heard and believed, the Ethiopian asked, “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:30, 31, 36).

This experience shows the Lord’s care for His people. It was the Spirit of God that led this man’s mind to the Scriptures. But he could not interpret their meaning. Then the Lord sent one of His servants to enlighten his mind, and to make him understand.

When the Ethiopian asked, “What doth hinder me to be baptized?” Philip did not wait to see how he would hold on to the faith. He said, “If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (verses 37, 38).

The Lord wants everyone of us to fill the very place He has appointed us. If we will walk in simplicity and godliness, and trust in the Lord, just as the little child trusts its earthly parent, He will enable us to do the work He has given us to do. If we will seek the Lord, He will work for us…. The Lord will work out our salvation for us, if we will commit the keeping of our souls unto Him as unto a faithful Creator….

It is not we who make the impression upon the mind and heart. Angels of God make the impression. They see every effort we make, and they soften the hearts and enlighten the minds of those for whom we are working, so that heavenly impressions can be made, and hearts and minds can be led to see and understand….

You are not working alone. When you are tempted to become discouraged, remember this: Angels of God are right around you. They will minister to the very earth, causing it to give forth its treasures. This is the instruction I am trying to give to our people. I want them to understand what could be accomplished, if they would work the will of the Lord. It is the Lord who has given the instruction. Let us follow His directions.—Manuscript 13, April 26, 1909, “To the Workers and Students at Hill Crest School.”

From The Upward Look – Page 130

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3.

True Christians are faithful in little things, remembering that the Word of God declares, “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much” (Luke 16:10). A faithful, steady obedience to the words of Christ makes men pure in mind, resolute in purpose, and faithful in every station of life.

True service is the unveiling of a heart made fragrant by the love of God. Such service gives nobility to the character in this life. Under its influence, love to God and man speaks from the lips and is revealed in the actions….

When God’s people place the gift of speech under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit, thousands will hear the message that God is love; that He “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). His heart of infinite love embraces every human being. His love is an inexhaustible wellspring of joy and peace. It is as enduring as eternity. It is the fountain opened for Judah and Jerusalem. From its unfailing supply every soul may be satisfied. This love is the life of God, working with transforming power in the soul, perfecting Christian character, making human beings partakers of the divine nature. Through Christ this living stream of love and life flows to the world….

In the Christian warfare life, spiritual life, courage, constancy, and decision are needed. Be strong in the Lord. Human courage will not suffice. The Christian soldier must be strong in the Lord. God is all-sufficient. In the omnipotence of His might gird on the armor. Make use of all the proper means of defense against the enemy of souls. You are everyone to perfect an individual character for yourselves. Resist temptation. Cultivate the Christian virtues. Be strong; yea, be strong!

Those who have so many battles to fight must be strong for service. Gain strength and help from the Source of all power. If we trust in the Lord, we shall triumph in the warfare against unseen foes, but if we trust in our own strength, we shall surely meet with defeat. The armor is prepared. Put it on, and fight bravely for the Lord.—Letter 67, April 25, 1902, “To My Brethren in Positions of Responsibility in the Pacific Press.”

From The Upward Look – Page 129

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. Psalm 34:2.

I was about to write some words of encouragement to one who had helped in the work … at a time when it was going very hard. A hand was placed upon the paper, forbidding me to write, and a voice said, “These words of commendation will do harm to the one you are addressing. God is the Master Worker. Glorify Him, not man.” …

Let us be very careful not to praise or flatter any human being. Do not place before the Lord’s servants the temptation of human praise. It is God who enables men and women to accomplish good. He is behind every worker. Without His power, man is helpless….

There are those who by self-denial and self-sacrifice have prepared the way for a good work, yet who have not the capabilities that enable them to carry this work forward successfully when it has reached a certain stage of advancement….

Brother S_____ has been greatly blessed by God. The Lord used him to start the work at H_____. But he is not to think, because of this, that he is fitted to carry the school work forward on the broad, elevated place on which it must be carried. Others, whose education and training fit them for it, must take up the work in its advanced stages, and carry it onward and upward. But the Lord does not value the less those who in self-sacrifice and self-denial prepared the way for the work to advance.

The Lord’s workers must not think that they must be their own judges of the position they should fill. Let all remember that there are many different lines of work, and that all these lines of work are necessary. The hewers of wood and drawers of water do acceptable service, and make a success where others would certainly make a failure….

Look to Jesus. Do not spoil your record by giving way to despondency and distrust. Make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame be turned out of the way…. The man who is nearest the Lord is the man who waits for Him as one who waits for the morning, the man who has the least confidence in self and the strongest confidence in God as the One who can save to the uttermost all who come to Him….

The Lord has an interest in all the work you are trying to do for Him. Do not worry. The day of trust is in our hands. The day of reckoning will bear the faithful witness as to how we have done our work. Let us do our best. If the Lord is with us, we shall be prospered.—Letter 64, April 24, 1902, to J. E. White, who was working among the blacks in the South.

From The Upward Look – Page 128

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:30, 31.

We had a very precious season of prayer in our little tent [at the Fresno, California, camp meeting] this morning. I felt my soul drawn out in earnest prayer for you [her husband, James White] and for myself. The dear Saviour seemed very near and very gracious, full of mercy and love. I feel like serving Him with my undivided affection….

Divine power must be combined with human effort or this terrible paralysis of indifference, this deathlike sluggishness will never be broken from the souls of those in darkness and error. Jesus is our strength. He is our Righteousness. We must pray more and exercise faith continually. I feel the necessity of drawing nearer and closer to Jesus. I see I must labor to the point to keep my mind ascending to God continually if I would maintain the victory over Satan’s temptations.

Oh, I have been shown how he exults when we are overcome and the spirit of impatience and faultfinding is indulged. He is in an exultation of triumph, for he knows that this grieves the Spirit of God and separates us from our Strength. Our words must be faultless, our spirit patient, and kind, forbearing, long-suffering, and we manifesting by our words and actions that we have learned of Jesus and are still learning in the school of Christ….

We are, dear husband, building for eternity. God is rich in strength and power, and we may have His shining countenance beaming upon us and we reflecting the light to others…. God will not excuse us in sin who have had so great light. We have not one atom of righteousness of our own to stand upon. All we have ever done is because Jesus has given us His strength and His power, not because there was any inherent goodness or wisdom or righteousness in us. We are sinful and weak and imperfect, and we must feel this strongly enough to reach up for a stronger help and holier power than we possess. Jesus’ life is a perfect model. We must not build upon the sand. If we do, there will be a terrible down-tumbling by and by of our house. Ye are God’s building. Let us show this in a harmonious character.—Letter 25, April 23, 1880, to James White.

From The Upward Look – Page 127