German and Scandinavian Conferences

Loma Linda, Cal., Sept. 1, 1905. Dear Brethren: Some of our ministers have written to me, asking if the work among the Germans and Scandinavians should not be carried forward under separate organizations. This matter has been presented to me several times, and I have written upon the subject: but I do not know where to find all that I have written regarding the matter. When I was in College View, the Lord gave me a straight testimony to bear, and since that time the matter has been presented to me again.

At one time I seemed to be in a council meeting where these matters were being considered. One of authority stood in the midst of those assembled, and opened before them principles that should be followed in the work of God. The instruction given was that should such separation take place, it would not tend to advance the interests of the work among the various nationalities. It would not lead to the highest spiritual development. Walls would be built up that would have to be removed in the near future.

According to the light given me of God, separate organizations, instead of bringing about unity, will create discord. If our brethren will seek the Lord together in humility of mind, those who now think it necessary to organize separate German and Scandinavian conferences will see that the Lord desires them to work together as brethren.

Were those, who seek to disintegrate the work of God. to carry out their purpose, some would magnify themselves to do a work that should not be done. Such an arrangement would greatly retard the cause of God. If we are to carry on the work most successfully, the talents to be found among the English and Americans should be united with the talents of those of every other nationality. And each nationality should labor earnestly for every other nationality. There is but one Lord: one faith. Our effort should be to answer Christ’s prayer for His disciples, that they should be one.

«Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.» John 17:17-19.

«Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one: as Thou, Father, are in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.» Verses 20,21.

It should be understood that perfect unity among the laborers is necessary to the successful accomplishment of the work of God. In order to preserve peace, all must seek wisdom from the great Teacher. Let all be careful how they introduce ambitious propositions that will create dissension.

We are to be subject one to another. No man, in himself, is a complete whole. Through submission of the mind and will to the Holy Spirit, we are ever to be learners of the great Teacher.

Study the second chapter of Acts. In the early church the Spirit of God wrought mightily through those who were harmoniously united. On the day of Pentecost they were all with one accord in one place.

We are to demonstrate to the world that men of every nationality are one in Christ Jesus. Then let us remove every barrier, and come into unity in the service of the Master. In the erection of national barriers, you present to the world a plan of human invention, that God can never indorse.

To those who would do this, the apostle Paul says, «Ye are yet carnal; for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal? . . . Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered: but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God; ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.» 1 Cor. 3:3-9.

An Example of Brotherly Kindness.When our brethren in Scandinavia faced a financial crisis, the testimony was given that we must not permit our brethren to stand as bankrupt before the world. That would have been dishonoring to God. And the prompt and liberal action of our American brethren was an acknowledgment that the difference in nationality could not release them from their duty to assist one another in the work of God. «All ye are brethren.» We are one in the unity of the truth.

We must now, by diligent, self-sacrificing effort, endeavor to walk in the love of Christ, in the unity of the Spirit, through sanctification of the truth. No halfway work will suffice to fulfil the representation given in the prayer of Christ. We are to practise the principles of heaven here below. In heaven there is one grand meeting place.

I must write plainly regarding the building up of partition walls in the work of God. Such an action has been revealed to me as a fallacy of human invention. It is not the Lord’s plan for His people to separate themselves into separate companies, because of differences in nationality and language. Did they do this, their ideas would become narrow, and their influence would be greatly lessened. God calls for a harmonious blending of a variety of talents.

I again repeat the words of Christ. I would impress them deeply upon your minds. «Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word: that they all may be one: as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us; that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them: that they may be one, even as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me.»

Christ has hedged in His people from the world, but those who would build up national separation, would do a work for which the Lord Jesus Christ has given no encouragement.

Brethren, unify; draw close together, laying aside every human invention, and following closely in the footsteps of Jesus, your great Example.