Matthew 13:33 "Another parable He spoke to them: 'The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.'”
"The leaven introduced in the meal is something brought and placed in the meal. It is not a natural product of the meal, or any part of the meal itself. The leaven represents divine grace, which is something we cannot create, but altogether a heavenly production. The introduction of the principles occasions a gathering to itself, which is a life contest. The leaven in the meal is an active, working element; the grace of God is a living, working element to absorb. The grace of truth in the heart works by faith and love in the patience of hope; it purifies and vivifies the whole mass."
This letter was written to the staff of St. Helena Sanitarium in St. Helena, California.
The St. Helena Sanitarium
January 15, 1901
Previously unpublished.
...
The Sanitarium is to accomplish a work not only acting as a hospital, but as instrumental in communicating the knowledge of the truth. There is to be a company of faithful workers as physicians of the soul, where the weary and heavy-laden souls are to find rest. [Read] Matthew 13:33. The leaven introduced in the meal is something brought and placed in the meal. It is not a natural product of the meal, or any part of the meal itself. The leaven represents divine grace, which is something we cannot create, but altogether a heavenly production. The introduction of the principles occasions a gathering to itself, which is a life contest. The leaven in the meal is an active, working element; the grace of God is a living, working element to absorb. The grace of truth in the heart works by faith and love in the patience of hope; it purifies and vivifies the whole mass. This very working agency is needed to convince the poor, sin-sick souls that shall come to the Sanitarium that they need a Saviour. Their repentance of sins brings pardon and hope. “What carefulness it wrought in you, ... yea what zeal.” [2 Corinthians 7:11.] {Ms 193, 1901, par. 5}
The leaven is assimilating; it has a converting power. The leaven does not destroy the substance it works upon, but changes the quality through communication of the leaven. The Lord would have the Sanitarium [to be] a place where the truth shall act as the leaven. The principles of truth received have their transforming power on the character. It is the same man physically as before, but he has become a new man in Christ Jesus. The divine truth has leavened the man, the holy heavenly nature of truth so converted the agency that there is a new man.{Ms 193, 1901, par. 6}
The operation of leaven is gradual. The leaven of truth is renewed day by day and there is a following on to know the Lord until “his going forth is prepared as the morning.” [Hosea 6:3.] The God of all grace hath shined in his heart. There is a going on from strength to a greater strength. {Ms 193, 1901, par. 7}
The influence of the leaven is dispersed; it affects the whole man—in the family, in the church, in all his business relations. Whether he eats or drinks or whatever he does, he does all to the glory of God. The leaven of truth has its sanctifying influence upon the physical, mental, and moral powers. It will perfect the entire man, sanctifying soul, body, and spirit. {Ms 193, 1901, par. 8}