God’s Plan for the Relief of Avondale School

Ellen G. White

Copyright © 2018, Ellen G. White Estate, Inc.

Table of Contents

Information about this Book

Special Testimony

A Call to All Our People

The Work in All Lands

Results of the Work

A Work Which All Must Do

Information about this Book

Overview

This eBook is provided by the Ellen G. White Estate. It is included in the larger free Online Books collection on the Ellen G. White Estate Web site.

About the Author

Ellen G. White (1827-1915) is considered the most widely translated American author, her works having been published in more than 160 languages. She wrote more than 100,000 pages on a wide variety of spiritual and practical topics. Guided by the Holy Spirit, she exalted Jesus and pointed to the Scriptures as the basis of one’s faith.

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Special Testimony

“The time has come when the Lord would have all the powers of His people brought into exercise to relieve the situation of our schools. In order to help in this cause, I have proposed giving my book on the parables. I feel very anxious that the General Conference shall act unselfishly in regard to this book, which is to be published to help the schools. This is a time when the Conference should stand before the people in a better light than it has hitherto done.”

A Call to All Our People

We shall call upon the people to help the utmost of their ability just now. We shall call upon them to do a work which will be pleasing to God in purchasing the book. We shall ask that every available means be used to help to circulate this book. We shall ask that the whole field be supplied with canvassers. We shall call upon our ministers, as they visit the churches, to encourage men and women to go out as canvassers, to make a decided forward movement in the path of self-denial by giving part of their earnings to help our schools to get out of debt. Surely they can do this much to help the Master.

A general movement is needed, but this must begin with individual movements. Let each member in each family in each church make determined efforts to deny self. Let us have the whole-hearted co-operation of all in our ranks. Let us all move forward willingly and intelligently to do what we can to relieve those of our schools that are struggling under a pressure of debt. Let the officers of each church [4] find out who among the members has been sent to school, and helped by the school. Then let the church refund the tuition money. Let those who have had success in canvassing come up to the help of the Lord. As they handle this book, let them in the name of the Lord work in faith.

The movement I have suggested will result in reconciliation. It will unify the churches.

The schools must be helped. Let all lift harmoniously and help as much as they possibly can. Great blessings will come to those who will take hold of this matter just now. Let no discouragement be offered by our ministers, as though it were not a proper thing to do. They should take hold of this work. If they do it aright, cheerfully, hopefully, they will find it a very great blessing. The Lord does not force any man to work, but to those who will place themselves decidedly on His side, He will give a willing mind. He will bless the one who works out the spirit which He works in. God will make the movement for the help of our schools a success if it is made in a free, willing spirit, as to the Lord. Only in this way can be rolled back the reproach that has come upon our schools all over the land. If all will take hold of this work in the spirit of self-sacrifice, for Christ’s sake, and for the truth’s sake, it will not be long before the jubilee song of freedom can be sung through our borders.

Let our ministers consecrate themselves to God. We need so much,—O so much!—humble men, who feel it a pleasure to do their very best. A glorious gospel work opens before the converted, faithful minister. He is to help his fellow-men to a better understanding of the Word. The influence exerted by the minister with whom God works is weighty and momentous. The Lord is highly pleased with the minister who works humbly and willingly. Those who are wholly consecrated to God will ever seek wisdom from on high to enable them to bear their heavy responsibilities. They will be patient, forbearing, [5] courteous, knowing that they are Christ’s representatives. They will show a deep earnestness and fervor in prayer, and in their appeals to individuals and congregations.

Instead of becoming like the world, we are to become more and more distinct from the world. Satan has combined and will continue to combine with the churches in making a masterly effort against the truth of God. Everything that is done by God’s people to make inroads upon the world will call forth determined opposition from the powers of darkness. The enemy’s last great conflict will be a most determined one. It will be the last battle between the powers of darkness and the powers of light. Every true child of God will fight bravely on the side of Christ. Those who in this great crisis allow themselves to be more on the side of the world than of God will eventually place themselves wholly on the side of the world. Those who become confused in their understanding of the Word, who fail to see the meaning of antichrist, will surely place themselves on the side of antichrist. There is no time for us to assimilate with the world. Daniel is standing in his lot and in his place. The prophecies of Daniel and of John are to be understood; they interpret each other. They give to the world truths which everyone should understand. These prophecies are to be witnesses in the world. By their fulfillment in these last days, they will explain themselves.

I thought this movement on my part would provoke others to self-denial and to benevolence and mercy, to take right hold of this matter and get out “The Parables” to do this work. Well, the Lord is, I believe, willing to help us in this work. I shall only draw upon the books to give some to the poor that can not buy. W. C. White enters into this plan with great satisfaction. Of course, we have not time to get this all before you in definiteness as we will when we have time....

Later:

My heart is deeply stirred in regard to the debt [6] upon our schools all over the world. This state of things should not exist. Will you unite with me in creating something that will change in order of things? In the name of the Lord, do something, and do it now. Arouse the people to do something in regard to these school debts.

The Work in All Lands

The work for the relief of our schools should be taken up by our people in all countries. Let it be entered upon by our churches in Australasia. Our school there is in need of help, and if our people will take hold of the work unitedly, they can do much toward lifting the burden of debt; they can encourage the hearts of those who are laboring to build up this, the Lord’s instrumentality, and they can aid in extending its influence of blessing to far heathen lands and to the islands of the sea.

We trust that our publishing house of Australia will make liberal terms in the publication of Object Lessons. The Lord has greatly blessed this institution, and it should present to Him a thank-offering by making no stinted donation toward freeing the school from debt. We feel sure that it will take up the work, and act its part nobly. And this co-operation with God will prove to the Australasian publishing house as great a blessing as it has proved to our institutions in America.

Move out in this work, my brethren in Australasia. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Have we not proved this in the past? As we have moved out, trusting in God’s promise, things unseen except by the eye of faith, have become things seen. As we have walked and worked by faith, God has fulfilled to us every word that He has spoken. The evidence we have of the faithfulness of His promises should check every thought of unbelief. It is a sin to doubt, and we do not believe that our brethren in Australasia will be guilty of this. [7]

The Lord has done much for you all through your borders. Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields already white for the harvest. Praise God that His Word has been verified beyond all conception.

I call upon our people to enter earnestly and disinterestedly upon the work of freeing the school from debt. Let the publishing house do its part in the publication of the book. Let our people throughout Australasia take hold of the sale of Christ’s Object Lessons. God will bless them in this work.

Results of the Work

Through the work for the relief of our schools a four-fold blessing will be realised, a blessing to the schools, to the world, to the church, and to the workers.

While funds are gathered for the relief of the schools, the best reading matter is being placed in the hands of a large number of people, who, if this effort had not been made, would never have seen Christ’s Object Lessons. There are souls in desolate places who will be reached by this effort. The lessons drawn from the parables of our Saviour will be to a very many as the leaves of the tree of life.

It is the Lord’s design that Christ’s Object Lessons, with its precious instruction, shall unify the believers. The self-sacrificing efforts put forth by the members of our churches will prove a means of uniting them, that they may be sanctified, body, soul, and spirit, as vessels unto honor prepared to receive the Holy Spirit. Those who seek to do God’s will, investing every talent to the best advantage, will become wise in working for His kingdom. They will learn lessons of the greatest value, and they will feel the highest satisfaction of a rational mind. Peace and grace and power of intellect will be given them.

As field after field is entered, new methods and new plans will spring from new circumstances. New thoughts will come with the new workers who give themselves to the work. As they seek the Lord for [8] help, He will communicate with them. They will receive plans devised by the Lord Himself. Souls will be converted, and money will come in. Angels are commissioned to go forth with those who take up this work with true humility.

If God has ever spoken by me, it will be for the best interests of every family among us to take up the work of self-denial and self-sacrifice.

Young men, you who think of entering the ministry, take up this work. The handling of the book placed in your hand by the Lord is to be your educator. Improving this opportunity, you will certainly advance in a knowledge of God and of the best methods for reaching the people. Ask the people to purchase these books, telling them they need the truth, and you need the money. They might as well know what you are trying to do. Tell them of the effort that is being made to free our school from debt. Everything that can be done must be done to advance the work of God.

You do not know how much influence the Lord places behind this book. You do not know how He speaks through it to the hearts and minds of men and women. But you may know that you are doing the work He wishes you to do. I know that I did what He wanted me to do in giving this book to our schools, and I have been happy ever since. You will be happy if you do His will, and when you see how unbelievers appreciate the work, it will make your heart leap for joy. It will make the yoke easy, and the burden light. God will help you to work intelligently.

When the Lord invited Israel to contribute to the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness, there was a hearty response. The people came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the Lord’s offering to the tabernacle of the congregation. They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted. Men came with their gifts of gold and [9] silver, choice fabrics, and valuable wood. The rulers brought precious stones, costly spices, and oil for the lights. And all the women that were wise-hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun. They brought free offerings every morning till the report was given to Moses, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the Lord commanded to make. Exodus 35:21-25; 36:3, 5.

This generous-hearted, willing service was pleasing to God, and when the tabernacle was completed, He signified His acceptance of the offering. A cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.

A Work Which All Must Do

Have faith in God. He gave me the idea of giving Christ’s Object Lessons for the relief of the schools. He is testing His people and institutions in this thing, to see if they will work together and be of one mind in self-denial and self-sacrifice. Carry forward this work without flinching, in the name of the Lord. Let God’s plan be vindicated. Let His proposition be fully carried out and heartily indorsed as the means of uniting the members of the churches in self-sacrificing effort. Thus they will be sanctified, soul, body, and spirit, as vessels unto honor, to whom God can impart His Holy Spirit. By this means they will accomplish the work God designs to have done.

Stir up every family, every church, to do the very utmost of their power, everyone consecrating himself to God, putting the leaven of evil out of his heart, out of the home, and out of the church. Let every family make the most of this the Lord’s opportunity. Let self-denial and self-sacrifice be revealed. Let the teachers in the school do as others of God’s servants are doing,—cut down their wages. This self-sacrifice will be required of us all. Let all place themselves where they will be sure to receive the answer to their [10] prayers. It is the cause of God which is at stake.

The preciousness of life is to be appreciated because this life belongs to the Master. As long as we live, we are ever to bear in mind that we are bought with a price. Christ made of Himself a whole and complete sacrifice for us, to make it possible for us to receive the gift of everlasting life. “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” We have enlisted under Christ’s banner for life service, and great responsibilities and possibilities are within our reach. There are in the providence of God particular periods when we must arise in response to the call of God, and make use of our time, our intellect, our whole being, body, soul, and spirit, fulfilling to the utmost of our ability the requirements of God. Just now let not the opportunity be lost. Let all work together. Let children act a part. Let every member of the family do something. Educate, educate. This is an opportunity which God’s people can not afford to lose. God calls. Do your best at this time to render to Him your offering, to carry out His specified will; and thus make this an occasion for witnessing for Him and His truth. In a world of darkness let your light shine forth. Let canvassers do their best in canvassing for the book Christ’s Object Lessons. Their work will serve a double purpose. They will place in the homes of the people a book containing most precious light, seed sown to bring truth to souls ready to perish. In receiving this seed into their hearts, they will save their souls through belief of the truth. At the same time means will be gathered for the relief of the schools. Twofold good will thus be accomplished in this work. Let it be done heartily as unto the Lord.

My brethren, after you have done all you can do in this work for the schools, by sanctified energy and much prayer, you will see the glory of God. When the trial has been fully made, there will come a blessed result. Those who have sought to do God’s will, having laid out [11] every talent to the best advantage, become wise in working for the kingdom of God. They learn lessons of the greatest consequence to them, and they will feel the highest happiness of a rational mind. This is the result that will surely come if you fulfill the purpose of God. Peace and intelligence and grace will be given. It is the design of God that we should all glorify Him, regarding His service as the chief end of our existence. The work that God calls you to do He will make a blessing to you. Your heart will be more tender, your thoughts more spiritual, your service more Christlike. “If ye abide in me,” Jesus said, “and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” In considering these things my spirit rejoices in God.

There is to be a decided work done to accomplish God’s plan. Make every stroke tell for the Master in the work of canvassing for Christ’s Object Lessons. God desires His people to be vitalised for work as they have never been before, for their good and for the upbuilding of His cause. Ministering angels will be round about the workers.

Let our institutions make every effort to free themselves from debt. Let every family arouse. Let the ministers of our churches and the presidents of our conferences awaken. Then He will tell you what to do next.

You will need to have patience with the tardy ones, who do not feel the necessity of doing anything promptly, thoroughly, earnestly. They have so much to say, so much unbelief to express, and so much criticising, that they lose the peace and joy and happiness in the purposes of God before they can decide to move. We must become men and women of God’s opportunity. I am so glad that so much harmonious action has been shown in striving to carry out this purpose of God, and to make the most of His providences.

(Signed) Mrs. Ellen G. White

November 14, 1900.