The Value of the Word of God
Oakland, California,
June 13, 1901
To a Physician and His Wife:
Dear Brother and Sister,
Our homeward journey was a prosperous one. I attended meetings
in many places. At Indianapolis I was surprised to meet so large a
number of believers. I spoke twice there. The Lord gave me a message
for the people similar to the one given in Battle Creek in regard to the
errors which have crept in among us. The people were ready to hear
and receive the word.
When errors come into our ranks, we are not to enter into con-
troversy over them. We are faithfully to give the message of reproof,
and then we are to lead the minds of the people away from fanciful,
erroneous ideas, presenting the truth in contrast with error. The pre-
sentation of heavenly themes will open up to the mind principles that
rest upon a foundation as enduring as eternity.
Those believers whose Christian convictions are consistent and
firm, whose characters are of solid worth, are of great service to the
Master. Nothing can move them from the faith. Truth is to them a
precious treasure.
The truth of God is found in His word. Those who feel that they
must seek elsewhere for present truth need to be converted anew. They
have wrong habits to mend, evil ways to be abandoned. They need
to seek anew the truth as it is in Jesus, that their character building
may be in harmony with the lessons of Christ. As they abandon their
human ideas and take up their God-given duties, beholding Christ and
becoming conformed to His likeness, they say: “Nearer, my God, to
Thee; nearer to Thee.”
With the word of God in hand we may draw nearer, step by step, in
consecrated love to Jesus. As the Spirit of God becomes better known,
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the Bible will be accepted as the only foundation of faith. God’s people
will receive the word as the leaves of the tree of life, more precious
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