The Minister - Ambassadors
for Christ
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Section One - The
Minister.
Ambassadors for Christ.
While Christ is the minister in the sanctuary above, he is also,
through his delegates, the minister of his church on earth. He speaks to the
people through chosen men, and carries forward his work through them, as
when, in the days of his humiliation, he moved visibly upon the earth.
Although centuries have passed, the lapse of time has not changed his parting
promise to his disciples. "Lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world." [MATT. 28:20.] From Christ's ascension
to the present day, men ordained of God, deriving their authority from him,
have become teachers of the faith. Christ, the True Shepherd, superintends
his work through the instrumentality of these under-shepherds. Thus the
position of those who labor in word and doctrine
becomes very important. In Christ's stead they beseech the people to be
reconciled to God. {GW92 11.1}
The people should not regard their ministers as mere public speakers
and orators, but as Christ's ambassadors, receiving their wisdom and power
from the great Head of the church. To slight and disregard the word spoken by
Christ's representative, is showing disrespect, not
only to the man, but also to the Master who has sent him. He is in Christ's
stead; and the voice of the Saviour should be heard in his representative.
{GW92 11.2}
Many of our ministers have made a great mistake in giving discourses
which were wholly argumentative. There are souls who listen to the theory of
the
12 truth, and are impressed with the evidences
brought out, and then, if a portion of the discourse presents Christ as the
Saviour of the world, the seed sown may spring up and bear fruit to the glory
of God. But in many discourses the cross of Christ is not presented before
the people. Some may be listening to the last sermon they will ever hear, and
others will never again be so situated that they can have the chain of truth
brought before them, and a practical application made of it to their hearts.
That golden opportunity lost, is lost forever. Had Christ and his redeeming
love been exalted in connection with the theory of truth, it might have
balanced them on his side. {GW92 11.3}
There are more souls longing to understand how they may come to Christ
than we imagine. Many listen to popular sermons from the pulpit, and know no better
than before they listened, how to find Jesus and the peace and rest which
their souls desire. Ministers who preach the last message of mercy to the
world should bear in mind that Christ is to be exalted as the sinner's
refuge. Many ministers think that it is not necessary to preach repentance
and faith, with a heart all subdued by the love of God; they take it for
granted that their hearers are perfectly acquainted with the gospel, and that
matters of a different nature must be presented in order to hold their
attention. If their hearers are interested, they take it as evidence of
success. The people are more ignorant in regard to the plan of salvation, and
need more instruction upon this all-important subject, than upon any other.
{GW92 12.1}
Those who assemble to listen to the truth should expect to be
profited, as did Cornelius and his friends: "Now therefore are we all
here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of
God." [ACTS 10:33.] {GW92 12.2}
Theoretical discourses are essential, that all may know the form of
doctrine, and see the chain of
13 truth, link after link, uniting in a perfect whole. But no
discourse should ever be delivered without presenting Christ and him
crucified as the foundation of the gospel, making a practical application of
the truths set forth, and impressing upon the people the fact that the
doctrine of Christ is not yea and nay, but yea and amen in Christ Jesus. {GW92
12.3}
After the theory of truth has been presented, then comes the laborious
part of the work. The people should not be left without instruction in the
practical truths which relate to their every-day life. They must see and feel
that they are sinners, and need to be converted to God. What Christ said,
what he did, and what he taught, should be brought before them in the most
impressive manner.{GW92 13.1}
The work of the minister is only begun when the truth is opened to the
understanding of the people. Christ is our mediator and officiating high
priest in the presence of the Father. He was shown to John as a lamb that had
been slain, as in the very act of pouring out his blood in the sinner's
behalf. When the law of God is set before the sinner, showing him the depth
of his sins, he should then be pointed to the Lamb of God,
that taketh away the sin of the world. He
should be taught repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ. Thus will the labor of Christ's
representative be in harmony with the Saviour's work in the heavenly
sanctuary.{GW92 13.2}
Ministers would reach many more hearts if they would dwell more upon
practical godliness. Frequently, when efforts are made to introduce the truth
into new fields, the labor is almost entirely
theoretical. The people are unsettled. They see the force of truth, and are
anxious to obtain a sure foundation. When their feelings are softened, is the
time, above all others, to urge the religion of Christ home upon the
conscience; but too often the course of lectures has been allowed to close
without that work being done for the people which they needed.
14 That effort was too much like the offering
of Cain; it had not the sacrificial blood to make it acceptable to God. Cain
was right in making an offering, but he left out all that made it of any
value--the blood of the atonement. {GW92 13.3}
It is a sad fact that the reason why many dwell so much on theory and
so little on practical godliness, is that Christ is not abiding in their own
hearts. They do not have a living connection with God. Many souls decide in favor of the truth, from the weight of evidence, without
being converted. Practical discourses were not given in connection with the
doctrinal, that, as the hearers should see the beautiful chain of truth, they
might fall in love with its Author, and be sanctified through obedience. The minister's work is not done until he has urged home upon
his hearers the necessity of a change of character in accordance with the
pure principles of the truth which they have received. {GW92 14.1} A
formal religion is to be dreaded; for in it is no Saviour. Plain, close,
searching, practical discourses were given by Christ. His ambassadors
should follow his example in every discourse.
Christ and his Father were one; in all the Father's requirements Christ
cheerfully acquiesced. He had the mind of God. The Redeemer was the perfect
pattern. Jehovah was manifested in him. Heaven was enshrined in humanity, and
humanity inclosed in the bosom of Infinite Love. If ministers will in meekness sit at the feet of Jesus, they
will soon obtain right views of God's character, and will be able to teach
others also. Some enter the ministry without deep love
to God or to their fellow-men. Selfishness and self-indulgence will be
manifested in the lives of such; and while these unconsecrated,
unfaithful watchmen are serving themselves, instead of feeding the flock and
attending to their pastoral duties, the people perish for want of proper
instruction. 15 {GW92 14.2}
In every discourse fervent appeals should be made to the people to
forsake their sins and turn to Christ. The popular sins and indulgences of our day should be condemned, and practical godliness enforced. The minister should be deeply in earnest himself, feeling from
the heart the words he utters, and unable to repress his feeling of concern
for the souls of men and women for whom Christ died. Of the Master it was
said, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me
up." [JOHN 2:17.] The same earnestness should be felt by his
representatives. {GW92 15.1}
An infinite sacrifice has been made for man, and made in vain for
every soul who will not accept of salvation. How important, then, that the
one who presents the truth shall do so under a full sense of the
responsibility resting upon him! How tender, pitiful,
and courteous should be all his conduct in dealing with the souls of men,
when the Redeemer of the world has shown that he values them so highly! The question is asked by Christ, "Who then is a faithful
and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household?"
[MATT. 24:45.] Jesus asks, "Who?" and every minister of the gospel
should repeat the question to his own heart. As he views the solemn truths,
and his mind beholds the picture drawn of the faithful and wise steward, his
soul should be stirred to the very depths. {GW92 15.2}
To every man is given his work; not one is excused. Each has a part to
act, according to his capacity; and it devolves upon the one who presents the
truth carefully and prayerfully, to learn the ability of all who accept the
truth, and then to instruct them and lead them along, step by step, letting
them realize the burden of responsibility resting upon them to do the work
that God has for them to do. It should be urged upon them again and again,
that no one will be able to resist temptation, to answer the purpose of God,
and to live the life of a Christian, 16 unless he shall take up his work, be it great or small, and do that
work with conscientious fidelity. There is something
for all to do besides going to church, and listening to the word of God. They must practice the truth heard, carrying its principles
into their every-day life. They must be doing work for Christ constantly, not
from selfish motives, but with an eye single to the glory of Him who made
every sacrifice to save them from ruin. {GW92 15.3}
Ministers should impress upon those who accept the truth that they
must have Christ in their homes; that they need grace and wisdom from him in
guiding and controlling their children. It is part of the work which God has
left for them to do, to educate and discipline these children, bringing them
into subjection. Let the kindness and courtesy of the minister be seen in his
treatment of children. He should ever bear in mind that they are miniature
men and women, younger members of the Lord's family. These may be very near
and dear to the Master, and if properly instructed and disciplined, will do
service for him even in their youth. Christ is grieved
with every harsh, severe, and inconsiderate word spoken to children. Their rights are not always respected, and they are frequently
treated as though they had not an individual character, which needs to be
properly developed that it may not be warped, and the purpose of God in their
lives prove a failure. {GW92 16.1}
From a child, Timothy knew the Scriptures; and this knowledge was a
safeguard to him against the evil influences surrounding him, and the
temptation to choose pleasure and selfish gratification before duty. Such a
safeguard all our children need; and it should be a part of the work of parents
and of Christ's ambassadors to see that the children are properly instructed
in the word of God.{GW92 16.2} If the minister would meet the approval of his Lord, he must labor with fidelity to present every 17 man perfect in Christ. He should not, in his manner of labor,
carry the impression that it is of little consequence whether men do or do
not accept the truth and practice true godliness; but the faithfulness and
self-sacrifice manifested in his life should be such as to convince the
sinner that eternal interests are at stake, and that his soul is in peril
unless he responds to the earnest labor put forth
in his behalf. Those who have been
brought from error and darkness to truth and light have great changes to
make, and unless the necessity of thorough reform is pressed home upon the
conscience, they will be like the man who looked into the mirror, the law of
God, and discovered the defects in his moral character, but went away and
forgot what manner of man he was. The mind must be
kept awake to a sense of responsibility, or it will settle back into a state
of even more careless inattention than before it was aroused.{GW92 16.3}
The work of the ambassadors for Christ is far greater and more
responsible than many dream of. They should not be at all satisfied with
their success until they can, by their earnest labors
and the blessing of God, present to him serviceable Christians, who have a
true sense of their responsibility, and will do their appointed work. The
proper labor and instruction will result in
bringing into working order those men and women whose characters are strong,
and their convictions so firm that nothing of a selfish character is
permitted to hinder them in their work, to lessen their faith, or to deter
them from duty. If the minister has properly instructed those under his care,
when he leaves for other fields of labor, the work
left will not ravel out; for it will be bound off so firmly as to be secure. Unless those who receive the truth are thoroughly converted,
and there is a radical change in their life and character, the soul is not
riveted to the eternal Rock; and after the labor of
the minister ceases, and the novelty is gone, the impression soon wears away,
18 the truth loses its power to charm, and they exert no holier
influence, and are no better, for their profession of the truth. {GW92 17.1} I
am astonished that with the examples before us of what man may be and what he
may do, we are not stimulated to greater exertion to emulate the good works
of the righteous. All may not occupy a position of prominence; yet all may
fill positions of usefulness and trust, and may, by their
persevering fidelity, do far more good than they have any idea that
they can do. Those who embrace the truth should seek a
clear understanding of the Scriptures, and an experimental knowledge of a
living Saviour. The intellect should be cultivated, the memory taxed. All
intellectual laziness is sin, and spiritual lethargy is death. {GW92 18.1} O
that I could command language of sufficient force to make the impression I
wish to make upon my fellow-laborers in the gospel!
My brethren, you are handling the words of life;
you are dealing with minds that are capable of the highest development, if
directed in the right channel. But there is too
much exhibition of self in the discourses given. Christ crucified, Christ ascended into the heavens, Christ
coming again, should so soften, gladden, and fill the mind of the minister of
the gospel that he will present these truths to the people in love and deep
earnestness. The minister will then be lost sight of,
and Jesus magnified. The people will be so impressed with these all-absorbing
subjects that they will talk of them and praise them, instead of praising the
minister--the mere instrument. But if the people,
while they praise the minister, have little interest in the word preached, he
may know that the truth is not sanctifying his own soul. He does not speak to
his hearers in such a manner that Jesus is honored
and his love magnified. {GW92 18.2}
Christ said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your
19 Father which is in heaven." [MATT.
5:16.] Let your light so shine that the glory will
redound to God instead of to yourselves. If the praise comes to you, well may
you tremble and be ashamed, for the great object is defeated; it is not God,
but the servant, that is magnified. Let your light so
shine; be careful, minister of Christ, in what manner your light shines. If
it flashes heavenward, revealing the excellence of Christ, it shines aright.
If it is turned upon yourself, if you exhibit yourself, and attract the
people to admire you, it would be better for you to hold your peace
altogether; for your light shines in the wrong way. {GW92 18.3}
Ministers of Christ, you may be connected with God if you will watch
and pray. Let your words be seasoned with salt, and let Christian courtesy
and true elevation pervade your demeanor. If the peace of God is ruling within, its power will not only
strengthen, but soften your hearts, and you will be living representatives of
Christ. The people who profess the truth are backsliding from God. Jesus is
soon to come, and they are not ready. The minister must reach a higher
standard himself, a faith marked with greater firmness, an experience that is
living and vivid, not dull and commonplace, like that of the nominal
professors. The word of God sets a high mark before you. Will you, through
fasting and prayerful effort, attain to the completeness and consistency of
Christian character? You should make straight paths for your feet, lest the
lame be turned out of the way. A close connection with God will bring to you,
in your labor, that vital power which arouses the
conscience, and convicts the sinner of sin, leading him to cry, "What
shall I do to be saved?" {GW92 19.1}
The commission which Christ gave to the disciples, just prior to his
ascension to heaven, was, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and 20 of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world." "Neither pray
I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their
word." [MATT. 28:19, 20; JOHN 17:20.] The commission reaches those who
shall believe on his word through his disciples.
And all who are called of God to stand as ambassadors for him, should take
the lessons upon practical godliness given them by Christ in his word, and
teach them to the people. {GW92 19.2}
Christ opened the Scriptures to his disciples, beginning at Moses and
the prophets, and instructed them in all things concerning himself,
and also explained to them the prophecies. The
apostles, in their preaching, went back to Adam's day, and brought their
hearers down through prophetic history, and ended with Christ and him
crucified, calling upon sinners to repent and turn from their sins to God.
The representatives of Christ in our day should follow their example, and in
every discourse magnify Christ as the Exalted One, as all and in all. {GW92 20.1}
Not only is formality taking possession of the nominal churches, but
it is increasing to an alarming extent among those who profess to be keeping
the commandments of God, and looking for the soon appearing of Christ in the
clouds of heaven. We should not be narrow in our views, and limit our
facilities for doing good; yet while we extend our influence and enlarge our
plans as Providence opens the way, we should be more earnest to avoid the
idolatry of the world. While we make
greater efforts to increase our usefulness, we must make corresponding
efforts to obtain wisdom from God to carry on all the branches of the work
after his own order, and not from a worldly standpoint. We should not pattern
after the customs of the world, but make the most of the facilities which God
has placed within our reach to get the truth before the people.
21 {GW92 20.2} When as a people our works correspond to our profession, we
shall see very much more accomplished than now. When we have men as devoted as Elijah, and possessing the
faith which he had, we shall see that God will reveal himself to us as he did
to holy men of old. When we have men, who, while they acknowledge their
deficiencies, will plead with God in earnest faith, as did Jacob, we shall
see the same results. Power will come from God to man in answer to the prayer of
faith. There is but little faith in the world. There are but few who are
living near to God. And how can we expect more power, and that God will
reveal himself to men, when his word is handled negligently, and when hearts
are not sanctified through the truth? Men who are not half converted, who are self-confident and
self-sufficient in character, preach the truth to others. But God does not
work with them, for they are not holy in heart and life. They do not walk
humbly with God. We must have a converted ministry, and then we shall see the
light of God, and his power aiding all our efforts. {GW92 21.1}
The watchmen anciently placed upon the walls of Jerusalem and other
cities, occupied a most responsible position. Upon their faithfulness
depended the safety of all within those cities. When
danger was apprehended, they were not to keep silent day nor
night. Every few moments they were required to call to one another, to see if
all were awake, and no harm had come to any. Sentinels were stationed upon
some eminence overlooking the important posts to be guarded, and the cry of
warning or of good cheer was sounded from them. This was borne from one to
another, each repeating the words, till it went the entire rounds of the
city. {GW92 21.2}
These watchmen represent the ministry, upon whose fidelity depends the salvation of souls. The stewards of the
mysteries of God should stand as watchmen upon the walls of Zion; and if they
see
22 the sword coming, they should sound the note of warning. If they
are sleepy sentinels, if their spiritual senses are so benumbed that they see
and realize no danger, and the people perish, God will require their blood at
the watchmen's hands. {GW92 21.3}
"O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of
Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my
mouth, and warn them from me." The watchmen will
need to live very near to God, to hear his word and be impressed with his Spirit, that the people may not look to them in vain. "When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the
wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood
will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou
warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do
not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered
thy soul." [EZE. 33:7-9.] Ambassadors of
Christ should take heed that they do not, through their unfaithfulness, lose
their own souls and the souls of those who hear them. {GW92 22.1} I
was shown the churches in different States that profess to be keeping the
commandments of God, and looking for the second coming of Christ. There is an
alarming amount of indifference, pride, love of the world, and cold formality
existing among them. And these are the
people who are fast coming to resemble ancient Israel, so far as the want of
piety is concerned. Many make high claims to godliness, and yet are destitute of
self-control. Appetite and passion bear sway; self is made prominent. Many
are arbitrary, dictatorial, overbearing, boastful, proud, and unconsecrated. Yet some of these persons are ministers,
handling sacred truths. Unless they repent, their candlestick will be removed
out of its place. The Saviour's curse pronounced upon the fruitless fig-tree
is a sermon to all formalists and boasting hypocrites who stand forth to the
world in pretentious leaves, but are devoid of fruit. What a
23 rebuke to those who have a form of godliness, while in their
unchristian lives they deny the power thereof! He who treated with tenderness
the very chief of sinners, he who never spurned true meekness and penitence,
however great the guilt, came down with scathing denunciations upon those who
made high professions of godliness, but in works denied their faith.--Vol. 4, p. 393. {GW92 22.2}
Consecration to the Work.
God selected Abraham as his messenger, through whom to communicate
light to the world. The word of God came to him, not with the presentation of flattering prospects in this
life, of large salary, of great appreciation and worldly honor. "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and
from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee,"
[GEN. 12:1.] was the divine message to Abraham. The patriarch obeyed, and
"went out, not knowing whither he went," [HEB. 11:8] as God's
light-bearer, to keep his name alive in the earth. He forsook his country,
his home, his relatives, and all pleasant associations connected with his
early life, to become a pilgrim and a stranger. {GW92 23.1}
It is frequently more essential than many realize,
that early associations should be broken up, in order that those who are to
speak "in Christ's stead," may stand in a position where God can
educate and qualify them for his great work. Kindred
and friends often have an influence which God sees will greatly interfere
with the instructions he designs to give his servants. Suggestions will be
made by those who are not in close connection with Heaven that will, if
heeded, turn aside from their holy work those who should be light-bearers to
the world. Before God can use him, Abraham must be separated from his former
associations, that he may not
24 be controlled by human influence, or rely upon human aid. Now that he has
become connected with God, this man must henceforth dwell among strangers.
His character must be peculiar, differing from all the
world. He could not even explain his course of action so as to be understood
by his friends; for they were idolaters. Spiritual things must be spiritually
discerned; therefore his motives and his actions were beyond the
comprehension of his kindred and friends.
{GW92 23.2}
Abraham's unquestioning obedience was one of the most striking
instances of faith, of reliance upon God, to be found in the Sacred Record.
With only the naked promise that his descendants should possess Canaan, without
the least outward evidence, he followed on where God should lead, fully and sincerely complying with the conditions on his part,
and confident that the Lord would faithfully perform his word. The patriarch went wherever God indicated his duty; he passed
through wildernesses without terror; he went among idolatrous nations with
the one thought, "God has spoken; I am obeying his voice; he will guide,
he will protect me."{GW92 24.1} Just such faith and confidence as Abraham had, the messengers
of God need today. But many whom the
Lord could use will not move onward, hearing and obeying the one voice above
all others. The connection with kindred and friends, the former habits and
associations, too often have so great an influence upon God's servants that he
can give them but little instruction, can communicate to them but little
knowledge of his purposes; and often after a time he sets them aside, and
calls others in their place, whom he tests in the same manner. The Lord would do much more for his servants if they were
wholly consecrated to him, esteeming his service above the ties of kindred
and all other earthly associations.
25 {GW92 24.2}
Ministers of the gospel have a sacred work. They have a solemn message
of warning to bear to the world,--a message which will be a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. They are
God's messengers to man; and they should never lose sight of their mission or
of their responsibilities. They are not like worldlings;
they cannot be like them. If they would be
true to God, they must maintain their separate, holy character. If they cease to connect with Heaven, they are in greater
danger than others, and can exert a stronger influence in the wrong
direction; for Satan has his eye constantly upon them, waiting for some
weakness to be developed, whereby he may make a successful attack. And how he
triumphs when he succeeds! for when one who is an
ambassador for Christ is off his watch, the great adversary may through him
secure many souls to himself. {GW92 25.1}
Those who closely connect with God may not be prosperous in the things
of this life; they may often be sorely tried and afflicted. Joseph was
maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue and integrity. David,
that chosen messenger of God, was hunted like a beast of prey by his wicked
enemies. Daniel was cast into a den of lions, because he was true and
unyielding in his allegiance to God. Job was deprived of his worldly possessions,
and so afflicted in body that he was abhorred by his relatives and friends;
yet he preserved his integrity and his faithfulness to God. Jeremiah would
speak the words which God had put into his mouth, and his plain testimony so
enraged the king and princes that he was cast into a loathsome pit. Stephen
was stoned because he would preach Christ and him crucified. Paul was
imprisoned, beaten with rods, stoned, and finally put to death, because he
was a faithful messenger to carry the gospel to the Gentiles. The beloved
John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, "for the word of God, and for
the testimony of Jesus Christ." [REV. 1:9.]
26 {GW92 25.2}
These examples of human steadfastness, in the might of divine power,
are a witness to the world of the faithfulness of God's promises--of his
abiding presence and sustaining grace. As the world looks upon these humble
men, it cannot discern their moral value with God. It is a work of faith to calmly repose in God in the darkest
hour--however severely tried and tempest-tossed, to feel that our Father is
at the helm. The eye of faith alone can look beyond the things of time and
sense to estimate the worth of eternal riches.
{GW92 26.1}
The great military commander conquers nations, and shakes the armies
of half the world; but he dies of disappointment, and in exile. The philosopher who ranges through the universe, everywhere
tracing the manifestations of God's power, and delighting in their harmony,
often fails to behold in these marvelous wonders
the hand that formed them all. "Man that is in honor,
and understandeth not, is like the beasts that
perish." [PS. 49:20.] No hope of glorious immortality lights up the
future of the enemies of God. But those heroes of faith have the promise of
an inheritance of greater value than any earthly riches,--
an inheritance that will satisfy the longings of the soul. They may be
unknown and unacknowledged by the world, but they are enrolled as citizens in
the record books of heaven. An exalted greatness, an enduring, eternal weight
of glory, will be the final reward of those whom God has made heirs of all
things. {GW92 26.2}
Ministers of the gospel should make the truth of God the theme of study,
of meditation, and of conversation. The mind that dwells much on the revealed
will of God to man will become strong in the truth. Those who read and study with an earnest desire for divine
light, whether they are ministers or not, will soon discover in the
Scriptures a beauty and harmony which will captivate their attention, elevate
their thoughts, and give them an
27 inspiration and an energy of argument that will be powerful to convict
and convert souls. {GW92 26.3}
There is danger that ministers who profess to believe present truth
will rest satisfied with presenting the theory only, while their own souls do
not feel its sanctifying power. Some have not the love of God in the heart,
softening, molding, and ennobling the life. The psalmist declares of the good man, "His delight is in
the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Referring to his own
experience, he exclaims, "O how love I thy law!
it is my meditation all the day." "Mine
eyes prevent the night watches, that I might
meditate in thy word." [PS. 1:2; 119:97,
148.] {GW92 27.1}
No man is qualified to stand in the sacred desk unless he has felt the
transforming influence of the truth of God upon his own soul. Then, and not
till then, can he by precept and example rightly represent the life of
Christ. But many, in their labors, exalt themselves
rather than their Master; and the people are converted to the minister
instead of to Christ. {GW92 27.2} I
am pained to know that some who preach the present truth today are really
unconverted men. They are not connected with God. They have a head religion,
but no conversion of the heart; and these are the very ones who are the most
self-confident and self-sufficient; and this self-sufficiency will stand in
the way of their gaining that experience which is essential to make them
effective workers in the Lord's vineyard. I wish I could arouse those who
claim to be watchmen on the walls of Zion, to realize their responsibility.
They should awake, and take a higher stand for God; for souls are perishing
through their neglect. They must have that sincere devotion to God that will
lead them to see as God sees, and take the words of warning from him and sound
the alarm to those who are in peril. The Lord will not
hide his truth from the faithful watchman.
28 Those who do the will of God shall know of
the doctrine. "The wise shall understand;" but "the wicked
shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand." [DAN. 12:10.] {GW92 27.3}
Jesus said to his disciples, "Learn of me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart." [MATT. 11:29.] I would plead with
those who have accepted the position of teachers, first to become humble learners, and ever to
remain as pupils in the school of Christ,
to receive from the Master lessons of meekness and lowliness of heart.
Humility of spirit, combined with earnest activity, will result in the
salvation of souls so dearly purchased by the blood of Christ. The minister
may understand and believe the theory of truth, and be able to present it to
others; but this is not all that is required of him. "Faith without
works is dead." [JAMES 2:20.] He needs the faith
that works by love and purifies the soul. A living faith in Christ will bring
every action of the life and every emotion of the soul into harmony with
God's truth and righteousness. {GW92 28.1}
Fretfulness, self-exaltation, pride, passion, and every other trait of
character unlike our holy Pattern, must be overcome; and then humility,
meekness, and sincere gratitude to Jesus for his great salvation will
continually flow out from the pure fountain of the heart. The voice of Jesus should be heard in the message coming from
the lips of his ambassador. {GW92 28.2}
We must have a converted ministry. The
efficiency and power attending a truly converted minister would make the
hypocrites in Zion tremble, and sinners afraid.
The standard of truth and holiness is trailing in the dust. If those who
sound the solemn notes of warning for this time could realize their
accountability to God, they would see the necessity for fervent prayer. When
the cities were hushed in midnight slumber, when every man had gone to his
own house, Christ, our example, would repair to the Mount of Olives, and
there, amid the
29 overshadowing trees, would spend the entire night in prayer. He who was
himself without the taint of sin,--a treasure-house of blessing; whose voice
was heard in the fourth watch of the night by the terrified disciples upon
the stormy sea, in heavenly benediction; and whose word could summon the dead
from their graves,--he it was who made supplication with strong crying and
tears. He prayed not for himself, but for those whom he came to save. As he
became a suppliant, seeking at the hand of his Father fresh supplies of
strength, and coming forth refreshed and invigorated as man's substitute, he
identified himself with suffering humanity, and gave them an example of the
necessity of prayer. {GW92 28.3}
His nature was without the taint of sin. As the Son of man, he prayed
to the Father, showing that human nature requires all the divine support
which man can obtain that he may be braced for duty and prepared for trial.
As the Prince of Life, he had power with God, and prevailed for his people. This Saviour, who prayed for those that felt no need of
prayer, and wept for those that felt no need of tears, is now before the
throne, to receive and present to his Father the petitions of those for whom
he prayed on earth. The example of Christ is for us to follow. Prayer is a
necessity in our labor for the salvation of souls.
God alone can give the increase of the seed we sow. {GW92 29.1} We fail many times because we do not realize that, by his
Spirit, Christ is with us as truly as when, in the days of his humiliation,
he moved visibly upon the earth. The lapse of time
has wrought no change in his parting promise to his apostles as he was taken
up from them into heaven, "Lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world." He has ordained that there should be a
succession of men who derive authority from the first teachers of the faith
for the continual preaching of Christ and him
crucified. The great Teacher has delegated power
30 to his servants, who "have this treasure in earthen
vessels." [2 COR. 4:7.] Christ will
superintend the work of his ambassadors, if they wait for his instruction and
guidance. {GW92 29.2} Ministers who are truly Christ's representatives will be men
of prayer. With an earnestness and a faith that will not be denied, they will
plead with God that they may be strengthened and fortified for duty and
trial, and that their lips may be sanctified by a touch of the living coal
from off the altar, to speak the words of God to the people. "The Lord
God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak
a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth
morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as
the learned." [ISA. 50:4.] {GW92
30.1}
Christ said to Peter, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired
to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that
thy faith fail not." [LUKE 22:31, 32.] Who
can estimate the result of the prayers of the world's Redeemer? When Christ shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be
satisfied, then will be seen and realized the value of his earnest prayers
while his divinity was veiled with humanity. {GW92 30.2}
Jesus pleaded, not for one only, but for all his disciples,
"Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me
where I am." [JOHN 17:24.] His eye pierced the dark veil of the future,
and read the life-history of every son and daughter of Adam. He felt the
burdens and sorrows of every tempest-tossed soul; and that earnest prayer
included with his living disciples all his followers, to the close of time.
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them
also which shall believe on me through their word." [JOHN 17:20.] Yes;
that prayer of Christ embraces even us. We should be comforted by the thought
that we have a great Intercessor in the heavens, presenting our
31 petitions before God. "If any man sin, we have an advocate with
the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." [1 JOHN 2:1.] In the hour of greatest need, when discouragement would
overwhelm the soul, it is then that the watchful eye of Jesus sees that we
need his help. The hour of man's necessity is the hour of God's opportunity.
When all human support fails, then Jesus comes to our aid, and his presence
scatters the darkness and lifts the cloud of gloom. {GW92 30.3}
In their little boat upon the Sea of Galilee, amid the storm and
darkness, the disciples toiled hard to reach the shore, but found all their
efforts unsuccessful. As despair seized them, Jesus was seen walking upon the
foam-capped billows. Even the presence of Christ they did not at first
discern, and their terror increased, until his voice, saying, "It is I;
be not afraid," [MATT. 14:27.] dispelled their fears, and gave them hope
and joy. Then how willingly the poor, wearied disciples ceased their efforts,
and trusted all to the Master. {GW92 31.1}
This striking incident illustrates the experience of the followers of
Christ. How often do we tug at the oars, as though our own strength and
wisdom were sufficient, until we find our efforts useless.
Then, with trembling hands and failing strength, we give up the work to
Jesus, and confess we are unable to perform it. Our compassionate Redeemer
pities our weakness; and when, in answer to the cry of faith, he takes up the
work we ask him to do, how easily he accomplishes that which seemed to us so
difficult. {GW92 31.2}
The history of God's ancient people furnishes us with many encouraging
examples of prevailing prayer. When the Amalekites
came to attack the camp of Israel in the wilderness, Moses knew that his
people were not prepared for the encounter. He sent Joshua with a band of
soldiers to meet the enemy, while he himself, with Aaron and Hur, took his position on a hill overlooking the
battle-field.
32 There the man of God laid the case before
Him who alone was able to give them the victory. With hands outstretched
toward heaven, Moses prayed earnestly for the success of the armies of
Israel. It was observed that while his hands were reaching upward, Israel
prevailed against the foe; but when through fatigue they were allowed to
fall, Amalek prevailed. Aaron and Hur stayed up the hands of
Moses, until victory, full and complete, turned upon the side of Israel, and
their enemies were driven from the field. {GW92
31.3}
This instance was to be a lesson to all Israel to the close of time,
that God is the strength of his people. When Israel triumphed,
Moses was reaching his hands toward heaven, and interceding in their behalf;
so when all the Israel of God prevail, it is because
the Mighty One undertakes their case, and fights their battles for them. Moses did not ask or believe that God would overcome their
foes while Israel remained inactive. He marshaled
all his forces and sent them out as well prepared as their facilities could
make them, and then he took the whole matter to God in prayer. Moses on the
mount was pleading with the Lord, while Joshua, with his brave followers, was below, doing his best to meet and repulse the enemies
of Israel and of God. {GW92 32.1}
That prayer which comes forth from an earnest, believing heart is the
effectual, fervent prayer that availeth much. God does not always
answer our prayers as we expect, for we may not ask what would be for our
highest good; but in his infinite love and wisdom he will give us those
things which we most need. Happy the minister
who has a faithful Aaron and Hur to strengthen his
hands when they become weary, and to hold them up by faith and prayer. Such a
support is a powerful aid to the servant of Christ in his work, and will
often make the cause of truth to triumph gloriously.
33 {GW92 32.2}
After the transgression of Israel in making the golden calf, Moses
again goes to plead with God in behalf of his people. He has some knowledge
of those who have been placed under his care; he knows the perversity of the
human heart, and realizes the difficulties with which he must contend. But he
has learned from experience that in order to have an influence with the
people, he must first have power with God. The Lord reads the sincerity and
unselfish purpose of the heart of his servant, and condescends to commune
with this feeble mortal, face to face, as a man speaks with a friend. Moses
casts himself and all his burdens fully upon God, and freely pours out his
soul before him. The Lord does not reprove his servant, but stoops to listen
to his supplications. {GW92 33.1}
Moses has a deep sense of his unworthiness, and his unfitness for the
great work to which God has called him. He pleads with intense earnestness
that the Lord will go with him. The answer comes, "My presence shall go
with thee, and I will give thee rest." [SEE
EX. 33:12-23.] But Moses does not feel that he can stop here. He has gained
much, but he longs to come still nearer to God, to obtain a stronger
assurance of his abiding presence. He has carried the burden of Israel; he
has borne an overwhelming weight of responsibility; when the people sinned,
he suffered keen remorse, as though he himself were guilty; and now there
presses upon his soul a sense of the terrible results, should God leave
Israel to hardness and impenitence of heart. They would not hesitate to kill
Moses, and through their own rashness and perversity they would soon fall a
prey to their enemies, and thus dishonor the name
of God before the heathen. Moses presses his petition with such earnestness
and fervency that the answer comes, "I will do this thing also that thou
hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name."
34 {GW92 33.2}
Now, indeed, we would expect the prophet to cease pleading; but no,
emboldened by his success, he ventures to come still nearer to God, with a
holy familiarity which is almost beyond our comprehension. He now makes a
request which no human being ever made before: "I beseech thee, show me
thy glory." What a petition to come from a finite, mortal man! But is he
repulsed? does God reprove him for presumption? No;
we hear the gracious words: "I will make all my goodness pass before
thee." {GW92 34.1}
The unveiled glory of God no man could look upon and live; but Moses
is assured that he shall behold as much of the divine glory as he can bear in
his present, mortal state. That hand that made the world, that holds the
mountains in their places, takes this man of dust,--this man of mighty faith,
--and mercifully covers him in a cleft of the rock, while the glory of God and
all his goodness pass before him. Can we marvel that the "excellent
glory" reflected from Omnipotence shone in the face of Moses with such
brightness that the people could not look upon it? The impress of God was
upon him, making him appear as one of the shining angels from the throne.
{GW92 34.2}
This experience, above all else the assurance that God would hear his
prayer, and that the divine presence would attend him, was of more value to
Moses as a leader than the learning of Egypt, or all his attainments in
military science. No earthly power or
skill or learning can supply the place of God's immediate presence. In the history of Moses we may see what intimate communion
with God it is man's privilege to enjoy. To the transgressor it is a fearful
thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But Moses was not afraid to
be alone with the Author of that law which had been spoken with such awful
grandeur from Mount Sinai; for his soul was in harmony with the will of his
Maker. 35 {GW92 34.3}
Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. The eye of
faith will discern God very near, and the suppliant may obtain precious
evidence of the divine love and care for him.
But why is it that so many prayers are never answered? David says, "I
cried unto Him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me." [PS. 66:17, 18.] By
another prophet the Lord gives us the promise, "Ye
shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your
heart." [JER. 29:13.] Again, he speaks of some who "have not
cried unto me with their heart." [HOS. 7:14.] Such petitions are prayers of form, lip-service only, which the
Lord does not accept. {GW92 35.1}
The prayer which Nathanael offered while he was under the fig-tree, came from a sincere heart, and it was heard and
answered by the Master. Christ said of him, "Behold an Israelite indeed,
in whom is no guile!" [JOHN 1:47.] The Lord reads the
hearts of all, and understands their motives and purposes. "The prayer of
the upright is his delight." [PROV. 15:18.] He will not be slow to hear
those who open their hearts to him, not exalting self, but sincerely feeling
their great weakness and unworthiness. {GW92 35.2} There is need of prayer,--most earnest, fervent, agonizing
prayer,--such prayer as David offered when he exclaimed: "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth
my soul after thee, O God." "I have longed after thy
precepts;" "I have longed for thy salvation." "My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for
the courts of the Lord: my heart and my flesh crieth
out for the living God." "My soul breaketh
for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments." [PS. 42:1; 119:40,
174; 84:2; 119:20.] This is the spirit of wrestling prayer, such as was
possessed by the royal psalmist. Daniel prayed to God, not exalting himself
or claiming any goodness: "O Lord, hear; O Lord, 36 forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine
own sake, O my God." [DAN. 9:19.] This is what James calls the effectual, fervent prayer. Of Christ it is said, "And being in an agony he
prayed more earnestly." [LUKE 22:44.] In what contrast to this
intercession by the Majesty of heaven are the feeble, heartless prayers that
are offered to God. Many are content with lip-service, and but few have a sincere,
earnest, affectionate longing after God. {GW92 35.3} Communion with God imparts to the soul an
intimate knowledge of his will. But many who
profess the faith know not what true conversion is. They have no experience
in communion with the Father through Jesus Christ, and have never felt the power of divine grace to sanctify the heart. Praying and sinning, sinning and praying, their lives are full
of malice, deceit, envy, jealousy, and self-love. The prayers of this class are an abomination to God. True prayer engages
the energies of the soul, and affects the life. He who thus pours out his
wants before God feels the emptiness of everything else under heaven.
"All my desire is before thee," said David, "and my groaning
is not hid from thee." "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come
and appear before God?" "When I remember these things, I pour out
my soul in me." [PS. 38:9; 42:2,
4.] {GW92 36.1} As our numbers are
increasing, broader plans must be laid to meet the increasing demands of the
times; but we see no special increase of fervent piety, of Christian
simplicity, and earnest devotion. The church seem
content to take only the first steps in conversion. They are more ready for
active labor than for humble devotion,--more ready
to engage in outward religious service than in the inner work of the heart.
Meditation and prayer are neglected for bustle and show. Religion must begin
with emptying and purifying the heart, and must be nurtured by daily prayer.
37 {GW92 36.2}
The steady progress of our work and our increased facilities are
filling the hearts and minds of many of our people with satisfaction and
pride, which we fear will take the place of the love of God in the soul. Busy activity in the mechanical part of even the work of God
may so occupy the mind that prayer shall be neglected, and self-importance
and self-sufficiency, so ready to urge their way, shall take the place of
true goodness, meekness, and lowliness of heart. The zealous cry may be heard, "The temple
of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these!" [JER. 7:4.]
"Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord." [2 KINGS 10:16.] But
where are the burden-bearers? where are the fathers
and mothers in Israel? where are those who carry
upon the heart the burden for souls, and who come in close sympathy with
their fellow-men, ready to place themselves in any position to save them from
eternal ruin? {GW92 37.1}
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." [ZECH 4:6.] "Ye are," says Christ, "the light of the
world." What a responsibility! There is need of
fasting, humiliation, and prayer over our decaying zeal and languishing
spirituality. The love of many is waxing cold. The
efforts of many of our preachers are not what they should be. When some who
lack the Spirit and power of God enter a new field, they begin to denounce other denominations, thinking that they
can convince the people of the truth by presenting the inconsistencies of the
popular churches. It may seem necessary on some occasions to speak of these
things, but in general it only creates prejudice against our work,
and closes the ears of many who might otherwise have listened to the truth. If these teachers
were connected closely with Christ, they would have divine wisdom to know how
to approach the people. They would not so soon forget the darkness and error,
the passion and prejudice, which kept themselves from the truth.
38 {GW92 37.2}
If these teachers would work with the spirit of the Master, very
different results would follow. With meekness and long-suffering, gentleness
and love, yet with decided earnestness, they would seek to direct those
erring souls to a crucified and risen Saviour.
When this is done, we shall see God moving upon the hearts of men. The great
apostle says, "We are laborers together with
God." [1 COR. 3:9.] What a work for poor mortals! We are provided with
spiritual weapons to fight the "good fight of faith;" but some seem to have drawn from the armory
of heaven only its thunder-bolts. How long must these defects exist? {GW92 38.1}
While in the midst of a religious interest, some neglect the most
important part of the work. They fail to visit and become acquainted with
those who have shown an interest to present themselves
night after night to listen to the explanation of the Scriptures.
Conversation upon religious subjects, and earnest prayer with such at the
right time, might balance many souls in the right direction. Ministers who
neglect their duty in this respect are not true shepherds of the flock. At
the very time when they should be most active in visiting, conversing, and
praying with these interested ones, some are employed in writing unnecessarily
long letters to persons at a distance. O, what are we doing for the Master!
When probation shall end, how many will see the opportunities they have
neglected to render service to their dear Lord who died for them. And even
those who were accounted most faithful will see much more that they might
have done, had not their minds been diverted by worldly surroundings. {GW92
38.2}
We entreat the heralds of the gospel of Christ never to become
discouraged in the work, never to regard the most hardened sinner as beyond
the reach of the grace of God. Such may accept the truth in the love of it,
and become the salt of the earth. He
39 who turns the hearts of men as the rivers of water are turned,
can bring the most selfish, sin-hardened soul to surrender to Christ. Is
anything too hard for God to do? "My word," he says, "shall
not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it
shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." [ISA. 55:11.] {GW92 38.3}
God will not place his benediction upon those who are negligent,
selfish, and ease-loving, who will not lift burdens in his cause. The
"Well done" will be pronounced upon those only who have done well.
Every man is to be rewarded "according as his work shall be." [REV.
22:12.] We want an active ministry,--men of prayer, who will wrestle with God
as did Jacob, saying, "I will not let thee go, except thou bless
me." [GEN. 32:26.] If we obtain the
victor's crown, we must stretch every nerve, and exercise every power. We can
never be saved in inactivity. To be an idler in the Lord's vineyard is to
relinquish all title to the reward of the righteous.--Vol. 4, p. 523. {GW92 39.1}
The Need of Preaching Christ. A
great and solemn truth has been intrusted to us,
for which we are responsible. Too often this truth is presented in cold
theory. Sermon after sermon upon doctrinal points is delivered to people who
come and go, some of whom will never have another as favorable
opportunity of being convicted and converted to Christ. Golden opportunities
are lost by delivering elaborate discourses, which display self, but do not
magnify Christ. A theory of the
truth without vital godliness cannot remove the moral darkness which envelops
the soul. {GW92 39.2} Most precious gems of truth are often rendered powerless by
the wisdom of words in which they are clothed, while the power of the Spirit
of God
40 is lacking. Christ presented the truth in its simplicity; and he
reached not only the most elevated, but the lowliest men of earth. The minister
who is God's ambassador and Christ's representative on the earth, who humbles
himself that God may be exalted, will possess the genuine quality of
eloquence. True piety, a close connection with God, and a daily, living
experience in the knowledge of Christ, will make eloquent even the stammering
tongue. {GW92 39.3}
As I see the wants in young churches, as I see and realize their great
need of vital godliness and their deficiency in true religious experience, my
heart is sad. I know that those who bear the message of truth to them do not
properly instruct them on all points essential to the perfection of a
symmetrical character in Christ Jesus. These things may be neglected too long
by the teachers of the truth. Speaking of the gospel, Paul says: "Whereof
I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to
me for you, to fulfill the word of God; even the mystery which hath been hid
from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to
whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery
among the Gentiles [mark the explanation of the mystery]; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach,
warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present
every man perfect in Christ Jesus; whereunto I also labor,
striving according to his working, which worketh in
me mightily." [COL. 1:25-29] {GW92
40.1}
Here the ministers of Christ have their work, their qualifications,
and the power of God's grace working in them, clearly defined. God has been
pleased recently [FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1879.] to show me a great deficiency in
many who profess to be representatives of Christ. In short, if they are deficient in faith and in a knowledge
of vital godliness, they are not only deceiving
41 their own souls, but are making a failure in the work of presenting
every man perfect in Christ. Many whom they bring into the truth are destitute of true
godliness. They may have a theory of the truth, but they are not
thoroughly converted. Their hearts are carnal; they do not abide in
Christ and he in them. It is the duty of the
minister to present the theory of the truth; but he should not rest with
having done this merely. He should adopt the language of Paul, "I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." {GW92 40.2} A
vital connection with the Chief Shepherd will make the under-shepherd a
living representative of Christ, a light indeed to the world. An
understanding of all points of our faith is indeed essential, but it is of greater
importance that the minister shall be sanctified through the truth which he
presents for the purpose of enlightening the consciences of his hearers. In a series of meetings not one discourse should be given
consisting of theory alone, nor should one long, tedious prayer be made. Such
prayers God does not hear. I have listened to many prosy, sermonizing prayers
that were uncalled for and out of place. A
prayer with one half the number of words, offered in
fervor and faith, would have softened the hearts of
the hearers; but instead of this, I have seen them wait impatiently, as
though wishing that every word would end the prayer. Had the minister wrestled with God in his chamber until he
felt that his faith could grasp the eternal promise, "Ask, and ye shall
receive," [JOHN 16:24.] he would have come to the point at once, asking
with earnestness and faith for what he needed. {GW92 41.1}
We need a converted ministry; otherwise the churches raised up through
their labors, having no root in themselves, will
not be able to stand alone. The faithful minister of Christ will take the
burden upon his soul. He will not hunger after popularity. 42 The Christian minister should never enter
the desk until he has first sought God in his closet, and has come into close
connection with him. He may, with humility, lift his thirsty soul to God, and
be refreshed with the dew of grace before he shall speak to the people. With
an unction of the Holy Spirit upon him, giving him a burden for souls, he
will not dismiss a congregation without presenting before them Jesus Christ,
the sinner's only refuge, making earnest appeals that will reach their
hearts. He should feel that he may never meet these hearers again until the
great day of God. {GW92 41.2}
The Master who has chosen him, who knows the hearts of all men, will
give him utterance, that he may speak the words he
ought to speak at the right time and with power. And those who become truly
convicted of sin, and charmed with the Way, the Truth, and the Life, will
find sufficient to do without extolling the ability of the minister. Christ
and his love will be exalted above any human instrument. The man will be lost
sight of, because Christ is magnified and is the theme of thought. Many are converted to the minister, and are not really
converted to Christ. We marvel at the
stupor that benumbs the spiritual senses. There is a lack of vital power.
Lifeless prayers are offered, and testimonies are borne which fail to edify
or strengthen the hearers. It becomes every minister of Christ to inquire the
cause of this. {GW92 42.1}
Paul writes to his Colossian brethren: "As ye also learned of Epaphras, our dear fellow-servant, who is for you a
faithful minister of Christ; who also declared unto us your love in the
Spirit. [Not an unsanctified love of the smartness, ability, or oratory of
the preacher, but a love born of
the Spirit of God, which his servant represented in his words and character.]
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for
you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge
43 of his will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being
fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened
will all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and
long-suffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath
made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light."
[COL. 1:7-12.] {GW92 42.2} Ministers
who labor in towns and cities to present the truth
should not feel content, nor that their work is ended, until those who have
accepted the theory of the truth realize indeed the effect of its sanctifying
power, and are truly converted to God. God
would be better pleased to have six truly converted to the truth as the
result of their labors, than to have sixty make a
nominal profession, and yet not be thoroughly converted. These ministers
should devote less time to preaching sermons, and reserve a portion of their
strength to visit and pray with those who are interested, giving them godly
instruction, to the end that they may "present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus." [COL. 1:28.] {GW92
43.1}
The love of God must be living in the heart of the teacher of the
truth. His own heart must be imbued with that deep and fervent love which
Christ possessed; then it will flow out to others. Ministers should teach
that all who accept the truth should bring forth fruit to the glory of God.
They should teach that self-sacrifice must be practiced every day; that many
things which have been cherished must be yielded; and that many duties,
disagreeable though they may appear, must be performed. Business interests,
social endearments, ease, honor, reputation, in
short, everything, must be held in subjection to the superior and
ever-paramount claims of Christ. Ministers who are not men of vital piety,
who stir up an interest among the people, but leave the work in 44 the rough, leave an exceedingly difficult field for others to
enter and finish the work they failed to complete. These men will be proved;
and if they do not do their work more faithfully, they will, after a still
further test, be laid aside as cumberers of the ground, unfaithful watchmen. {GW92 43.2} God would not have
men go forth as teachers who have not studiously learned their lessons, and
who will not continue to study that they may present every point of present
truth in an intelligent, acceptable manner.
With a knowledge of the theory, they should
continually be obtaining a more thorough knowledge of Christ. Rules and
studies are necessary; but with them the minister should combine earnest
prayer that he may be faithful, not building upon the foundation wood, hay,
or stubble, which will be consumed by the fires of the last day. Prayer and
study should go hand in hand. {GW92 44.1} The fact that a minister is applauded and praised is no
evidence that he has spoken under the influence of the Spirit. It is too
frequently the case that young converts, unless guarded, will set their
affections more upon their minister than upon their Redeemer. They feel that they have been greatly benefited by their
minister's labors. They conceive that he possesses
the most exalted gifts and graces, and that no other can do as well as he;
therefore they attach undue importance to the man and his labors.
This is a confidence that disposes them to
idolize the man, and look to him more than to God, and in doing this they do
not please God nor grow in grace. They do great harm to the minister,
especially if he is young, and developing into a promising gospel laborer. {GW92 44.2}
These teachers, if they are really men of God, receive their words
from God. Their manner of address may be faulty, and need much improvement;
yet if God breathes through them, words of inspiration, the power is not of
man, but of God. The
45 Giver should have the glory and the heart's
affections, while the minister should be esteemed, loved, and respected for
his work's sake, because he is God's servant to bear the message of mercy to
sinners. The Son of God is often eclipsed by the man
standing between him and the people. The man is praised, petted, and exalted,
and the people get scarcely a glimpse of Jesus, who, by the precious beams of
light reflected from him, should eclipse everything besides. {GW92 44.3} The minister of Christ who is imbued
with the Spirit and love of his Master, will so labor
that the character of God and of his dear Son may be made manifest in the
fullest and clearest manner. He will strive to have his hearers become intelligent in their
conceptions of the character of God, that his glory may be acknowledged on
the earth. A man is no sooner converted than in his
heart is born a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has
found in Jesus; the saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his
heart. The Spirit of Christ illuminating the soul is represented by the
light, which dispels all darkness; it is compared to salt, because of its
preserving qualities; and to leaven, which secretly exerts its transforming
power. {GW92 45.1}
Those whom Christ has connected with himself will, as far as in them
lies, labor diligently and perseveringly, as he labored, to save souls who are perishing around them.
They will reach the people by prayer, earnest, fervent prayer, and personal
effort. It is impossible for those who are thoroughly converted to God,
enjoying communion with him, to be negligent of the vital interests of those
who are perishing outside of Christ. {GW92 45.2}
The minister should not do all the work himself, but he should unite
with him those who have taken hold of the truth. He will thus teach others to
work after he shall leave. A working church will ever be a growing church.
They will ever find a stimulus
46 and a tonic in trying to help others, and in doing it they will
be strengthened and encouraged. {GW92 45.3} I
have read of a man who, journeying on a winter's day through the deep,
drifted snow, became benumbed by the cold, which was almost imperceptibly
stealing away his vital powers. And as he was nearly chilled to death by the
embrace of the frost king, and about to give up the struggle for life, he
heard the moans of a brother traveler, who was perishing with cold, as he was
about to perish. His sympathy was aroused, and he determined to rescue him.
He chafed the ice-clad limbs of the unfortunate man, and after considerable
effort, raised him to his feet; and as he could not stand, he bore him in
sympathizing arms through the very drifts he had thought he could never
succeed in getting through alone. And when he had borne his fellow-traveler
to a place of safety, the truth flashed home to him that in saving his neighbor he had saved himself also. His earnest efforts
to save another quickened the blood which was freezing in his own veins, and
created a healthful warmth in the extremities of his
body. {GW92 46.1}
These lessons must be urged upon young believers continually, not only
by precept, but by example, that in their Christian experience they may
realize similar results. Let the desponding ones, those disposed to think the
way to life is very trying and difficult, go to work and seek to help others.
In such efforts, mingled with prayer for divine light, their own hearts will
throb with the quickening influence of the grace of God; their own affections
will glow with more divine fervor, and their whole
Christian life will be more of a reality, more earnest, more prayerful. {GW92
46.2}
The minister of Christ should be a man of prayer, a man of piety;
cheerful, but never coarse and rough, jesting or frivolous. A spirit of
frivolity may be in keeping with the profession of clowns and theatrical performers,
but it is altogether
47 beneath the dignity of a man who is chosen to stand between the
living and the dead, and to be mouth-piece for God. {GW92 46.3}
Every day's labor is faithfully chronicled
in the books of God. As men claiming spiritual illumination, you will give
moral tone to the character of all with whom you are connected. As faithful
ministers of the gospel, you should bend all the energies of the mind and all
the opportunities of your life to make your work wholly successful, and
present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. In order to do this, you must pray
earnestly. Ministers of the gospel must be in possession of that power which
wrought such wonders for the humble fishermen of Galilee. {GW92 47.1}
Moral and intellectual powers are needed in order to discharge with
fidelity the important duties devolving upon you; but these may be possessed,
and yet there may be a great lack of godliness. The endowment of the Holy
Spirit is indispensably essential to success in your great work. Said Christ,
"Without me ye can do nothing."
[JOHN 15:5.] But through Christ strengthening you, you can do all things.-- Vol. 4, p. 313. - {GW92 47.2} Labor
in New Fields.
December 10, 1871, I was shown that God would accomplish a great work
through the truth, if devoted, self-sacrificing men
would give themselves unreservedly to the work of presenting it to those in
darkness. Those who have a knowledge of the precious
truth, and who are consecrated to God, should avail themselves of every
opportunity where there is an opening to press in the truth. Angels of God are moving on the hearts and consciences of the
people of other nations, and honest souls are troubled as they witness the
signs of the times in
48 the unsettled state of the nations. The inquiry arises in their
hearts, What will be the end of all these things? While God and angels are at
work to impress hearts, the servants of Christ seem to be asleep. But few are
working in unison with the heavenly messengers. All men and women who are Christians
in every sense of the word, should be workers in the vineyard of the Lord. They should be wide awake, zealously laboring
for the salvation of their fellow-men, and should imitate the example that
the Saviour of the world has given them in his life of self-denial,
sacrifice, and faithful, earnest labor. {GW92 47.3}
There has been but little of the missionary spirit among
Sabbath-keeping Adventists. If ministers and people were sufficiently
aroused, they would not rest thus indifferently, while God has honored them by making them the depositaries of his law,
by printing it in their minds and writing it upon their hearts. These truths
of vital importance are to test the world; and yet in our own country there
are cities, villages, and towns that have never heard the warning message. Young
men who feel stirred by the appeals that have been made for help in this
great work of advancing the cause of God, make some advance moves, but do not
get the burden of the work upon them sufficiently to accomplish what they
might. They are willing to do a small work, which
does not require special effort. Therefore they do not learn to place their
whole dependence upon God, and by living faith draw from the great Fountain
and Source of light and strength, in order that their efforts may prove
wholly successful. {GW92 48.1}
Those who think that they have a work to do for the Master should not
begin their efforts among the churches; they should go out into new fields,
and prove their gifts. In this way they can test themselves, and settle the
matter to their own satisfaction, whether God has indeed chosen them for this
work.
49 They will feel the necessity of studying the
word of God, and praying earnestly for heavenly wisdom and divine aid. By
meeting with opponents who bring up objections to the important points of our
faith, they will be brought where they will obtain a most valuable
experience. They will feel their weakness, and be driven to the word of God
and to prayer. In this exercise of their gifts, they will be learning and
improving, and gaining confidence, courage, and faith, and will eventually
have a valuable experience. . . . {GW92 48.2}
If young men who begin to labor in this
cause would have the missionary spirit, they would give evidence that God has
indeed called them to the work. But when they do not
go out into new places, but are content to go from church to church, they
give evidence that the burden of the work is not upon them. The ideas of our young preachers are not broad enough. Their
zeal is too feeble. Were the young men awake and devoted to the Lord, they
would be diligent every moment of their time, and would seek to qualify
themselves to become laborers in the missionary
field rather than to become combatants. {GW92 49.1}
Young men should be qualifying themselves by becoming familiar with
other languages, that God may use them as mediums to communicate his saving truth
to those of other nations. These young men may
obtain a knowledge of other languages even while
engaged in laboring for sinners. If they are economical of their time, they can be improving
their minds, and qualifying themselves for more extended usefulness. If young
women who have borne but little responsibility would devote themselves to
God, they could qualify themselves for usefulness by studying and becoming
familiar with other languages. They could devote
themselves to the work of translating. 50 {GW92 49.2}
Our publications should be printed in other languages, that foreign
nations may be reached. Much can be done through the medium of the press, but
still more can be accomplished if the influence of the publications could be
aided by that of the living preacher. Missionaries are needed to go to other
nations to preach the truth in a guarded, careful manner. The cause of
present truth can be greatly extended by personal effort. The contact of mind
with mind will do more to remove prejudice, if the labor
is discreet, than our publications alone can do. Those who engage in this
work should not consult their ease or inclination; neither should they have
love for popularity or display. {GW92 50.1}
When the churches see young men possessing zeal to qualify themselves to extend their labors
to cities, villages, and towns that have never been aroused to the truth, and
missionaries volunteering to go to other nations to carry the truth to them,
the churches will be encouraged and strengthened far more than by receiving
the labors of inexperienced young men. As they see
their ministers' hearts all aglow with love and zeal for the truth, and with
a desire to save souls, the churches will arouse. These generally have gifts
and power within themselves to bless and strengthen themselves, and to gather
the sheep and lambs into the fold. They need to be thrown upon their own
resources, that all the gifts that are lying dormant may thus be called into
active service. {GW92 50.2}
As churches are established, it should be set before them that it is
even from among them that men must be taken to carry the truth to others, and
raise up new churches; therefore they must all work, and cultivate to the
utmost the talents that God has given them, and be training their minds to
engage in the service of their Master. If these messengers
are pure in heart and life, if their example is what it should be, their labors will be highly successful; for
51 they have a most powerful truth, one that is clear and connected,
and that has convincing arguments in its favor.
They have God on their side, and the angels of God to work with their
efforts. {GW92 50.3} The reason why there has been so little accomplished by those
who preach the truth, is not wholly that the truth they bear is unpopular,
but that the men who bear the message are not sanctified by the truths they
preach. The Saviour withdraws his smiles, and the
inspiration of his Spirit is not upon them. The presence and power of God to
convict the sinner and cleanse from all unrighteousness, is not manifest.
Sudden destruction is right upon the people, and yet they are not fearfully
alarmed. Unconsecrated ministers make the work very hard for those who follow after
them, and who have the burden and spirit of the work upon them. . . .{GW92 51.1}
Every opportunity should be improved to extend the truth to other nations.
This will be attended with considerable expense, but expense should in no
case hinder the performance of this work. Money is of value only as it is
used to advance the interest of the kingdom of God. The Lord has lent men
means for this very purpose, to use in sending the truth to their fellow-men.
There is a great amount of surplus means in the ranks of Seventh-day
Adventists; and the selfish withholding of it from the cause of God, is
blinding their eyes to the importance of the work of God, making it
impossible for them to discern the solemnity of the times in which we live,
or the value of eternal riches. They do not view Calvary in the right light,
and therefore cannot appreciate the worth of the soul for which Christ paid
an infinite price. {GW92 51.2}
Men will invest means in that which they value the most, and which
they think will bring them the greatest profits. When men will run great risks and invest much in worldly
enterprises, but are unwilling 52 to venture or invest much in the cause of God to send the truth
to their fellow-men, they give evidence that they value their earthly
treasure just as much more highly than the heavenly as their works show. . .
. {GW92 51.3}
It will be difficult to overcome prejudice, and to convince the
unbelieving that our efforts to help them are disinterested. But this should
not hinder our labor. There is no precept in the
word of God that tells us to do good to those only
who appreciate and respond to our efforts, and to benefit those only who will
thank us for it. God has sent us to work in his vineyard. It is our business
to do all we can. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening
withhold not thine hand; for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or
that." [ECCL. 11:6.] We have too little faith. We limit the Holy One of
Israel. We should be grateful that God condescends to use any of us as his
instruments. For every earnest prayer put up in faith for
anything, answers will be returned. They may not come just as we have
expected; but they will come--not perhaps as we have desired, but at the very
time when we most need them. But O, how sinful
is our unbelief! "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall
ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." [JOHN 15:7.] {GW92
52.1} Young men who are engaged in this work should not trust too
much to their own abilities. They are inexperienced, and should seek to learn
wisdom from those who have had long experience in the work, and who have had
opportunities to study character.{GW92 52.2} Instead of laboring among the
churches, God designs that our ministers should spread abroad, and our
missionary labor be extended over as much ground as
we can possibly occupy to advantage, going in every direction to raise up new
companies. We should ever leave upon the minds of new disciples an impression
of the importance of our
53 mission. As able men are
converted to the truth, they should not require laborers
to keep their flagging faith alive; but these men should be impressed with
the necessity of laboring in the vineyard. As long
as churches rely upon laborers from abroad to
strengthen and encourage their faith, they will not become strong in
themselves. They should be instructed that their strength will increase in
proportion to their personal efforts. The more closely the New Testament plan
is followed in missionary labor, the more
successful will be the efforts put forth. {GW92 52.3}
We should work as did our divine Teacher, sowing the seeds of truth
with care, anxiety, and self-denial. We must have the
mind of Christ if we would not become weary in well-doing. His was a life of
continual sacrifice for others' good. We must follow his example. We must sow
the seed of truth, and trust in God to quicken it into life. The precious seed may lie dormant for some time, when the
grace of God may convict the heart, and the seed sown be awakened to life,
and spring up, and bear fruit to the glory of God. Missionaries in this great
work are wanted to labor unselfishly, earnestly,
and perseveringly, as co-workers with Christ and the heavenly angels in the
salvation of their fellow-men. {GW92 53.1}
Especially should our ministers beware of indolence and pride, which
are apt to grow out of a consciousness that we have the truth, and strong
arguments which our opponents cannot meet; and while the truths which we
handle are mighty to the pulling down of the strongholds of the powers of
darkness, there is danger of neglecting personal
piety, purity of heart, and entire consecration to God. There is danger of
their feeling that they are rich and increased with goods, while they lack the
essential qualifications of Christians. They may be wretched, poor,
miserable, blind, and naked. They do not feel the necessity of living in
obedience to Christ every day and every hour. Spiritual pride
54 eats out the vitals of religion.
In order to preserve humility, it would be well to remember how we appear in
the sight of a holy God, who reads every secret of the soul, and how we
should appear in the sight of our fellow-men if they all knew us as well as
God knows us. For this reason, to humble us, we are directed to confess our
faults, and improve this opportunity to subdue our pride.--Vol. 3, p. 202.
- {GW92 53.2}
The Spirit of Self-Sacrifice.
The great work now to be accomplished is to bring up the people of God
to engage in the work, and exert a holy influence. They should act the part
of laborers. With wisdom,
caution, and love, they should labor for the
salvation of neighbors and friends. There is too distant a feeling manifested. The cross is not
laid right hold of, and borne as it should be. All
should feel that they are their brother's keeper, that
they are in a great degree responsible for the souls of those around them. [This is a classic example of corporate
responsibility. Those who deny this principle are like Cain who asked the
question: Am I my brother’s keeper. rwb] The brethren err when they leave this work all to the
ministers. The harvest is great, and the laborers
are few. Those who are of good repute, whose lives are in accordance with
their faith, can be workmen. They can converse with others, and urge upon
them the importance of the truth. They must not wait for the ministers, and
neglect a plain duty which God has left for them to perform. {GW92 54.1}
Some of our ministers feel but little
disposition to take upon them the burden of the work of God, and labor with that disinterested benevolence which
characterized the life of our divine Lord. The churches, as a general rule,
are farther advanced than some of the ministers. They have had faith in the
testimonies which God has been pleased to give, and have
55 acted upon them, while some of the preachers are far behind. They
profess to believe the testimonies borne, and some do harm by making them an
iron rule for those who have had no experience in reference to them, but they
fail to carry them out themselves. They have had repeated testimonies, which
they have utterly disregarded. The course of such is not consistent. {GW92
54.2}
The people of God generally feel a united interest in the spread of
the truth. They cheerfully contribute toward a liberal
support of those who labor in word and doctrine. And I saw that it is the duty of those who have the
responsibility of distributing means, to see that the liberalities of the
church are not squandered. Some of these liberal brethren have been laboring for years with shattered nerves and broken-down
constitutions, caused by excessive labor in the
past to obtain possessions here, and now as they freely give a portion of the
substance which has cost them so much, it is the duty of those who labor in word and doctrine to manifest a zeal and
self-sacrifice, at least equal to that shown by these brethren. {GW92 55.1}
God's servants must go out free. They must know in whom they trust.
There is power in Christ and his salvation to make them free men; and unless
they are free in him, they cannot build up his church and gather in souls. Will God send out a man to rescue souls from the snare of
Satan, when his own feet are entangled in the net? God's servants must not be wavering. If their feet are
sliding, how can they say to those of a fearful heart, "Be strong"?
God would have his servants hold up the feeble hands and strengthen the
wavering. Those who are not prepared to do this, would
better first labor for themselves,
and pray until they are endowed with power from on high. {GW92 55.2}
God is displeased with the lack of self-denial in some of his
servants. They have not the burden of the work upon them. They seem to be in
a death-like
56 stupor. Angels of God stand amazed, and ashamed of this lack of
self-denial and perseverance. While the Author of
our salvation was laboring and suffering for us, he
denied himself, and his whole life was one continued scene of toil and
privation. He could have passed his days on earth in
ease and plenty, and appropriated to himself the pleasures of this life; but
he considered not his own convenience. He lived to do others good. He suffered
to save others from suffering. He endured to the end, and finished the work
which was given him to do. All this was to save us from ruin. And now, can it
be that we, the unworthy objects of so great love, will seek a better
position in this life than was given to our Lord? Every moment of our lives
we have been partakers of the blessings of his great love, and for this very
reason we cannot fully realize the depths of ignorance and misery from which
we have been saved. Can we look upon Him whom our sins have pierced, and not
be willing to drink with him the bitter cup of humiliation and sorrow? Can we
look upon Christ crucified, and wish to enter his kingdom in any other way
than through much tribulation? {GW92 55.3} The preachers are not all given up to the work of God, as he
requires them to be. Some have felt that
the lot of a preacher was hard, because they had to be separated from their
families. They forget that once it was harder laboring
than it is now. Once there were but few friends of the cause. They forget
those upon whom God laid the burden of the work in the past. There were but a
few then who received the truth as the result of much labor.
God's chosen servants wept and prayed for a
clear understanding of truth, and suffered privation and much self-denial, in
order to carry it to others. Step by step they followed as God's opening
providence led the way. They did not study their own convenience, or shrink
at hardships. Through these men, God prepared the way, and made the truth
plain to
57 the understanding of every honest mind. Everything has been made ready to the hands of ministers who
have since embraced the truth, yet some of them have failed to take upon them
the burden of the work. They seek for an easier lot, a less self-denying
position. This earth is not the resting-place of
Christians, much less for the chosen ministers of God. They forget that Christ left his riches and glory in heaven,
and came to earth to die, and that he has commanded us to love one another
even as he has loved us. They forget those of whom the world was not worthy,
who wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, and were afflicted and
tormented. {GW92 56.1} I was shown the Waldenses, and what
they suffered for their religion. They conscientiously studied the word of
God, and lived up to the light which shone upon them. They were persecuted,
and driven from their homes; their possessions, gained by hard labor, were taken from them, and their houses burned.
They fled to the mountains, and there suffered incredible hardships. They
endured hunger, fatigue, cold, and nakedness. The only clothing which many of
them could obtain was the skins of animals. And yet the scattered and homeless
ones would assemble to unite their voices in singing and praising God that
they were accounted worthy to suffer for Christ's name. They encouraged and
cheered one another, and were grateful for even their miserable retreat. Many
of their children sickened and died from cold and hunger; yet the parents did
not for a moment think of yielding their religion. They prized the love and favor of God far above earthly ease or worldly riches.
They received consolation from God, and with pleasing anticipations looked
forward to the recompense of reward. {GW92 57.1}
Again, I was shown Martin Luther, whom God
raised up to do a special work. How precious to him
was the knowledge of truth revealed in the word
58 of God! His mind was starving for something sure upon which to
build his hope that God would be his Father, and
heaven his home. The new and precious light which dawned upon him from the
word of God was of priceless value, and he thought that if he went forth with
it, he could convince the world. He stood up against the ire of a fallen
church, and strengthened those who with him were feasting upon the rich
truths contained in the word of God. Luther was God's
chosen instrument to tear off the garb of hypocrisy from the papal church,
and expose her corruption. He raised his voice
zealously, and in the power of the Holy Spirit rebuked the existing sins of the leaders of the people.
Proclamations went forth to kill him wherever he might be found; he seemed
left to the mercies of a superstitious people who were obedient to the head
of the Roman church. Yet he counted not his life dear unto himself. Luther knew that he was not safe anywhere, yet he trembled
not. The light which he saw and feasted upon was
life to him, and was of more value than all the treasures of earth. Earthly
treasures he knew would fail; but the rich truths opened to his
understanding, operating upon his heart, would live, and if obeyed, would
lead him to immortality. {GW92 57.2}
When summoned to Augsburg to answer for his faith, he obeyed the
summons. That one lone man who had stirred the rage of priests and people was
arraigned before those who had caused the world to tremble,--a meek lamb
surrounded by angry lions; yet for the sake of Christ and the truth, he stood
up undaunted, and with holy eloquence, which the truth alone can inspire, he
gave the reasons of his faith. His enemies tried by various means to silence
the bold advocate for truth. At first they flattered him, and held out the
promise that he should be exalted and honored. But
life and honors were valueless to him, if purchased
at the sacrifice of the truth. Brighter and clearer shone
59 the word of God upon his understanding, giving him a more vivid
sense of the errors, corruptions, and hypocrisy of the papacy. His enemies
then sought to intimidate him, and cause him to renounce his faith; but he
boldly stood in defense of the truth. He was ready
to die for his faith, if God required; but to yield it--never! God preserved
his life. He bade angels attend him, and baffle the rage and purposes of his
enemies, and bring him unharmed through the stormy conflict. {GW92 58.1}
The calm, dignified power of Luther humbled his enemies, and dealt a
most dreadful blow to the papacy. The great and proud men in power meant that
his blood should atone for the mischief he had done their cause. Their plans
were laid; but a mightier than they had charge of Luther. His work was not
finished. The friends of Luther hastened his departure from Augsburg. He left
the city by night, mounted upon a horse without bridle, himself unarmed and
without boots or spurs. In great weariness he pursued his journey until he
was among his friends. {GW92 59.1}
Again the indignation of the papists was aroused, and they resolved to
stop the mouth of that fearless advocate of truth. They summoned him to
Worms, fully determined to make him answer for his folly. He was in feeble
health, yet he did not excuse himself. He well knew the dangers that were
before him. He knew that his powerful enemies would take any measure to
silence him. They were crying for his blood as eagerly as the Jews clamored for the blood of Christ. Yet he trusted in that
God who preserved the three worthies in the burning fiery furnace. His
anxiety and care were not for himself. He sought not his own ease, but his
great anxiety was that the truth, to him so precious, should not be exposed
to the insults of the ungodly. He was ready to die, rather than allow its
enemies to triumph. As he entered Worms, thousands of
60 persons pressed around and followed him. Emperors and others in high
authority were attended with no greater company. The excitement was intense;
and one in that throng, with a shrill and plaintive voice, chanted a funeral
dirge to warn Luther of what awaited him. But the Reformer had counted the
cost, and was ready to seal his testimony with his blood, if God so ordained.
{GW92 59.2}
Luther was about to appear to answer for his faith before a most
imposing assembly, and he looked to God in faith for strength. For a little
time his courage and faith were tested. Perils in
every form were presented before him. He became sad. Clouds gathered around
him, and hid from him the face of God. He longed to go forth with a confident
assurance that God was with him. He could not be satisfied unless he was shut
in with God. With broken cries he sent up his agonizing prayer to Heaven. His
spirit at times seemed to faint, as his enemies, in his imagination,
multiplied before him. He trembled at his danger. I saw that God in his wise
providence prepared him in this way that he might not forget in whom to
trust, and that he should not rush on presumptuously into danger. As his own
instrument, God was fitting him for the great work before him. {GW92 60.1}
Luther's prayer was heard. His courage and faith returned as he met
his enemies. Meek as a lamb, he stood, surrounded by the great men of the
earth, who, like angry wolves, fastened their eyes upon him, hoping to awe
him with their power and greatness. But he had taken hold of the strength of
God, and feared not. His words were spoken with such majesty and power that
his enemies could do nothing against him. God was speaking through Luther,
and he had brought together sovereigns and professed wise men, that he might
publicly bring to naught their wisdom, and that they all might see the
strength and firmness of feeble man when leaning upon God, his eternal Rock.
61 {GW92 60.2} The calm bearing of Luther was in striking contrast to the
passion and rage exhibited by those so-called great men. They could not
frighten him into a recantation of the truth. In noble simplicity and calm
firmness he stood like a rock. The opposition of
his enemies, their rage and threats, like a mighty wave, surged against him,
and broke harmless at his feet. He remained unmoved. They were chagrined that
their power, which had caused kings and nobles to tremble, should be thus
despised by a humble man, and they longed to make him feel their wrath by
torturing his life away. But One who is mightier than the potentates of earth
had charge of this fearless witness. God had a work for him to do. He must
yet suffer for the truth. He must see it wade through bloody persecutions. He
must see it clothed in sackcloth, and covered with reproach by fanatics. He
must live to justify it, and to be its defender when the mighty powers of
earth should seek to tear it down. He must live to see it triumph, and tear
away the errors and superstitions of the papacy. Luther gained a victory at
Worms which weakened the papacy, the news of which spread to other kingdoms
and nations. It was an effectual blow in favor of
the Reformation. {GW92 61.1} Ministers who are preaching present truth were held up to me
in contrast with the leading men of the Reformation; especially was Luther's
devoted, zealous life placed beside the lives of some of our preachers. He proved his undying love for the truth by his courage, his
calm firmness, his self-denial. He encountered trials and sacrifices, and at
times suffered the deepest anguish of soul, while standing in defense of the truth; yet he murmured not. He was hunted
like a wild beast of prey, yet for Christ's sake he endured all cheerfully.
{GW92 61.2} The last merciful message is intrusted
to God's humble, faithful servants of this time. God has led along those who
would not shun responsibility, and has laid burdens upon them, and has
through them
62 presented to his people a plan of systematic benevolence in which all
can engage, and work in harmony. This system has been carried out, and has
worked like magic. It liberally
sustains the preachers and the cause. As soon as the preachers ceased their
opposition, and stood out of the way, the people heartily responded to the
call, and prized the system. Everything is made convenient and easy for the
preachers, that they may work, free from embarrassment. Our people have taken
hold with a will and an interest which is not to be found among any other
class. And God is displeased with preachers who now
complain, and fail to throw their whole energies into this all-important
work. They are without excuse, yet some are deceived, and think that they are
sacrificing much, and are having a hard time, when they really know nothing
about suffering, self-denial, or want. They may often be weary, so would they
be if they were dependent on manual labor for a
support. {GW92 61.3}
Some have thought it would be easier to labor
with their hands, and have often expressed their choice to do so. Such do not
know what they are talking about. They are deceiving themselves. Some have
very expensive families to provide for, and they lack management. They do not
realize that they are indebted to the cause of God for their homes and all
that they have. They have not realized how much it costs to live. Should they
engage in manual labor, they would not be free from
anxiety and weariness. They could not, while laboring to support their families, be sitting down at
their own fireside. It is only a few weary hours that a laboring
man with a family dependent upon him for support can spend with his family at
home. Some ministers do not love industrious labor,
and they have cherished a feeling of dissatisfaction which is very
unreasonable. God has marked every murmuring thought and word and feeling.
Heaven is insulted
63 by such an exhibition of weakness and lack of devotion to the
cause of God.-- Vol. I, p. 368. {GW92 62.1}
Not all who are preaching the truth realize that their testimony and
example are deciding the destiny of souls. If they are unfaithful in their
mission, and become careless in their work, souls will be lost as the result.
If they are self-sacrificing and faithful in the work which the Master has
given them to do, they will be instrumental in the salvation of many. Some
permit trifles to divert them from the work. Bad roads, rainy weather, or
little matters at home, are sufficient excuses for them to leave the work of laboring for souls. And frequently this is done at the
most important time in the work. When an interest has been raised, and the
minds of the people are agitated, the interest is left to die out because the
minister chooses a more pleasant and easy field. Those who pursue this course
show plainly that they do not have the burden of the work upon them. They
wish to be carried by the people. They are not willing to endure the
privations and hardships which are ever the lot of a true shepherd. {GW92
63.1}
Some have no experience in taking hold of the work as though it was of
vital importance. They do not enter upon it with zeal and earnestness which
would show they are doing work that will have to bear the test of the
Judgment. They work too much in their own strength, They do not make God
their trust, and therefore errors and imperfections mark all their efforts.
They do not give the Lord an opportunity to do anything for them. They do not
walk by faith, but by sight. They will go no faster or farther than they can
see. They do not seem to understand that venturing something for the truth's
sake has any part in their religious experience. {GW92 63.2}
Some go from their homes to labor in the
gospel field, but do not act as though the truths which they speak were a
reality to them. Their actions show
64 that they have not experienced the saving power of the truth
themselves. When out of the desk, they appear to have no burden for the
truth. They labor sometimes apparently to profit,
but more frequently to no profit. Such feel as much entitled to the wages
they receive as though they had earned them; notwithstanding their unconsecration has cost more labor,
anxiety, and pain of heart to those laborers who
have the burden of the work upon them than all their efforts have done good.
Such are not profitable workmen. But they will have to bear this
responsibility themselves. {GW92 63.3} It is often the case that ministers are inclined to visit
almost entirely among the churches, devoting their time and strength where
their labor will do no good. Frequently the churches are in advance of the ministers who labor among them, and would be in a more prosperous
condition if those ministers would keep out of their way, and give them an
opportunity to work. The efforts of such ministers to build up the churches
only tear them down. The theory of the
truth is presented over and over again, but it is not accompanied by the
vitalizing power of God. They manifest a listless indifference; the spirit is
contagious, and the churches lose their interest and burden for the salvation
of others. Thus by their preaching and example, the ministers lull the people
to carnal security. If they would leave the churches, go out into new fields,
and labor to raise up
churches, they would understand their ability, and what it costs to bring
souls out to take their position upon the truth. And they would then realize
how careful they should be that their example and influence might never
discourage or weaken those whom it had required so much hard, prayerful labor to convert to the truth. "Let every man prove
his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in
another." [GAL. 6:4.]
65 {GW92 64.1}
The churches give of their means to sustain the ministers in their labors. What have they to encourage them in their
liberality? Some ministers labor from month to
month, and accomplish so little that the churches become disheartened; they
cannot see that anything is being done to convert souls to the truth, nor to
make those who are church-members more spiritual or fervent in their love to
God and his truth. Those who are
handling sacred things should be wholly consecrated to the work. They should
possess an unselfish interest in it, and a fervent love for perishing souls.
If they do not have this, they have mistaken their mission, and should cease
their labor of teaching others; for they do more
harm than they can possibly do good. Some ministers
display themselves, but do not feed the flock that are perishing for meat in
due season. {GW92 65.1}
There is a disposition with some to shrink from opposition. They fear
to go into new places, because of the darkness and the conflicts they expect
to meet. This is cowardice. The people must be met where they are. They need
stirring appeals, and practical as well as doctrinal discourses. Precept
backed up by example will have a powerful influence. {GW92 65.2} A
faithful shepherd will not study his own ease and convenience, but will labor for the interest of the sheep. In this great work
he will forget self; in his search for the lost sheep he will not realize
that he himself is weary, cold, and hungry. He has but one object in view; to
save the lost and wandering sheep, at whatever expense it may be to himself.
His wages will not influence him in his labor, nor
turn him from his duty. He has received his commission from the Majesty of
heaven, and he expects his reward when the work intrusted
to him is done. [FOR THE PARAGRAPH ON BIBLE STUDY, OMITTED IN THIS ARTICLE,
SEE "THE IMPORTANCE OF BIBLE STUDY," P. 121.]. . .
66 {GW92 65.3}
The glorious results that attended the ministry of the chosen
disciples of Christ were the effect of bearing about in their bodies the
dying of the Lord Jesus. Some of those who testified of Christ were unlearned
and ignorant men; but grace and truth reigned in their hearts, inspiring and
purifying their lives, and controlling their actions. They were living
representatives of the mind and spirit of Christ. They were living epistles,
known and read of all men. They were hated and persecuted by all who would
not receive the truth they preached, and who despised the cross of Christ.
{GW92 66.1}
Wicked men will not oppose a form of godliness, nor reject a popular
ministry which presents no cross for them to bear. The natural heart will
raise no serious objection to a religion in which there is nothing to make the
transgressor of the law tremble, or bring to bear upon the heart and
conscience the terrible realities of a judgment to come. It is the
demonstration of the Spirit and the power of God which raises opposition, and
leads the natural heart to rebel. The truth that saves the soul must not only
come from God, but his Spirit must attend its communication to others, else
it falls powerless before opposing influences. O that the truth might fall
from the lips of God's servants with such power as to burn its way to the
hearts of the people! {GW92 66.2}
Ministers must be endued with power from on high. When the truth in
its simplicity and strength, as it is in Jesus, is brought to bear against
the spirit of the world, condemning its exciting pleasures and corrupting
charms, it will then be plainly seen that there is no concord between Christ
and Belial. The natural heart cannot discern the things of the Spirit of God.
An unconsecrated minister, presenting the truth in
an unimpassioned manner, his own soul unmoved by the truths he speaks to
others, will do only harm. Every effort he makes only lowers the standard.
67 {GW92 66.3}
Selfish interest must be swallowed up in deep anxiety for the
salvation of souls. Some ministers have labored,
not because they dared not do otherwise, not because the woe was upon them,
but having in view the wages they were to receive. Said the angel, "Who
is there even among you that would shut the doors for naught? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for naught. I have
no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts neither
will I accept an offering at your hand." [MAL. 1:10.] {GW92 67.1}
It is entirely wrong to hire every errand that is done for the Lord.
The treasury of the Lord has been drained by those who have been only an
injury to the cause. If ministers give
themselves wholly to the work of God, and devote all their energies to
building up his cause, they will have no lack. As regards temporal things,
they have a better portion than their Lord, and better than his chosen
disciples, whom he sent forth to save perishing man. Our great Exemplar, who was in the brightness of his Father's
glory, was despised and rejected of men. Reproach and falsehood followed him.
His chosen disciples were living examples of the life and spirit of their
Master. They were honored with stripes and
imprisonment; and it was finally their portion to seal their ministry with
their blood. {GW92 67.2}
When ministers are so interested in the work that they love it as a
part of their existence, then they can say, "Who shall separate us from
the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is
written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long;
we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are
more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other
creature,
68 shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord." [ROM. 8:35-39.] {GW92 67.3}
"The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder,
and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory
that shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the
oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre,
but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being
ensamples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall
receive a crown of glory that fadeth not
away." [1 PETER 5:1-4.] -- Vol. 2, p. 338.{GW92 68.1}
Bible Examples of Self-Sacrifice.
We feel pained beyond measure to see some of our ministers hovering
about the churches, apparently putting forth some little effort, but having
next to nothing to show for their labors. The field is the
world. Let them go out into the unbelieving world, and labor
to convert souls to the truth. We refer our
brethren and sisters to the example of Abraham going up to Mount Moriah to offer his only son at the command of God. Here
was obedience and sacrifice. Moses was in kingly courts, and a prospective
crown was before him. But he turned away from the tempting bribe, and
"refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to
suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin
for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt." [HEB. 11: 24-26.] {GW92 68.2}
The apostles counted not their lives dear unto themselves, rejoicing
that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Christ. Paul
and Silas suffered the loss of all things. They suffered scourging, and were
in no gentle manner thrown upon the cold floor of a dungeon in a most painful
position, their feet elevated and fastened in the stocks.
69 Did repinings and
complaints then reach the ear of the jailer? O, no! From the inner prison,
voices broke the silence of midnight with songs of joy and praise to God.
These disciples were cheered by a deep and earnest love for the cause of
their Redeemer, for which they suffered. {GW92 68.3}
As the truth of God fills our hearts, absorbs our affections, and controls
our lives, we also will count it joy to suffer for the truth's sake. No
prison walls, no martyr's stake, can then daunt or hinder us in the great
work.
"Come, O my soul, to Calvary." Mark the humble life of the Son of God. He
was a "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." Behold his
ignominy, his agony in Gethsemane, and learn what self-denial is. Are we
suffering want? so was Christ, the Majesty of
heaven; but his poverty was for our sake. Are we ranked among the rich? so was he; but he consented for our sake to become poor,
that we through his poverty might be made rich. In Christ we have self-denial
exemplified. His sacrifice consisted not merely in leaving the royal courts
of heaven, in being tried by wicked men as a criminal and pronounced guilty,
and in being delivered up to die as a malefactor; but in bearing the weight
of the sins of the world. The life of Christ rebukes our indifference and
coldness. We are near the close of time, when Satan has come down, having
great wrath, knowing that his time is short. He is working with all
deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. The warfare has been
left in our hands by our great Leader for us to carry forward with vigor. We are not doing a twentieth part of what we might
do if we were awake. The work is retarded by love of ease, and a lack of the
self-denying spirit of which our Saviour has given us an example in his life,-- Vol. 3, p. 406.
70 {GW92 69.1} Pastoral Labor.
We are living in a most solemn time. All have a work to do requiring
diligence. Especially is this true of the pastor, who is to care for and feed
the flock of God. The one whose special work it is to lead the people into
the path of truth, should be an able expositor of the word, capable of
adapting his teachings to the wants of the people. He should be so closely
connected with Heaven as to become a living channel of light, a mouth-piece
for God. {GW92 70.1} A
pastor should have a correct understanding of the word and also of the human
character. Our faith is unpopular. The people are unwilling to be convinced
that they are so deeply in error; a great work is to be done, and at present
there are but few to do it. One man usually performs the labor
which should be shared by two; for the work of the evangelist is necessarily combined
with that of the pastor, bringing a double burden upon the worker in the
field. {GW92 70.2}
The minister of Christ should be a Bible student, that his mind may be
stored with Bible evidence; for a minister is strong only when he is
fortified with Scripture truth. Argument is good
in its place, but far more can be reached by simple explanations of the word
of God. The lessons of Christ were illustrated so clearly that the lowest and
most simple-minded could readily comprehend them. Jesus did not employ long
and difficult words in his discourses, but used plain language, adapted to
the minds of the common people. He ventured no further into the subject he was
expounding than they were able to follow him. {GW92
70.3}
There are many men of good minds, who are intelligent in regard to the
Scriptures, whose usefulness is greatly hindered by their defective method of
labor. Some ministers who engage in the work of
71 saving souls, fail to secure the best results, because they do not
carry through with thoroughness the work that they began with so much
enthusiasm. Others are not acceptable because they cling tenaciously to
preconceived notions, making these prominent, and thereby failing to conform their teachings to the actual needs of the people.
Many have no idea of the necessity of adapting themselves to circumstances,
and meeting the people where they are. They do not identify themselves with
those whom they wish to help and elevate to the true, Bible standard of
Christianity. {GW92 70.4}
In order to be a truly successful minister, one must wholly consecrate
himself to the work of saving souls. It is highly
essential that he should be closely united with Christ, seeking continual
counsel from him, and depending upon his aid.
Some fail of success because they trust to the strength of argument alone,
and do not cry earnestly to God for his wisdom to direct them and his grace
to sanctify their efforts. Long discourses and tedious prayers are positively
injurious to a religious interest, and fail to carry conviction to the
consciences of the people. This propensity for speech-making frequently
dampens a religious interest that might have produced great results. {GW92
71.1}
The true ambassador of Christ is in perfect union with Him whom he
represents, and his engrossing object is the salvation of souls. The wealth
of earth dwindles into insignificance when compared with the worth of a
single soul for whom our Lord and Master died. He
who weigheth the mountains in scales and the hills
in a balance, regards a human soul as of infinite value. {GW92 71.2}
In the work of the ministry there are battles to fight and victories
to gain. "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth," said
Christ; "I came not to send peace, but a sword." [MATT. 10:34.] The
opening labors of the Christian church were
attended with hardships
72 and bitter griefs, and the successors
of the early apostles find that they must meet with trials similar to theirs;
privations, calumny, and every species of opposition meet them in their labors. They must be men of stanch moral courage and of
spiritual muscle.{GW92 71.3} Great
moral darkness prevails, and only the power of truth can drive away the
shadows from a single mind. We are battling with giant errors and the
strongest prejudices, and without the special help of God our efforts will
fail either to convert souls or to elevate our own moral nature. Human skill
and the very best natural abilities and acquisitions are powerless to quicken
the soul to discern the enormity of sin and to banish it from the heart.
{GW92 72.1} Ministers should be careful not to expect too much from
persons who are still groping in the darkness of error. They should do their work well, relying upon God to impart to
inquiring souls the mysterious, quickening influence of his Holy Spirit,
knowing that without this their labors will be
unsuccessful. They should be
patient and wise in dealing with minds, remembering how manifold are the circumstances that have developed such different traits
in individuals. They should strictly guard themselves also, lest self
should get the supremacy, and Jesus should be left out of the question. {GW92 72.2}
Some ministers fail of success because they do not give their
undivided interest to the work when very much depends upon persistent,
well-directed labor. Many are not laborers; they do not pursue their work outside of the
pulpit. They shirk the duty of going from house to
house and laboring wisely in the home circle. They
need to cultivate that rare Christian courtesy which would render them kind
and considerate toward the souls under their care, working for them with true
earnestness and faith, teaching them the way of life.
73 {GW92 72.3}
Ministers can do much toward molding the
characters of those with whom they are associated. If they are sharp, critical, and exacting, they will be sure
to meet these unhappy elements in the people upon whom their influence is
strongest; though the result is not, perhaps, of the nature which they
desire, yet it is none the less the effect of their own example. {GW92 73.1} It cannot be expected that the people will enjoy peace and
harmony unless their religious teachers, whose footsteps they follow, have
these principles largely developed, and manifest them in their lives. The minister of Christ has great responsibilities to bear, if
he would become an example for his people and a correct exponent of his
Master's doctrine. Men were awed by the
purity and moral dignity of our Saviour, while his unselfish love and gentle
benignity won their hearts. He was the embodiment of perfection. If his
representatives would see fruits attending their labors
similar to those that crowned the ministry of Christ, they should earnestly
strive to imitate his virtues and cultivate those traits of character which
would make them like him. {GW92 73.2}
It requires much forethought and wisdom from God to labor successfully for the salvation of sinners. If the
soul of the laborer is filled with the grace of
God, his teaching will not irritate his hearers, but melt its way to their
hearts, and open them for the reception of the truth. {GW92 73.3}
The workers in the field should not allow themselves to be
discouraged; but whatever their surroundings, they should exercise hope and
faith. The minister's work is but just begun when he has presented the truth
from the pulpit. He is then to become acquainted with his hearers. Many a laborer greatly fails in not coming in close sympathy
with those who most need his help. With the Bible in
his hand, he should seek in a courteous
74 manner to learn the objections which exist in the minds of those who
are beginning to inquire, "What is truth?" {GW92 73.4}
They should be carefully and tenderly led and educated as pupils in
school. Many have to unlearn theories which have been ingrafted
into their lives. As they become convinced that they have been in error
concerning Bible subjects, they are thrown into perplexity and doubt. They need the tenderest sympathy and
the most judicious help; they should be carefully instructed; and should be
prayed for and prayed with, watched and guarded with the kindest solicitude. Those who have fallen under temptation and have backslidden
from God, need help. This class is represented in
the lessons of Christ by the lost sheep. The shepherd left the ninety and
nine in the wilderness, and hunted for the one lost sheep until he found it;
he then returned with rejoicing, bearing it on his shoulder. Also by the illustration
of the woman who searched for the lost piece of silver until she found it,
and called together her neighbors to rejoice with
her that the lost was found. The connection of heavenly angels with the
Christian's work is here brought clearly to light. There is more joy in the
presence of the angels in heaven over one sinner that repents than over
ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance. There is joy with the
Father and with Christ. All heaven is interested in the salvation of man. He who
is instrumental in saving a soul is at liberty to rejoice; for angels of God
have witnessed his efforts with the most intense interest, and rejoice with
him in his success. {GW92 74.1}
How thorough, then, should be the labor and
how deep the sympathy of man for his fellow-man. It is a great privilege to
be a co-worker with Christ in the salvation of souls. He, with patient,
unselfish efforts sought to reach man in his fallen condition, and to rescue
him from the consequences of sin; 75 therefore his disciples, who
are the teachers of his word, should closely imitate their great Exemplar. {GW92 74.2}
It is necessary, in order to pursue this great and arduous work, that
the ministers of Christ should possess physical health. To attain this end,
they must become regular in their habits, and adopt a healthful system of
living. Many are continually complaining and suffering from various
indispositions. This is almost always because they do not labor
wisely, nor observe the laws of health. They frequently
remain too much in-doors, occupying heated rooms
filled with impure air. Here they apply themselves closely to study or
writing, taking little physical exercise, and having little change of
employment. As a consequence, the blood becomes sluggish, and the powers of
the mind are enfeebled. {GW92 75.1}
The whole system needs the invigorating influence of exercise in the
open air. A few hours of manual labor
each day would tend to renew the bodily vigor, and
rest and relax the mind. In this way the general health would be promoted,
and a greater amount of pastoral labor could be
performed. {GW92 75.2}
The incessant reading and writing of many ministers unfits them for
pastoral work. They consume valuable time in abstract study, which should be
expended in helping the needy at the right moment. Some ministers have given
themselves to the work of writing during a period of decided religious
interest, and it has frequently been the case that their writings have had no
special connection with the work in hand. This is a glaring error; for at
such times it is the duty of the minister to use his entire strength in
pushing forward the cause of God. His mind should be clear and centered upon
the one object of saving souls. Should his thoughts be preoccupied with other
subjects, many might be lost to the cause who could have been saved by timely
instruction. Some ministers are easily diverted 76 from their work. They become discouraged, or are attracted to
their homes, and leave a growing interest to die for want of attention. The
harm done to the cause in this way can scarcely be estimated. When an effort
to promulgate the truth is started, the minister in charge should feel
responsible to carry it through successfully. If his labors
appear to be without result, he should seek by earnest prayer to discover if
they are what they should be. He should humble his soul before God in
self-examination, and by faith cling to the divine promises, humbly
continuing his efforts till he is satisfied that he has faithfully discharged
his duty, and done everything in his power to gain the desired result. {GW92
75.3}
Ministers frequently report that they left the best of interest at one
point to enter a new field. This is wrong; they should have finished the work
they began; for in leaving it incomplete, they do more harm than good by
spoiling the field for the next laborer. No field
is so unpromising as that which has been cultivated
just enough to give the weeds a more luxuriant growth. {GW92 76.1} Much prayer, with wise labor, is
needed in new fields. Men of God are wanted, not merely men who can talk, but
those who have an experimental knowledge of the mystery of godliness, and who
can meet the urgent wants of the people,--those who solemnly realize the
importance of their position as servants of Jesus, and will cheerfully take
up the cross that he has taught them how to bear. {GW92 76.2}
When the temptation comes to seclude themselves,
and indulge in reading and writing at a time when other duties claim their
immediate attention, they should be strong enough to deny self, and devote
themselves to the work that lies directly before them. This is undoubtedly
one of the most trying tests that a studious mind is called to undergo. {GW92
76.3}
The duties of a pastor are often shamefully neglected because the
minister lacks strength to sacrifice
77 his personal inclinations for seclusion and study. The pastor should visit from house to house among his flock,
teaching, conversing, and praying with each family, and looking out for the
welfare of their souls. Those who have
manifested a desire to become acquainted with the principles of our faith
should not be neglected, but thoroughly instructed in the truth. No
opportunity to do good should be lost by the
watchful and zealous minister of God. {GW92 76.4}
Certain ministers who have been invited to houses
by the heads of families, have spent the few hours of their visit in
secluding themselves in an unoccupied room to indulge their inclination for
reading and writing. The family that entertained them derived no benefit from
the visit. The ministers accepted the hospitality extended them without
giving an equivalent in the labor that was so much
needed. {GW92 77.1}
People are easily reached through the avenues of the social circle.
But many ministers dread the task of visiting; they have not cultivated
social qualities, have not acquired that genial spirit that wins its way to
the hearts of the people. It is highly important that a pastor should mingle
much with his people, that he may become acquainted with the different phases
of human nature, readily understand the workings of the mind, adapt his
teachings to the intellect of his people, and learn that grand charity
possessed only by those who closely study the nature and needs of men. {GW92 77.2}
Those who seclude themselves from the people are in no condition to
help them. A skillful physician must understand the
nature of various diseases, and must have a thorough knowledge of the human
structure. He must be prompt in attending to the patients. He knows that
delays are dangerous. When his experienced hand is laid upon the pulse of the
sufferer, and he carefully notes the peculiar indication of the malady, his
previous knowledge enables him to determine concerning the nature of
78 the disease and the treatment necessary to arrest its progress.
As the physician deals with physical disease, so does the pastor minister to
the sin-sick soul. And his work is as much more
important than that of the former as eternal life is more valuable than
temporal existence. The pastor meets with an endless variety of temperaments;
and it is his duty to become acquainted with the members of families that
listen to his teachings, in order to determine what means will best influence
them in the right direction.{GW92 77.3}
In view of these grave responsibilities, the question will arise,
"Who is sufficient for these things?" [2 COR. 2:16.] The heart of the laborer will almost
faint as he considers the various arduous duties devolving upon him; but the
words of Christ strengthen the soul with the comforting assurance, "Lo,
I am with you alway, even unto the end of the
world." [MATT. 28:20.] The difficulties
and dangers that threaten the safety of those he loves, should make him
cautious and circumspect in his manner of dealing with them, and watchful of
them as one who must give an account. He should judiciously employ his
influence in winning souls to Christ, and impressing the truth upon inquiring
minds. He should take care that the world, by its delusive attractions, does
not lead them away from God, and steel their hearts against the influence of
his grace. {GW92 78.1}
The minister is not to rule imperiously over the flock intrusted to his care, but to be their ensample, and to
show them the way to heaven. Following the
example of Christ, he should intercede with God for the people of his care
till he sees that his prayers are answered. Jesus exercised human and divine
sympathy toward man. He is our example in all things. God is our father and
governor, and the Christian minister is the representative of his Son on
earth. The principles that rule in heaven should rule upon earth; the same
love that animates the angels, the
79 same purity and holiness that reign in heaven, should, as far as
possible, be reproduced upon earth. God holds the minister responsible for
the power he exercises, but does not justify his servants in perverting that
power into despotism over the flock of their care. {GW92 78.2}
God has given to his servants precious
knowledge of his truth, and he desires that they shall closely connect
themselves with Jesus, and through sympathy draw near to their brethren, that
they may do them all the good that lies in their power. The Redeemer of the
world did not consult his own pleasure, but went about doing good. He bound himself closely
to the Father, that he might bring their united
strength to bear upon the souls of men to save them from eternal ruin. In
like manner should his servants cultivate spirituality if they expect to
succeed in their work. {GW92 79.1}
Jesus pitied poor sinners so much that he left the courts of heaven,
and laid aside the robes of royalty, humiliating himself to humanity, that he
might become acquainted with the needs of man, and help him to rise above the
degradation of the fall. When he has given to man such unquestionable
evidence of his love and tenderest sympathy, how
important that his representatives should imitate his example in coming close
to their fellow-men, and helping them to form a true Christian character. But
some have been too ready to engage in church trials, and have borne sharp and
unsympathizing testimony against the erring. In
thus acting, they have yielded to a natural propensity that should have been
firmly subdued. This is not the calm justice of the Christian executive, but
the harsh criticism of a hasty temperament. {GW92 79.2} The churches need education more than censure. Instead of
blaming them too severely for their want of spirituality and neglect of duty,
the minister should, by precept and example, teach them to grow in grace and
in the knowledge of the truth.
80 {GW92 79.3}
Our ministers who have reached the age of forty or fifty years should
not feel that their labor is less efficient than
formerly. Men of years and experience are just the ones to put forth strong
and well-directed efforts. They are specially needed at this time; the
churches cannot afford to part with them. Such ones should not talk of
physical and mental feebleness, nor feel that their day of usefulness is
over. {GW92 80.1}
Many of them have suffered from severe mental taxation, unrelieved by
physical exercise. The result is a deterioration of their powers, and a
tendency to shirk responsibilities. What they need is more active labor. This is not confined to those whose heads are
white with the frost of time, but men young in years have fallen into the
same state, and have become mentally feeble. They have a list of set
discourses; but if they get beyond the boundaries of these, they lose their
soundings. {GW92 80.2}
The old-fashioned pastor, who traveled on horseback, and spent much
time in visiting his flock, enjoyed much better health, notwithstanding his
hardships and exposures, than our ministers of today, who avoid all physical
exertion as far as possible, and confine themselves to their books. {GW92 80.3}
Ministers of age and experience should feel it their duty, as God's
hired servants, to go forward, progressing every day, continually becoming
more efficient in their work, and constantly gathering
fresh matter to set before the people. Every effort to
expound the gospel should be an improvement upon that which preceded it. Every year they should develop a deeper piety, a tenderer spirit, greater spirituality, and a more
thorough knowledge of Bible truth. The greater their age and experience, the
nearer should they be able to approach the hearts of the people, having a
more perfect knowledge of them.
81 {GW92 80.4}
Men are needed for this time who are not
afraid to lift their voices for the right, whoever may oppose them. They
should be of strong integrity and tried courage. The church calls for them,
and God will work with their efforts to uphold all branches of the gospel
ministry.--Vol. 4, p. 260. - {GW92 81.1}
Faithfulness in Reproving Sin.
God does not desire wooden men to guard the interests of his
institutions and the church, but he wants living, working men,-- men who have
ability and quick perception, men who have eyes, and open them that they may
see, and hearts that are susceptible to the influences of his Spirit. He
holds men to a strict accountability in guarding the interests of his cause.
. . . {GW92 81.2}
As the people stood before Mount Sinai, listening to the voice of God,
they were so forcibly impressed with his sacred presence that they retreated
in terror, and cried out to Moses, "Speak thou with us, and we will
hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." [EX. 20:19.] There
before the mount they made solemn vows of allegiance to God; but scarcely had
the thunders, and the trumpet, and the voice of the Lord ceased, when they
were bowed upon their knees before an idol. Their leader had been called away
from their sight, and was enveloped in a thick cloud, in converse with God.
{GW92 81.3}
The fellow laborer of Moses, who was left
with the solemn charge of the people in his absence, heard them
uttering complaints that Moses had left them, and expressing a desire to
return to Egypt; yet, through fear of
offending the people, he was silent. He did not stand up boldly for God; but
to please the people he made a golden calf.
He
82 seemed to be asleep to the beginning of the evil. When the first
rebellious word was spoken, Aaron might have checked it; but so fearful was
he of offending the people, that he apparently united with them, and was
finally persuaded to make a golden calf for them to worship. {GW92 81.4} Ministers should be faithful watchmen, seeing the evil and
warning the people. Their dangers must be set before them continually, and
pressed home upon them. The exhortation
given to Timothy was, "Reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering
and doctrine." [2 TIM 4:2.] . . . {GW92 82.1}
God wants men to cultivate force of character. Those who are merely time-servers are not the ones
who will receive a rich reward by and by. He wants those who labor in his cause to be men of keen feeling and quick
perception. They should be temperate in eating; rich and luxurious food
should find no place upon their tables; and when the brain
is constantly taxed, and there is a lack of physical exercise, they should
eat sparingly, even of plain food. Daniel's clearness
of mind and firmness of purpose, his strength of intellect in acquiring
knowledge, were due in a great degree to the plainness of his diet, in
connection with his life of prayer. {GW92 82.2}
Eli was a good man, pure in morals; but he was too indulgent. He
incurred the displeasure of God because he did not strengthen the weak points
in his character. He did not want to hurt the feelings of any one, and had
not the moral courage to rebuke and reprove sin. His sons were vile men; yet
he did not remove them from their position of trust. These sons profaned the
house of God. He knew this, and felt sad in consequence of it, for he loved
purity and righteousness; but he had not sufficient moral force to suppress
the evil. He loved peace and harmony, and became more and more insensible to
impurity and crime. But the great God takes the
83 matter in hand himself. When the rebuke falls upon him, through the
instrumentality of a child, he accepts it, feeling that it is what he
deserves. He does not show any resentment toward Samuel, the messenger of
God; he loves him as he has done, but condemns himself. {GW92 82.3}
The guilty sons of Eli were slain in battle. He could endure to hear
that his sons were slain, but he could not bear the news that the ark of God
was taken. He knew that his sin of neglect in failing to stand for the right
and restrain wrong had at last deprived Israel of her strength and glory. The
pallor of death came upon his face, and he fell backward and died. {GW92
83.1}
What a lesson have we here for parents and guardians of youth, and for
those who minister in the service of God. When existing evils are not met and
checked, because men have too little courage to reprove wrong, or because
they have too little interest or are too indolent to tax their own powers in
putting forth earnest efforts to purify the family or the church of God, they
are accountable for the evil which may result in consequence of neglect to do
their duty. We are just as accountable for evils that we
might have checked in others, by reproof, by warning, by exercise of parental
or pastoral authority, as if we were guilty of the acts ourselves. {GW92 83.2} Eli should have first attempted to restrain evil by mild
measures; but if that would not avail, he should have subdued the wrong by
the sternest measures. God's honor must be sacredly preserved, even if it separates us
from the nearest relative. One defect in a man otherwise talented may destroy
his usefulness in this life, and cause him to hear in the day of God the
unwelcome words, "Depart from me, ye that work iniquity." [MATT.
7:23.] {GW92 83.3}
Eli was gentle, loving, and kind, and had a true interest in the
service of God and the prosperity
84 of his cause. He was a man who had power in prayer. He never
rose up in rebellion against the words of God. But he was wanting; he did not have firmness of character to reprove sin and
execute justice against the sinner, so that God could depend upon him to keep
Israel pure. He did not add to his faith the courage and
power to say "No" at the right time and in the right place. Sin is
sin; righteousness is righteousness. The trumpet note of warning must be
sounded. We are living in a fearfully wicked age. The worship of God will
become corrupted unless there are wide-awake men at every post of duty. It is
no time now for any to be absorbed in selfish ease. Not one of the words
which God has spoken must be allowed to fall to the ground.--Vol. 4, p. 513.
- {GW92 83.4} I
was pointed back, and saw that in every important move, every decision made
or point gained by God's people, some have arisen to carry matters to
extremes, and to move in an extravagant manner, which has disgusted
unbelievers, distressed God's people, and brought the cause of God into
disrepute. The people whom God is leading out in these
last days will be troubled with just such things. But much evil will be
avoided if the ministers of Christ will be of one mind, united in their plans
of action, and united in effort. If they will stand
together, sustain one another, and faithfully reprove and rebuke wrong,
they will soon cause it to wither. But Satan has
controlled these matters very much. Private members and even preachers have
sympathized with disaffected ones who have been reproved for their wrongs,
and division of feeling has been the result. The
one who has ventured out and discharged his disagreeable duty by faithfully
meeting error and wrong, is grieved and wounded that he receives not the
fullest sympathy of his preaching brethren. He becomes discouraged in
discharging these painful
85 duties, lays down the cross, and withholds the pointed testimony.
His soul is shut up in darkness, and the church suffers for the lack of the
very testimony which God designed should live among his people. Satan's object is
gained when the faithful testimony is suppressed. Those who so readily
sympathize with the wrong, consider it a virtue; but
they realize not that they are exerting a scattering influence, and that they
themselves help to carry out Satan's plans.
{GW92 84.1} I
saw that many souls have been destroyed because their brethren unwisely
sympathized with them, when their only hope was to be left to see and realize
the full extent of their wrongs. But as they eagerly accept the sympathy of
unwise brethren, they receive the idea that they are abused; and if they
attempt to retrace their steps, they make half-hearted work. They divide the
matter to suit their natural feelings, lay blame upon the reprover, and so patch up the matter. It is not probed to the bottom, and is not healed, and they
again fall into the same wrong, because they were not left to feel the extent
of their wrong, and humble themselves before God and let him build them up. False sympathizers have worked in direct opposition to the
mind of Christ and ministering angels. {GW92 85.1} Ministers of Christ should arise and engage in the work of God
with all their energies. God's servants are not excused if they shun pointed
testimony. They should reprove and rebuke wrong, and not suffer sin upon a
brother.-- Vol. 1, p. 212.
- {GW92 85.2}
Never was there greater need of faithful warnings and reproofs, and
close, straight dealing, than at this very time. Satan has come down with great power, knowing that his time
is short. He is flooding the world with pleasing fables, and the people of God love to have smooth things spoken to
them. Sin and iniquity are not abhorred. I was shown that
86 God's people must make more firm, determined
efforts to press back the incoming darkness. The
close work of the Spirit of God is needed now as never before. Stupidity must
be shaken off. We must arouse from the lethargy that will prove our
destruction unless we resist it. Satan has a powerful, controlling influence
upon minds. Preachers and people are in danger of being
found upon the side of the powers of darkness. There is no such thing now as
a neutral position. We are all decidedly for the right, or decidedly with the
wrong. Christ said, "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth
abroad." [MATT. 12:30.]{GW92
85.3} There are ever to be found those who will sympathize with
those who are wrong. Satan had
sympathizers in heaven, and took large numbers of the angels with him. God
and Christ and heavenly angels were on one side, and
Satan on the other. Notwithstanding the infinite power and majesty of God and
Christ, angels became disaffected. The insinuations of Satan took effect, and
they really came to believe that the Father and the Son were their enemies,
and that Satan was their benefactor. Satan has the same power and the same
control over minds now, only it has increased a hundred-fold by exercise and
experience. Men and women today are deceived, blinded by
his insinuations and devices, and know it not. By giving place to doubts and
unbelief in regard to the work of God, and by cherishing feelings of distrust
and cruel jealousies, they are preparing themselves for complete deception.
They rise up with bitter feelings against the ones who dare to speak of their
errors and reprove their sins.-- Vol. 3, p. 327. {GW92 86.1} The servants of God should manifest a tender, compassionate
spirit, and show to all that they are not actuated by any personal motives in
their dealings with the people, and that they do not take
87 delight in giving messages of wrath in the name of the Lord. But
they must never flinch from pointing out the sins that are
corrupting the professed people of God, nor cease striving to
influence them to turn from their errors and obey the Lord. {GW92 86.2} Those who seek to cloak sin, and make it appear less
aggravated to the mind of the offender, are doing the work of the false
prophets, and may expect the retributive wrath of God to follow such a
course. The Lord will never accommodate his ways to the wishes of
corrupt men. The false prophet condemned Jeremiah for afflicting the
people with his severe denunciations; and he sought to reassure them by
promising them prosperity, thinking that the poor people should not be
continually reminded of their sins and threatened with punishment. This
course strengthened the people to resist the true prophet's counsel, and
intensified their enmity toward him. {GW92
87.1} God has no sympathy with the evil-doer. He gives no one
liberty to gloss over the sins of his people, nor to
cry, "Peace! peace!" when he has declared
that there shall be no peace for the wicked. Those who stir up rebellion
against the servants whom God sends to deliver his messages, are rebelling
against the word of the Lord.-- Vol. 4, p. 185. {GW92 87.2}
Ministers who are preaching present truth should not neglect the
solemn message to the Laodiceans. The testimony of the True Witness is not a smooth message. The
Lord does not say to them, "You are about right; you have borne
chastisement and reproof that you never deserved; you have been unnecessarily
discouraged by severity; you are not guilty of the wrongs and sins for which
you have been reproved." {GW92 87.3}
The True Witness declares that when you suppose you are really in a
good condition of prosperity, you are in need of everything. . . . Because
Christ 88 bears this rebuking testimony, shall we suppose that he is
destitute of tender love to his people?--O, no! He who died to redeem man
from death, loves with a divine love, and those whom he loves he rebukes.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten." [REV. 3:19.] --Vol. 3,
p. 257.
- {GW92 87.4}
You profess to be a watchman on the walls of Zion, [FROM A PERSONAL
TESTIMONY] a shepherd to the flock, yet you saw the poor sheep torn and
scattered, and gave no warning. "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman
unto the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them
warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt
surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save
his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I
require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his
wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy
soul." "Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the
righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is
warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul." [EZE. 3:17-19, 21.] [Another clear example of corporate responsibility—rwb] . . . What is a
watchman for, unless it be to watch for evil and
give the warning? What is a shepherd for, unless it be
to watch for every danger lest the sheep be harmed and destroyed by wolves?
What excuse could a shepherd plead for suffering the flock to stray from the
true pasture, and be torn and scattered and devoured by wolves? How would an
excuse stand made by the shepherd that the sheep led him astray? that they left the true pasture, and led him out of the
way? Such a plea would tell with force against that shepherd's ability to
watch over the sheep. No more confidence could be placed in him as a faithful
shepherd to care for the sheep, and bring them back as they might stray from
the right path.-- Vol. 1, p. 313. 89 {GW92 88.1} I saw that when the messengers enter a new place, their labor is worse than lost unless they bear a plain,
pointed testimony. They should keep up the distinction between the church of
Christ and formal, dead professors. There was a failure in this respect in
---- [FROM A PERSONAL TESTIMONY] . . . It should have been urged upon the
people that we possess truths of vital importance, and that their eternal
interest depended upon the decision they there made; that in order to be
sanctified through the truth, they would have to give up their idols, confess
their sins, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance. {GW92 89.1}
Those who engage in the solemn work of bearing the third angel's
message, must move out decidedly, and in the Spirit and power of God fearlessly preach the truth, and let it cut. They should elevate the standard of truth, and urge the
people to come up to it. It has too frequently been lowered to meet the
people in their condition of darkness and sin. It is the pointed testimony that will bring them up to decide.
A peaceful testimony will not do this. The people have the
privilege of listening to this kind of teaching from popular pulpits; but
those servants to whom God has intrusted the
solemn, fearful message which is to bring out and fit up a people for the
coming of Christ, should bear a plain, pointed testimony. Our truth is
as much more solemn than that of nominal professors, as the heavens are
higher than the earth. {GW92 89.2}
The people are asleep in their sins, and need to be alarmed before
they can shake off this lethargy. Their ministers have preached smooth
things; but God's servants, who bear sacred, vital truths, should cry aloud
and spare not, that the truth may tear off the garment of security, and find
its way to the heart.-- Vol. 1, p. 248.
- {GW92 89.3}
Those who have been thrust out to bear a plain, pointed testimony, in
the fear of God to reprove
90 wrong, to labor
with all their energies to build up God's people, and to establish them upon
important points of present truth, have too often received censure instead of
sympathy and help, while those who, like yourself, [FROM A PERSONAL
TESTIMONY] have taken a non-committal position, are thought to be devoted,
and to have a mild spirit. God does not thus regard them. The forerunner of Christ's first advent was a very
plain-spoken man. He rebuked sin, and called things by their right names.
He laid the ax at the root of the tree. He thus
addressed one class of professed converts who came to be baptized of him in
Jordan: "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the
wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. . . . And now
also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees:
therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good
fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." [MATT. 3:7-10.]{GW92 89.4}
In this fearful time, just before Christ is to come the second time,
God's faithful preachers will have to bear a still more pointed testimony
than was borne by John the Baptist. A responsible, important work is before
them; and those who speak smooth things, God will not acknowledge as his shepherds. A
fearful woe is upon them.-- Vol. 1, p. 321.
- {GW92 90.1} Ministers of the present truth, while they bear a pointed
testimony, reproving individual wrongs and seeking to tear away the idols
from the camp of Israel, should manifest forbearance. They should preach the
truth in its solemnity and importance, and if this finds its way to the
heart, it will accomplish that for the receiver which nothing else can. But
if the truth spoken in the demonstration of the Spirit,
does not cut away the idols, it will be of no avail to denounce and bear down
upon the individual. It may appear that some are joined to their idols,
yet I saw that we should be very reluctant to give up the poor, deceived ones. We should ever 91 bear in mind that we are all erring mortals, and that Christ
exercises much pity for our weakness, and loves us although we err. If God
should deal with us as we often deal with one another, we should be consumed.
While ministers preach the plain, cutting
truth, they must let the truth do the cutting and hewing, not do it
themselves. They should lay
the ax--the truths of God's word--at the root of
the tree, and something will be accomplished. Pour
out the testimony just as straight as it is found in the word of God, with
a heart full of the warming, quickening influence of his Spirit, all in
tenderness, yearning for souls, and work among God's people will be effectual.--
Vol. 1, p. 383. {GW92 90.2}
Compassion for the Erring.
Christ identified himself with the necessities of his people. Their
needs and their sufferings were his. He says, "I was a hungered, and ye
gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye
took me in; naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in
prison, and ye came unto me." [MATT 25:35, 36.] God's servants should
have hearts of tender affection and sincere love for the followers of Christ.
They should manifest that deep interest that Christ brings to view in the
care of the shepherd for the lost sheep; they should follow the example given
by Christ, and exercise the same compassion and gentleness, and the same
tender, pitying love that he has exercised toward us. {GW92 91.1}
The great moral powers of the soul are faith,
hope, and love. If these are inactive, a minister may be ever so earnest and
zealous, but his labor will not be accepted by God,
and cannot be productive of good to the church. A minister of Christ who
bears the solemn message from God to the people, should
92 ever deal justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before God. The spirit of Christ in the heart will incline every power of
the soul to nourish and protect the sheep of his pasture, like a faithful,
true shepherd. Love is the golden chain which binds believing hearts to
one another in willing bonds of friendship, tenderness, and faithful
constancy; and which binds the soul to God. There is a decided lack of
love, compassion, and pitying tenderness among brethren. The ministers of
Christ are too cold and heartless. Their hearts are not all aglow with tender
compassion and earnest love. The purest and most elevated devotion to God is
that which is manifested in the most earnest desires and efforts to win souls
to Christ. The reason ministers who preach present
truth are not more successful is, they are
deficient, greatly deficient, in faith, hope, and love. There are toils and conflicts, self-denials and secret
heart-trials, for us all to meet and bear. There will be sorrow and tears for
our sins; there will be constant struggles and watchings,
mingled with remorse and shame because of our deficiencies. {GW92 91.2}
Let not the ministers of the cross of our dear Saviour forget their
own experience in these things; but let them ever
bear in mind that they are but men, liable to err, and possessing like
passions with their brethren; and that if they help their brethren, they must
be persevering in their efforts to do them good, having their hearts filled
with pity and love. They must come to the hearts of their brethren, and help them
where they are weak and need help the most. Those who labor
in word and doctrine should break their own hard, proud, unbelieving hearts,
if they would witness the same in their brethren. Christ has done all for us, because we were helpless; we were
bound in chains of darkness, sin, and despair, and could therefore do nothing
for ourselves. It is through the
exercise of faith, hope, and love that we come nearer and nearer to the
standard of perfect
93 holiness. Our brethren feel the same need of pitying help that we have
felt. We should not burden them with unnecessary censure, but should let the
love of Christ constrain us to be very compassionate and tender, that we can weep over the erring and those who have backslidden from
God. The soul is of infinite value. Its worth can be estimated only by the price paid to
ransom it. Calvary! Calvary! Calvary! will explain
the true value of the soul.-- Vol. 3, p. 186. {GW92 92.1} If,
after one has done the best he can in his judgment, another thinks he can see
where he could have improved the matter, he should kindly and patiently give
the brother the benefit of his judgment, but should not censure him nor
question his integrity of purpose any sooner than he himself would wish to be
suspected or unjustly censured. If the brother who feels the cause of
God at heart, sees that, in his earnest efforts to do, he has made a failure,
he will feel deeply over the matter; for he will be inclined to distrust
himself, and to lose confidence in his own judgment. Nothing will so weaken
his courage and godlike manhood as to realize his mistakes in the work that
God has appointed him to do,--a work which he loves better than his life. How
unjust, then, for his brethren who discover his errors to keep pressing the
thorn deeper and deeper into his heart, to make him feel more intensely, when
with every thrust they are weakening his faith and courage, and his
confidence in himself to work successfully in the upbuilding
of the cause of God. {GW92 93.1} Frequently
the truth and facts are to be plainly spoken to the erring, to make them see
and feel their error, that they may reform. But this
should ever be done with pitying tenderness, not with harshness or severity,
but considering one's own weakness, lest he also be tempted. When the one at
fault sees and acknowledges his error, then, instead of grieving
94 him, and seeking to make him feel more deeply, comfort should be
given. In the sermon of Christ upon the mount, he
said, "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with
what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it
shall be measured to you again." [MATT. 7:1-4.] Our Saviour reproved for rash judgment. "Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's
eye," "and, behold, a beam is in thine
own eye?" [MATT. 7:1-4.] It is frequently the
case that while one is quick to discern the errors of his brethren, he may be
in greater faults himself, but be blind to them. {GW92 93.2} All who are followers of Christ should deal with one another
exactly as we wish the Lord to deal with us in our errors and weaknesses; for
we are all erring, and need his pity and forgiveness. Jesus consented to take human nature, that he might know how
to pity, and how to plead with his Father in behalf of sinful, erring
mortals. He volunteered to become man's advocate, and he humiliated himself
to become acquainted with the temptations wherewith man was beset, that he
might succor those who should be tempted, and be a tender and faithful high priest. {GW92 94.1}
Frequently there is necessity for plainly rebuking sin and reproving
wrong. But ministers who are working for the
salvation of their fellow-men, should not be pitiless toward the errors of
one another, nor make prominent the defects in their organizations. They should not
expose or reprove their weaknesses. They should inquire if such a course,
pursued by another toward themselves, would bring
about the desired effect; would it increase their love for, and confidence
in, the one who thus made prominent their mistakes? Especially should the mistakes of ministers who are engaged
in the work of God be kept within as small a circle as possible; for there
are many weak ones who will take advantage if they are aware that those who
minister in word and
95 doctrine have weaknesses like other men. And it is a most cruel thing for the faults of a minister to
be exposed to unbelievers, if that minister is counted worthy to labor in [the] future for the salvation of souls. No good can come of this exposure, but only harm. The Lord
frowns upon this course, for it is undermining the confidence of the people
in those whom he accepts to carry forward his work. The character of every laborer should be jealously guarded by brother ministers.
God says, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm." [1
CHRON. 16:22.] Love and confidence should be cherished. A lack of this love
and confidence in one minister for another does not increase the happiness of
the one thus deficient, but as he makes his brother unhappy, he is unhappy
himself. There is greater power in love than was ever found in censure. Love
will melt its way through barriers, while censure will close up every avenue
of the soul. . . . {GW92 94.2}
In the prayer that Christ taught his disciples was the request, Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who
trespass against us. We cannot repeat this prayer from the heart, and dare to
be unforgiving; for we ask the Lord to forgive our trespasses against him in
the same manner as we forgive those who trespass against us. But few realize
the true import of this prayer. If those who are unforgiving did comprehend
the depth of its meaning, they would not dare to repeat it, and ask God to
deal with them as they deal with their fellow-mortals. And yet this spirit of
hardness and lack of forgiveness exists, even among brethren, to a fearful
extent. Brother is exacting with brother.-- Vol. 3,
p. 92.
96 {GW92 95.1}
Decision and Promptness in the Work of
God.
Independent men of earnest endeavor are
needed, not men as impressible as putty. Those who want their work made ready
to their hand, who desire a fixed amount to do and a fixed salary, and who
wish to prove an exact fit without the trouble of adaptation or training, are
not the men whom God calls to work in his cause. A man who cannot adapt his
abilities to almost any place if necessity requires, is not the man for this
time. Men whom God will connect with his work are not limp and fiberless, without muscle or moral force of character. It
is only by continued and persevering labor that men
can be disciplined to bear a part in the work of God. These men should not
become discouraged if circumstances and surroundings are the most unfavorable. They should not give up their purpose as a
complete failure until they are convinced beyond a doubt that they cannot do
much for the honor of God and the good of souls.
{GW92 96.1}
There are men who flatter themselves that they might do something
great and good if they were only circumstanced differently, while they make
no use of the faculties they already have by working in the positions where
providence has placed them. Man can make his circumstances, but circumstances
should never make the man. Man should seize circumstances as his instruments
with which to work. He should master circumstances, but should never allow
circumstances to master him. Individual independence and individual power are
the qualities now needed. Individual character need not be sacrificed, but it
should be modulated, refined, elevated. . . .
97 {GW92 96.2}
The cause of God demands men who can see quickly and act
instantaneously at the right time and with power. If you wait to measure
every difficulty and balance every perplexity you meet, you will do but
little. You will have obstacles and difficulties to encounter at every turn,
and you must with firm purpose decide to conquer them, or they will conquer
you. {GW92 97.1}
Sometimes various ways and purposes, different modes of operation in
connection with the work of God, are about evenly balanced in the mind; but
it is at this very point that the nicest discrimination is necessary. And if
anything is accomplished to the purpose, it must be done at the golden moment.
The slightest inclination of the weight in the balance should be seen, and
should determine the matter at once. Long delays tire the angels. It is even
more excusable to make a wrong decision sometimes than to be continually in a
wavering position; to be hesitating, sometimes inclined in one direction,
then in another. More perplexity and wretchedness result from thus hesitating
and doubting than from sometimes moving too hastily. {GW92 97.2} I
have been shown that the most signal victories and the most fearful defeats
have been on the turn of minutes. God requires promptness of action. Delays, doubtings, hesitation, and indecision frequently give the
enemy every advantage. . . . {GW92 97.3}
The timing of things may tell much in favor
of truth. Victories are frequently lost through delays. There will be crises
in this cause. Prompt and decisive action at the right time will gain
glorious triumphs, while delay and neglect will result in great failures and
positive dishonor to God. Rapid movements at the
critical moment often disarm the enemy, and he is disappointed and
vanquished, for he had expected time to lay plans and work by artifice. {GW92
97.4}
God wants men connected with his work in Battle Creek whose judgment
is at hand, whose minds,
98 when it is necessary, will act like the lightning. The greatest
promptness is positively necessary in the hour of peril and danger. Every
plan may be well laid to accomplish certain results, and yet a delay of a
very short time may leave things to assume an entirely different shape, and
the great objects which might have been gained are lost through lack of quick
foresight and prompt dispatch. Much may be done in training the mind to
overcome indolence. There are times when caution and great deliberation are
necessary; rashness would be folly. But even here, much has been lost by too
great hesitancy. Caution, up to a certain point, is required; but hesitancy
and policy on particular occasions have been more disastrous than would have
been a failure through rashness.--Vol. 3, p. 496.
- {GW92 97.5} Thoroughness in the Work. A
solemn responsibility rests upon the ministers of Christ to do their work
with thoroughness. Many have left some portion of the work undone because it
was not agreeable, expecting the next coming minister to finish it up for
them. They would better not engage in the work unless they can bind it off
thoroughly, so that it may not ravel out. They should lead the young
disciples along wisely and judiciously, step by step, onward and upward,
until every essential point has been brought before them. {GW92 98.1} A
mere assent to the truth is not enough. There must be prayerful labor with those who embrace the truth, until they shall
be convicted of their sins and shall seek God and be converted. Then they
should be instructed in regard to the claims of God upon them in tithes and
offerings. They must learn that the tithing system is binding upon God's
people in these last days as truly as it was upon ancient Israel.
99 The tract and missionary work should be
presented before them. Nothing should be kept back. But all points of truth
should not be given abruptly in the first few lectures; gradually,
cautiously, with his own heart imbued with the spirit of the work of God, the
teacher should give meat in due season. {GW92 98.2}
Ministers too frequently neglect these important branches of the
work,--health reform, spiritual gifts, systematic benevolence, and the great
branches of the missionary work. Under their labors,
large numbers may embrace the theory of the truth, but in time it is found
that there are many who will not bear the proving of God. If the teacher of
truth had brought these converts along as he should have done, presenting
before them the obligation which rested upon them, many who afterward drew
back to perdition might have been saved. {GW92 99.1}
When a second minister follows the first, and in the fear of God
presents the practical duties, the claims of God upon his people, some draw back, saying, "The minister
who brought us the truth did not mention these things. We have been deceived.
These things were kept back." And they become offended because of the
word. Some will not accept the tithing system; they turn away, and no longer
walk with those who believe and love the truth. When the tract and missionary
field is opened before them, inviting them to work in it, they answer,
"It was not so taught us," and they hesitate to engage in the work.
How much better it would be for the cause if the messenger of truth had
faithfully and thoroughly educated these converts in regard to all these
essential matters, even if there were fewer whom he could number as having
been added to the church under his labors. {GW92
99.2}
Ministers must impress upon those for whom they labor
the importance of bearing burdens in connection with the work of God. The
people must be taught that every department of the work of God
100 should enlist their support and engage their interest. The great
missionary field is open to us, and the subject must be agitated, agitated,
again and again. The people must understand that it is not the hearers of the
word but the doers of the word who will have eternal life. Not one is
exempted from this work of benevolence. All who become partakers of the grace
of Christ are not only to communicate of their substance to advance the
truth, but to give themselves to God without reserve.--MS. - {GW92 99.3} Division of Labor. A
serious and perhaps unsuspected hindrance to the success of the truth is to
be found in our churches themselves. When an effort is made to present our
faith to unbelievers, the members of the church too often stand back, as
though they were not an interested party, and let all the burden rest upon
the minister. For this reason the labor of our most
able ministers has been at times productive of little good. The very best
sermons may be preached, the message may be just what the people need, and
yet no souls are gained as sheaves to present to Christ. In laboring where there are some already in the faith, the
minister should at first seek not so much to convert unbelievers as to secure
his army of workers. Let him labor for the members
of the church individually, seeking to arouse them to gain a deeper
experience themselves, and to work for others. When the members of the church
are prepared to sustain the minister by their prayers and labors,
greater success will attend his efforts.--MS.
- {GW92 100.1} I
saw that nothing lasting can be accomplished for churches in different places
unless they are aroused 101 to feel that a responsibility rests upon them. Every member of
the body should feel that the salvation of his own soul depends upon his own
individual effort. Souls cannot be saved without exertion. The minister
cannot save the people. He can be a channel through which God will impart
light to his people; but after the light is given, it is left with the people
to appropriate that light, and, in their turn, let it shine forth to
others.--Vol. 2, p. 121.
- {GW92 100.2}
The minister should not feel that it is his duty to do all the talking
and all the laboring and all the praying; but he
should educate workers in every church. Let different ones take turns in
leading the meetings, and in giving Bible readings, and in so doing you will
be calling into use the talents which God has given you, and at the same time
educating workers. {GW92 101.1}
"In some respects the pastor occupies a position similar to that
of the foreman of a gang of laboring men or the
captain of a ship's crew. They are expected to see that the men over whom they are set, do the work assigned to them
correctly and promptly, and if occasion shall require it, only in case of
emergency are they to execute in detail. {GW92 101.2}
"The owner of a large mill once found his superintendent in a
wheel-pit, making some simple repairs, while a half-dozen
workmen in that line were standing by, idly looking on. The proprietor, after
learning the facts so as to be sure that no injustice be done, called the
foreman to his office, and handed him his discharge and full pay. In surprise
the foreman asked for an explanation. It was given in these words: 'I
employed you to keep six men at work. I found the six idle, and you doing the
work of but one, and your work could have been done just as well by any one
of the six. I cannot afford to pay the wages of seven for you to teach the
six how to be idle.'
102 {GW92 101.3}
"This incident may be applicable in some cases, in others not.
But many pastors fail in not knowing how, or in not trying, to get the full
membership of the church actively engaged in the various departments of
church work. If pastors would give more attention to getting and keeping
their flock actively at work, they would accomplish more good, have more time
for study and religious visiting, and also avoid many causes of
friction." {GW92 102.1}
Some, through inexperience, will make mistakes, but should be kindly
shown how they can do their work better. And thus you can be educating, until
you have men and women of experience in the cause of God, who can bear
responsibilities, and who will be prepared for the good work that is
suffering so much for the want of laborers. We need
men who can take responsibilities; and the best way for them to gain the
experience they need, is to engage with heart and mind in the work.--MS.
- {GW92 102.2}
A Personal Faith in Christ Our Greatest Need.
"Ye shall be witnesses unto me." [ACTS 1:8] These words of
Jesus have lost none of their force. Our Saviour calls for faithful witnesses
in these days of religious formalism. But how few, even among the professed
ambassadors for Christ, are ready to give a faithful, personal testimony for
their Master. Many can tell what the great and good men of generations past
have done, and dared, and suffered, and enjoyed. They become eloquent in setting
forth the power of the gospel, which has enabled others to rejoice in trying
conflicts and to stand firm against fierce temptations. But while so earnest
in bringing forward other Christians as witnesses for Jesus, they 103 seem to have no fresh, timely experience of their own to relate.
{GW92 102.3}
Ministers of Christ, what have you to say for yourselves? What soul
conflicts have you entered that have been for your good, for the good of
souls, and for the glory of God? You who profess to be proclaiming the last
solemn message to the world, what is your experience in the knowledge of the
truth, and its effect upon your own hearts? Does your character testify for
Christ? Can you speak of the refining, ennobling, sanctifying influence of
the truth as it is in Jesus? What have you seen, and what have you known, of
the power of Christ? This is the kind of witness for which the Lord calls,
and for which the churches are suffering.--MS.
- {GW92 103.1}
The thought that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us, not
because of any merit on our part, but as a free gift from God, is a precious
thought. The enemy of God and man is not willing that this truth should be
clearly presented; for he knows that if the people receive it fully, his
power will be broken. If he can control minds so that doubt and unbelief and
darkness shall compose the experience of those who claim to be the children
of God, he can overcome them with temptation. That simple faith that takes
God at his word should be encouraged. God's people must have that faith which
will lay hold of divine power; "for by grace are ye saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." [EPH. 2:8.] Those
who believe that God for Christ's sake has forgiven their sins should not,
through temptation, fail to press on to fight the good fight of faith. Their
faith should grow stronger until their Christian life, as well as their
words, shall declare, "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth
us from all sin." {GW92 103.2}
If we would have the spirit and power of the third angel's message, we
must present the law and the 104 gospel together, for they go hand in hand. As a power from beneath
is stirring up the children of disobedience to make void the law of God, and
to trample upon the faith of Christ as our righteousness, a power from above
is moving upon the hearts of those who are loyal, to exalt the law, and to
lift up Jesus as a complete Saviour. Unless divine power is brought into the
experience of the people of God, false theories and erroneous ideas will take
minds captive, Christ and his righteousness will be dropped out of the
experience of many, and their faith will be without power or life. Such will
not have a daily, living experience of the love of God in the heart; and if
they do not zealously repent, they will be among those who are represented by
the Laodiceans, who will be spewed out of the mouth
of God. {GW92 103.3}
The Lord can do little for his people, because of their limited faith.
The ministers have not presented Christ in his fullness to the people, either
in the churches or in new fields, and the people have not an intelligent
faith. They have not been instructed as they should have been, that Christ is
unto them salvation and righteousness. It is Satan's studied purpose to keep
souls from believing in Christ as their only hope; for the blood of Christ
that cleanseth from all sin is efficacious in
behalf of those only who believe in its merit, and who present it before the
Father as did Abel in his offering. {GW92 104.1}
The offering of Cain was an offense to God, because it was a Christless offering. The burden of our message is not
only the commandments of God, but the faith of Jesus. A bright light shines
upon our pathway today, and it leads to increased faith in Jesus. We must
receive every ray of light, and walk in it, that it may not be our
condemnation in the Judgment. Our duties and obligations become more
important as we obtain more distinct views of truth. Light makes manifest and
reproves the errors that were concealed in darkness; and as light comes,
105 the life and character of men must change correspondingly, to be
in harmony with it. Sins that were once sins of ignorance because of the
blindness of the mind, can no more be indulged in
without incurring guilt. As increased light is given, men must be reformed,
elevated, and refined by it, or they will be more perverse and stubborn than
before the light came.--MS.
- {GW92 104.2}
In every church there is need of the simplicity of living, abiding
faith. The people are starving for the bread of life. The teachers of the
word need the unction from the Holy One. Because they are not united to
Christ by faith, their spiritual perceptions are not acute to discern the
working of the Spirit of God. Earthliness, carnality, marks the experience of
many, making them bodies of darkness rather than of light. Hence there are
jealousies, envyings, and divisions. Many are
trying to patch up an old experience, instead of turning to Christ in
penitence and faith. There are some of this class who have an understanding
of the theory of the truth, and desire to labor for
others; but their efforts will be in vain, for their own souls are not aglow
with the love of Jesus. {GW92 105.1}
Without a living faith in Christ as a personal Saviour, it is
impossible to make our influence felt in a skeptical
world. If you would draw sinners out of the swift-running current, your own
feet must not stand on slippery places. He who has his own heart imbued with
the love of Jesus can feed the flock of God. He has a living experience, and
can say with the apostle John, "That which was from the beginning, which
we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon,
and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; . . . that which we have
seen and heard declare we unto you." [1 JOHN 1:1-3.] --MS.
106 {GW92 105.2} Meditation and Prayer.
God should be the highest object of our thoughts. Meditating upon him,
and pleading with him, elevates the soul and quickens the affections. A
neglect of meditation and prayer will surely result in a declension in religious
interests. Then will be seen carelessness and slothfulness. Religion is not
merely an emotion, a feeling. It is a principle that is interwoven with all
the daily duties and transactions of life. Nothing will be entertained,
no business engaged in, that will prevent the accompaniment of this
principle. To retain pure and undefiled religion it is necessary to be
workers, persevering in effort. We must do something ourselves. No one else
can do our work. None but ourselves can work out our salvation with fear and
trembling. This is the very work which the Lord has left for us to do. . . .
{GW92 106.1}
Decided perseverance in a course of righteousness, disciplining the
mind by religious exercises to love, devotion, and heavenly things, will
bring the greatest amount of happiness. {GW92 106.2}
If we make God our trust, we have it in our power to control the mind
in these things. Through continued exercise, it will become strong to battle
with internal foes, and to subdue self, until there is a complete
transformation, and the passions, appetites, and will are brought into
perfect subjection. Then there will be daily piety at home and abroad, and
when we engage in labor for souls, a power will
attend our efforts. The humble Christian will have seasons of devotion which
are not spasmodic, fitful, or superstitious, but calm and tranquil, deep,
constant, and earnest. The love of God, the practice of holiness, will be
pleasant when there is a perfect surrender to God. . . . {GW92 106.3}
The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in his earthly ministry, prayed
much to his Father. He
107 was frequently bowed all night in prayer. His spirit was often
sorrowful as he felt the powers of the darkness of this world, and he left
the busy city and the noisy throng, to seek a retired place to make his
intercessions. The Mount of Olives was the favorite
resort of the Son of God for his devotions. Frequently after the multitude
had left him for the retirement of the night, he rested not, though weary
with the labors of the day. In the Gospel of John
we read, "And every man went unto his own house. Jesus went unto the
Mount of Olives." [JOHN 7:53; 8:1.] While the city was hushed in
silence, and the disciples had returned to their homes to obtain refreshment
in sleep, Jesus slept not. His divine pleadings were ascending to his Father
from the Mount of Olives that his disciples might be kept from the evil
influences which they would daily encounter in the world, and that his own
soul might be strengthened and braced for the duties and trials of the coming
day. All night, while his followers were sleeping, was their divine Teacher
praying. The dew and frost of night fell upon his head bowed in prayer. His
example is left for his followers. {GW92 106.4}
The Majesty of heaven, while engaged in his mission, was often in
earnest prayer. He did not always visit Olivet, for his disciples had learned
his favorite retreat, and often followed him. He chose
the stillness of night, when there would be no interruption. Jesus could heal
the sick and raise the dead. He was himself a source of blessing and
strength. He commanded even the tempests, and they obeyed him. He was
unsullied with corruption, a stranger to sin; yet he prayed, and that often
with strong crying and tears. He prayed for his disciples and for himself,
thus identifying himself with our needs, our weaknesses, and our failings,
which are so common with humanity. He was a mighty petitioner, not possessing
the passions of our human, fallen natures, but compassed with like
infirmities, tempted in all points
108 even as we are. Jesus endured agony which required help and support
from his Father. {GW92 107.1}
Christ is our example. Are the ministers of Christ tempted and
fiercely buffeted by Satan? so also was He who knew
no sin. He turned to his Father in these hours of distress. He came to earth
that he might provide a way whereby we could find grace and strength to help
in every time of need, by following his example in frequent, earnest prayer.
If the ministers of Christ will imitate this pattern, they will be imbued
with his spirit, and angels will minister unto them. {GW92 108.1}
Angels ministered to Jesus, yet their presence did not make his life
one of ease and freedom from severe conflict and fierce temptations. He was
tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. If ministers, while
engaged in the work which the Master has appointed them to do, have trials
and perplexities and temptations, should they be discouraged, when they know
that there is One who has endured all these before them? Should they cast
away their confidence because they do not realize all that they expect from
their labors? Christ labored
earnestly for his own nation; but his efforts were despised by the very ones
he came to save, and they put to death Him who came to give them life. {GW92
108.2}
There is a sufficient number of ministers, but a great lack of laborers. Laborers, co-workers
with God, have a sense of the sacredness of the work, and of the severe
conflicts they must meet in order to carry it forward successfully. Laborers will not faint and despond in view of the labor, arduous though it may be. In the Epistle to the
Romans, Paul says: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith
into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
109 and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." [ROM.
5:1-5.] In him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. We are without
excuse if we fail to avail ourselves of the ample provisions made for us that
we might be wanting in nothing. Shrinking from hardships, complaining under
tribulation, makes the servants of God weak and inefficient in bearing
responsibilities and burdens.{GW92 108.3}
All who stand unshrinkingly in the forefront
of the battle must feel the special warfare of Satan against them. As they
realize his attacks, they will flee to the Stronghold. They feel their need
of special strength from God, and they labor in his
strength; therefore the victories they gain do not exalt them, but lead them
in faith to lean more securely upon the Mighty One. Deep and fervent
gratitude to God is awakened in their hearts, and they are joyful in the
tribulation which they experience while pressed by the enemy. These willing
servants are gaining an experience and forming a character which will do honor to the cause of God. {GW92 109.1}
The present is a season of solemn privilege and sacred trust to the
servants of God. If these trusts are faithfully kept, great will be the
reward of the faithful servant when the Master shall say, "Give an
account of thy stewardship." The earnest toil, the unselfish work, the
patient, persevering effort, will be rewarded abundantly; Jesus will say,
"Henceforth I call you not servants, but friends, guests." The
approval of the Master is not given because of the greatness of the work
performed, because many things have been gained, but because of the fidelity
in even a few things. It is not the great results we attain, but the motives
from which we act, that weigh with God. He prizes goodness and faithfulness
more than the greatness of the work accomplished. {GW92 109.2} I
have been shown that many are in the greatest
110 danger of failing to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord.
Ministers are in danger of losing their own souls. Some who have preached to
others will themselves be cast away, because they have not perfected a
Christian character. In their labor they do not save
souls, and fail even to save their own. They do not
see the importance of self-knowledge and self-control. They do not watch and
pray, lest they enter into temptation. If they would watch, they would become
acquainted with their weak points, where they are most likely to be assailed
by temptation. With watchfulness and prayer, their weakest points can be so
guarded as to become their strongest points, and they can encounter
temptation without being overcome. Every follower of Christ should daily examine
himself, that he may become perfectly acquainted with his own conduct. There
is with nearly all a neglect of self-examination. This neglect is positively
dangerous in one who professes to be a mouth-piece for God, occupying the
fearful, responsible position of receiving the words from God to give to his
people. The daily conduct of such a person has great influence upon others.
If he has any success in labor, he brings his
converts to his own low standard, and it is seldom that they rise higher.
Their minister's ways, his words, his gestures and manners, his faith, and
his piety are considered a sample of those of all Sabbath-keeping Adventists;
and if they pattern after him who has taught them the truth, they think they
are doing all their duty. {GW92 109.3}
There is much in the conduct of a minister that he can improve. Many
see and feel their lack, yet they seem to be ignorant of the influence they
exert. They are conscious of their actions as they perform them, but suffer
them to pass from their memory, and therefore do not reform. If ministers
would make the actions of each day a subject of careful thought and
deliberate review, with the object to
111 become acquainted with their own habits of life, they would better
know themselves. By a close scrutiny of their daily life under all
circumstances, they would know their own motives, the principles which
actuate them. This daily review of our acts, to see whether conscience approves
or condemns, is necessary for all who wish to arrive at the perfection of
Christian character. Many acts which pass for good works, even deeds of
benevolence, will, when closely investigated, be found to be prompted by
wrong motives. Many receive applause for virtues which they do not possess.
The Searcher of hearts inspects motives, and often the deeds which are highly
applauded by men are recorded by him as springing from selfish motives and
base hypocrisy. Every act of our lives, whether excellent and praiseworthy or
deserving of censure, is judged by the Searcher of hearts according to the
motives which prompted it.{GW92 110.1}
Even some ministers who are advocating the law of God have but little
knowledge of themselves. They do not meditate, and investigate their motives.
They do not see their errors and sins, because they do not, in sincerity and
earnestness, take a view of their life, their acts, and their character,
separate and as a whole, and compare them with the sacred, holy law of God.
The claims of God's law are not really understood by them, and they are daily
living in transgression of the spirit of that law which they profess to
revere. "By the law," Paul says, "is the knowledge of
sin." "I had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known
lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not
covet." [ROM. 3:20; 7:7.] Some who labor in
word and doctrine have not a practical understanding of the law of God and
its holy claims, or of the atonement of Christ. They themselves need to be
converted before they can convert sinners.{GW92 111.1}
The faithful mirror which would reveal the defects in the character is
neglected; therefore deformity
112 and sin exist, and are apparent to others, if not understood by
those who are in fault. The hateful sin of selfishness exists to a great
degree, even in some who profess to be devoted to the work of God. If they
would compare their character with his requirements, especially with the
great standard, his holy, just, and good law, they would ascertain, if
earnest, honest searchers, that they are fearfully
wanting. But some are not willing to look far enough or deep enough to see
the depravity of their own hearts. They are wanting in very many respects;
yet they remain in willing ignorance of their guilt, and are so intent upon
caring for their own interests that God has no care for them. Some are not
naturally devotional, and therefore should encourage and cultivate a habit of
close examination of their own lives and motives, and should especially
cherish a love for religious exercises and for secret prayer.--Vol. 2, p.
505.
- {GW92 111.2} Answers to Prayer.
When at Battle Creek, Mich., May 5, 1855, I saw that there was a great
lack of faith with the servants of God, as well as with the church. They were
too easily discouraged, too ready to doubt God, too willing to believe that
they had a hard lot, and that God had forsaken them. I saw that this was
cruel. God so loved them as to give his dearly beloved Son to die for them,
and all heaven was interested in their salvation; yet after all that had been
done for them, it was hard to believe and trust so kind and good a Father. He
has said that he is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him
than earthly parents are to give good gifts to their children. I saw that the
servants of God and the church were too easily discouraged. When they asked
their Father in heaven for things which they thought they
113 needed, and these did not immediately come, their faith wavered,
their courage fled, and a murmuring feeling took possession of them. This, I
saw, displeased God. {GW92 112.1}
Every saint who comes to God with a true heart, and sends his honest
petitions to him in faith, will have his prayers answered. Your faith must
not let go of the promises of God, if you do not see or feel the immediate
answer to your prayers. Be not afraid to trust God. Rely upon his sure
promise, "Ask, and ye shall receive."
[JOHN 16:24.] God is too wise to err, and too good to withhold any good thing
from his saints that walk uprightly. Man is erring, and although his
petitions are sent up from an honest heart, he does not always ask for the
things that are good for himself, or that will
glorify God. When this is so, our wise and good Father hears our prayers, and
will answer, sometimes immediately; but he gives us the things that are for
our best good and his own glory. God gives us blessings; if we could look
into his plan, we would clearly see that he knows what is best for us, and
that our prayers are answered. Nothing hurtful is given, but the blessing we
need, in the place of something we asked for, that would not be good for us,
but to our hurt. {GW92 113.1} I
saw that if we do not feel immediate answers to our prayers, we should hold
fast our faith, not allowing distrust to come in, for that will separate us
from God. If our faith wavers, we shall receive nothing from him. Our
confidence in God should be strong; and when we need it most, the blessing
will fall upon us like a shower of rain. {GW92 113.2}
When the servants of God pray for his Spirit and blessing, it
sometimes comes immediately; but it is not always then bestowed. At such
times, faint not. Let your faith hold fast the promise that it will come. Let
your trust be fully in God, and often that blessing will come when you need
it most, and you will unexpectedly receive help from God when you are
114 presenting the truth to unbelievers, and will be enabled to speak the
word with clearness and power. {GW92 113.3}
It was represented to me like children asking a blessing of their
earthly parents who love them. They ask something that the parent knows will
hurt them; the parent gives them the things that will be good and healthful
for them, in the place of that which they desired. I saw that every prayer
which is sent up in faith from an honest heart, will be heard of God and answered;
and the one that sent up the petition will have the blessing when he needs it
most, and it will often exceed his expectations. Not a prayer of a true saint
is lost if sent up in faith, from an honest heart.--Vol. 1, p. 120. - {GW92 114.1} The Cause of Doubts.
Some are often heard talking of doubts and unbelief, and dwelling upon
the wonderful struggles they have had with infidel feelings. They dwell upon
discouraging influences as so affecting their faith, hope, and courage in the
truth and in the ultimate success of the work and cause in which they are
engaged, as to make it a special virtue to be found on the side of the
doubting. At times they seem to really enjoy hovering about the infidel's
position, and strengthening their unbelief with every circumstance they can
gather as an excuse for their darkness. To such we would say, You would
better come down at once, and leave the walls of Zion, until you become
converted men and good Christians. Before you take the responsibility of
becoming ministers, you are required by God to separate yourselves from the
love of this world. The reward of those who continue in this doubting
position will be that given to the fearful and unbelieving.
115 {GW92 114.2}
But what is the reason of these doubts, this darkness and unbelief? I answer, These men are not right with God. They are not
dealing honestly and truly with their own souls. They have neglected to
cultivate personal piety. They have not separated themselves from all
selfishness, and from sin and sinners. They have failed to study the
self-denying, self-sacrificing life of our Lord, and have failed to imitate
his example of purity, devotion, and self-sacrifice. The sin which easily
besets has been strengthened by indulgence. By their own negligence and sin,
they have separated themselves from the company of the Divine Teacher, and he
is a day's journey in advance of them. They have for their company, the
indolent, slothful, backsliding, unbelieving, irreverent, unthankful, unholy,
and their attendants, the evil angels. What marvel that such are in darkness,
or that they have doubts of doctrine? "If any man will do His will, he
shall know of the doctrine." [JOHN 7:17.] He shall know of a certainty
in regard to this matter. This promise should put to flight all doubts and
questionings. It is separation from Christ that brings doubts. He is followed
by the earnest, honest, true, faithful, humble, meek, and pure, whom holy angels, clothed with the panoply of heaven, are
sanctifying, enlightening, purifying, and guarding; for they are
heaven-bound. {GW92 115.1}
No greater evidence need be asked that a person is at a great distance
from Jesus, and living in neglect of secret prayer, neglecting personal
piety, than the fact that he thus talks doubts and unbelief because his
surroundings are not favorable. Such persons have
not the pure, true, undefiled religion of Christ. They have a spurious
article, which the refining process will utterly consume as dross. As soon as
God proves them, and tests their faith, they waver,
they stand feebly, swaying first one way, then the other. They have not the
genuine article that
116 Paul possessed, that could glory in
tribulation, because "tribulation worketh
patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts." [ROM. 5:3-5.] They have a religion of
circumstance. If all around them are strong in faith and courage in the
ultimate success of the third angel's message, and no special influence is
brought to bear against them, they then appear to have some faith. But as
soon as adversity seems to come upon the cause, and the work drags heavily,
and the help of every one is needed, these poor
souls, though they may be professed ministers of the gospel, expect
everything to come to naught. These hinder instead of helping. {GW92 115.2}
If apostasy arises, and rebellion is manifested, you do not hear them
say, in words of encouragement and lofty cheer, "Brethren, faint not; be
of good courage." "Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his." [2 TIM. 2:19.] Men who
are thus affected by circumstances should remain at their homes, and employ
their physical and mental strength in a less responsible position, where they
will not be liable to meet such strong opposition. If everything moves
smoothly, they may pass for very good, devotional men. But these are not the
ones whom the Master will send to do his work; for this is opposed by those
who are emissaries of Satan. Satan also, and his host of evil angels, will be
arrayed against them. God has made provision for the men whom he has called
to do his work, that they may come off conquerors in
every contest. Those who follow his directions will never meet with defeat.
{GW92 116.1}
The Lord, speaking through Paul, tells us how to fortify ourselves
against Satan and his emissaries: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in
the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor
117 of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you
the whole armor of God, that
ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the
breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the
gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be
able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto
with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." [EPH. 6:10-18.]
. . . {GW92 116.2} Shall our zeal, our fervor,
be kindled only when we are surrounded by those who are awake and zealous in
the work and cause of God? Can we not stand in God,
let our surroundings be ever so unpleasant and discouraging? "What shall
we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that
spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not
with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge
of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he
that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea
rather, that is risen again, who is even at the
right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for
us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril,
or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved
us. For I am persuaded,
118 that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor
principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor
height, not depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [ROM. 8:31-39]-- Vol. 2, p. 513.
- {GW92 117.1}
Danger in Cherishing Doubts.
Some have given a willing ear to the tempter, and have talked out
their unbelief, and wounded the cause. Satan has claims upon them, for they
have not recovered themselves from his snare. They have conducted themselves
like children who were wholly unacquainted with the wiles of the tempter.
They have had sufficient experience, and should have understood his workings.
He has suggested doubts to their minds, and instead of repelling them at
once, they have reasoned and parleyed with the archdeceiver,
and listened to his reasonings, as though charmed
by the old serpent. A few texts which were not perfectly explainable to the
satisfaction of their own minds, have been
sufficient to shake the whole structure of truth, and to obscure the plainest
facts of the word of God. These men are erring mortals. They have not perfect
wisdom and knowledge in all the Scriptures. Some passages are placed beyond
the reach of human minds, until such time as God chooses, in his own wisdom,
to open them. Satan has been leading some on a trail which ends in certain
infidelity. They have suffered their unbelief to becloud the harmonious,
glorious chain of truth, and have acted as though it was their business to
explain every difficult passage of Scripture, and if our faith did not enable
them to do this, it was faulty. {GW92 118.1} I saw that those who have an evil heart
of unbelief will doubt, and will think it noble and a virtue to
119 doubt the word of God. Those who think it a virtue to quibble can have
plenty of room to disbelieve the inspiration and truth of God's word. God
does not compel any to believe. They can choose to rely upon the evidences he
has been pleased to give, or doubt, and cavil, and perish. {GW92 118.2} I
was shown that those who are troubled with doubts and infidelity should not
go out to labor for others. That which is in the
mind must flow out, and they realize not the effect of a hint, or the
smallest doubt expressed. Satan makes it a barbed arrow. It acts like a slow
poison, which, before the victim is made sensible of his danger, affects the
whole system, undermines a good constitution, and finally causes death. It is
just so with the poison of doubt and unbelief of Scripture facts. One who has
influence suggests to others that which Satan has suggested to him, that one
scripture contradicts another; and thus, in a very wise manner, as though he
had found out some wonderful mystery, which had been hid from believers and
the holy in every age of the world, he casts midnight darkness into other
minds. They lose the relish they once had for the truth, and become infidels.
All this is the work of a few words spoken, which had a hidden power because
they seemed involved in mystery. {GW92 119.1}
This is the work of a cunning devil. Those who are troubled with
doubts, and have difficulties which they cannot solve, should not throw other
weak minds into the same perplexity. Some have hinted or talked their
unbelief, and have passed on, little dreaming of the effect produced. In some
instances, the seeds of unbelief have taken immediate effect, while in others
they have lain buried quite a length of time, until the individual has taken
a wrong course and given place to the enemy, and the light of God has been
withdrawn from him, and he has fallen under the powerful temptations of
Satan. Then the seeds of infidelity which were sown so
120 long ago spring up. Satan nourishes them, and they bear fruit.
Anything coming from ministers who should stand in
the light, has a powerful influence. And when they have not stood in the
clear light of God, Satan has used them as agents, and has through them
transmitted his fiery darts to minds not prepared to resist what has come
from their ministers. {GW92 119.2} I
saw that ministers, as well as people, have a warfare
before them to resist Satan. The professed minister of Christ is in a fearful
position when serving the purposes of the tempter, by listening to his whisperings,
and letting him captivate the mind and guide the thoughts. The minister's
most grievous sin in the sight of God is talking about his unbelief, and
drawing other minds into the same dark channel, thus suffering Satan to carry
out a twofold purpose in tempting him. He unsettles the mind of the one whose
course has encouraged his temptations, and then leads that one to unsettle
the minds of many. {GW92 120.1}
It is time that the watchmen upon the walls of Zion understood the
responsibility and sacredness of their mission. They should feel that a woe
is upon them if they do not perform the work which God has committed to them.
If they become unfaithful, they are endangering the safety of the flock of
God, endangering the cause of truth, and exposing it to the ridicule of our
enemies. O what a work is this! It will surely meet its reward. Some
ministers, as well as people, need converting. They need to be torn to
pieces, and made over new. Their work among the churches is worse than lost,
and in their present weak, tottering condition, it would be more pleasing to
God for them to cease their efforts to help others, and labor
with their hands until they are converted. Then they could strengthen their
brethren. 121 {GW92 120.2}
Ministers must arouse. They profess to be generals in the army of the
great King, and at the same time are sympathizers with the great rebel leader
and his host. Some have exposed the cause of God and the sacred truths of his
word to the reproaches of the rebel host. They have removed a portion of
their armor, and Satan has hurled in his poisoned
arrows. They have strengthened the hands of the rebel leaders, and weakened
themselves, and caused Satan and his hellish clan to rear their heads in
triumph, and exult on account of the victory they have let him gain. O, what
a lack of wisdom! What blindness! What foolish generalship,
to open their weakest points to their deadliest foes! How unlike the course
pursued by Martin Luther! He was willing to sacrifice his life, if need be,
but the truth, never! His words are, "Let us only take care that the
gospel be not exposed to the insults of the ungodly, and let us shed our
blood in its defense, rather than allow them to
triumph. Who will say whether my life or my death would contribute most to
the salvation of my brethren?"--Vol. 1 p. 377.
- {GW92 121.1}
The Importance of Bible Study.
Ministers should become Bible students. Are the truths which they
handle mighty? Then they should seek to handle them skillfully.
Their ideas should be clear and strong, and their spirits fervent,
or they will weaken the force of the truth which they handle. By tamely
presenting the truth, merely repeating the theory without being stirred by it
themselves, they can never convert men. If they should live as long as did
Noah, their efforts would be without effect. Their love for souls must be
122 intense, and their zeal fervent. A listless, unfeeling manner of
presenting the truth will never arouse men and women from their deathlike
slumber. They must show by their manners, by their acts and words, and by
their preaching and praying, that they believe that Christ is at the door.
Men and women are in the last hours of probation, and yet are careless and
stupid, and preachers have no power to arouse them; they are asleep themselves.
Sleeping ministers preaching to a sleeping people! {GW92 121.2} A
great work must be accomplished for ministers, in order for them to make the
preaching of the truth a success. The word of God should be thoroughly
studied. All other reading is inferior to this. A careful study of the Bible
will not necessarily exclude all other reading of a religious nature; but if
the word of God is studied prayerfully, all reading which will have a
tendency to divert the mind from it will be excluded. If we study the word of
God with interest, and pray to understand it, new beauties will be seen in
every line. God will reveal precious truth so clearly that the mind will
derive sincere pleasure, and have a continual feast as its comforting and
sublime truths are unfolded. . . . {GW92 122.1}
Those who engage in the business of school-teaching prepare for the
work. They qualify themselves by attending school, and interesting their
minds in study. They are not allowed to teach children and youth in the
sciences, unless they are capable of instructing them. Upon applying for a
situation as teacher, they have to pass an examination before competent
persons. It is an important work to deal with young minds, and instruct them
correctly in the sciences. But of how much greater importance is the work of
the ministry! Yet many engage in the important business of interesting men
and women to enter the school of Christ, where they are to learn how they may
form characters for heaven, who need to become students themselves. Some who
enter the
123 ministry do not feel the burden of the work upon them. They have
received incorrect ideas of the qualifications of a minister. They have
thought that it required but little close study in the sciences or in the
word of God to make a minister. Some who are teaching present truth are not
acquainted with their Bibles. They are so deficient in Bible knowledge that
it is difficult for them to quote a text of Scripture correctly from memory.
By blundering along in the awkward manner they do, they sin against God. They
mangle the Scripture, and make the Bible say things that are not written
therein. {GW92 122.2}
Some who have all their lives been led by feeling, have thought that
an education or a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures was of no consequence,
if they only had the Spirit. But God never sends his Spirit to sanction
ignorance. Those who have not knowledge, and who are so situated that it is
impossible for them to obtain it, the Lord may, and does, pity and bless, and
sometimes he condescends to make his strength perfect in their weakness. But
he makes it the duty of such to study his word. A lack of knowledge in the
sciences is no excuse for a neglect of Bible study; for the words of
inspiration are so plain that the unlearned may understand them. {GW92 123.1}
Of all men upon the face of the earth, those who are handling solemn
truths for these perilous times should understand their Bibles, and become acquainted
with the evidences of our faith. Unless they possess a
knowledge of the word of life, they have no right to undertake to
instruct others in the way to life. Ministers should give all diligence to
add to their "faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge,
temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to
godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity," [2
PETER 1:5-7.] Some of our ministers graduate when they have scarcely learned
the first principles
124 of the doctrine of Christ. Those who are ambassadors for Christ,
who stand in his stead, beseeching souls to be reconciled to God, should be
qualified to present our faith intelligently, and be able to give the reasons
of their hope with meekness and fear. Christ said, "Search the
Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they
which testify of me." [JOHN 5:39.] {GW92 123.2}
Ministers who teach unpopular truth will be beset by men who are urged
on by Satan, and who, like their master, can quote Scripture readily; and
shall the servants of God be unequal to the servants of Satan in handling the
words of inspiration? They should, like Christ, meet scripture with
scripture. O that those who minister in holy things would awake, and, like
the noble Bereans, search
the Scriptures daily! Brethren in the ministry, I entreat you to study the
Scriptures with humble prayer for an understanding heart, that you may teach
the way of life more perfectly. Your counsel, prayers, and example must be a savor of life unto life, or you are unqualified to point
out the way of life to others. {GW92 124.1}
The Master requires all his servants to improve upon the talents he
has committed to them. But how much more will he require of those who profess
to understand the way of life, and who take upon themselves the
responsibility of guiding others therein. The apostle Paul exhorted Timothy:
"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same
commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also."
[JOHN 5:39.]--Vol. 2, p. 337. 125 {GW92 124.2}
How Shall We Search the Scriptures?
How shall we search the Scriptures in order to understand what they
teach? We should come to the investigation of God's word with a contrite heart,
a teachable and prayerful spirit. We are not to think, as did the Jews, that
our own ideas and opinions are infallible; nor with the papists, that certain individuals are the sole guardians of truth
and knowledge, that men have no right to search the Scriptures for
themselves, but must accept the explanations given by the Fathers of the
church. We should not study the Bible for the purpose of sustaining our
preconceived opinions, but with the single object of learning what God has
said. {GW92 125.1} Some have feared that if in even a single
point they acknowledge themselves in error, other
minds would be led to doubt the whole theory of truth. Therefore they have
felt that investigation should not be permitted; that it would tend to
dissension and disunion. But if such is to be the result of investigation,
the sooner it comes the better. If there are those
whose faith in God's word will not stand the test of an investigation of the
Scriptures, the sooner they are revealed the better; for then the way will be
opened to show them their error. We cannot hold that a position once taken,
an idea once advocated, is not, under any circumstances, to be relinquished.
There is but one who is infallible,--He who is the Way, the Truth, and the
Life. {GW92 125.2} Those who allow prejudice to bar the mind
against the reception of truth cannot receive the divine enlightenment. Yet,
when a view of Scripture is
presented, many do not ask, Is it True,--in harmony with God's
word? but, By whom is it advocated? and unless it comes through the very channel that pleases
them, they do not accept it. So thoroughly satisfied are they with their own
ideas, that they
126 will not examine the Scripture evidence, with a desire to learn,
but refuse to be interested, merely because of their prejudices. {GW92 125.3}
The Lord often works where we least expect him; he surprises us by
revealing his power through instruments of his own choice, while he passes by
the men to whom we have looked as those through whom light should come. God
desires us to receive the truth upon its own merits,--because it is truth.
{GW92 126.1}
The Bible must not be interpreted to suit the ideas of men, however
long they may have held these ideas to be true. We are not to accept the
opinion of commentators as the voice of God; they were erring mortals like
ourselves. God has given reasoning powers to us as well as to them. We should
make the Bible its own expositor. {GW92 126.2}
All should be careful about presenting new views of Scripture before
they have given these points thorough study, and are fully prepared to
sustain them from the Bible. Introduce nothing that will cause dissension,
without clear evidence that in it God is giving a special message for this
time. {GW92 126.3}
But beware of rejecting that which is truth. The great danger with our
people has been that of depending upon men, and making flesh their arm. Those
who have not been in the habit of searching the Bible for themselves, or
weighing evidence, have confidence in the leading men, and accept the
decisions they make, and thus many will reject the very messages God sends to
his people, if these leading brethren do not accept them. {GW92 126.4}
No one should claim that he has all the light there is for God's
people. The Lord will not tolerate this. He has said, "I have set before
thee an open door, and no man can shut it." [REV. 3:8.] Even if all our
leading men should refuse light and truth, that door will still remain open.
The Lord will raise up men who will give the people
the message for this time.
127 {GW92 126.5}
Truth is eternal, and conflict with error will only make manifest its
strength. We should never refuse to examine the Scriptures with those who, we
have reason to believe, desire to know what is truth.
Suppose a brother held a view that differed from yours, and he should come to
you, proposing that you sit down with him and make an investigation of that
point in the Scriptures; should you rise up, filled with prejudice, and
condemn his ideas, while refusing to give him a candid hearing? The only
right way would be to sit down as Christians, and investigate the position
presented, in the light of God's work, which will reveal truth and unmask
error. To ridicule his ideas would not weaken his position in the least if it
were false, or strengthen your position if it were true. If the pillars of
our faith will not stand the test of investigation, it is time that we knew
it. There must be no spirit of Phariseeism
cherished among us. {GW92 127.1}
We should come with reverence to the study of the Bible, feeling that
we are in the presence of God. All lightness and trifling should be laid
aside. While some portions of the word are easily understood, the true
meaning of other parts is not so readily discerned. There must be patient
study and meditation, and earnest prayer. Every student, as he opens the
Scriptures, should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, and the
promise is sure, that it will be given. {GW92 127.2}
The spirit in which you come to the investigation of the Scriptures
will determine the character of the assistant at your side. Angels from the
world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine
guidance. But if the Bible is opened with irreverence, with a feeling of
self-sufficiency, if the heart is filled with prejudice, Satan is beside you,
and he will set the plain statements of God's word in a perverted light.
128 {GW92 127.3}
There are some who indulge in levity, sarcasm, and even mockery toward
those who differ with them. Others present an array of objections to any new
view; and when these objections are plainly answered by the words of
Scripture, they do not acknowledge the evidence presented, nor allow themselves to be convinced. Their questioning is not for
the purpose of arriving at truth, but was intended merely to confuse the
minds of others. {GW92 128.1}
Some have thought it an evidence of intellectual keenness and
superiority to perplex minds in regard to what is truth. They resort to
subtlety of argument,
to playing upon words; they take unjust advantage in asking questions. When
their questions have been fairly answered, they will turn the subject, bring up another point, to avoid acknowledging
the truth. We should beware of indulging the spirit which controlled the
Jews. They would not learn of Christ, because his explanation of the
Scriptures did not agree with their ideas; therefore they became spies upon
his track, "laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of
his mouth, that they might accuse him." [LUKE 11:54, 52.] Let us not
bring upon ourselves the fearful denunciation of the Saviour's words,
"Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away
the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were
entering in ye hindered." [LUKE 11:54, 52.] {GW92 128.2}
It does not require much learning or ability to ask questions that are
difficult to answer. A child may ask questions over which the wisest men may
be puzzled. Let us not engage in a contest of this kind. The very same
unbelief exists in our time as prevailed in the days of Christ. Now as then
the desire for preferment and the praise of men leads people away from the
simplicity of true godliness. There is no pride so
dangerous as spiritual pride. {GW92 128.3}
Young men should search the Scriptures for themselves. They are not to
feel that it is sufficient for
129 those older in experience to find out the truth; that the younger
ones can accept it from them as authority. The Jews perished as a nation
because they were drawn from the truth of the Bible by their rulers, priests,
and elders. Had they heeded the lessons of Jesus, and searched the Scriptures
for themselves, they would not have perished. {GW92 128.4}
Young men in our ranks are watching to see in what spirit the
ministers come to the investigation of the Scriptures; whether they have a
teachable spirit, and are humble enough to accept evidence, and receive light
from the messengers whom God chooses to send. {GW92 129.1}
We must study the truth for ourselves. No man should be relied upon to
think for us. No matter who he is, or in what position he may be placed, we
are not to look upon any man as a criterion for us. We are to counsel
together, and to be
subject one to another; but at the same time we are to exercise
the ability God has given us, in order to learn what is truth. Each one of us
must look to God for divine enlightenment. We must individually develop a
character that will stand the test in the day of God. We must not become set
in our ideas, and think that no one should interfere with our opinions. {GW92
129.2}
When a point of doctrine that you do not understand comes to your
attention, go to God on your knees, that you may understand what is truth, and not be found as were the Jews, fighting
against God. While warning men to beware of accepting anything unless it is
truth, we should also warn them not to imperil their souls by rejecting
messages of light, but to press out of the darkness by earnest study of the
word of God. {GW92 129.3}
When Nathanael came to Jesus, the Saviour exclaimed, "Behold an
Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" Nathanael said, "Whence knowest thou me?" Jesus answered, "When thou wast
130 under the fig-tree, I saw thee." [JOHN 1:47, 48.] And Jesus
will see us also in the secret places of prayer, if we seek him for light
that we may know what is truth. {GW92 129.4}
If a brother is teaching error, those who are in responsible positions
ought to know it; and if he is teaching truth, they ought to take their stand
at his side. We should all know what is being taught among us; for if it is
truth, we need to know it. The Sabbath-school teacher needs to know it, and
every Sabbath-school scholar ought to understand it. We are all under
obligation to God to understand what he sends us. He has given directions by which we may test every doctrine,--"To
the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is
because there is no light in them." [ISA. 8:20.] But if it is according
to this test, do not be so full of prejudice that you cannot acknowledge a
point simply because it does not agree with your ideas. {GW92 130.1}
It is impossible for any mind to comprehend all the richness and
greatness of even one promise of God. One catches the glory of one point of
view, another the beauty and grace from another point, and the soul is filled
with the heavenly light. If we saw all the glory, the spirit would faint. But
we can bear far greater revelations from God's abundant promises than we now
enjoy. It makes my heart sad to think how we lose sight of the fullness of
blessing designed for us. We content ourselves with momentary flashes of
spiritual illumination, when we might walk day after day in the light of His
presence. {GW92 130.2}
Dear brethren, pray as you never before prayed, for beams from the Sun
of Righteousness to shine upon the word, that you may be able to understand
its true meaning. Jesus pleaded that his disciples might be sanctified
through the truth,--the word of God. Then how earnestly should we pray that
He who "searcheth all things, yea, the deep
things of
131 God," [1 COR. 2:10.] He whose office it
is to bring all things to the remembrance of God's people, and to guide them
into all truth, may be with us in the investigation of his holy word.-- MS.
- {GW92 130.3}
Examination for the Ministry. I
saw that God had laid upon his chosen ministers the duty of deciding who was
fit for the holy work [of the ministry]; and in union with the church and the
manifest tokens of the Holy Spirit, they were to decide who should go, and
who were unfit to go. I saw that if it should be left to a few individuals
here and there to decide who was sufficient for this great work, confusion
and distraction everywhere would be the fruit. {GW92 131.1}
God has repeatedly shown that persons should not be encouraged into
the field without unmistakable evidence that he has called them. The Lord
will not intrust the burden for his flock to
unqualified individuals. Those whom God calls must be men of deep experience,
tried and proved, men of sound judgment, men who will dare to reprove sin in
the spirit of meekness, men who understand how to feed the flock. God knows
the heart, and he knows whom to select.-- Vol. 1, p.
209.
- {GW92 131.2}
There has been too little done in examining ministers, and for this
very reason churches have had the labors of
unconverted, inefficient men, who have lulled the members to sleep, instead
of awakening them to greater zeal and earnestness in the cause of God. There
are ministers who come to the prayer-meeting, and pray the same old, lifeless
prayers over and over; they preach the same dry discourses from week to week
and from month to month. They have nothing new and inspiring to present to
their congregations, 132 and it is evident that they are not partakers of the divine
nature; Christ is not abiding in the heart by faith. Those who claim to keep
and teach the holy law of God, and yet are continually transgressing that
law, are stumbling-blocks both to sinners and to believers in the truth. The
loose, lax way in which many regard the law of Jehovah and the gift of his
Son, is an insult to God. The only way in which we can correct this
wide-spread evil, is to examine closely every one
who would become a teacher of the word. Those upon whom this responsibility rests, should acquaint themselves with his history since
he has professed to believe the truth. His Christian experience and his
knowledge of the Scriptures, the way in which he holds the present truth,
should all be understood. No one should be accepted as a laborer
in the cause of God, until he makes it manifest that
he has a real, living experience in the things of God. -- MS. - {GW92 131.3}
Those who are about to enter upon the sacred work of teaching Bible
truth to the world, should be carefully examined by faithful, experienced
persons. [SEE ALSO P. 122.] After they have had some experience, there is
still another work to be done for them; they should be presented before the
Lord in earnest prayer that he would indicate by his Holy Spirit if they are
acceptable to him. The apostle says, "Lay hands suddenly on no
man." [1 TIM. 5:22.] In the days of the apostles, the ministers of God
did not dare to rely upon their own judgment in selecting or accepting men to
take the solemn and sacred position of mouth-piece for God. They selected the
men whom their judgment would accept, and then they placed them before the
Lord to see if he would accept them to go forth as his representatives. No
less than this should be done now. {GW92 132.1}
In many places we meet men who have been hurried into responsible
positions as elders of the 133 church, when they are not qualified for such a position. They have
not proper government over themselves. Their influence is not good. The
church is in trouble continually in consequence of the defective character of
the leader. Hands have been laid too suddenly upon these men. {GW92 132.2}
Ministers of God should be of good repute, capable of discreetly
managing an interest after they have aroused it. We stand in great need of
competent men who will bring honor instead of
disgrace upon the cause which they represent. Ministers should be examined
especially to see if they have an intelligent understanding of the truth for
this time, so that they can give a connected discourse upon the prophecies or
upon practical subjects. If they cannot clearly present Bible subjects, they
need to be hearers and learners still. They should earnestly and prayerfully
search the Scriptures, and become conversant with them, in order to be
teachers of Bible truth to others. All these things should be carefully and
prayerfully considered before men are hurried into the field of labor.--Vol. 4, p. 406.
- {GW92 133.1} Young Ministers.
In the providence of God, Moses obtained an experience in care-taking,
in thoughtfulness, in tender solicitude for his flock, that he might, as a
faithful shepherd, be ready when God should call him to take charge of his
people. A similar experience is essential for those who engage in the great
work of preaching the truth. In order to lead souls to the life-giving
fountain, the preacher must first drink at the fountain himself. He must see
the infinite sacrifice made by the Son of God to save fallen men, and his own
soul must be imbued with the spirit of undying love. If God appoints us hard labor to perform, we must do it without a murmur.
134 If the path is difficult and dangerous, it
is God's plan to have us follow in meekness, and cry unto him for strength. A
lesson is to be learned from the experience of some of our ministers who have
known nothing comparatively of difficulties and trials, yet ever look upon
themselves as martyrs. They have yet to learn to accept with thankfulness the
way of God's choosing, remembering the Author of our salvation. The work of
the minister should be pursued with an earnestness, energy, and zeal as much
greater than that put forth in business transactions as the labor is more sacred and the result more momentous. Each
day's work should tell in the eternal records as "well done;" so
that if no other day should be granted in which to labor,
the work would be thoroughly finished. Our ministers, young men especially,
should realize the preparation necessary to fit them for their solemn work,
and to prepare them for the society of pure angels. In order to be at home in
heaven, we must have heaven enshrined in our hearts here. If this is not the
case with us, it were better than we had no part in
the work of God. {GW92 133.2}
The ministry is corrupted by unsanctified ministers. Unless there
shall be altogether a higher and more spiritual standard for the ministry, the
truth of the gospel will become more and more powerless. The human mind is
represented by the rich soil of a garden. Unless it shall receive proper
cultivation, it will be overgrown with the weeds and briers of ignorance. The
mind and heart need culture daily, and neglect will be productive of evil.
The more natural ability God has bestowed upon an individual, the greater the
improvement he is required to make, and the greater his responsibility to use
his time and talents for the glory of God. The mind must not remain dormant.
If it is not exercised in the acquisition of knowledge, there will be a
sinking into ignorance, superstition, and fancy. If the intellectual
faculties are not cultivated as they should be to glorify God, 135 they will become powerful aids in leading to perdition. {GW92
134.1}
While young men should guard against being pompous and independent,
they should be continually making marked improvement. They should accept
every opportunity to cultivate the more noble,
generous traits of character. If young men would feel their dependence upon
God every moment, and cherish a spirit of prayer, a
breathing out of the soul to God at all times and in all places, they
might better know the will of God. . . . {GW92 135.1}
The greatest victories which are gained to the cause are not by labored argument, ample facilities, abundance of
influence, and plenty of means; but they are those victories which are gained
in the audience chamber with God, when earnest, agonizing faith lays hold
upon the mighty arm of power. When Jacob found himself utterly prostrate and
in a helpless condition, he poured out his soul to God in an agony of
earnestness. The angel of God pleaded to be released; but Jacob would not let
go his hold. The stricken man, suffering bodily pain, presented his earnest
supplication with the boldness which living faith imparts. "I will not
let thee go," he said, "except thou bless me." [GEN. 32: 26.]
{GW92 135.2}
There are deep mysteries in the word of God, which will never be
discovered by minds that are unaided by the Spirit of God. There are also
unsearchable mysteries in the plan of redemption, which finite minds can
never comprehend. Inexperienced youth might better tax their minds and
exercise their ability to gain an understanding of matters that are revealed;
for unless they possess more spiritual enlightenment than they now have, it
would take a lifetime to learn the revealed will of God. When they have
cherished the light they already have, and made a practical use of it, they
will be able to take a step forward. God's providence is a continual school,
in which he is ever
136 leading men to see the true aims of life. None are too young, and
none too old, to learn in this school, by paying diligent heed to the lessons
taught by the Divine Teacher. He is the True Shepherd, and he calls his sheep
by name. By the wanderers his voice is heard, saying, "This is the way,
walk ye in it." [ISA. 30:21.] {GW92 135.3}
Young men who have never made a success in the temporal duties of life
will be equally unprepared to engage in the higher duties. A religious
experience is attained only through conflict, through disappointment, through
severe discipline of self, through earnest prayer. Living faith must grasp
the promises unflinchingly, and then many may come from close communion with
God with shining faces, saying, as did Jacob, "I have seen God face to
face, and my life is preserved." [GEN. 32:30.] {GW92 136.1}
The steps upward to heaven must be taken one at a time; every advance
step strengthens us for the next. The transforming power of the grace of God
upon the human heart is a work which many do not comprehend, because they are
too indolent to make the necessary effort. The lessons which young ministers
learn in going about and being waited upon when they have not a fitness for
the work, have a demoralizing influence upon them.
They do not know their place and keep it. They are not balanced by firm
principles. They talk knowingly of things they know nothing of, and hence
those who accept them as teachers are misled. One such person will inspire
more skepticism in minds than several will be able
to counteract, do the best they can. Men of small minds delight to quibble,
to criticise, to seek for something to question, thinking this a mark of
sharpness; but instead it shows a mind lacking refinement and elevation. How
much better to be engaged in seeking to cultivate themselves, and to ennoble
and elevate their minds. As a flower turns
137 to the sun, that the bright rays may aid in perfecting its beauty
and symmetry, so should the youth turn to the Son of Righteousness, that
Heaven's light may shine upon them, perfecting their characters and giving
them a deep and abiding experience in the things of God. Then they may
reflect the divine rays of light upon others. Those who choose to gather
doubts, and unbelief, and skepticism, will
experience no growth in grace or spirituality, and are unfitted for the
solemn responsibility of bearing the truth to others. {GW92 136.2}
The world is to be warned of its coming doom. The slumbers of those
who are lying in sin and error are so deep, so deathlike, that the voice of
God through a wide-awake minister is needed to awaken them. Unless the
ministers are converted, the people will not be. The cold formalism that is
now prevailing among us must give place to the living energy of experimental
godliness. There is no fault with the theory of the truth; it is perfectly
clear and harmonious. But young ministers may speak the truth fluently, and
yet have no real sense of the words they utter. They do not appreciate the
value of the truth they present, and little realize what it has cost those
who, with prayers and tears, through trial and opposition, have sought for it
as for hid treasures. Every new link in the chain of truth was to them as
precious as tried gold. These links are now united in a perfect whole. Truths
have been dug out of the rubbish of superstition and error, by earnest prayer
for light and knowledge, and have been presented to the people as precious pearls
of priceless value. {GW92 137.1}
The gospel is a revelation to man of beams of light and hope from the
eternal world. All the light does not burst upon us at once, but it comes as
we can bear it. Inquiring minds that hunger for a knowledge of God's will are
never satisfied; the deeper they search, the more they realize their
ignorance and deplore their blindness. It is beyond the
138 power of man to conceive the high and noble attainments that are
within his reach, if he will combine human effort with the grace of God, who
is the Source of all wisdom and power. And there is an eternal weight of
glory beyond. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love
him." [1 COR. 2:9.] {GW92 137.2}
We have the most solemn message of truth ever borne to the world. This
truth is more and more respected by unbelievers, because it cannot be controverted. In view of this fact, our young men become
self-confident and self-inflated. They take the truths which have been
brought out by other minds, and without study or earnest prayer, meet
opponents and engage in contests, indulging in sharp speeches and witticisms,
flattering themselves that this is doing the work of a gospel minister. In
order to be fitted for God's work, these men need as thorough a conversion as
Paul experienced. Ministers must be living representatives of the truth they
preach. They must have greater spiritual life, characterized by greater
simplicity. The words must be received from God and given to the people. The
attention of the people must be arrested. Our message is a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. The
destiny of souls is balancing. Multitudes are in the valley of decision. A
voice should be heard crying, "If the Lord be God, follow him; but if
Baal, then follow him." [1 KINGS 18:21.] {GW92 138.1}
Prompt, energetic, and earnest action may save an undecided soul. No
one can tell how much is lost by attempting to preach without the unction of the Holy Spirit. There are souls in every
congregation who are hesitating, almost persuaded to be wholly for God. The
decision is being made for time and for eternity; but it is too often the
case that the minister has not the spirit and power of the
139 message of truth in his own heart, hence no direct appeals are made
to those souls that are trembling in the balance. The result is that
impressions are not deepened upon the hearts of the convicted ones; and they
leave the meeting feeling less inclined to accept the service of Christ than
when they came. They decide to wait for a more favorable
opportunity; but it never comes. That godless discourse, like Cain's
offering, lacked the Saviour. The golden opportunity is lost, and the cases
of these souls are decided. Is not too much at stake to preach in an
indifferent manner, and without feeling the burden of souls? {GW92 138.2}
In this age of moral darkness it will take something more than dry
theory to move souls. Ministers must have a living connection with God. They
must preach as though they believed what they said. Living truths, falling
from the lips of the man of God, will cause sinners to tremble, and the
convicted to cry out, "Jehovah is the God; I am resolved to be wholly on
the Lord's side." Never should the messenger of God cease his strivings
for greater light and power from above. He should toil on, pray
on, hope on, amid discouragement and darkness, determined to gain a thorough
knowledge of the Scriptures, and to come behind in no gift. As long as there
is one soul to be benefited, he should press forward with new courage at
every effort. There is work, earnest work, to be accomplished. Souls for whom
Christ died are in peril. So long as Jesus has said, "I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee," [HEB. 13:5.] so long as the crown of
righteousness is offered to the overcomer, so long
as our Advocate pleads in the sinner's behalf, ministers of Christ should labor in hope, with tireless energy and persevering
faith. {GW92 139.1}
But while the truth of God is carried by young and inexperienced men
whose hearts are scarcely touched by the grace of God, the cause will
140 languish. . . . Men who dare to assume the
responsibilities of receiving the word from the mouth of God and giving it to
the people, make themselves accountable for the truth they present and the
influence they exert. If they are truly men of God, their hope is not in
themselves, but in what he will do for them and through them. They do not go
forth self-inflated, calling the attention of the people to their smartness
and aptness; they feel their responsibility, and work with spiritual energy,
treading in the path of self-denial which the Master trod. Self-sacrifice is
seen at every step, and they mourn because of their inability to do more in the
cause of God. Their path is one of trial and conflict; but it is marked by
the foot-prints of their Redeemer, the Captain of their salvation, who was
made perfect through suffering. {GW92 139.2}
In their labor the under-shepherds must
closely follow the directions and manifest the spirit of the Chief Shepherd. Skepticism and apostasy are met everywhere. God wants men
to labor in his cause who have hearts as true as
steel, and who will stand steadfast in integrity, undaunted by circumstances.
Amid trial and gloom they are just what they were when their prospects were
brightened by hope, and when their outward surroundings were all that they
could desire. Daniel in the lions' den is the same Daniel who stood before
the king, encircled by the light of God. Paul in the dark dungeon, awaiting
the sentence which he knew was to come from the cruel Nero, is the same Paul
who addressed the court of the Areopagus. A man whose heart is stayed upon God in the hour of his most
afflicting trials and most discouraging surroundings, is just what he was in
prosperity, when the light and favor of God seemed
to be upon him. Faith reaches to the unseen, and grasps eternal things. . . .
{GW92 140.1}
Ministers should dare to be true, Paul wrote to Timothy: "Let no
man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in
141 conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
"Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy
profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both
save thyself, and them that hear thee." [1 TIM. 4:12, 15, 16.] The word
and will of God are expressed in the Scriptures by inspired penmen. We should
bind them as frontlets between our eyes, and walk according to their
precepts; then we shall walk safely. Every chapter and every verse is a
communication from God to man. In studying the word, the soul that hungers
and thirsts for righteousness will be impressed by the divine utterances. Skepticism can have no power over a soul that with
humility searches the Scriptures.--Vol. 4, p. 442.
- {GW92 140.2}
There are but few preachers among us. And because the cause of God
seemed to need help so much, some have been led to think that almost any one
claiming to be a minister would be acceptable. Some have thought that because
persons could pray and exhort with a degree of freedom in meeting, they were
qualified to go forth as laborers. And before they
were proved, or could show any good fruit of their labors,
men whom God has not sent have been encouraged and flattered by some brethren
lacking experience. But their work shows the character of the workman. They
scatter and confuse, but do not gather in and build up. A few may receive the
truth as the fruit of their labors; but these
generally rise no higher than those from whom they learned the truth. The same
lack which marked their own course is seen in their converts. {GW92 141.1}
The success of this cause does not depend upon our having a large
number of ministers; but it is of the highest importance that those who do labor in connection with the cause of God should be men
who really feel the burden and sacredness of the work to which he has called
them. A few self-sacrificing,
142 godly men, small in their own estimation, can do a greater amount
of good than a much larger number, if a part of these are unqualified for the
work, yet self-confident and boastful of their own talents. A number of these
in the field, who would better fill some calling at home, would make it necessary
that nearly all the time of the faithful ministers be spent in following
after them to correct their wrong influence. The future usefulness of young
preachers depends much upon the manner in which they enter upon their labors. Brethren who have the cause of God at heart are
so anxious to see the truth advance that they are in danger of doing too much
for ministers who have not been proved, by helping them liberally to means,
and giving them influence. Those who enter the gospel field should be left to
earn themselves a reputation, even if it must be through trials and
privations. They should first give full proof of their ministry. {GW92 141.2}
Brethren of experience should be guarded; and instead of expecting
these young preachers to help and lead them, should feel a responsibility
upon them to take charge of these young preachers, to instruct, advise, and
lead them, to have a fatherly care for them. Young ministers should have
system, a firm purpose, and a mind to work, that they may eat no man's bread
for naught. They should not go from place to place, and introduce some points
of our faith calculated to stir up prejudice, and leave before the evidences
of present truth are half presented. Young men who think that they have a
duty to do in connection with the work should not take the responsibility of
teaching the truth, until they have availed themselves of the privilege of
being under the influence of some experienced preacher who is systematic in
his work; they should learn of him as a pupil at school would learn of his
teacher. They should not go hither and thither, with no
definite object or matured plans to carry out in their labor.
143 {GW92 142.1}
Some who have but little experience, and are least qualified to teach
the truth, are the last to ask counsel of their experienced brethren. They
put on the minister, and place themselves on a level with those of long and
tried experience, and are not satisfied unless they can lead, thinking that
because they are ministers, they know all that is worth knowing. Such
preachers certainly lack a true knowledge of themselves. They do not possess
becoming modesty, and have altogether too high an opinion of their own
abilities. Ministers of experience, who realize the sacredness of the work,
and feel the weight of the cause upon them, are jealous of themselves. They
consider it a privilege to advise with their
brethren, and are not offended if improvements are suggested in their plans
of labor, or in their manner of speaking. {GW92
143.1}
Those ministers who have come out from the different denominations to
embrace the third angel's message often wish to teach when they should be
learners. Some have a great share of their former teaching to unlearn before
they can fully learn the principles of present truth. Ministers will injure
the cause of God by going forth to labor for others
when there is as great a work to be done for them to fit them for their labors, as they may wish to do for unbelievers. If they
are unqualified for the work, it will require the labor
of two or three faithful ministers to follow after and correct their wrong
influence. In the end it would be cheaper for the cause of God to give such
ministers a good support to remain at home and do no injury in the field.
{GW92 143.2}
Preachers have been regarded by some as especially inspired, as being
only mediums for the Lord to speak through. If the aged and those of long
experience see failings in a minister, and suggest improvements in his
manners, in the tone of his voice, or in his gestures, he has sometimes felt
hurt, and has reasoned that God called him just as he was, that the power was
of God and not of himself, and 144 that God must do the work for him, that he did not preach
according to man's wisdom, etc. It is a mistake to think that a man cannot
preach unless he becomes wrought up to a high degree of excitement. Men who are thus dependent upon feeling, may be of use in
exhortation, when they feel just like it, but they will never make good,
burden-bearing laborers. When the work moves hard,
and everything assumes a discouraging aspect, the excitable and those
dependent upon feeling are not prepared to bear their share of the burdens.
In times of discouragement and darkness, how important to have calm, thinking
men, who are not dependent on circumstances, but who trust God, and labor on in the darkness as well as in the light. Men who serve God from principle, although their faith may
be severely tried, will be seen leaning securely upon the never-failing arm
of Jehovah. {GW92 143.3}
Young preachers, and men who have once been ministers, who have been
coarse and rough in their manners, making expressions in their conversation
which were not perfectly modest and chaste, are not fit to engage in this
work until they give evidence of an entire reform. One word spoken
unadvisedly may do more harm than a series of meetings held by them will do good. They leave the standard of truth, which should be
ever exalted, lowered to the dust before the community. Their converts
generally come up no higher than the standard raised for them by the
ministers. Men who are standing between the living
and the dead, should be just right. The minister should not be off his guard
for a single moment. He is laboring to elevate
others by bringing them up upon the platform of truth. Let him show to others
that the truth has done something for him. He should see the evil of these
careless, rough, vulgar expressions, and should put away and despise
everything of this character. Unless he does this, his converts will pattern
after him. And when faithful
145 ministers shall follow after, and labor with
these converts to correct their wrongs, they will excuse themselves by
referring to the minister. If you condemn his course, they will turn to you
and ask, "Why do you uphold and give influence to men by sending them
out to preach to sinners, while they are sinners themselves?" {GW92
144.1}
The work in which we are engaged is a responsible and exalted work.
Those who minister in word and doctrine should themselves be patterns of good
works. They should be examples in holiness, cleanliness, and order. The
appearance of the servant of God, out of the pulpit and in, should be that of
a living preacher. He can accomplish far more by his godly example than by
merely preaching in the desk, while his influence out of the desk is not
worthy of imitation. Those who labor in this cause
are bearing to the world the most elevated truth that was ever committed to
mortals. {GW92 145.1}
Men who are chosen of God to labor in this
cause, will give proof of their high calling, and will regard it as their
highest duty to grow and improve until they shall become able workmen. Then,
as they manifest an earnestness to improve upon the talent which God has intrusted to them, they should be helped judiciously. But
the encouragement given them should not savor of
flattery, for Satan himself will do enough of that kind of work. Men who think that they have a duty to preach, should not
be sustained in throwing themselves and their families at once upon the
brethren for support. They are not entitled to this until they can show good
fruits of their labor. There is danger now of
injuring young preachers, and those who have but little experience, by
flattery, and by relieving them of burdens in life. When not preaching, they
should be doing what they can for their own support. This is the best way to
test the nature of their call to preach. If they desire to preach only that
they may be supported as ministers,
146 and the church pursue a judicious course, they will soon lose
their burden, and leave preaching for a more profitable business. Paul, a
most eloquent preacher, miraculously converted by God to do a special work,
was not above labor. He says, "Even unto this
present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and
have no certain dwelling-place; and labor, working
with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer
it." "Neither did we eat any man's bread for naught; but wrought
with labor and travail night and day, that we might
not be chargeable to any of you." [1 COR. 4:11, 12; 2 THESS. 3:8.] {GW92
145.2} I
have been shown that many do not rightly estimate the talents which are among
them. Some brethren do not understand what preaching talent would be the best
for the advancement of the cause of truth, but think only of the present
gratification of their feelings. Without reflection they will show preference
for a speaker who manifests considerable zeal in his preaching, and relates
anecdotes which please the ear and animate the mind for a moment, but leave
no lasting impression. At the same time they will put a low estimate upon a
preacher who has prayerfully studied that he may present before the people
the arguments of our position in a calm manner, and in a connected form. His labor is not appreciated, and he is often treated with
indifference. {GW92 146.1} A
man may preach in a spirited manner and please the ear, but convey no new
idea or real intelligence to the mind. The impressions
received through such preaching last no longer than while the speaker's voice
is heard. When search is made for the fruit of such labor, there is little to be found. These flashy gifts
are not as beneficial, and as well adapted to advance the cause of truth, as
a gift that can be trusted in difficult places. In the work of teaching the
truth it is necessary that the important
147 points of our position be well fortified with Scripture evidences.
Assertions may silence the unbeliever, but will not convince him. Believers
are not the only ones for whose benefit laborers
are sent into the field. The salvation of souls is the great object. --Vol.
I, p. 442.
- {GW92 146.2} Manner of Speaking.
Some of our most talented ministers are doing themselves great injury
by their defective manner of speaking. While teaching the people their duty
to obey God's moral law, they should not be found violating his physical
laws. Ministers should stand erect, and speak slowly, firmly, and distinctly,
taking a full inspiration of air at every sentence, and throwing out the
words by exercising the abdominal muscles. If they will observe this simple
rule, giving attention to the laws of health in other respects, they may
preserve their life and usefulness much longer than men in any other
profession. {GW92 147.1}
The chest will become broader, and by educating the voice, the speaker
need seldom become hoarse, even by constant speaking. Instead of becoming consumptives
by speaking, our ministers may, by care, overcome all tendency
to consumption. I would say to my ministering brethren, Unless you educate
yourselves to speak according to physical law, you will sacrifice life, and
many will mourn the loss of "those martyrs to the cause of truth,"
when the facts in the case are, that by indulging in wrong habits you did
injustice to yourselves and to the truth which you represented, and robbed
God and the world of the service you might have rendered. God would have been
pleased to have you live, but you slowly committed suicide. {GW92 147.2}
The manner in which the truth is presented, often has much to do in
determining whether it will be
148 accepted or rejected. All who labor in the
great cause of reform should study to become efficient workmen, that they may
accomplish the greatest possible amount of good, and not detract from the
force of the truth by their own deficiencies. {GW92 147.3}
Ministers and teachers should discipline themselves to clear and
distinct articulation, giving the full sound to every word. Those who talk
rapidly, from the throat, jumbling the words together and raising their
voices to an unnaturally high pitch, soon become hoarse, and the words spoken
lose half the force which they would have if spoken slowly, distinctly, and
not so loud. The sympathies of the hearers are awakened for the speaker; for
they know that he is doing violence to himself, and they fear that he will
break down at any moment. It is no evidence that a man has zeal for God
because he works himself up into a frenzy of excitement and gesticulation.
"Bodily exercise," says the apostle, "profiteth
little." [1 TIM. 4:8.] {GW92 148.1} The
Saviour of the world would have his co-laborers
represent him; and the more closely a man walks with God, the more faultless
will be his manner of address, his deportment, his attitude, and his
gestures. Coarse and uncouth manners were never seen in our Pattern, Christ
Jesus. He was a representative of heaven, and his followers must be like him.
{GW92 148.2}
Some reason that the Lord will by his Spirit qualify a man to speak as
he would have him; but the Lord does not propose to do the work which he has
given man to do. He has given us reasoning powers, and opportunities to
educate the mind and manners. And after we have done all we can for
ourselves, making the best use of the advantages within our reach, then we
may look to God with earnest prayer to do by his Spirit that which we cannot
do for ourselves, and we shall ever find in our Saviour power and
efficiency.--Vol. 4, p. 404.
149 {GW92 148.3}
From the light I have had, the ministry is a sacred and exalted
office, and those who accept this position should have Christ in their
hearts, and manifest an earnest desire to represent him worthily before the
people, in all their acts, in their dress, in their speaking, and even in
their manner of speaking. They should speak with reverence. Some destroy the
solemn impression they may have made upon the people, by raising their voices
to a very high pitch, and hallooing and screaming out the truth. When
presented in this manner, truth loses much of its sweetness, its force and
solemnity. But if the voice is toned right, if it has solemnity, and is so
modulated as to be even pathetic, it will produce a much better impression.
This was the tone in which Christ taught his disciples. He impressed them
with solemnity; he spoke in a pathetic manner. But this loud hallooing--what
does it do? It does not give the people any more exalted views of the truth,
and does not impress them any more deeply. It only causes a disagreeable
sensation to the hearers, and wears out the vocal organs of the speaker. The
tones of the voice have much to do in affecting the hearts of those that
hear. {GW92 149.1}
Many who might be useful men, are using up their vital force, and
destroying their lungs and vocal organs, by their manner of speaking. Some
ministers have acquired a habit of hurriedly rattling off what they have to
say, as though they had a lesson to repeat, and were hastening through it as
fast as possible. This is not the best manner of speaking. By using proper
care, every minister can educate himself to speak distinctly and
impressively, not to hurriedly crowd the words together, without taking time
to breathe. He should speak in a moderate manner, that
the people may get the ideas fixed in their minds as he passes along. But
when the matter is rushed through so rapidly, the people cannot get the
points
150 in their minds, and they do not have the time to receive the
impression that it is important for them to have; nor is there time for the
truth to affect them as it otherwise would. {GW92 149.2}
Speaking from the throat, all the time fretting and irritating the
vocal organs, is not the best way to improve health or to increase the
efficiency of those organs. You should take a full inspiration, and let the
action come from the abdominal muscles. Let the lungs be only the channel; do
not depend upon them to do the work. If you let your words come from deep down,
exercising the abdominal muscles, you can speak to thousands with just as
much ease as you can speak to ten. {GW92 150.1}
Some of our preachers are killing themselves by long, tedious praying
and loud speaking, when a lower tone would make a better impression, and save
their own strength. Now, while you go on regardless of the laws of life and
health, and follow the impulse of the moment, do not charge it upon God if
you break down. Many of you waste time and strength in long preliminaries and
excuses as you begin to speak. Instead of apologizing because you are about
to address the people, you should begin your labor
as though God had something for you to say to them. Some use up nearly half
an hour in making apologies; thus the time is frittered away, and when they
get to their subject, where they are desirous of fastening the points of
truth, the people are wearied out, and cannot see their force or be impressed
with them. You should make the essential points of present truth as distinct
as mile-posts, so that the people will understand them. They will then see
the arguments you want to present, and the positions you want to sustain.
{GW92 150.2}
There is another class that address the people in a whining tone.
Their hearts are not softened by the Spirit of God, and they think they must
make an impression by the appearance of humility. Such a
151 course does not exalt the gospel ministry, but brings it down,
degrades it. Ministers should present the truth warm from glory. They should
speak in such a manner as rightly to represent Christ, and preserve the
dignity becoming his ministers. {GW92 150.3}
The long prayers made by some ministers have been a great failure. Praying
to great length, as some do, is all out of place. They injure the throat and
vocal organs, and then they talk of breaking down by their hard labor. They injure themselves when it is not called for.
Many feel that praying injures their vocal organs more than talking. This is
in consequence of the unnatural position of the body, and the manner of
holding the head. They can stand and talk, and not feel injured. The position
in prayer should be perfectly natural. Long praying wearies, and is not in
accordance with the gospel of Christ. Half or even a quarter of an hour is
altogether too long. A few minutes' time is long enough to bring your case
before God, and tell him what you want; and you can take the people with you,
and not weary them out, and lessen their interest in devotion and prayer.
They may be refreshed and strengthened, instead of exhausted. . . . {GW92
151.1}
Ministers should speak in a manner to reach and impress the people.
The teachings of Christ were impressive and solemn; his voice was melodious.
And should not we, as well as Christ, study to have melody in our voices? He
had a mighty influence, for he was the Son of God. We are so far beneath him
and so far deficient, that, do the very best we can, our efforts will be
poor. We cannot gain and hold the influence that he had; but why should we
not educate ourselves to come just as near to the Pattern as it is possible
for us to do, that we may have the greatest possible influence upon the
people? Our words, our actions, our deportment, our dress, --everything
should preach. Not only with our words should we speak to the people, but
everything
152 pertaining to our person should be a sermon to them, that right impressions
may be made upon them, and that the truth spoken may be taken by them to
their homes. Thus our faith will stand in a better light before the
community. {GW92 151.2} I
never realized more than I do today the exalted character of the work, its
sacredness and holiness, and the importance of our being fitted for it. I see
the need in myself. I must have a new fitting up, a holy unction, or I cannot
go any farther to instruct others. I must know that I am walking with God. I
must know that I understand the mystery of godliness. I must know that the
grace of God is in my own heart, that my own life is in accordance with his will, that I am walking in his footsteps. Then my words
will be true, and my actions right.--Vol. 2, p. 615. - {GW92 152.1} Danger in Overwork. I
saw that some of our ministers do not understand how to preserve their
strength so as to be able to perform the greatest amount of labor without exhaustion. Ministers should not pray so loud and long as to exhaust their strength. It is not
necessary to weary the throat and lungs in prayer. God's ear is ever open to
hear the heart-felt petitions of his humble servants, and he does not require
them to wear out the organs of speech in addressing him. It is the perfect
trust, the firm reliance, the steady claiming of the promises of God, the
simple faith that he is, and that he is a rewarder
of all those who diligently seek him, that prevails with God. {GW92 152.2}
Ministers should discipline themselves, and learn how to perform the
greatest amount of labor in the brief period
allotted them, and yet preserve a good degree of strength, so that if an
extra effort should be required, they may have a reserve of vital force
153 sufficient for the occasion, which they can employ without injuring
themselves. Sometimes all the strength they have is needed in order to put
forth effort at a given point; and if they have previously exhausted their
fund of strength, and cannot command the power to make this effort, all they
have done is lost. At times all the mental and physical energies may be drawn
upon to make the very strongest stand, to array evidences in the clearest
light, and set them before the people in the most pointed manner, and urge
them home by the strongest appeals. As souls are on the point of leaving the
enemy's ranks and coming upon the Lord's side, the contest is most severe and
close. Satan and his angels are unwilling that any who have served under the
banner of darkness should take their position under the blood-stained banner
of Prince Immanuel. {GW92 152.3} I
was shown opposing armies who had endured a painful struggle in battle. The
victory was gained by neither, and at length the loyal realize that their
strength and force are wearing away, and that they will be unable to silence
their enemies unless they make a charge upon them, and obtain their
instruments of warfare. It is then, at the risk of their lives, that they
summon all their powers, and rush upon the foe. It is a fearful struggle; but
victory is gained, the strongholds are taken. If at the critical period the
army is so weak through exhaustion that it is impossible to make the last
charge, and batter down the enemy's fortifications, the whole struggle of
days, weeks, and even months, is lost; many lives are sacrificed, and nothing
gained. {GW92 153.1} A
similar work is before us. Many are convinced that we have the truth, and yet
they are held as with iron bands; they dare not risk the consequences of
taking their position on the side of truth. Many are in the valley of
decision, where special, close, and pointed appeals are necessary to move
them to lay down their weapons of warfare, and take their position 154 on the Lord's side. Just at this critical period, Satan throws
the strongest bands around these souls. If the servants of God are all
exhausted, having expended their fund of physical and mental strength, they
think they can do no more, and frequently leave the field entirely, to begin
operations elsewhere. And all, or nearly all, the time, means, and labor have been spent for naught. Yes, it is worse than
if they had never begun the work in that place; for after the people have
been deeply convicted by the Spirit of God, and brought to the point of
decision, and are left to lose their interest, and decide against these
evidences, they cannot as easily be brought where their minds will again be
agitated upon the subject. They have in many cases made their final decision.
{GW92 153.2}
If ministers would preserve a reserve force, and at the very point
where everything seems to move the hardest, then make the most earnest
efforts, the strongest appeals, the closest applications, and, like valiant
soldiers, at the critical moment make the charge upon the enemy, they would
gain the victory. Souls would have strength to break the bands of Satan, and
make their decisions for everlasting life. Well-directed labor
at the right time will make a long-tried effort successful, when to leave the
labor, even for a few days,
will in many cases cause an entire failure. Ministers must give themselves as
missionaries to the work, and learn how to make their efforts count to the
very best advantage.-- Vol. 1, p. 645.
155 {GW92 154.1} Order and Discipline. I
was shown that ministers of Christ should discipline themselves for the
warfare. Greater wisdom is required in generalship
in the work of God than is required of the generals engaged in national
battles. Ministers of God's choosing are engaged in a great work. They are
warring not merely against men, but against Satan and his angels. Wise generalship is required here. They must become Bible
students, and give themselves wholly to the work. When they begin to labor in a place, they should be able to give the reasons
of our faith, not in a boisterous manner, not with a perfect storm, but with
meekness and fear. The power which will convince, is
strong arguments presented in meekness and in the fear of God. Able ministers
of Christ are required for the work in these last days in peril, -- able in
word and doctrine, acquainted with the Scriptures, and understanding the
reasons of our faith. I was directed to these scriptures, the meaning of
which has not been realized by some ministers: "Sanctify the Lord God in
your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness and fear." "Let your speech be alway
with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every
man." "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle
unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that
oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the
snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." [1 PETER
3:15; COL. 4:6; 2 TIM. 2:24-26.] {GW92 155.1}
The man of God, the minister of Christ, is required to be thoroughly
furnished unto all good
156 works. A pompous minister, all dignity, is not needed for this good
work. But decorum is necessary in the desk. A minister of the gospel should
not be regardless of his attitude. If he is the representative of Christ, his
deportment, his attitude, his gestures, should be of such a character as will
not strike the beholder with disgust. Ministers should possess refinement.
They should discard all uncouth manners, attitudes, and gestures, and should
encourage in themselves humble dignity of bearing. They should be clothed in
a manner befitting the dignity of their position. Their speech should be in
every respect solemn and well chosen. I was shown that it is wrong to make
coarse, irreverent expressions, to relate anecdotes to amuse, or present
comic illustrations to create a laugh. Sarcasm and playing upon the words of
an opponent are all out of God's order. Ministers should not feel that they
can make no improvement in voice or manners; much can be done. The voice can
be cultivated so that quite lengthy speaking will not injure the vocal
organs. {GW92 155.2}
Ministers should love order, and should discipline themselves, and
then they can successfully discipline the church of God and teach them to
work harmoniously, like a well-drilled company of soldiers. If discipline and
order are necessary for successful action on the battle-field, the same are
as much more needful in the warfare in which we are engaged as the object to
be gained is of greater value and more elevated in character than those for
which opposing forces contend upon the field of battle. In the conflict in
which we are engaged, eternal interests are at stake. {GW92 156.1}
Angels work harmoniously. Perfect order characterizes all their
movements. The more closely we imitate the harmony and order of the angelic
host, the more successful will be the efforts of these heavenly agents in our
behalf. If we see no necessity
157 for harmonious action, and are disorderly, undisciplined, and disorganized
in our course of action, angels, who are thoroughly organized and move in
perfect order, cannot work for us successfully. They turn away in grief, for
they are not authorized to bless confusion, distraction, and disorganization.
All who desire the co-operation of the heavenly messengers,
must work in unison with them. Those who have the unction from on high, will
in all their efforts encourage order, discipline, and union of action, and
then the angels of God can co-operate with them. But never,
never, will these heavenly messengers place their indorsement
upon irregularity, disorganization, and disorder. All these evils are
the result of Satan's efforts to weaken our forces, to destroy courage, and
prevent successful action. {GW92 156.2}
Satan well knows that success can only attend order and harmonious
action. He well knows that everything connected with heaven is in perfect
order, that subjection and thorough discipline mark the movements of the
angelic host. It is his studied effort to lead professed Christians just as
far from heaven's arrangement as he can; therefore he deceives even the
professed people of God, and makes them believe that order and discipline are
enemies to spirituality; that the only safety for them is to let each pursue
his own course, and to remain especially distinct from bodies of Christians
who are united, and are laboring to establish
discipline and harmony of action. All the efforts made to establish order are
considered dangerous, a restriction of rightful liberty, and hence are feared
as popery. These deceived souls consider it a virtue to boast of their
freedom to think and act independently. They will not take any man's say-so.
They are amenable to no man. I was shown that it is Satan's special work to
lead men to feel that it is God's order for them to strike out for
themselves, and choose their own course, independent of their brethren.
158 {GW92 157.1} I
was pointed back to the children of Israel. Very soon after leaving Egypt
they were organized and most thoroughly disciplined. God had in his special
providence qualified Moses to stand at the head of the armies of Israel. He
had been a mighty warrior to lead the armies of the Egyptians, and in generalship he could not be surpassed by any man. The
Lord did not leave his holy tabernacle to be borne indiscriminately by any
tribe that might choose. He was so particular as to
specify the order he would have observed in bearing the sacred ark, and to
designate a special family of the tribe of the Levites to bear it. When it
was for the good of the people and for the glory of God that they should
pitch their tents in a certain place, God signified his will to them by
causing the pillar of cloud to rest directly over the tabernacle, where it
remained until he would have them journey again. In all their journeying they
were required to observe perfect order. Every tribe carried a standard
bearing the sign which distinguished that tribe, and each tribe was required
to pitch under its own standard. When the ark moved, the armies journeyed,
the different tribes marching in order, under their own standards. The
Levites were designated by the Lord as the tribe in the midst of whom the
sacred ark was to be borne, Moses and Aaron marching just in front of the
ark, and the sons of Aaron following near them, each bearing a trumpet. They
were to receive directions from Moses, which they were to signify to the
people by speaking through the trumpets. These trumpets gave special sounds,
which the people understood, and they directed their movements accordingly.
{GW92 158.1} A
special signal was first given by the trumpeters to call the attention of the
people; then all were to be attentive, and obey the certain sound of the
trumpets. There was no confusion of sound in the voices of the trumpets, therefore there was no excuse for confusion in
movements. The head officer of
159 each company gave definite directions in regard to the movements
they were required to make, and none who gave attention were left in
ignorance of what they were to do. If any failed to comply with the
requirements given by the Lord to Moses, and by Moses to the people, they
were punished with death. It would be no excuse to plead that they knew not
the nature of these requirements; for they would only prove themselves
willingly ignorant, and would receive the just punishment for their
transgression. If they did not know the will of God concerning them, it was
their own fault. They had the same opportunities to obtain the knowledge
imparted as others of the people had, therefore their sin of not knowing, not
understanding, was as great in the sight of God as if they had heard and then
transgressed. {GW92 158.2}
The Lord designated a special family of the tribe of Levi to bear the
ark; and others of the Levites were specially appointed by God to bear the
tabernacle and all its furniture, and to perform the work of setting up and
taking down the tabernacle. And if any man from curiosity or from lack of
order, got out of his place, and touched any part of the sanctuary or
furniture, or even came near any of the workmen, he was to be put to death.
God did not leave his holy tabernacle to be borne, erected, and taken down,
indiscriminately, by any tribe who might choose the office, but persons were
chosen who could appreciate the sacredness of the work in which they were
engaged. These men appointed by God were directed to impress upon the people
the special sacredness of the ark and all that appertained thereunto, lest
they should look upon these things without realizing their holiness, and
should be cut off from Israel. All things pertaining to the most holy place
were to be looked upon with reverence. {GW92 159.1}
The travels of the children of Israel are faithfully described; the
deliverance which the Lord wrought
160 for them, their perfect organization and
special order, their sin in murmuring against Moses and thus against God,
their transgressions, their rebellions, their punishments, their carcasses
strewn in the wilderness because of their unwillingness to submit to God's
wise arrangements,--this faithful picture is hung up before us as a warning
lest we follow their example of disobedience, and fall like them. {GW92
159.2}
"But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown
in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we
should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye
idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat
and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of
them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and
were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured,
and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them
for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of
the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh
he standeth, take heed lest he fall." [1 COR.
10:5-12.] Has God changed from a God of order?--No; he is the same in the
present dispensation as in the former. Paul says, "God is not the author
of confusion, but of peace." [1 COR. 14:33.] He is as particular now as
then. And he designs that we should learn lessons of order and organization
from the perfect order instituted in the days of Moses, for the benefit of
the children of Israel.--Vol. I, p. 647.
161 {GW92 160.1}
Carefulness in Dress.
The God of heaven, whose arm moves the world, who sustains us and
gives us life and health, has given us evidence that he may be honored or dishonored by the
apparel of those who officiate before him. He gave special directions to
Moses in regard to everything connected with his service. He gave instruction
even in regard to the arrangement of their houses, and specified the dress
which those should wear who were to minister in his service. They were to
maintain order in everything, and especially to preserve cleanliness. {GW92
161.1}
Read the directions that were given to Moses, to be made known to the
children of Israel as God was about to come down upon the mount to speak in
their hearing his holy law. What did he command Moses to have the people do?-- To be ready against the third day; for on the third
day, said he, the Lord will come down upon the mount in the sight of all the
people. They were to set bounds about the mount. "And the Lord said unto
Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them
wash their clothes." [EX. 19:10.] That great and mighty God who created
the beautiful Eden, and everything lovely in it, is a God of order; and he
wants order and cleanliness with his people. That mighty God directed Moses
to tell the people to wash their clothes, lest there should be impurity in
their clothing and about their persons as they came up before the Lord. And
Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and they washed their clothes,
according to the command of God. . . . {GW92 161.2}
There was to be nothing slack and untidy about those who appeared
before him, when they came into his holy presence. And why was this? What was
the object of all this carefulness? Was it merely to recommend the people to
God? Was it merely to
162 gain his approbation? The reason that was given me was this, that a right impression might be made upon the
people. If those who ministered in sacred office should fail to manifest care
and reverence for God, in their apparel and their deportment, the people
would lose their awe and their reverence for God and his sacred service. If
the priests showed great reverence for God by being very careful and very
particular as they came into his presence, it gave the people an exalted idea
of God and his requirements. It showed them that God was holy, that his work
was sacred, and that everything in connection with his work must be holy; that
it must be free from everything like impurity and uncleanness; and that all
defilement must be put away from those who approach nigh to God. {GW92 161.3}
From the light that has been given me, there has been a carelessness in this respect. I might speak of it as
Paul presents it. It is carried out in will-worship and neglecting of the
body. But this voluntary humility, this will-worship and neglecting of the
body, is not the humility that savors of heaven.
That humility will be particular to have person, and actions, and apparel of
all who preach the holy truth of God, right and perfectly proper, so that
every item connected with us will recommend our holy religion. The very dress
will be a recommendation of the truth to unbelievers. It will be a sermon in
itself. . . . {GW92 162.1}
Anciently the priests were required to have their garments in a
particular style to do service in the holy place, and minister in the
priest's office. They were to have garments in accordance with their work, and
God distinctly specified what these should be. The laver was placed between
the altar and the congregation, that before they came into the presence of
God, in the sight of the congregation, they might wash their hands and their
feet. What impression was this to make upon the people? It was to show
163 them that every particle of dust must be put
away before they could go into the presence of God; for he was so high and
holy that unless they did comply with these conditions, death would follow. .
. . {GW92 162.2}
The Lord requires his ministers to be pure and holy, rightly to
represent the principles of truth in their own lives, and by their example to
bring others up upon a high level. {GW92 163.1}
God requires all who profess to be his chosen people, though they are
not teachers of the truth, to be careful to preserve personal cleanliness and
purity, also cleanliness and order in their houses and upon their premises.
We are examples to the world, living epistles known and read of all men. God
requires all who profess godliness, and especially those who teach the truth
to others, to abstain from all appearance of evil.--Vol. 2, p. 610. - {GW92 163.2}
Physical Labor and Mental Activity.
[FROM A PERSONAL TESTIMONY.]
When not actively engaged in preaching, the apostle Paul worked at his
trade as a tent-maker. This he was obliged to do on account of having
accepted unpopular truth. Before embracing Christianity, he had occupied an
elevated position, and was not dependent upon his labor
for support. Among the Jews it was customary to teach the children some
trade, however high the position they were expected to fill, that a reverse
of circumstances might not leave them incapable of sustaining themselves. In
accordance with this custom, Paul was a tent-maker; and when his means had
been expended to advance the cause of Christ and for his own support, he
resorted to his trade in order to gain a livelihood. {GW92 163.3}
No man ever lived who was a more earnest, energetic, and
self-sacrificing disciple of Christ than was Paul. He was one of the world's
greatest teachers.
164 He crossed the seas, and traveled far and
near, until a large portion of the world had learned from his lips the story
of the cross of Christ. He possessed a burning desire to bring perishing man
to a knowledge of the truth through a Saviour's love. His soul was wrapped up
in the work of the ministry, and it was with feelings of pain that he
withdrew from this work to toil for his own bodily necessities; but he seated
himself to the drudgery of the craftsman, that he might not be burdensome to
the churches that were pressed with poverty. Although he had planted many
churches, he refused to be supported by them, fearing that his usefulness and
success as a minister of the gospel might be interfered with by suspicions of
his motives. He would remove all occasion for his enemies to misrepresent
him, and thus detract from the force of his message. {GW92 163.4}
Paul appeals to his Corinthian brethren to understand that as a laborer in the gospel, he might claim his support,
instead of sustaining himself; but this right he was willing to forego,
fearing that the acceptance of means for his support might possibly stand in
the way of his usefulness. Although feeble in health, he labored
during the day in serving the cause of Christ, and then toiled a large share
of the night, and frequently all night, that he might make provision for his
own and others' necessities. The apostle would also give an example to his
brethren, thus dignifying and honoring industry.
When our ministers feel that they are suffering hardships and privations in
the cause of Christ, let them in imagination visit the workshop of the
apostle Paul, bearing in mind that while this chosen man of God is fashioning
the canvass, he is working for bread which he has justly earned by his labors as an apostle of Jesus Christ. At the call of
duty, this great apostle would lay aside his business to meet the most
violent opponents, and stop their proud boasting, and then he would resume
his humble
165 employment. His religious industry is a rebuke to the indolence of some
of our ministers. When they have opportunity to labor
to help sustain themselves, they should do so with
gladness. {GW92 164.1}
God never designed that man should live in idleness. When Adam was in
Eden, means were devised for his employment. Though the race is not always to
the swift, nor the battle to the strong, yet he that
dealeth with a slack hand will become poor. Those
who are diligent in business may not always be prospered; but drowsiness and
indolence are sure to grieve the Spirit of God and destroy true godliness. A
stagnant pool becomes offensive; but a pure, flowing brook spreads health and
gladness over the land. A man of persevering industry will be a blessing
anywhere. The exercise of man's physical and mental powers is necessary to
their full and proper development. {GW92 165.1}
Young ministers should study to make themselves
useful wherever they are. When invited to visit persons at their homes, they
should not sit idle, making no effort to help the ones whose hospitality they
share. Obligations are mutual; if the minister shares the hospitality of his
friends, it is his duty to respond to their kindness by being thoughtful and
considerate in his conduct toward them. The entertainer may be a man of care
and hard labor. By manifesting a disposition not
only to wait upon himself, but to render timely assistance, the minister may
often find access to the heart, and open the way for the reception of truth.
{GW92 165.2}
When responsibilities are to be intrusted to
an individual, the question is not asked whether he is eloquent or wealthy,
but whether he is honest, faithful, and industrious; for whatever may be his
accomplishments, without these qualifications he is utterly unfit for any
position of trust. Many who have begun life with
fair prospects, fail of success because they lack industry. Young men who
habitually
166 mingle in the little groups gathered in stores or on the street, ever
engaging in discussion or gossip, will never grow to the proportions of men
of understanding. Continual application will accomplish for man what nothing
else can. Those who are never content without the consciousness that they are
growing every day, will truly make a success of
life. {GW92 165.3}
Many have failed, signally failed, where they might have made a
success. They have not felt the burden of the work; they have taken things as
leisurely as though they had a temporal millennium in which to work for the
salvation of souls. Because of this lack of earnestness and zeal, but few
would receive the impression that they really meant what they said. The cause
of God is not so much in need of preachers as of earnest, persevering workers
for the Master. God alone can measure the powers of the human mind. It was
not his design that man should be content to remain in the lowlands of
ignorance, but that he should secure all the advantages of an enlightened,
cultivated intellect. Every man and every woman should feel that obligations
are resting upon them to reach the very height of intellectual greatness.
While none should be puffed up because of the knowledge they have acquired,
it is the privilege of all to enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that with every
advance step they are rendered more capable of honoring
and glorifying God. They may draw from an inexhaustible fountain, the Source
of all wisdom and knowledge. {GW92 166.1}
Having entered the school of Christ, the student is prepared to engage
in the pursuit of knowledge without becoming dizzy from the height to which
he is climbing. As he goes on from truth to truth, obtaining clearer and
brighter views of the wonderful laws of science and of nature, he becomes
enraptured with the amazing exhibitions of God's love to man. He sees with
intelligent eyes the perfection,
167 knowledge, and wisdom of God stretching beyond into infinity. As his
mind enlarges and expands, pure streams of life pour into his soul. The more
he drinks from the fountain of knowledge, the purer and happier his
contemplation of God's infinity, and the greater his longing for wisdom
sufficient to comprehend the deep things of God. {GW92 166.2}
Mental culture is what we, as a people, need, and what we must have in
order to meet the demands of the time. Poverty, humble origin, and unfavorable surroundings, need not prevent the
cultivation of the mind. The mental faculties must be kept under the control
of the will, and the mind not allowed to wander or become
distracted with a variety of subjects at a time, being thorough in none.
Difficulties will be met in all studies; but never cease through
discouragement. Search, study, and pray; face every difficulty manfully and
vigorously; call the power of will and the grace of patience to your aid, and
then dig more earnestly till the gem of truth lies before you, plain and
beautiful, all the more precious because of the difficulties involved in
finding it. Do not, then, continually dwell upon this one point,
concentrating all the energies of the mind upon it, constantly urging it upon
the attention of others, but take another subject, and carefully examine
that. Thus mystery after mystery will be unfolded to your comprehension. Two
valuable victories will be gained by this course. You have not only secured
useful knowledge, but the exercise of the mind has increased mental power.
The key found to unlock one mystery, may reveal also other precious gems of
knowledge heretofore undiscovered. {GW92 167.1}
God has no use for lazy men in his cause; he wants thoughtful, kind,
affectionate, earnest workers. Active exertion will do our preachers good. Indolence is proof of depravity. Every faculty of
the mind, every bone in the body, every muscle of the limbs, show that God
designed our faculties to be
168 used, not to remain inactive. Men who will unnecessarily take the
hours of daylight for sleep, have no sense of the
value of precious, golden moments. Such men will prove only a curse to the
cause of God. {GW92 167.2}
Persons who have not acquired habits of close industry and economy of
time should have set rules to prompt them to regularity and dispatch.
Washington, the nation's statesman, was enabled to perform a great amount of
business because he was thorough in preserving order and regularity. Every
paper had its date and its place, and no time was lost in looking up what had
been mislaid. Men of God must be diligent in study, earnest in the
acquirement of knowledge, never wasting an hour. Through persevering exertion
they may rise to almost any degree of eminence as Christians, as men of power
and influence. But many will never attain superior rank in the pulpit or in
business, because of their unfixedness of purpose,
and the laxness of habits contracted in their youth. Careless inattention is
seen in everything they undertake. A sudden impulse now and then is not
sufficient to accomplish a reformation in these ease-loving, indolent ones;
this is a work which requires patient continuance in well-doing. Men of
business can be truly successful only by having regular hours for rising, for
prayer, for meals, and for retirement. If order and regularity are essential
in worldly business, how much more so in doing work for God! {GW92 168.1}
The bright morning hours are wasted by many in bed. These precious
hours, once lost, are gone never to return; they are lost for time and for
eternity. Only one hour lost each day, and what a waste of time in the course
of a year! Let the slumberer think of this, and
pause to consider how he will give an account to God for lost opportunities.
{GW92 168.2}
Ministers should devote time to reading, to study, to meditation and
prayer. They should store the
169 mind with useful knowledge, committing to memory portions of
Scripture, tracing out the fulfillment of the prophecies, and learning the
lessons which Christ gave to his disciples. Take a book with you to read when
traveling on the cars or waiting in the depot. Employ every spare moment in
doing something. In this way an effectual door will be closed against a
thousand temptations. Had King David been engaged in some useful employment,
he would not have been guilty of the murder of Uriah.
Satan is ever ready to employ him who does not employ himself. The mind which
is continually striving to rise to the height of intellectual greatness will
find no time for cheap, foolish thoughts, which are the parent of evil
actions. There are men of good ability among us, who, by proper cultivation,
might become eminently useful; yet they do not love exertion, and, failing to
see the crime of neglecting to put to the best use the faculties with which
they have been endowed by the Creator, they settle down at their ease, to
remain uncultivated in mind. But very few are meeting the mind of God. Of
these slothful servants God will inquire, "What hast thou done with the
talents I gave thee?" Many will be found in that day, who, having had
one talent, bound it in a napkin, and hid it in the earth. These unprofitable
servants will be cast into outer darkness; while those who had put out their
talents to the exchangers and doubled them, will receive the plaudit,
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over
a few thing, I will make thee ruler over many
things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." [MATT. 25:21.] {GW92 168.3}
Many of our ministers can present to the people only a few doctrinal
discourses. The same exertion and application which made them familiar with
these points, will enable them to gain an
understanding of others. The prophecies and other doctrinal subjects should
be thoroughly understood by them all. But
170 some who have been engaged in preaching for years, are content to
confine themselves to a few subjects, being too indolent to search the
Scriptures diligently and prayerfully, that they may become giants in the
understanding of Bible doctrines and the practical lessons of Christ. The
minds of all should be stored with a knowledge of
the truths of God's word, that they may be prepared, at any moment when
required, to present from the storehouse things new and old. Minds have been
crippled and dwarfed for want of zeal, and of earnest, severe taxation. The
time has come when God says, "Go forward, and cultivate the abilities I
have given you." {GW92 169.1}
The world is teeming with errors and fables. Novelties in the form of
sensational dramas are continually arising to engross the mind; and absurd
theories abound which are destructive to moral and spiritual advancement. The
cause of God needs men of intellect, men of thought, men well versed in the
Scriptures, to meet the inflowing tide of opposition. We should give no
sanction to arrogance, narrow-mindedness, and inconsistencies, although the
garment of professed piety may be thrown over them. Those who have the
sanctifying power of the truth upon their hearts will exert a persuasive
influence. Knowing that the advocates of error cannot create or destroy
truth, they can afford to be considerate and calm. {GW92 170.1}
It is not enough for our ministers to have a superficial knowledge of
the truth. Subjects which are handled by men who have perverted their
God-given powers to tear down the truth, are constantly coming up for
investigation. Bigotry must be laid aside. The Satanic delusions of the age
must be met clearly and intelligently with the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God. He who guides the planets in their courses, and upholds the
worlds by his power, has made provision for man formed in his image, that he
may be little less than the angels of God
171 while in the performance of his duties on earth. God's purposes
have not been answered by men who have been entrusted with the most solemn
truth ever given to man. He designs that we should rise higher and higher
toward a state of perfection, seeing and realizing at every step the power
and glory of God. Man does not know himself. Our responsibilities are exactly
proportioned to our light, opportunities, and privileges. We are responsible
for the good we might have done, but failed to do because we were too
indolent to use the means for our improvement which were placed within our
reach. {GW92 170.2}
The precious book of God contains rules of life for men of every class
and every vocation. Examples are here found which it would be well for all to
study and imitate. "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but
to minister." [MATT. 20:28.] The true honor
and glory of the servant of Christ consists, not in the number of sermons
preached, nor in the amount of writing accomplished, but in the work of
faithfully ministering to the wants of the people. If he neglects this part
of his work, he has no right to the name of minister. {GW92 171.1}
Men are needed for this time who can understand the wants of the
people, and minister to their necessities. The faithful minister of Christ
watches at every outpost to warn, to reprove, to counsel, to entreat, and to
encourage his fellow-men, laboring with the Spirit
of God which worketh in him mightily, that he may
present every man perfect in Christ. Such a man is acknowledged in heaven as
a minister, treading in the footsteps of his great Exemplar. . . . {GW92
171.2}
The harmonious, healthy action of all the powers of the body and mind
results in happiness; and the more elevated and refined the powers, the more
pure and unalloyed the happiness. An aimless life is a living death. The
powers of the mind should be exercised upon themes relating to our eternal
interests.
172 This will be conducive to health of body and
mind. There are many, even among our preachers, who want to rise in the world
without effort. They are ambitious to do some great work of usefulness, while
they disregard the little every-day duties which would render them helpful,
and make them ministers after Christ's order. They wish to do the work that
others are doing, but have no relish for the discipline necessary to fit them
for it. This yearning desire by both men and women to do something far in
advance of their present capabilities, is simply
causing them to make decided failures at the outset. They indignantly refuse
to climb the ladder, wishing to be elevated by a less laborious
process.--Vol. 4, p. 409.
- {GW92 171.3}
Our Duty to Preserve Health. I
am pained at heart as I see so many feeble ministers, so many on beds of sickness,
and so many closing the scenes of their earthly history,--men who have
carried the burden of responsibility in the work of God, whose whole heart
was in their work. The conviction that they must cease their labor in the cause they loved,
was far more painful to them than their sufferings from disease, or even
death itself. {GW92 172.1}
Is it not time for us to understand that nature will not long suffer
abuse without protesting? Our heavenly Father does not willingly afflict or
grieve the children of men. He is not the author of sickness and death. He is
the source of life; he would have men live, and he desires them to be
obedient to the laws of life and health, that they may live. {GW92 172.2}
Those who accept the present truth and are sanctified through it, have
an intense desire to represent the truth in their life and character. They
have a deep yearning of soul that others may see
173 the light and rejoice in it. As the true watchman goes forth
bearing precious seed, sowing beside all waters, weeping and praying, the
burden of labor is very taxing to mind and heart.
He cannot keep up the strain continuously, his soul stirred to the very
depths, without wearing out prematurely. Strength and efficiency are needed
in every discourse. And from time to time, fresh supplies of things new and
old need to be brought forth from the store-house of God's word. This will
impart life and power to the hearers. God does not want you to become so
exhausted that your efforts have no freshness or life. {GW92 172.3}
Those who are engaged in constant mental labor,
whether in study or preaching, need rest and change. The earnest student is
constantly taxing the brain, too often while neglecting physical exercise,
and as the result the bodily powers are enfeebled, and mental effort is
restricted. Thus the student fails of accomplishing the very work that he
might have done, had he labored wisely.{GW92 173.1}
If they worked intelligently, giving both mind and body a due share of
exercise, ministers would not so readily succumb to disease. If all our
workers were so situated that they could spend a few hours each day in
out-door labor, and felt free to do this, it would
be a blessing to them; they would be able to discharge more successfully the
duties of their calling. If they have not time for complete relaxation, they
could be planning and praying while at work with their hands, and could
return to their labor refreshed in body and spirit.
{GW92 173.2}
Some of our ministers feel that they must every day perform some labor that they can report to the Conference. And as the
result of trying to do this, their efforts are too often weak and
inefficient. They should have periods of rest, of entire freedom from taxing labor. But these cannot take the place of daily physical
exercise.
174 {GW92 173.3}
Brethren, when you take time to cultivate your garden, thus gaining
the exercise needed to keep the system in good working order, you are just as
much doing the work of God as in holding meetings. God is our Father, he
loves us, and he does not require any of his servants to abuse their bodies.
{GW92 174.1}
Another cause both of ill health and of inefficiency in labor,
is indigestion. It is impossible for the brain to do its best work when the
digestive powers are abused. Many eat hurriedly of various kinds of food,
which set up a war in the stomach, and thus confuse the brain. The use of unhealthful food, and overeating of even that which is
wholesome, should alike be avoided. Many eat at all hours, regardless of the
laws of health. Then gloom covers the mind. How can men be honored with divine enlightenment, when they are so
reckless in their habits, so inattentive to the light which God has given in
regard to these things? Brethren, is it not time for you to be converted on
these points of selfish indulgence? "Know ye
not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth
the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth
for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I
therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I,
not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under
my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have
preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." [1 COR. 9:24-27.]
Study this solemnly. {GW92 174.2}
Do not, however, feel it your duty to live on an insufficient diet.
Learn for yourselves what you should eat, what kinds of food best nourish the
body, and then follow the dictates of reason and conscience. At meal-time
cast off care and taxing thought. Do not be hurried, but eat slowly and with
cheerfulness, your heart filled with gratitude to God for all his blessings.
And do not engage in
175 brain labor immediately after a meal.
Exercise moderately, and give a little time for the stomach to begin its
work. {GW92 174.3}
This is not a matter of trifling importance. We must pay attention to
it if healthful vigor and a right tone are to be
given to the various branches of the work. The character and efficiency of
the work depend largely upon the physical condition of the workers. Many
committee meetings, and other meetings for counsel
have taken an unhappy tone from the dyspeptic condition of those assembled.
And many a sermon has received a dark shadow from the minister's indigestion.
{GW92 175.1}
Health is an inestimable blessing, and one which is more closely
related to conscience and religion than many realize. It has a great deal to
do with one's capability. Every minister should feel that as he would be a
faithful guardian of the flock, he must preserve all his powers in condition
for the best possible service. {GW92 175.2}
We are all deficient in practical knowledge concerning this matter.
The wonderful mechanism of the human body does not receive half the care that
is often given to a mere lifeless machine. Men give years of study in
preparation for this ministry, and yet so weaken their powers during this
preparatory work, that they die prematurely. {GW92 175.3}
Our workers should use their knowledge of the laws of life and health.
They should study from cause to effect. Read the best authors on these
subjects, and obey religiously that which your reason tells you is truth. --
MS. 176 {GW92 175.4} Well-Balanced Effort.
God has committed to each of us sacred trusts, for which he holds us
accountable. He desires us so to educate the mind that we may be able to
accomplish the greatest good, and reflect the glory to the Giver. We are
indebted to God for all the powers of the mind. These powers can be
cultivated, and so discreetly directed and controlled as to accomplish the
purpose for which they were given. It is duty so to educate the mind as to
bring out the energies of the soul, and develop every faculty. When all the
faculties are in exercise, the intellect will be strengthened, and the
purpose for which they were given will be accomplished. {GW92 176.1}
Many are not doing the greatest amount of good, because they exercise
the intellect in one direction, and neglect to give careful attention to
those things for which they think they are not adapted. Some faculties that
are weak are thus allowed to lie dormant, because the work that should call
them into exercise and consequently give them strength,
is not pleasant. All the powers of the mind should be exercised, all the
faculties cultivated. Perception, judgment, memory, and all the reasoning
powers, should have equal strength in order that the mind may be well
balanced. . . . {GW92 176.2}
We have no right to neglect any one of the powers that God has given
us. All over the country we see monomaniacs. Frequently they are sane upon
every subject but one. The reason of this is that one organ of the mind was
specially exercised, while others were permitted to lie dormant. The one that
was in constant use became worn and diseased, and the man became a wreck. God
was not glorified by this course. Had he exercised all the organs equally,
all would have had a healthy development;
177 all the labor would not have been
thrown upon one, therefore no one would have broken down. {GW92 176.3}
Ministers should be guarded, lest they thwart the purposes of God by
plans of their own. They are in danger of narrowing down the work of God, and
confining their labor to certain localities, and
not cultivating a special interest for the work of God in all its various departments.
There are some who concentrate their minds upon one subject, to the exclusion
of others which may be of equal importance. They are one-idea men. All the
strength of their being is concentrated on the subject upon which the mind is
exercised for the time. Every other consideration is lost sight of. This one favorite theme is the burden of their thoughts and their
conversation. All the evidence which has a bearing upon that subject is
eagerly seized and appropriated, and dwelt upon at so great length that minds
are wearied in following them. {GW92 177.1}
Time is frequently lost in explaining points which are really
unimportant, and which would be taken for granted without producing proof;
for they are self-evident. But the real, vital points should be made as plain
and forcible as language and proof can make them. The power to concentrate
the mind upon one subject to the exclusion of all others, is good in a
degree; but the constant exercise of this faculty wears upon those organs
that are called into use to do this work; it throws too great a tax upon
them, and the result is a failure to accomplish the greatest amount of good.
The principal wear comes upon one set of organs, while the others lie
dormant. The mind cannot thus be healthfully exercised, and in consequence,
life is shortened. {GW92 177.2}
All the faculties should bear a part of the labor,
working harmoniously, balancing one another. Those who put the whole strength
of their mind into one subject, are greatly deficient on other points, for
the reason that the faculties are not equally cultivated.
178 The subject before them enchains their
attention, and they are led on and on, and go deeper and deeper into the
matter. They see knowledge and light as they become interested and absorbed.
But there are very few minds that can follow them, unless they have given the
subject the same depth of thought. There is danger that such men will plow and plant the seed of truth so deep that the tender,
precious blade will never find the surface. {GW92 177.3}
Much hard labor is often expended that is
not called for, and that will never be appreciated. If those who have large concentrativeness cultivate this faculty to the neglect
of others, they cannot have well-proportioned minds. They are like machinery
in which only one set of wheels works at a time. While some wheels are
rusting from inaction, others are wearing from constant use. Men who
cultivate one or two faculties, and do not exercise all equally, cannot
accomplish one half the good in the world that God designed they should. They
are one-sided men; only half the power that God has given them is put to use,
while the other half is rusting from inaction. {GW92 178.1}
If this class of minds have a special work requiring thought, they
should not exercise all their powers upon that one thing, to the exclusion of
every other interest. While they make the subject before them their principal
business, other branches of the work should have a portion of their time.
This would be much better for themselves, and for
the cause generally. One branch of the work should not have exclusive
attention, to the neglect of all others. In their writings some need to be
constantly guarded, that they do not make points blind that are plain, by
covering them up with many arguments which will not be of lively interest to
the reader. If they linger tediously upon points, giving every particular
which suggests itself to the mind, their labor is
nearly lost. The interest of the reader will not be deep enough to
179 pursue the subject to its close. The most essential points of truth
may be made indistinct by giving attention to every minute point. Much ground
is covered; but the work upon which so much labor
is expended is not adapted to do the greatest amount of good, by awakening a
general interest. {GW92 178.2}
In this age, when pleasing fables are drifting upon the surface and
attracting the mind, it is better to present truth in an easy style, backed
up with a few strong proofs, than to search and bring forth an overwhelming
array of evidence; for the point does not then stand so distinct in many minds
as before the objections and evidences were brought before them. With many,
assertions will go farther than long arguments. They take many things for
granted. Proof does not help the case in the minds of such. . . . {GW92
179.1}
Meeting Objections.
Time and strength can be better employed than in dwelling at length
upon the quibbles of our opponents who deal in slander and
misrepresentations. While precious time is employed in following the crooks
and turns of dishonest opponents, the people who are open to conviction are
dying for want of knowledge. A train of senseless quibbles of Satan's own
invention, is brought before minds, while the people are crying for food --
for meat in due season. {GW92 179.2} It
takes those who have trained their minds to war against the truth, to
manufacture quibbles. And we are not wise to take them from their hands, and
pass them out to thousands who would never have thought of them had we not
published them to the world. . . . The plan of Christ's teaching should be
ours. He was plain and simple, striking directly at the root of the matter, and the minds of all were met. It is not the best
policy to be so very explicit, and say all upon a point that can be said,
when a few arguments will cover the ground, and be sufficient for all
practical purposes to
180 convince or silence opponents. You may remove every prop today, and
close the mouths of objectors so that they can say nothing, and tomorrow they
will go over the same ground again. Thus it will be, over and over, because
they do not love the light, and will not come to the light, lest their
darkness and error should be removed from them. It is a better plan to keep a
reserve of arguments than to pour out a depth of knowledge upon a subject
which would be taken for granted without labored
argument. Christ's ministry lasted only three years, and a great work was
done in that short period. In these last days, there is a great work to be
done in a short time. While many are getting ready to do something, souls
will perish for the light and knowledge. {GW92 179.3}
If men who are engaged in presenting and defending the truth of the
Bible, undertake to investigate and show the fallacy and inconsistency of men
who dishonestly turn the truth of God into a lie, Satan will stir up
opponents enough to keep their pens constantly employed, while other branches
of the work will be left to suffer. {GW92 180.1} We must have more of the spirit of those
men who were engaged in building the walls of Jerusalem. We are doing a great
work, and cannot come down. If Satan can keep men answering the objections of
opponents, and thus keep their voices silent, and hinder them from doing the
most important work for the present time, his object is accomplished. . . .
{GW92 180.2}
The world needs labor now. Calls are coming
in from every direction like the Macedonian cry, "Come over and help
us." Plain, pointed arguments, standing out like mile-posts, will do
more toward convincing minds generally than will a large array of arguments
which cover a great deal of ground, but which none but investigating minds
will have interest to follow.--Vol. 3, p. 32. 181 {GW92 180.3}
Discussions Not to be Sought.
[FROM A PERSONAL TESTIMONY.] I
was shown that here is the danger of young ministers who engage in
discussion: They turn their minds to the study of the word to gather the
sharp things, and they become sarcastic, and in their efforts to meet an
opponent, too frequently leave God out of the question. The excitement of
debate lessens their interest in meetings where this special excitement does
not exist. Those who engage in debates are not the most successful laborers, and the best adapted to build up the cause. By
some, discussion is coveted, and they prefer this kind of labor
above any other. They do not study the Bible with humility of mind, that they
may know how to attain the love of God; as Paul says, "That Christ may
dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length,
and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the
fullness of God." [EPH. 3:17-19.] {GW92 181.1}
Young preachers should avoid discussions; for they do not increase
spirituality or humbleness of mind. In some cases it may be necessary to meet
a proud boaster against the truth of God in open debate; but generally these
discussions, either oral or written, result in more harm than good. After a
discussion, the greater responsibility rests upon the minister to keep up the
interest. He should beware of the reaction which is liable to take place
after a religious excitement, and not yield to discouragement himself.{GW92
181.2}
Men who will not admit the claims of God's law, which are so very
plain, will generally pursue a lawless course; for they have so long taken
sides with the great rebel in warring against the law of God,
182 which is the foundation of his government in heaven and earth, that
they are trained in this labor. In their warfare
they will not open their eyes or consciences to light. They close their eyes,
lest they shall become enlightened. Their case is as hopeless as was that of
the Jews who would not see the light which Christ brought to them. The
wonderful evidences which he gave them of his Messiahship,
in the miracles that he performed, in healing the sick, raising the dead, and
doing the works which no other man had done or could do, instead of melting
and subduing their hearts, and overcoming their wicked prejudices, inspired
them with satanic hatred and fury, such as Satan possessed when he was thrust
out of heaven. The greater the light and evidence they had, the greater was
their hatred. They were determined to extinguish the light by putting Christ
to death. {GW92 181.3}
The haters of God's law, which is the foundation of his government in
heaven and earth, occupy the same ground as did the unbelieving Jews. Their
defiant power will follow those who keep the commandments of God, and any
amount of light will be rejected by them. They have so long violated
conscience, and hardened their hearts by choosing darkness rather than light,
that they think it a virtue, in order to gain their object, to bear false
witness, or stoop to almost any course of equivocation or deception, as did
the Jews in their rejection of Christ. They reason that the end justifies the
means. They virtually crucify the law of the Father, as the Jews crucified
Christ. {GW92 182.1} We should embrace every opportunity to
present the truth in its purity and simplicity, where there is any desire or
interest to hear the reasons of our faith. Those who have dwelt mostly upon
the prophecies and the theoretical points of our faith,
should without delay become Bible students upon practical subjects. They
should take a deeper draught at the
183 fountain of divine truth. They should carefully study the life of
Christ, and his lessons of practical godliness, given for the benefit of all,
and to be the rule of right living for all who should believe on his name.
They should be imbued with the spirit of their great Exemplar, and have a
high sense of the sacred life of a follower of Christ. {GW92 182.2}
Christ met the case of every class in the subjects and manner of his
teaching. He dined and lodged with the rich and the poor, and made himself
familiar with the interests and occupations of men, that he might gain access
to their hearts. The learned and the most intellectual were gratified and
charmed with his discourses, and yet they were so
plain and simple as to be comprehended by the humblest minds. Christ availed
himself of every opportunity to give instruction to the people upon those
heavenly doctrines and precepts which should be incorporated into their
lives, and which would distinguish them from all other religionists because
of their holy, elevated character. These lessons of divine instruction are
not brought to bear upon men's consciences as they should be. The sermons of
Christ would furnish ministers believing present truth with discourses which
would be appropriate on almost any occasion. Here is a field of study for the
Bible student, in which he cannot be interested without having the spirit of
the heavenly Teacher in his own heart. Here are subjects which Christ
presented to all classes. Thousands of people of every stamp of character and
every grade of society, were attracted and charmed
with the matter brought before them. {GW92 183.1}
Some ministers who have been long in the work
of preaching present truth, have made great failures in their labors. They have educated themselves as combatants. They
have studied out argumentative subjects for the object of discussion, and
these subjects which they have prepared, they love
to use. The truth of God is plain, clear, and conclusive. It is
184 harmonious, and, in contrast with error, shines with clearness and
beauty. Its consistency commends it to the judgment of every heart that is
not filled with prejudice. Our preachers present the arguments upon the
truth, which have been made ready for them, and if there are no hindrances, the
truth bears away the victory. But I was shown that in many cases the poor
instrument takes the credit of the victory gained, and the people, who are
more earthly than spiritual, praise and honor the
instrument, while the truth of God is not exalted by the victory it gained.
{GW92 183.2}
Those who love to engage in discussion generally lose their
spirituality. They do not trust in God as they should. They have the theory
of the truth prepared to whip an opponent. The feelings of their own unsanctified
hearts have prepared many sharp, close things to use as a snap to their whip
to irritate and provoke their opponent. The spirit of Christ has no part in
this. While furnished with conclusive arguments, the debater soon thinks that
he is strong enough to triumph over his opponent, and God is left out of the
matter. Some of our ministers have made discussion their principal business.
When in the midst of the excitement raised by discussion, they seem nerved
up, and feel strong and talk strong; and in the excitement many things pass
with the people as all right, which in themselves are decidedly wrong, and a
shame to him who was guilty of uttering words so unbecoming a Christian
minister. {GW92 184.1}
These things have a bad influence on ministers who are handling
sacred, elevated truths,--truths which are to prove as a savor
of life unto life, or of death unto death, to those who hear them. Generally,
the influence of discussions upon our ministers is to make them
self-sufficient, exalted in their own estimation. This is not all. Those who
love to debate are unfitted for being pastors to the flock. They have trained
their minds to meet opponents, and to
185 say sarcastic things; and they cannot come down to meet hearts
that are sorrowing, and need to be comforted. They have also dwelt so much
upon the argumentative that they have neglected the practical subjects that
the flock of God need. They have but little knowledge of the sermons of
Christ, which enter into the every-day life of the Christian, and they have
but little disposition to study them. They have risen above the simplicity of
the work. When they were little in their own eyes, God helped them; angels of
God ministered unto them, and made their labors highly
successful in convincing men and women of the truth. But in the training of
their minds for discussion, they frequently become coarse and rough. They
lose the interest and tender sympathy which should ever attend the efforts of
a shepherd of Christ. {GW92 184.2}
Debating ministers are generally disqualified to help the flock where
they most need help. Having neglected practical religion in their own hearts
and lives, they cannot teach it to the flock. Unless there is an excitement,
they do not know how to labor; they seem shorn of
their strength. If they try to speak, they do not seem to know how to present
a subject that is proper for the occasion. When they should present a subject
which will feed the flock of God, and which will reach and melt hearts, they
go back to some of the old stereotyped matter, and go through the arranged
arguments, which are dry and uninteresting. Thus, instead of light, they
bring darkness to the flock, and also to their own souls. {GW92 185.1}
Some of our ministers fail to cultivate spirituality, but encourage a
show of zeal, and a certain activity which rests upon an uncertain
foundation. Ministers of calm contemplation, of thought and devotion, of
conscience and faith, combined with activity and zeal, are wanted in this
age. The two qualities, thought and devotion, activity and zeal, should go
together.
186 {GW92 185.2}
Debating ministers are the most unreliable among us, because they
cannot be depended upon when the work goes hard. Bring them into a place
where there is but little interest, and they manifest a want of courage,
zeal, and real interest. They depend as much upon being enlivened and
invigorated by the excitement created by debate or opposition, as does the
inebriate upon his dram. These ministers need to be converted anew. They need
to drink deep of the unceasing streams which proceed from the eternal
Rock.{GW92 186.1}
The eternal welfare of sinners regulated the conduct of Jesus. He went
about doing good. Benevolence was the life of his
soul. He not only did good to all who came to him
soliciting his mercy, but he perseveringly sought them out. He was never
elated with applause, or dejected by censure or disappointment. When he met
with the greatest opposition and the most cruel
treatment, he was of good courage. The most important discourse that
Inspiration has given us, Christ preached to only one listener. As he sat
upon the well to rest, for he was weary, a Samaritan woman came to draw
water; he saw an opportunity to reach her mind, and through her to reach the
minds of the Samaritans, who were in great darkness and error. Although
weary, he presented the truths of his spiritual kingdom, which charmed the
heathen woman, and filled her with admiration for Christ. She went forth
publishing the news, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that
ever I did: is not this the Christ?" [JOHN 4:29.] This woman's testimony
converted many to a belief in Christ. Through her report, many came to hear
him for themselves, and believed because of his own word. {GW92 186.2}
However small may be the number of interested listeners, if the heart
is reached and the understanding convinced, they can, like the Samaritan
woman, carry a report which will raise the interest of
187 hundreds to investigate for themselves. While laboring
in places to create an interest, there will be many discouragements; but if at
first there seems to be but little interest, it is no evidence that you have
mistaken your duty and place of labor. If the
interest steadily increases, and the people move understandingly, not from
impulse, but from principle, the interest is much more healthy and durable
than it is where a great excitement and interest are created suddenly, and
the feelings are excited by listening to a debate, a sharp contest on both
sides of the question, for and against the truth. Fierce opposition is thus
created, positions are taken, and rapid decisions made. A feverish state of
things is the result. Calm consideration and judgment are wanting. Let this
excitement subside, or let reaction take place by indiscreet management, and
the interest can never be raised again. The feelings and sympathies of the
people were stirred, but their consciences were not convicted, their hearts
were not broken and humbled before God. {GW92 186.3}
In the presentation of unpopular truth, which involves a heavy cross,
preachers should be careful that every word is as God would have it. Their
words should never cut. They should present the truth in humility, with the
deepest love for souls, and an earnest desire for their salvation, and let
the truth cut. They should not defy ministers of other denominations, and
seek to provoke a debate. They should not stand in a position like that of
Goliath when he defied the armies of Israel. Israel did not defy Goliath, but
Goliath made his proud boasts against God and his people. The defying, the
boasting, and the railing must come from the opposers
of truth, who act the Goliath; but none of this spirit should be seen in
those whom God has sent forth to proclaim the last message of warning to a
doomed world. 188 {GW92 187.1}
Goliath trusted in his armor. He terrified
the armies of Israel by his defiant, savage boastings, while he made a most
imposing display of his armor, which was his
strength. David, in his humility and zeal for God and his people, proposed to
meet this boaster. Saul consented, and had his own kingly armor
placed upon David. But David would not consent to wear it. He laid off the king's armor; for
he had not proved it. He had proved God, and in trusting in him had gained
special victories. To put on Saul's armor would
give the impression that he was a warrior, when he was only little David, who
tended the sheep. He did not mean that any credit should be given to the armor of Saul; for his trust was in the Lord God of
Israel. He selected a few pebbles from the brook, and with his sling and
staff, his only weapons, he went forth in the name of the God of Israel to
meet the armed warrior. {GW92 188.1}
Goliath disdained David; for his appearance was that of a mere youth
untaught in the tactics of warfare. Goliath railed upon David, and cursed him
by his gods. He felt that it was an insult upon his dignity to have a mere
stripling, without armor, come to meet him. He made
his boast of what he would do to him. David did not become irritated because
he was looked upon as so inferior, neither did he tremble at the giant's
terrible threats, but replied, "Thou comest to
me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in
the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou
hast defied." [1 SAM. 17:45, 47.] David tells Goliath that in the name
of the Lord he will do to him the very things that Goliath had threatened to
do to David. "And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our
hands."{GW92 188.2}
Our ministers should not defy and provoke discussion. Let the defying
be on the side of the opposers of God's truth. . .
.
189 {GW92 188.3} I
was shown that some of our young ministers are getting a passion for
debating, and that, unless they see their danger, this will prove a snare to
them. . . . These young preachers should study the practical teachings of
Christ as well as the theoretical, and learn of Jesus, that they may have his
grace, his meekness, his humility and lowliness of mind. If they, like David,
are brought into a position where God's cause really calls for them to meet a
defier of Israel, and if they go forth in the
strength of God, relying wholly upon him, he will carry them through, and
cause his truth to triumph gloriously. Christ has given us an example.
"Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed
about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation,
but said, The Lord rebuke thee." [JUDE 9.] {GW92 189.1}
As soon as a preacher comes down from the position a minister should
ever occupy, and descends to the comical to create a laugh over his opponent,
or when he is sarcastic and sharp, and rails upon him, he does that which the
Saviour of the world did not dare to do; for he places himself upon the
enemy's ground. Ministers who contend with opposers of the truth of God, do not have to meet men
merely, but Satan and his host of evil angels. Satan watches for a chance to
get the advantage of ministers who are advocating the truth; and when they
cease to put their entire trust in God, and their words are not in the spirit
and love of Christ, the angels of God cannot strengthen and enlighten them.
They leave them to their own strength, and evil angels press in their
darkness; for this reason the opponents of the truth sometimes seem to have
the advantage, and the discussion does more harm than real good.-- Vol. 3, p. 212.
- {GW92 189.2}
Discussions cannot always be avoided. In some cases the circumstances
are such that of the two evils
190 the choice must be made of the least, which is discussion. {GW92
189.3} People who love to see opponents combat, may clamor for discussion. Others, who have a desire to hear
the evidence on both sides, may urge discussion in all honesty of motive; but
whenever discussions can be avoided, they should be; for the result is seldom
honoring to God. They generally strengthen
combativeness, and weaken that pure love and sacred sympathy which should
ever exist in the hearts of Christians, although they may differ in opinions.
{GW92 190.1}
In this age of the world a demand for a discussion is not real
evidence of earnest desire on the part of the people to investigate the
truth, but comes through the love of novelty and the excitement which
generally attends discussions. God is seldom glorified or the truth advanced
in these combats. Truth is too solemn, too momentous in its results, to make
it a small matter whether it is received or rejected. To discuss truth for
the sake of showing opponents the skill of the combatants, is ever poor
policy; for it does but very little to advance the truth. {GW92 190.2}
Opponents to the truth will show skill in misstating the positions of
its defenders. They will make the most solemn, sacred truths the subject of
ridicule. They will generally sport and deride precious, sacred truth, and place
it in so false a light before the people that minds that are darkened by
error and polluted by sin, do not discern the motives and objects of these
designing men in thus covering up and falsifying precious and important
truth. Because of the men who engage in them, there are but few discussions
that it is possible to conduct upon right principles. Sharp thrusts are too
frequently given by both parties, personalities are indulged in, and
frequently both parties descend to sarcasm and witticism. The love of souls
is lost in the greater desire for the mastery. Prejudice, deep and bitter, is
often the result of discussions.
191 {GW92 190.3} I
have beheld angels grieved as the most precious jewels of truth have been
brought before men utterly incapable of appreciating the evidences in favor of the truth. Their entire being was at war with
the principles of truth; their natures were at enmity with it. Their object
in discussing was not that they might get hold of the evidences of the truth
themselves, or that the people might have a fair understanding of our true
position, but that they might confuse the understanding by placing the truth
in a perverted light before the people. There are men who have educated
themselves as combatants. It is their policy to misstate an opponent, and to
cover up clear arguments with dishonest quibbles. They have devoted their
God-given powers to this dishonest work, for there is nothing in their hearts
in harmony with the pure principles of truth. They seize any argument they
can get with which to tear down the advocates of truth, when they themselves
do not believe the things they urge against them. They bolster themselves up
in their chosen position, irrespective of justice and truth. They do not
consider that before them is the Judgment, and that then their ill-gotten
triumph, with all its disastrous results, will appear in its true character.
Error, with all its deceptive policies, its windings and twistings
and turnings to change the truth into a lie, will then appear in all its
deformity. No victory will stand in the day of God, except that which truth,
pure, elevated, sacred truth, shall win to the glory of God. {GW92 191.1}
Angels weep to see the precious truth of heavenly origin cast before
swine, to be seized by them and trampled with the mire and dirt. Cast not
"your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and
turn again and rend you." [MATT. 7:6.] These are the words of the
world's Redeemer. {GW92 191.2}
God's ministers should not count the opportunity of engaging in
discussion a great privilege. All points of our faith are not to be borne to
the front
192 and presented before the prejudiced crowds. Jesus spoke before
the Pharisees and Sadducees in parables, hiding the clearness of truth under
symbols and figures, because they would make a wrong use of the truths he
presented before them; but to his disciples he spoke plainly. We should learn
from Christ's method of teaching, and be careful not to close the ears of the
people by presenting truths which, not being fully explained, they are in no
way prepared to receive. {GW92 191.3} The
truths that we hold in common should be dwelt upon first, and the confidence
of the hearers obtained; then as the people can be brought along, we can
advance slowly with the matter presented. Great wisdom is needed to present
unpopular truth before a prejudiced people in the most cautious manner, that access may be gained to their hearts.
Discussions place before the people, who are unenlightened in regard to our
position, and who are ignorant of Bible truth, a set of arguments skillfully gotten up and carefully arranged to cover over
the clear points of truth. Some men have made it their business to cover up
plain statements of facts in the word of God by their deceptive theories,
which they make plausible to those who have not investigated for themselves.
{GW92 192.1}
These agents of Satan are hard to meet, and it is difficult to have
patience with them. But calmness, patience, and self-control are elements
which every minister of Christ should cultivate. The combatants of the truth
have educated themselves for intellectual battle. They are prepared to
present on the surface sophistry and assertions as the word of God. They
confuse unsuspecting minds, and place the truth in obscurity, while pleasing
fables are presented to the people in the place of pure Bible truth. {GW92
192.2}
Many choose darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil.
But there are those who, if the truth could have been presented in a
different manner,
193 under different circumstances, giving them a fair chance to weigh
the arguments for themselves, and to compare scripture with scripture, would
have been charmed by its clearness, and would have taken hold upon it. {GW92
192.3}
It has been very indiscreet for our ministers to publish to the world
the wily sophistry of error, furnished by designing men to cover up and make
of none effect the solemn, sacred truth of Jehovah.
These crafty men who lie in wait to deceive the
unwary, give their strength of intellect to perverting the word of God. The
inexperienced and unsuspecting are deceived to their ruin. It has been a
great error to publish to all the arguments wherewith opponents battle the
truth of God; for in so doing minds of every class are furnished with
arguments which many of them had never thought of. Some
one must render an account for this unwise generalship.
{GW92 193.1}
Arguments against the sacred truth, subtle in their influence, affect
minds that are not well informed in regard to the strength of the truth. The
moral sensibilities of the community at large are blunted by familiarity with
sin. Selfishness, dishonesty, and the varied sins which prevail in this
degenerate age, have blunted the senses to eternal things, so that God's
truth is not discerned. In giving publicity to the erroneous arguments of our
opponents, truth and error are placed upon a level in their minds, when, if
they could have the truth before them in its clearness long enough to see and
realize its sacredness and importance, they would be convinced of the strong
arguments in its favor, and would then be prepared
to meet the arguments urged by opposers. {GW92
193.2}
Those who are seeking to know the truth and to understand the will of
God, who are faithful to the light, and zealous in the performance of their
daily duties, will surely know of the doctrine; for they will be guided into
all truth. God does not promise, by the masterly acts of his providence, to 194 irresistibly bring men to the knowledge of his truth, when they do not
seek for truth and have no desire to know the truth. Men have the power to
quench the Spirit of God; the power of choosing is left with them. They are
allowed freedom of action. They may be obedient through the name and grace of
our Redeemer, or they may be disobedient, and realize the consequences. Man
is responsible for receiving or rejecting sacred and eternal truth. The
Spirit of God is continually convicting, and souls are deciding for or
against the truth. The deportment, the words, the actions, of the minister of
Christ, may balance a soul for or against the truth. How important that every
act of the life be such that it need not be repented of! Especially is this
important among the ambassadors of Christ, who are acting in the place of
Christ.-- Vol. 3, p. 424.
- {GW92 193.3}
Men who bring in these damnable heresies [the teachings of Spiritualism]
will dare those who teach the word of God to enter into controversy with
them, and some who teach the truth have not had the courage to withstand a
challenge from this class, who are marked characters in the word of God. Some
of our ministers have not had the moral courage to say to these men,
"God has warned us in his word in regard to you. He has given us a
faithful description of your character and of the heresies which you
hold." Some of our ministers, rather than give this class any occasion
to triumph or to charge them with cowardice, have met them in open
discussion. But in discussing with Spiritualists they do not meet man merely,
but Satan and his angels. They place themselves in communication with the
powers of darkness, and encourage evil angels about them. {GW92 194.1}
Spiritualists desire to give publicity to their heresies; and
ministers who advocate Bible truth help them to do this when they consent to
engage in discussion with them. The opportunity to get their 195 heresies before the people is improved, and in every discussion with
them some will be deceived. The very best course for us to pursue is to avoid
them.-- Vol. 3, p. 485. - {GW92 194.2}
Whenever it is necessary for the advancement of the cause of truth and
the glory of God, that an opponent be met, how carefully, and with what
humility should they [the advocates of truth] go into the conflict. With
heart-searching, confession of sin, and earnest prayer, and often fasting for
a time, they should entreat that God would especially help them, and give his
saving, precious truth a glorious victory, that error might appear in its
true deformity, and its advocates be completely discomfited. . . . {GW92
195.1}
Never should you enter upon a discussion, where so much is at stake,
relying upon your aptness to handle strong arguments. If it cannot be well
avoided, enter the conflict, but enter upon it with firm trust in God, and in
the spirit of humility, in the spirit of Jesus, who has bidden you learn of
him who is meek and lowly in heart.-- Vol. 1, p.
624.
- {GW92 195.2}
Engaging in Secular Business.
Ministers should have no separate interest aside from the great work
of leading souls to the truth. Their energies are all needed here. They
should not engage in traffic of any kind, or in any business aside from this
one great work. The solemn charge given to Timothy rests will equal weight
upon them, laying upon them the most solemn obligations and most fearful
responsibilities: "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord
Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his
kingdom; Preach the word;
196 be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort
with all longsuffering and doctrine." "But watch thou in all
things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of
thy ministry." [2 TIM. 4:1, 2, 5.] {GW92 195.3}
Wrong habits of life have lessened our mental and physical
sensibilities, and all the strength we can acquire by right living, and
placing ourselves in the best relation to health and life, should be devoted
unreservedly to the work which God has assigned us. We cannot afford to use
the few enfeebled, crippled energies which we possess, in serving tables, or
mingling merchandise with the work God has committed to us. Every faculty of
mind and body is now needed. The work of God requires this, and no separate
business can be engaged in aside from this great work, without taking time,
and strength of mind and body, and thus lessening the vigor
and force of our labor in the cause of God.
Ministers who do this will not have all that time for meditation and prayer,
and all that strength and clearness of mind which they should have to
understand the cases of those who need help, and to be prepared to "be
instant in season, out of season." [2 TIM. 4:2.] A word fitly spoken at
the right time may save some poor, erring, doubting soul. Paul exhorted
Timothy, "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that
thy profiting may appear to all." [1 TIM. 4:15.] {GW92 196.1}
In Christ's commission to his disciples, he tells them,
"Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and
whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." [MATT.
18:18.] If this is the fearfully responsible work of God's ministers, how
important that they give themselves wholly to it, and watch for souls as they
that must give an account! Should any separate or selfish interest come in
here and divide the heart from the work? Some ministers linger about their
homes, and run out on 197 the Sabbath, and then return, and exhaust their energies in
farming or in attending to home matters. They labor
for themselves through the week, and then spend the remnant of their
exhausted energies in laboring for God. But such
feeble efforts are not acceptable to him. They have no mental or physical
strength to spare. At best their efforts are feeble enough. But after they
have been engrossed and entangled all through the laboring
days of the week, with the cares and perplexities of this life, they are
wholly unfitted for the high, the sacred, the
important work of God. The destiny of souls hangs upon the course they pursue
and the decisions they make. How important, then, that they should be
temperate in all things, not only in their eating, but in their labor, that their strength may be unabated and devoted to
their sacred calling. . . . {GW92 196.2}
The responsibility of the work rests very lightly upon some. They feel
that after they leave the desk, their work is done. It is a burden to visit,
a burden to talk; and the people who are really desirous of getting all the
good there is for them, and who wish to hear and learn, that they may see all
things clearly, are not benefited and satisfied. Ministers excuse themselves
because they are weary; and yet some exhaust their precious strength and
spend their time in work which another could do just as well as they. They should preserve moral and physical vigor, that as faithful workmen of God they may give full
proof of their ministry.-- Vol. 1, p. 470.
- {GW92 197.1}
Ministers cannot carry the burden of the work while at the same time
they are carrying the burden of farms or other business enterprises, having
their hearts on their earthly treasures. Their spiritual discernment is
dimmed. They cannot appreciate the wants of the cause of God, and therefore
cannot put forth well-directed efforts to meet its emergencies
198 and to advance its interests. They constantly seek to shape the
work in accordance with their circumstances, in place of shaping
circumstances to meet the demands of the cause of God. The want of a full
consecration to the work on the part of the minister is soon felt all through
the field where he labors. If his own standard is
low, he will not bring others to accept a higher one.--
MS.
- {GW92 197.2}
The people will seldom rise higher than their minister. A world-loving
spirit in him has a tremendous influence upon others. The people make his
deficiencies an excuse to cover their world-loving spirit. They quiet their
own consciences, thinking that they may be free to love the things of this
life, and be indifferent to spiritual things, because their ministers are so.
They deceive their own souls, and remain in friendship with the world, which
the apostle declares to be enmity with God. Ministers should be examples to
the flock. They should manifest an undying love for souls and the same
devotion to the cause which they desire to see in the people.-- Vol. 2, p. 645.
- {GW92 198.1}
"No man that warreth, entangleth himself with the
affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a
soldier." [2 TIM. 2:4.] {GW92 198.2}
Principle is always exacting. Our country claims of fathers and
mothers, their sons, the brothers, the husbands, to be given up, to leave
their homes for the field of carnage and bloodshed. They must endure
privation and hunger, weariness and loneliness; they must make long marches,
footsore and weary, through summer's heat and winter's cold; they must face
peril, run the risk of life. They are compelled to follow the commander, even
to the death. And all this severe experience is in consequence of sin. There
is an enemy to meet, an
199 enemy to be resisted; enemies of our country will destroy her peace
and bring disaster and ruin, unless they are overcome. "Conquer or
die" is the motto. {GW92 198.3}
Thus it is with the Christian warfare. We have an enemy to meet, who
is vigilant, who is not off his guard one moment.
The claims of country are not higher than the claims of God. If hardships are
borne and trials endured by soldiers fighting in behalf of their country, how
much more willingly should the soldiers of the cross endure privation,
self-denial, and any taxation for Christ's sake.--MS.
- {GW92 199.1}
The Lord cannot glorify his name through ministers who attempt to
serve God and mammon. We are not to urge men to invest in mining stock, or in
city lots, holding out the inducement that the money invested will be doubled
in a short time. Our message for this time is, "Sell that ye have, and
give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the
heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." [LUKE 12:33,
34.] {GW92 199.2}
Just before Israel entered the land of Canaan, Satan sought to seduce
the people, and lead them to idolatry, thinking to compass their ruin. He
works in the same way in our day. There are young men whom God would accept
as workers together with him, but they have become absorbed in this
real-estate craze, and have sold their interest in the truth for the prospect
of worldly advantage. There are many who hold themselves away from the
service of God, because they desire worldly gain, and Satan uses those who
claim to believe the truth, to seduce souls. The tempter comes to men as he came
to Jesus, presenting the glory of the world; and when a measure of success
attends the ventures of men, they become greedy for more gain, and their
spirituality
200 dies; they lose their love for the truth. The immortal
inheritance, the love of Jesus, is eclipsed to their vision by the fleeting
prospects of the world. -- MS.
- {GW92 199.3}
Proper Remuneration for Ministers.
"Instead of bringing the expense of the work down to a low
figure, it is your duty to bring the minds of the people to understand that
the 'laborer is worthy of his hire.' [LUKE
10:7.]" "The churches need to be impressed with the fact that it is
their duty to deal honestly with the cause of God, not allowing the guilt to
the worst kind of robbery to rest upon them, that of robbing God in tithes
and offerings. When settlements are made with the laborers
in his cause, they should not be forced to accept small remuneration because
there is a lack of money in the treasury. Many have been defrauded of their
just dues in this way, and it is just as criminal in the sight of God as for
one to keep back the wages of those who are employed in any other regular
business. {GW92 200.1}
"There are men of ability who would like to go out and labor in our several Conferences; but they have no
courage, for they must have means to support their families. It is the worst
kind of generalship to allow a Conference to stand
still, or to fail to settle its honest debts. There is a great deal of this
done; and whenever it is done, God is displeased. {GW92 200.2}
"If the presidents and other laborers
in our Conferences impress upon the minds of the people the character of the
crime of robbing God, and if they have a true spirit of devotion and a burden
for the work, God will make their labors a blessing
to the people, and fruit will be seen as the result of their efforts.
Ministers have failed greatly in their duty
201 to so labor with the churches. There
is important work to be done aside from that of preaching. Had this been
done, as God designed it should be, there would have been many more laborers in the field than there now are. And had the
ministers done their duty in educating every member, whether rich or poor, to
give as God has prospered him, there would be a full treasury from which to
pay the honest debts to the workers, and this would greatly advance
missionary work in all their borders. God has shown me that many souls are in
danger of eternal ruin through selfishness and worldliness; and the watchmen
are guilty, for they have neglected their duty. This is a state of things
that Satan exults to see." {GW92 200.3}
"All branches of the work belong to the ministers. It is not
God's order that some one should follow after them,
and bind off their unfinished work. It is not the duty of the Conference to
be at the expense of employing other laborers to
follow after, and pick up the stitches dropped by negligent workers. It is
the duty of the president of the Conference to have an oversight of the laborers and their work, and to teach them to be faithful
in these things; for no church can prosper that is robbing God. The spiritual
dearth in our churches is frequently the result of an alarming prevalence of
selfishness. Selfish, worldly pursuits and schemes interpose between the soul
and God. Men cling to the world, seeming to fear that should they let go
their hold upon it, God would not care for them. And so they attempt to take
care of themselves; they are anxious, troubled, distressed, holding on to
their large farms, and adding to their possessions." {GW92 201.1}
"The word of God speaks of the 'hire of the laborers, . . . which is
of you kept back by fraud.' [JAMES 5:4.] This is generally understood to
apply to wealthy men who employ servants and do not pay them for their labor; but it has a broader meaning than this.
202 It applies with great force to those who
have been enlightened by the Spirit of God, and yet in any degree work upon
the same principle that these men do hiring servants; grinding them down to
the lowest price."-- Test. 32, p. 130.
- {GW92 201.2}
Danger in Self-Confidence. [FROM A PERSONAL TESTIMONY.] I
have been shown that young men like yourself, who
have had but a few years of imperfect experience in the cause of present
truth, are not the ones whom God will trust to bear weighty responsibilities,
and to lead out in this work. Such should manifest a delicacy in taking
positions which will conflict with the judgment and opinions of those of
mature experience, whose lives have been interwoven with the cause of God
nearly as many years as you have lived, and who have had an active part in
this work from its small beginning. God will not select men of but little
experience and considerable self-confidence to lead out in this sacred,
important work. There is much at stake here. Men who have had but little
experience in the sufferings, trials, opposition, and privations that have
been endured to bring the work up to its present condition of prosperity,
should be very jealous of themselves. {GW92 202.1}
Young men who now engage in the work of preaching the truth should
cultivate modesty and humility. They should be careful how they become
exalted, lest they be overthrown. They will be accountable for the clear
light of truth which now shines upon them. I saw that God is displeased with
the disposition that some have to murmur against those who have fought the
heaviest battles for them, and who endured so much in the beginning of the
message, when the work went hard.
203 {GW92 202.2}
The experienced laborers,--those who toiled
under the weight and the oppressive burdens when there were but few to help
bear them,--God regards; and he has a jealous care for those who have proved
faithful. He is displeased with those who are ready to find fault with and
reproach those servants of God who have grown gray in building up the cause
of present truth. Your reproaches and murmurings, young men, will surely
stand against you in the day of God. As long as God has not laid heavy
responsibilities upon you, do not get out of your place, and rely upon your
own independent judgment, and assume responsibilities for which you are not
fitted. . . . You need to cultivate watchfulness and humility, and to be
diligent in prayer. The nearer you live to God, the more clearly will you
discern your weaknesses and dangers. A practical
view of the law of God, and clear discernment of the atonement of Christ,
will give you a knowledge of yourselves, and will
show you wherein you fail to perfect Christian character. . . . {GW92 203.1}
In a degree you overlook the necessity of having a divine influence
constantly with you. This is positively necessary in doing the work of God.
If you neglect this, and pass on in self-confidence and self-sufficiency, you
will be left to make very great blunders. You need constantly to cherish
lowliness of mind and a spirit of dependence. He who feels his own weakness
will look higher than himself, and will feel the need of constant strength
from above. The grace of God will lead him to exercise and cherish a spirit
of constant gratitude. He who is best acquainted with his own weakness will
know that it is the matchless grace of God alone that will triumph over the
rebellion of the heart. {GW92 203.2}
You need to become acquainted with the weak as well as the strong points
in your characters, that you may be constantly guarded lest you engage in
enterprises and assume responsibilities for which God
204 has never designed you. You should not compare your actions and
measure your lives by any human standard, but with the rule of duty revealed
in the Bible. . . . {GW92 203.3}
You are too dependent upon your surroundings. If you have a large
congregation, you are elated, and you desire to address them. But sometimes
your congregations diminish, your spirits sink, and you have but little
courage to labor. Surely, something is wanting.
Your hold upon God is not firm enough. . . . {GW92 204.1}
Christ sought for men wherever he could find them,--
in the public streets, in private houses, in the synagogues, by the sea-side.
He toiled all day, preaching to the multitude, and healing the sick that were
brought to him; and frequently, after he had dismissed the people that they
might return to their homes to rest and sleep, he spent the entire night in
prayer, to come forth and renew his labors in the
morning. . . . You need to bring your soul into close communion with God by
earnest prayer mixed with living faith. Every prayer offered in faith lifts the
suppliant above discouraging doubts and human passions. Prayer gives strength
to renew the conflict with the powers of darkness, to bear trials patiently,
and to endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ. {GW92 204.2}
While you take counsel with your doubts and fears, or try to solve
everything that you cannot see clearly before you have faith, your
perplexities will only increase and deepen. If you come to God, feeling
helpless and dependent, as you really are, and in humble, trusting prayer make
your wants known to Him whose knowledge is infinite, who sees everything in
creation, and who governs everything by his will and word, he can and will
attend to your cry, and will let light shine into your heart and all around
you; for through sincere prayer your soul is brought into connection with the
mind of the Infinite. You may have no remarkable evidence at
205 the time that the face of your Redeemer is bending over you in compassion
and love; but this is even so. You may not feel his visible touch, but his
hand is upon you in love and pitying tenderness. . . . {GW92 204.3}
Our only safety is in being shielded by the grace of God every moment,
and not putting out our own spiritual eyesight so that we call evil good, and
good, evil. Without hesitation or argument, we must close and guard the
avenues of the soul against evil. {GW92 205.1}
It will cost us an effort to secure eternal life. It is only by long
and persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we shall be
overcomers. But if we patiently and determinedly,
in the name of the Conqueror who overcame in our behalf in the wilderness of
temptation, overcome as he overcame, we shall have the eternal reward. Our
efforts, our self-denial, our perseverance, must be proportionate to the
infinitive value of the object of which we are in pursuit. . . . Wrongs
cannot be righted, nor reformations in character made, by a few feeble,
intermittent efforts. Sanctification is not a work of a day or a year, but of
a lifetime. Without continual efforts and constant activity, there can be no
advancement in the divine life, no attainment of the victor's crown. . . .
You have need of constant watchfulness, lest Satan beguile you through his
subtlety, corrupt your minds, and lead you into inconsistencies and gross
darkness. Your watchfulness should be characterized by a spirit of humble
dependence upon God. It should not be carried on with a proud, self-reliant
spirit, but with a deep sense of your personal weakness, and a childlike
trust in the promises of God. {GW92 205.2}
It is now an easy and pleasant task to preach the truth of the third
angel's message, in comparison with what it was when the message first started,
when the numbers were few, and we were looked upon as fanatics. Those who
bore the responsibility of the work in the rise and early progress of the
message,
206 knew what conflict, distress, and soul-anguish were. Night and day
the burden was heavy upon them. They thought not of rest or convenience even
when they were pressed with suffering and disease. The shortness of time
called for activity, and the laborers were few.
{GW92 205.3}
Frequently, when brought into strait places, the entire night has been
spent in earnest, agonizing prayer, with tears, for help from God, and for
light to shine upon his word. When the light has come, and the clouds have
been driven back, what joy and grateful happiness have rested upon the
anxious, earnest seekers! Our gratitude to God was as complete as had been
our earnest, hungering cry for light. Some nights we could not sleep, because
our hearts were overflowing with love and gratitude to God. {GW92 206.1} Men who now go forth to preach the truth, have things made
ready to their hand. They cannot now experience such privations as the laborers in present truth have endured before them. The
truth has been brought out, link after link, till it forms a clear, connected
chain. To bring the truth out in such clearness and harmony has required
careful research. Opposition, the most bitter and determined, drove the
servants of God to the Lord and to their Bibles. Precious indeed to them was the
light which came from God.{GW92 206.2} I
have been shown that the reason why some cannot discern the right is that
they have so long cherished the enemy, who has worked side by side with them
while they have not discerned his power. It sometimes seems hard to wait
patiently till God's time comes to vindicate the right. But I have been shown
that if we become impatient, we lose a rich reward. As faithful husbandmen in
God's great field, we must sow with tears, and be patient and hopeful. We
must meet troubles and sorrows. Temptations and wearisome toil will afflict
the
207 soul, but we must patiently wait in faith to reap with joy. In the
final victory, God will have no use for those persons who are nowhere to be
found in time of peril and danger, when the strength, courage, and influence
of all are required to make a charge upon the enemy. Those who stand like
faithful soldiers to battle against wrong, and to vindicate the right,
warring against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, will each receive
the commendation from the Master, "Well done, good and faithful servant,
. . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." [Matt. 25:23.]--Vol. 3, p.
320.
- {GW92 206.3}
Respect for the Sabbath. [ FROM A PERSONAL TESTIMONY.]
When the Sabbath begins, we should place a guard upon ourselves, upon
our acts and our words, lest we rob God by appropriating to our own use that
time which is strictly the Lord's. We should not do ourselves, nor suffer our
children to do any manner of our own work for a livelihood, or anything which
could have been done on the six working days. Friday is the day of
preparation. Time can then be devoted to making the necessary preparation for
the Sabbath, and to thinking and conversing about it. Nothing which will in
the sight of Heaven be regarded as a violation of the holy Sabbath should be
left unsaid or undone, to be said or done upon the Sabbath. God requires not
only that we refrain from physical labor upon the
Sabbath, but that the mind be disciplined to dwell
upon sacred themes. By conversing upon worldly things, or by engaging in
light and trifling conversation, we virtually transgress the fourth
commandment. Talking
208 upon anything or everything which may come into the mind, is
speaking our own words. Every deviation from right brings us into bondage and
condemnation. . . . {GW92 207.1}
Those who are not fully converted to the truth, frequently let their
minds run freely upon worldly business, and although they may rest from
physical toil upon the Sabbath, their tongues speak out what is in their
minds; hence these words concerning cattle, crops, losses, and gains. All
this is Sabbath-breaking. If the mind is running upon worldly matters, the
tongue will reveal it; for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. {GW92 208.1}
The example of ministers especially should be circumspect in this
respect. Upon the Sabbath they should conscientiously restrict themselves to
conversation upon religious themes,--to present truth, present duty, the
Christian's hopes and fears, trials, conflicts, and afflictions; to
overcoming at last, and the rewards to be received. {GW92 208.2}
Ministers of Jesus should stand as reprovers
to those who fail to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. They should kindly
and solemnly reprove those who engage in worldly conversation upon the
Sabbath, and at the same time claim to be Sabbath-keepers. They could
encourage devotion to God upon his holy day. {GW92 208.3}
None should feel at liberty to spend sanctified time in an unprofitable
manner. It is displeasing to God for Sabbath-keepers to sleep during much of
the Sabbath. They dishonor their Creator in so
doing, and, by their example, say that the six days are too precious for them
to spend in resting. They must make money, although it be
by robbing themselves of needed sleep, which they make up by sleeping away
holy time. They then excuse themselves by saying, "The Sabbath was given
for a day of rest. I will not deprive myself of rest to attend meeting; for I
need rest." Such make a wrong use of the
209 sanctified day. They should, upon that day especially, interest their
families in its observance, and assemble at the house of prayer with the few
or with the many, as the case may be. They should devote their time and
energies to spiritual exercises, that the divine influence resting upon the
Sabbath may attend them through the week. Of all the days in the week, none
are so favorable for devotional thoughts and
feelings as the Sabbath. {GW92 208.4}
All heaven was represented to me as beholding and watching upon the
Sabbath those who acknowledge the claims of the fourth commandment and are
observing the Sabbath. Angels were marking their interest in, and high regard
for, this divine institution. Those who sanctified the Lord God in their
hearts by a strictly devotional frame of mind, and who sought to improve the
sacred hours in keeping the Sabbath to the best of their ability, and to honor God by calling the Sabbath a delight,--these the
angels were specially blessing with light and health, and special strength
was given them. But, on the other hand, the angels were turning from those
who failed to appreciate the sacredness of God's sanctified day, and were
removing from them their light and their strength. I saw them overshadowed
with a cloud, desponding, and frequently sad. They felt a lack of the Spirit
of God.--Vol. 2, p. 702.
- {GW92 209.1}
The Minister's Wife.
June 5, 1863, I was shown that Satan is ever at work to dishearten and
lead astray ministers whom God has chosen to preach the truth. The most
effectual way in which he can work is through home influences, through unconsecrated companions. If he can control the mind of
the wife, he can through
210 her the more readily gain access to the husband, who is laboring in word and doctrine to save souls. . . . Many
have disregarded the sacred obligation resting upon them to improve the light
and privileges given, and walk as children of the light. If the vail could be parted, and all could see just how their
cases are regarded in heaven, there would be an awakening, and each would
with fear inquire, "What shall I do to be saved?" {GW92 209.2}
The minister's wife who is not devoted to God is no help to her
husband. While he dwells upon the necessity of bearing the cross, and urges
the importance of self-denial, the daily example of his wife often
contradicts his preaching and destroys its force. In this way she becomes a
great hindrance, and often leads her husband away from his duty and from God.
She does not realize what a sin she is committing. Instead of seeking to be
useful, seeking with true love for souls to help such as need help, she
shrinks from the task, and prefers a useless life. She is not constrained by
the power of Christ's love, and by unselfish, holy principles. She does not
choose to do the will of God, to be a co-worker with her husband, with
angels, and with God. When the wife of the minister accompanies her husband
in his mission to save souls, it is a great sin for her to hinder him in his
work by manifesting unhappy discontent. Yet, instead of entering heartily
into his labors, seeking every opportunity to unite
her interest and labor with his, she often studies
how she can make it more easy or pleasant for herself. If things around them
are not as agreeable as she could wish (as they will not always be), she
should not indulge homesick feelings, or by lack of cheerfulness and by
spoken complaints harass the husband and make his task harder, and perhaps,
by her discontent, draw him from the place where he could do good. She should
not divert the interest of her husband from laboring
for the salvation of souls, to sympathize with her ailments, 211 and gratify her whimsical, discontented feelings. If she would
forget herself, and labor to help others, talk and
pray with poor souls, and act as if their salvation was of higher importance
than any other consideration, she would have no time to be homesick. She
would feel from day to day a sweet satisfaction as a reward for her unselfish
labor; I cannot call it sacrifice, for some of our
ministers' wives do not know what it is to sacrifice or suffer for the
truth's sake. {GW92 210.1}
In former years the wives of ministers endured want and persecution.
When their husbands suffered imprisonment, and sometimes death, those noble,
self-sacrificing women suffered with them, and their reward will be equal to
that bestowed on the husband. Mrs. Boardman and the Mrs. Judsons
suffered for the truth,--suffered with their companions. They sacrificed home
and friends in every sense of the word, to aid their companions in the work
of enlightening those who sat in darkness; to reveal to them the hidden
mysteries of the word of God. Their lives were in constant peril. To save
souls was their great object, and for this they could suffer cheerfully.
{GW92 211.1} I
was shown the life of Christ. When his self-denial and sacrifice is compared
with the trials and sufferings of the wives of some of our ministers, it
causes anything which they may call sacrifice to sink into insignificance. If
the minister's wife speaks words of discontent and discouragement, the
influence upon the husband is disheartening, and tends to cripple him in his labor, especially if his success depends upon surrounding
influences. Must the minister of God in such cases be crippled or torn from
his field of labor to gratify the feelings of his
wife, which arise from an unwillingness to yield inclination to duty? The
wife should conform her wishes and pleasures to
duty, and give up her selfish feelings for the sake of Christ and the truth.
Satan
212 has had much to do with controlling the labors
of the ministers, through the influence of selfish, ease-loving companions.
{GW92 211.2}
If a minister's wife accompanies her husband in his travels, she
should not go for her own special enjoyment, to visit and to be waited upon,
but to labor with him. She should have a united
interest with him to do good. She should be willing
to accompany her husband, if home cares do not hinder, and she should aid him
in his efforts to save souls. With meekness and humility, yet with a noble
self-reliance, she should have a leading influence upon minds around her, and
should act her part, and bear her cross and burden in meeting, and around the
family altar, and in conversation at the fireside. The people expect this,
and they have a right to expect it. If these expectations are not realized,
the husband's influence is more than half destroyed. The wife of a minister
can do much, if she will. If she possesses the spirit of self-sacrifice, and
has a love for souls, she can with him do almost an equal amount of good.
{GW92 212.1} A
sister laborer in the cause of truth can understand
and reach some cases, especially among the sisters, that the minister cannot.
A responsibility rests upon the minister's wife which she should not and
cannot lightly throw off. God will require the talent lent her, with usury.
She should work earnestly, faithfully, and unitedly
with her husband to save souls. She should never urge her wishes and desires,
or express a lack of interest in her husband's labor,
or dwell upon homesick, discontented feelings. All these natural feelings
must be overcome. She should have a purpose in life which should be
unfalteringly carried out. What if this conflicts with the feelings, and
pleasures, and natural tastes? These should be cheerfully and readily
sacrificed, in order to do good and save souls. {GW92 212.2}
The wives of ministers should live devoted, prayerful lives. But some
would enjoy a religion in which 213 there are no crosses, and which calls for no self-denial and
exertion on their part. Instead of standing nobly for themselves, leaning
upon God for strength, and bearing their individual responsibility, they have
much of the time been dependent upon others, deriving their spiritual life
from them. If they would only lean confidingly, in childlike trust, upon God,
and have their affections centered in Jesus, deriving their life from Christ,
the living vine, what an amount of good they might do, what a help they might
be to others, what a support to their husbands, and what a reward would be
theirs in the end! "Well done, good and faithful servants," would
fall like sweetest music upon their ears. The words, "Enter thou into
the joy of thy Lord," would repay them a thousand times for all
suffering and trials
endured to save precious souls. {GW92 212.3}
Those who will not improve the talent which God has given them, will fail of everlasting life. Those who have been
of but little use in the world will be rewarded accordingly,--as their works
have been. When everything goes smoothly, they are borne along on the wave;
but when they need earnestly and untiringly to apply the oar, and row against
wind and tide, there seems to be no energy in their Christian character. They
will not take the trouble to work, but lay down their oars, and contentedly
let the current carry them down stream. Thus they generally remain until some one takes the burden, and labors
earnestly and energetically to pull them up stream. Every time they yield to
such indolence, they lose strength, and have less inclination to work in the
cause of God. It is only the faithful conqueror who wins eternal glory.
{GW92 213.1} A
minister's wife should ever have a leading influence on the minds of those
with whom she associates,
and she will be a help, or a great hindrance. She either
gathers with Christ, or scatters abroad. A self-sacrificing missionary spirit
is lacking among the companions of our ministers. It is self first,
214 and then Christ secondly, and even thirdly. Never should a
minister take his wife with him unless he knows that she can be a spiritual
help; that she is one who can endure and suffer, to do good, and to benefit
souls for Christ's sake. Those who accompany their husbands should go to labor unitedly with them. They
must not expect to be free from trials and disappointments. They should not
think too much of pleasant feelings. What have feelings to do with duty?
{GW92 213.2} I
was cited to the case of Abraham. God said to him, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest,
and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him
there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee
of." [GEN. 22:2, 11, 12.] Abraham obeyed God. He did not consult his
feelings, but with a noble faith and confidence in God he prepared for his
journey. With a heart rent with anguish he beheld the proud, loving mother
gazing with fond affection upon the son of promise. But he led that loved son
away. Abraham suffered; yet he did not let his will rise in rebellion against
the will of God. Duty, stern duty, controlled him. He dared not consult his
feelings, or yield to them for one moment. His only son walked by the side of
the stern, loving, suffering father, talking engagingly, uttering over and
over the fond name of father, and then inquiring, "Where is the
sacrifice?" O, what a test for the faithful father! Angels looked with
pleased wonder upon the scene. The faithful servant of God even bound his
beloved son and laid him upon the wood. The knife was raised, when an angel
cried out, "Abraham, Abraham, lay not thine hand upon the lad." [GEN. 22:2, 11, 12.] {GW92
214.1} I
saw that it is no light thing to be a Christian. It is a small matter to
profess the Christian name; but it is a great and sacred thing to lead a
Christian life. There is but a little time now to secure the immortal crown,
to have a record of good acts and
215 fulfilled duties written in heaven. Every tree is judged by its fruit. Every one will be judged according to his deeds, not his
profession or his faith. The question will never be asked, How much did he
profess? but, What fruit did he bear? If the tree is
corrupt, the fruit is evil. If the tree is good, it cannot produce evil
fruit.--Vol. 1, p. 449. - {GW92 214.2}
When the truth, the solemn, important truth, gets hold of them, self
will die; then the language will not be, "I will go there, I will not
stay here;" but the earnest inquiry will be, "Where does God want
me to be? Where can I best glorify him, and where can our united labors do the most good?" Their will should be
swallowed up in the will of God. The willfulness
and lack of consecration that some of the ministers' wives manifest, will
stand in the way of sinners; the blood of souls will be upon their garments.
Some of the ministers have borne a strong testimony in regard to the duty and
the wrongs of the church; but it has not had its designed effect; for their
own companions needed all the straight testimony that had been borne, and the
reproof came back upon themselves with great weight. They let their
companions affect them, and drag them down, prejudicing their minds, and
their usefulness and influence are lost; they feel desponding and
disheartened, and realize not the true source of the injury. It is close at
home. {GW92 215.1}
These sisters are closely connected with the work of God, if he has
called their husbands to preach the present truth. These servants, if truly
called of God, will feel the importance of the truth. They are standing
between the living and the dead, and must watch for souls as they that must
give an account. Solemn is their calling, and their
companions can be a great blessing or a great curse to them. They can cheer
them when desponding, comfort them when cast down, and encourage them to look
216 up and trust fully in God when their faith fails. Or they can
take an opposite course, look upon the dark side, think they have a hard
time, exercise no faith in God, talk their trials and unbelief to their companions, indulge a complaining,
murmuring spirit, and be a dead weight, and even a curse to them. {GW92
215.2} I
saw that the wives of the ministers should help their husbands in their labors, and be exact and careful what influence they
exert; for they are watched, and more is expected of them than of others.
Their dress should be an example. Their lives and conversation should be an
example, savoring of life rather than of death. I
saw that they should take a humble, meek, yet exalted stand, not having their
conversation upon things that do not tend to direct the mind heavenward. The
great inquiry should be, "How can I save my own soul, and be the means
of saving others?" I saw that no half-hearted work in this matter is
accepted of God. He wants the whole heart and interest, or he will have none.
Their influence tells, decidedly, unmistakably, in favor
of the truth or against it. They gather with Jesus or scatter abroad. An
unsanctified wife is the greatest curse that a minister can have. Those
servants of God that have been and are still so unhappily situated as to have
this withering influence at home, should double their prayers and their
watchfulness, take a firm, decided stand, and let not this darkness press
them down. They should cleave closer to God, be firm and decided, rule well
their own house, and live so that they can have the approbation of God and
the watch-care of the angels. But if they yield to the wishes of their unconsecrated companions, the frown of God is brought
upon the dwelling. The ark of God cannot abide in the house, because they
countenance and uphold them in their wrongs.-- Vol.
1, p. 138.
- {GW92 216.1}
If married men go into the work, leaving their wives to care for the
children at home, the wife and mother is doing fully as great and important a
work
217 as is the husband and father. While one is in the missionary
field, the other is a home missionary, whose cares and anxieties and burdens
frequently far exceed those of the husband and father. Her work is a solemn
and important one,--to mould the minds and fashion the characters of her
children, to train them for usefulness here, and fit them for the future
immortal life. The husband in the open missionary field may receive the honors of men, while the home toiler may receive no
earthly credit for her labor. But if she works for
the best interest of her family, seeking to fashion their characters after
the divine Model, the recording angel writes her name as one of the greatest
missionaries in the world. God does not see things as man's finite vision
views them.-- Test. 33, p. 122.
- {GW92 216.2}
Those who are trying to purify their souls through obedience to the
truth, yet who have had no opportunity of making special efforts and
sacrifices for Christ and his cause, should find consolation in the thought
that it is not necessarily the self-surrender of the martyr that is the most
acceptable to God; it may not be the missionary whose life has been one of
trial and endurance, that stands highest in heaven's record; but that the
Christian who is such in his private life, in his daily struggle with self,
in the control of his passions, in cleanness of purpose, in purity of
thought, in patience, meekness, and long-suffering under the test of
provocation, in piety, in devotion, in holy faith and trust in God, in
faithfulness in little things, representing in the home life the character of
Jesus,--that such a one may be more precious in the sight of God than the man
who goes as a missionary to heathen lands, or ascends the scaffold to die for
his faith. {GW92 217.1}
O, how different are the standards by which God and man measure
character! God sees many temptations
resisted, of which the world, and even near friends, never know,--temptations
in the home, in 218 the heart; he sees the soul's humility in
view of its own weakness, the sincere repentance over even a thought that is
evil; he sees the whole heart's devotion to the upbuilding
of the cause of God; he has noted those hours of hard battle with
self--battle that won the victory. All this, God and angels know. {GW92
217.2}
Many will be lost who think themselves Christians, and many will be in
heaven who their neighbors supposed would never get
there. God judgeth not as man judgeth.
Man judgeth from appearance, but God judgeth the heart. The Lord knows the strength of the
temptations that he permits. He sees the inward conflicts, the severe
struggles of him who gives up the visible on the strength of God's promise
that presents before him the invisible. --MS.
- {GW92 218.1}
Labor at Camp-Meetings. A
serious mistake has sometimes been made, in the attempt to hold as many
meetings as possible during the camp-meeting season. The forces were divided,
and, of course, weakened, and the efforts made were comparatively feeble. The
close successions of camp-meetings, with the scarcity of laborers, has brought a heavy tax upon those who
bear the burden of the work. They are called to go from camp-meeting to
camp-meeting, and endure the strain of continual speaking upon subjects that
stir the soul to its depths, and they cannot long pursue this labor without becoming enfeebled. Changes must be made,
if our ministers are to be saved to do good work for the Master. If it is
necessary to hold fewer general meetings, for want of laborers,
let there be a sufficient
219 force where meetings are held. God does not design that any of his
servants shall labor to exhaustion.
- {GW92 218.2}
The severe and wearing effort required of our leading ministers at
every camp-meeting unfits them for important work which demands their
attention at the close of the meeting. As they meet and counsel together,
they lay their plans for labor; to execute these
plans successfully, they need a clear brain, calm nerves, and a heart filled
with courage: but they lack all these essential qualifications. They have
made a serious mistake in regard to the work resting upon them, and have done
much that others should have done, and that would have been a blessing to
them, giving them a precious experience in laboring
for Jesus. While all cannot be ministers, all can and should act a part in
the work. {GW92 219.1}
There has been a failure to call into exercise talent which should be
employed, but which needs development and cultivation. We have had but few
ministers and but few men to bear responsibilities, because we have had so
few educators. We have lost much because we have not had those who were apt
to teach, and who could conduct a training-school for the inexperienced, and
press them into the service. {GW92 219.2}
The real workers in this cause are few, yet the work covers much
ground; and it is often impossible for the laborers
to look after the interest awakened, and they fail to discern that they must
enlist the lay
members of the church, and teach them to work, that they may
hold all that has been gained, and continue to advance. The plan of labor has been such as to lead the people to feel that
they could do very little themselves; if anything was to be accomplished,
they must have a minister. {GW92 219.3}
At our camp-meetings, tenfold more might be done than is usually
accomplished. At the very outset the minister should organize a corps of laborers
220 upon whom they can depend to perform various duties essential to
the success of the meeting. There may be several present who have been laboring in the smaller places, testing their own
ability, and learning to teach the truth. If these men really desire to learn in the school of Christ,
that they may teach others the way of salvation, the camp-meeting is the very
place where they can learn most, not by looking on while others do all the
work, but by sharing in the labor themselves. Every one should have something to do, some burden to
bear. If there is anywhere a field in which they can work, it is at these
large gatherings. They should first take heed to themselves, see that their
own hearts are softened
and subdued by the grace of Christ, and they are prepared to
help others. In meekness and love they should labor
for the discouraged and backslidden, inviting them to some place of
retirement and praying with and for them. There should be many little groups
thus earnestly pleading with God in the intervals between preaching services.
Such was the course pursued in 1844; at our general meetings, little
companies would scatter in every direction to draw near to God and seek his blessing.
They did not seek in vain. The rich blessing of the Lord came upon them in
answer to their prayers. The same course now pursued would lead to the same
results. {GW92 219.4}
Some of our ministers have had so little to do at these general meetings
that they have themselves backslidden from God. How different would have been
their experience had they been earnestly laboring
for others! There is work to do in the family tents. Suitable persons should
be appointed to engage, modestly and wisely, in religious conversation with
the inmates of the various tents. Cases that need special help could be
brought before the ministers, who might better understand how to advise.
There is work enough to engage every one who can 221 work. Many have been converted through personal effort, and a
blessed revival may be expected to follow such labor.
{GW92 220.1}
The older ministers should be careful that they do not, by precept or
example, give young men to understand that the work of laborers
in the field consists mainly in preaching. The education of which young
ministers are in greatest need, is that which will enable them to work in the
various departments of the cause, and relieve those who are wearing out from
overwork.
- {GW92 221.1}
There has often been more preaching in our camp-meetings than was
really necessary. Ministers should not feel that everything depends on their
efforts in presenting doctrinal, or even practical
discourses. They must have a firmer reliance on Jesus, our mighty helper;
they must encourage in their own hearts a faith that will not falter under
any circumstances. They must depend more upon Christ's presence, and less
upon their own efforts. {GW92 221.2}
Let the discourses be short and right to the point, and then let other
exercises come in. Especially should Bible readings be often held, and both
believers and unbelievers should have an opportunity to ask questions upon
points which they do not understand. And special meetings should be held for
those who are interested in the truth, and who need instruction. {GW92 221.3}
If our ministers would preach short discourses, and then educate the
brethren and sisters to work, and lay the burden upon them, the ministers
themselves would be saved from exhaustion, the people would gain spiritual
strength by the effort they put forth, and the result would be tenfold
greater than is now seen. Too heavy burdens, both in preaching and in the
transaction of business, have rested upon the few who labor
in word and doctrine. These men should preserve their strength and vigor, and keep their
222 minds staid upon God, that human infirmities may not affect their
judgment, or mar the solemn, dignified, holy character which should mark all
their deliberations. {GW92 221.4}
While our leading ministers do too much, our lay brethren and sisters
do too little. The rich experience which the latter might gain in earnest,
personal labor, is lost to them because they fail
to bear the burdens which they can and should bear. They should seek to do
all that it is in their power to do, not feeling that they are working for
the minister or the conference and that they should receive remuneration, but
as working for God, laboring unselfishly to make
the meeting a success. In so doing they will bring a blessing to their own
souls, and will also become a channel of light and blessing to others. {GW92
222.1}
The people should not depend upon the minister, but upon Christ.
Attention should especially be given to teaching them to labor
in the meetings held among the tent companies. None who come to the meeting
should be content to leave it without a deeper religious experience than they
had when they came. Our brethren and sisters come to camp-meeting hoping to
receive the blessing of the Lord; yet it is often the case that they do not
know just what to do to make the meeting a benefit to themselves or to
others. Many do not realize but that the only object for which they came is
merely to hear preaching. Therefore they do not strive for the blessing of God, they do not from the very beginning of the meeting
feel the necessity of confessing their sins, and striving for the earnest of
the Spirit. They do not know that the success of the meeting depends largely
upon themselves, and therefore do not feel the burden of the work. The very
first effort of ministers should be to set them in the way of working for
themselves. Let the minds and hearts of the people be enlisted in the work.
Let all be taught what they must do to open the door of the heart to Jesus,
that they may receive him gladly. 223 {GW92 222.2}
In our camp-meetings the spiritual interest is far from being what it
might be. With the growth of the work there are so many branches that require
attention, so many and so varied subjects are
crowded into the meetings, that but little room is left for attention to the
spiritual interests. Little time is given for meditation, for heart
searching, and personal communion with God. {GW92 223.1}
There are many meetings for education in the canvassing work, and in
other branches, in which many of the people take no special interest; and
others who are interested in them, and who desire to obtain all the
instruction they can, become so wearied, their minds are so crowded, that they
fail to obtain that which is of the highest importance to them. {GW92 223.2}
All the branches of the work are important, and the people need
instruction upon them. But too often things of a business character have
occupied the time that should have been given to earnest labor
for souls. It would be better if the matters which relate more directly to
business could be brought before the churches in special meetings appointed
for the purpose. Instruction relating to Sabbath-school work, also, should be
largely given in the several churches. The labor
will thus be more effective, and the improvement more permanent. {GW92 223.3}
During the year the people are largely occupied with temporal, earthly
things; and when they assemble in the yearly convocations, they need to
change the current of their thoughts. Many have a knowledge
of the theory of the truth, but know little of its practical bearing upon
character and life. And as our camp-meetings have been conducted, the people
often return to their homes no better qualified to work for God in their
families and churches than before they came. There is a great dearth of the
Spirit and power of God because the subject of personal piety, true faith,
and heart holiness is not kept before the mind in its real importance.
Business activities in a religious line satisfy the consciences of
224 many, while their hearts are destitute of the tender love, the
compassion for one another, that dwelt in the bosom of Christ. {GW92 223.4}
That which needs to be especially kept before the mind is the work for
the conversion of souls. The people must be led to see what they must be and
what they must do in order to be accepted with God. They must be taught how
to seek the Lord, how to believe on him, and how to work for others. The
great object of these meetings is to secure an advancement
in spiritual life, a deeper religious experience. {GW92 224.1}
There is altogether too little effort made for those who come to the
meeting who are not of our faith. Never should we manifest a cold
indifference to those whom we know to be in ignorance concerning the precious
truths that will make men wise unto eternal life. The earnestness of our
efforts for others should be in proportion to the value of that which God has
given to us to present to the world. All who keep in a prayerful frame of
mind, looking to God for heavenly wisdom, will be able, through the grace of
Christ, to speak a word in season to those who are brought within the sphere
of their influence. {GW92 224.2}
The necessity of a real heart work for every member of the body must
be pressed upon the people. The labor should be
directed right to the one end,-- a more complete
putting away of idols, a deeper consecration, a stronger faith, and more
personal effort for the salvation of others. {GW92 224.3}
My brethren, there should be a different kind of labor
from what we too often see in our camp-meetings. There should be more prayer
and weeping, and more confession of sin to God and to one another. Let the
indifference be broken up, let the complaining and faultfinding cease, and
the time heretofore worse than wasted in this manner be spent in prayers of
living faith for the refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Let us arouse
as one man,
225 and unitedly call
upon God to send down his grace upon the souls of his people, and to revive
his work in the midst of the years.{GW92 224.4}
Every tent's company should be set to work for themselves; and the
people should also be united in larger divisions, with suitable men appointed
in each to help, to the utmost of their ability, the ones placed under their
charge. Men should not be chosen for this work who
have so much sermonizing to do, to exhibit themselves, that they bear no help
to the people. The leaders appointed should be carefully taught how to labor in order to secure the best results. The wisest generalship is in seeing, not how much we can do
ourselves, but how much we can lead the people to do. {GW92 225.1}
The preacher himself must be alive; he must have the earnestness of
the Spirit; he must labor through Christ; he must
make direct appeals; he must sound the alarm to careless and world-loving
professors, though they should be displeased because their ears tingle with
the close application of the truth,-- "Thou art the man." It is too
late to daub with untempered mortar. There must be
plain and faithful dealing. The people must be aroused to do the work which
God enjoins upon them, to take up the stumbling-blocks and clear out the rubbish, that the Spirit of God may come in. The guilt as
well as the danger of backsliding must be faithfully pointed out. Follow up
the work with personal effort. General appeals are often made with little
effect. Come close to hearts, arousing all to act a part. {GW92 225.2}
What we need, what we cannot do without, is the Spirit of God to work
with our efforts. All pampering of self must be at an end. There must be an
earnest longing, a soul-hunger, for the presence of the Lord. "Blessed
are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be
filled." [MATT. 5:6.] {GW92 225.3}
It is a case of life or death with us. We have been stricken with
spiritual paralysis, and every one
226 needs the help of the Great Physician. He alone can reach our case.
He is only waiting to be invited by us with earnest heart, with sincere
desire. Nothing is wanting but a preparation of heart, and earnest, believing
prayer, to bring Jesus to our side as a mighty helper. He longs to come. If
we will but listen to his voice and open the door, he will come in.--MS.
- {GW92 225.4}
Popular Holiness Meetings. [FROM A SERMON TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF
1883.]
Those who would follow Christ must be grounded upon the principles of
truth. They need to understand what the Bible teaches in regard to faith, and
sanctification through the truth. They must be so established in this
knowledge that they cannot be moved to take false positions on the doctrine
of holiness, but will be able to illustrate in their lives the practical
workings of this heaven-given principle. The people of God must be able to
distinguish between the genuine and the spurious. {GW92 226.1}
There are those who profess holiness, who declare that they are wholly
the Lord's, who claim a right to the promises of God, while they do not
render obedience to his commandments. These transgressors of the law claim
everything that is promised to the children of God, but this is simply
presumption; for John tells us that "he that saith,
I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a
liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth
his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we
are in him. He that saith he abideth
in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." Jesus says,
"I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."
[JOHN 15:10.] 227 Obedience is the true sign of discipleship.
"Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." [MATT. 7:21.] {GW92
226.2}
It is true that there are many who have never had the light of present
truth, who, through the grace given them of Christ, are
keeping the law as far as they understand it. Those who are thus living up to
the best light they have, are not of the class whom the apostle John
condemns. His words apply to those who boast of believing in Jesus, who claim
holiness, while they lightly regard the requirements of the law of God. While
they talk of the love of Jesus, their love is not deep enough to lead to
obedience. The fruit they bear, shows the character
of the tree. It proves that their faith is not genuine. Yet this class,
though entitled to nothing, though they have no right to the promises of God,
boldly claim all his blessings. While they give nothing, they claim
everything. They close their ears to the truth, refuse to listen to the plain
"Thus saith the Lord," but by professing
holiness they deceive many, leading souls away by their pretentious faith
that has no foundation. {GW92 227.1}
We as a people have fallen into the opposite error. We acknowledge the
claims of God's law, and teach the people the duty of rendering obedience. We
believe in giving everything, but we do not see that we must take as well as
give. We fail to have that trust, that faith, which keeps the soul abiding in
Christ. We claim little, when we might claim much; for there is no limit to
the promises of God. Through a lack of faith, many who seek to obey the
commandments of God have little peace and joy; they do not correctly
represent the sanctification that is to come through obedience to the truth.
They are not anchored in Christ. Many feel a lack in their experience; they
desire something which they have
228 not; and thus some are led to attend
holiness meetings, and are charmed with the
sentiments of those who break the law of God.{GW92 227.2}
It is our duty to preach faith, to present the love of Christ in
connection with the claims of the law; for neither can be rightly understood
without the other. In every discourse the love of God, as manifested in
Christ, the sinner's only hope, should be dwelt upon
until the people realize something of its power and preciousness. If this is
done as it should be, it will not be said of this people that they teach the
law but do not believe in repentance, faith, and conversion. We want these
subjects to be blended as God has blended them; then will the truth be
presented in its completeness, not as a mere theory, but as a power that will
transform the character. It will then be preached in demonstration of the
Spirit and with power. Then those who have accepted the doctrines of the
Bible will not be unfed; they will feel the vivifying influence of the Holy
Spirit. {GW92 228.1}
There is no safety, much less benefit, for our people in attending
these popular holiness meetings; let us rather search the Scriptures with
much carefulness and earnest prayer, that we may understand the ground of our
faith. Then we shall not be tempted to mingle with those who, while making
high claims, are in opposition to the law of God. {GW92 228.2}
We must not have a sensational religion, which has no root in truth.
Solid instruction must be given to the people upon the reasons of our faith.
They must be educated to a far greater extent than they have been in the
doctrines of the Bible, and especially in the practical lessons that Jesus
gave to his disciples. The believers must be impressed with their great need
of Bible knowledge. There must be pains-taking effort to fasten in the minds
of all, the solid arguments of the truth; for every one
will be tested, and those who are rooted and grounded in the work of God will
be unmoved by the heresies that 229 will arise on all sides; but if any neglect to obtain the
necessary preparation, they will be swept away by errors that have the
appearance of truth. At our camp-meetings, sermons should be delivered of
such a character as will prepare the hearers to give a reason of the hope
that is in them with meekness and fear. I have been shown that but a small
number of the people in our churches know for themselves what constitutes the
third angel's message. This fact should enable us to realize the need of
Bible classes. At our camp-meetings especially, there should be daily classes
for Bible study. Instruction should be given on the subjects of faith and
Christian experience, and there should be seasons of earnest prayer. Then the
influence of our camp-meetings would not be of so transitory a character, but
would leave an abiding impression.--MS.
- {GW92 228.3} Business Meetings.
In all our business meetings, as well as our social and religious
meetings, we want Jesus by our side as a guide and counselor.
There will be no tendency to lightness where the presence of the Saviour is
recognized. Self will not be made prominent. There will be a realization of
the importance of the work that is to be done. There will be a desire that
the plans to be laid may be directed by Him who is mighty in counsel. {GW92
229.1}
Could our eyes but be opened, we would behold the angels of heaven in
our assemblies. Could we but realize this, there would be no desire to hold
to our own opinions upon unimportant points, which so often retard the
progress of the meeting and the work. If there were more real praying done,
if there were more solemn consideration given to weighty matters, the tone of
our business meetings would be
230 changed, elevated. All would feel that the assembly had met to lay
plans for the advancement of the work, and that the object of the work is
only to save souls. {GW92 229.2}
There is nothing in this world that is of so much value as the human
soul, and in planning for the work, nothing should be done hastily, or in an
indifferent manner. Each one of those assembled should feel that he must give
careful thought and prayer to the matters discussed. The responsibility of
dealing with human minds is not small. The soul of man has been purchased by
the infinite price of the blood of the Son of God; then should any one lose
sight of the sacredness of every movement that is made for the salvation of
souls? {GW92 230.1}
All that we do, and all that we say, is transferred to the books of
heaven. Let us not be guilty of bringing down God's work to the level of
common business transactions. Our standard must be high; our minds must be
elevated. There are always a few who think, when
their brethren are pulling forward, that it is their duty to pull back. They
object to everything that is proposed, and make war on every plan that they
have not themselves originated. Here is an opportunity for persons to develop inordinate
self-confidence. They have never learned in the school of Christ the precious
and all-important lesson of becoming meek and lowly of heart. There is
nothing harder for those who possess a strong will than to give up their own
way, and submit to the judgment of others. It is difficult for such to become
teachable, gentle, and easy to be entreated. {GW92 230.2}
In our business meetings, it is important that precious time should
not be consumed in debating points that are of small consequence. The habit
of petty criticism should not be indulged; for it perplexes and confuses
minds, and shrouds in mystery the things that are most plain and simple. How
does Jesus, our Counselor, whom we have invited to
be present at these meetings, look upon these things?
231 If there is that love among brethren which
will lead them to esteem others better than themselves, there will be a
giving up of their own ways and wishes to others. It is our duty to study,
daily and hourly, how we may answer the prayer of Christ,
that his disciples may be one, as he and the Father are one. Precious
lessons may be learned by keeping our Saviour's prayer before the mind, and
by acting our part to fulfill his desire. {GW92 230.3}
In our business connection with the work of God, and in handling
sacred things, we cannot be too careful to guard against a spirit of
irreverence; never, for an instant, should the word of God be used
deceitfully, to carry a point which we are anxious to see succeed. Honor, integrity, and truth must be preserved at any cost
to self. Our every thought, word, and action should be subject to the will of
Christ. Levity is not appropriate in meetings where the solemn work and word
of God are under consideration. The prayer has been offered that Christ shall
preside in the assembly and impart his wisdom, his grace, and righteousness.
Is it consistent to take a course that will be grievous
to his Spirit and contrary to his work? Let us bear in mind that Jesus is in
our midst. Then an elevating, controlling influence from the Spirit of God, will pervade the assembly. There will be manifested
that wisdom which is from above, that is first pure, then peaceable, full of
mercy and good fruits, which cannot err. In all the plans and decisions there
will be that charity that "seeketh not her
own;" which is "not easily provoked," that "thinketh no evil," that "rejoiceth
not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;"
that "beareth all things, believeth all
things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things." [1 COR. 13:5-7.] Self must be hid in Jesus, then the
judgment will not be one-sided and warped, so that there can be no
dispassionate and righteous decisions.{GW92 231.1}
"I . . . beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness 232 and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in
love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace." [EPH. 4:1-3.]--MS.
- {GW92 231.2}
Conference Presidents. [FROM
A SERMON DELIVERED AT THE
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1883.]
Their Qualifications.
The Lord has been pleased to present before me many things in regard
to the calling and labor of our ministers,
especially those who have been appointed as presidents of Conferences. Great
care should be exercised in the selection of men for these positions of
trust. There should be earnest prayer for divine enlightenment. Those who are
thus appointed as overseers of the flock should be men of good repute, men
who give evidence that they have not only a knowledge of the Scriptures, but
an experience in faith, in patience, that in meekness they may instruct those
who oppose the truth. They should be men of thorough integrity; not novices,
but intelligent students of the word, able to teach others also, bringing
from the treasure-house things new and old, -- men who in character, in
words, in deportment, will be an honor to the cause
of Christ, teaching the truth, living the truth, growing up to the full
stature in Christ Jesus. This means the development and strengthening of
every faculty by exercise, that the workers may become qualified to bear
larger responsibilities as the work increases. {GW92 232.1}
The Lord Jesus connected Judas and Peter with himself, not because
they were defective in character, but notwithstanding their defects. He would
give them an opportunity to learn in his school, meekness and lowliness of
heart, that they might become co-laborers with him.
And if they would
233 improve these opportunities, if they would
be willing to learn, willing to see their deficiencies, and in the light of a
pure example to become all that Christ would have them to be, then they would
be a great blessing to the church. Thus the Lord Jesus is still dealing with
men. Some who are still imperfect in character, are
connected with solemn, sacred interests; and when chosen for a special work,
they should not feel that their own wisdom is sufficient, that they need not
be counseled, reproved, and instructed. Brethren,
if you feel thus, you will separate from the Source of your strength, and
will be in peril; you may be left to your own supposed sufficiency to do as
Judas did,--betray your Lord. {GW92 232.2}
The grace of Christ must be an abiding principle in the heart and be
exemplified in the life. Self will then be laid at the foot of the cross, and
Christ will be accepted as all and in all. There will be no inclination to
exalt self, but Christ will be revealed as "the chiefest
among ten thousand," the One "altogether lovely." [CANT. 5:10,
16.] There are great possibilities open to every sincere worker, if all the
powers of mind and body are consecrated to God, to do his will, and not to
serve self. The very thoughts are to be brought into subjection to the will
of Christ. Then the affections will be refined and ennobled; those who carry
the burden of the work will not be impure in thought or word or act, neither
will they be light and trifling. All frivolity, all cheapness of
conversation, all jesting and joking, weakens the soul, and weans the heart
from prayer. Like Paul, the true followers of Christ will ever bear about in
the body the dying of the Lord Jesus; they cannot keep in mind the sufferings
of Christ for them, and yet be light and trifling. They will manifest a true,
Christ-like dignity and holy solemnity; yet there will be no Phariseeism. There will be cheerful faith and courage in
the Lord; for they trust the keeping of their souls unto God as to a faithful
234 Creator. The Sun of Righteousness shines
upon them in bright beams, and they keep their souls in the sunshine, and not
in the shadow. They talk light, and not darkness. They do not lead souls to
forget God, but keep the mind refreshed by speaking of his goodness, his
love, and his power. {GW92 233.1}
Christ Their Counselor.
Christ said to his disciples before his crucifixion, "I will pray
the Father, and he shall give you
another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; even the Spirit
of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth
him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for
he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
[JOHN 14:16, 17.] Thank God we have not to trust alone in human counsel. The
Saviour says, "I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut
it." [REV. 3:8.] To this open door we are to go by faith for our
sufficiency. {GW92 234.1}
Among our people there has been a trifling with personal
responsibilities. I tell you with sorrow that some of our Conferences are
weak in Christian experience because their leading men -- and the people have
followed the example -- have sought for the approval of man with far greater
anxiety than for the approval of God; they have looked to man for help and
counsel more than they have looked to God. They have made men their
burden-bearers, and have accepted human wisdom just when and where they
should depend upon God. And too often those of whom
they seek counsel, need help themselves; for their souls are not right with
God. {GW92 234.2}
The presidents of our Conferences have become weak and inefficient by
making flesh their arm. Trust in the wisdom of man does not facilitate growth in grace
and in the knowledge of Christ. {GW92 234.3}
Brethren, when perplexities arise in your Conference, when emergencies
are to be met, do not let
235 these dark clouds drift into the General Conference if you can
possibly avoid it. The president of the General Conference should not be
burdened with the affairs of the State Conferences as has been the case in
the past. If you, with your associates in the work, cannot adjust the
troubles and
difficulties that arise in your Conference, how do you think
that one man can do this work for all the Conferences? Why should you pour
all your perplexities and discouragements into the burdened mind and heart of
the president of the General Conference? He cannot understand the situation as well as you do who are on the ground. If you
shirk responsibility and crosses and burden-bearing, hard thinking and
earnest praying, and look to the president of the General Conference to do
your work, and help you out of your difficulties, cannot you see that you lay
upon him burdens that will imperil his life? Have you not mind and ability as
well as he? You should not neglect any part of the work because it calls for
earnest, cross-bearing effort. I repeat, Do not throw your burdens upon the
president of the General Conference. Do not expect him to take up your
dropped stitches and bind off your work. Resolve that you will bear your own
burdens through Christ who strengtheneth you. {GW92
234.4}
If he is walking in the counsel of God, the president of the General
Conference will not encourage his brethren in looking to him to define their
duty, but will direct them to the only Source that is untainted with the errors of
humanity. He will refuse to be mind and conscience for others. {GW92 235.1} Satan exults when men look to and trust in
man. The one who is the object of this undue confidence is exposed to strong
temptations. Satan will, if possible, lead him to self-confidence, in order
that human defects may mar the work. He will be in danger of encouraging his
brethren in their dependence upon him, and feeling that all things that
236 pertain to the movements of the cause must be brought to his notice.
Thus the work will bear the impress of man instead of the impress of God. But
if all will learn to depend upon God for themselves, many dangers that assail the one who
stands at the head of the work will be averted. If he errs, if he permits
human influence to sway his judgment, or yields to temptation, he can be
corrected and helped by his brethren. And those who learn to go to God for
themselves for help and counsel are learning lessons that will be of the
highest value to them. {GW92 235.2}
But if the officers of a Conference bear successfully the burdens laid
upon them, they must pray, they must believe, they must trust God to use them
as his agents in keeping the churches of the Conference in good working
order. This is their part of the vineyard to cultivate. There must be far
more personal responsibility, far more thinking and planning, far more mental
power brought into the labor put forth for the
Master. This would enlarge the capacity of the mind, and give keener
perceptions as to what to do, and how. Brethren, you will have to wrestle
with difficulties, carry burdens, give advice, plan and execute, constantly
looking to God for help. Pray and labor, labor and pray; as pupils in the school of Christ, learn
of Jesus. {GW92 236.1}
The Lord has given us the promise, "If any of you lack wisdom,
let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him." [JAMES 1:5.] It is in the order of God that those who bear
responsibilities should often meet together to counsel with one another and
to pray earnestly for that wisdom which he alone can impart. Unitedly make known your troubles to God. Talk less; much
precious time is lost in talk that brings no light. Let brethren unite in
fasting and prayer for the wisdom that God has promised to supply liberally.
237 {GW92 236.2}
Go to God and tell him as did Moses, "I cannot lead this people
unless thy presence shall go with me." And then ask still more; pray
with Moses, "Show me thy glory." [EX. 33:18.] What is this
glory?--The character of God. This is what he proclaimed to Moses. Let the
soul, in living faith, fasten upon God. Let the tongue speak his praise. When
you associate together, let the mind be reverently turned to the
contemplation of eternal realities. Thus you will be helping one another to
be spiritually minded. When your will is in harmony with the divine will, you
will be in harmony with one another; you will have Christ by your side as a counselor. Enoch walked with God; so may every one of the
laborers for Christ. You may say with the psalmist,
"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I
shall not be moved." [PS. 16:8.] While you feel that you have no sufficiency
of yourself, your sufficiency will be in Jesus. {GW92 237.1}
If you expect all your counsel and wisdom to come from men, mortal and
finite like yourselves, you will receive only human help. If you go to God
for help and wisdom, he will never disappoint your faith. The presidents of
the State Conferences have the same God that the president of the General
Conference has, and they can go to the Source of wisdom for themselves,
instead of depending upon one man, who has to obtain his light from the same
source. It may be argued that the Lord gives special wisdom to those
entrusted with important responsibilities. True, if they walk humbly with
him, he will give them help for their work; and he will give you help for
yours, if you seek it in the same spirit. If the Lord in his providence has
placed important responsibilities upon you, he will fit you to bear these
burdens, if you go to him in faith for strength to do this. When you put your
trust in him, and depend upon his counsel, he will not leave you to your own
238 finite judgment, to make imperfect plans and decided failures. {GW92
237.2} Every one needs a practical experience in trusting God
for himself. Let no man become your confessor; open the heart to God; tell
him every secret of the soul. Bring to him your difficulties, small and
great, and he will show you a way out of them all. He alone can know how to
give the very help you need. And when, after a trying season, help comes to
you, when the Spirit of God is manifestly at work for you, what a precious
experience you have gained. You are obtaining faith and love, the gold that the
True Witness counsels you to buy of him. You are learning to go to God in all
your troubles; and as you learn these precious lessons of faith, you will
teach the same to others. Thus you may be continually leading the people to a
higher plane of experience. The president of a State Conference is, by his
manner of dealing, educating the ministers under him, and together they can
so educate the churches that it will not be necessary to call the ministers
of the Conference from the field to settle difficulties and dissensions in
the church. If the officers in the Conference will, as faithful servants,
perform their heaven-appointed duties, the work in our Conferences will not
be left to become entangled in such perplexities as heretofore. And in laboring thus, the workers will become solid, responsible
men, who will not fail nor be discouraged in a hard place. {GW92 238.1}
There is One who is mighty to save to the uttermost all who come unto him. Is not the promise broad and full?
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest." [MATT. 11:28.] Why are we so unwilling
to come directly to the Source of our strength? Have we not departed from the
Lord in this? Should not ministers and the presidents of our Conferences
learn whence cometh their help? {GW92 238.2}
The care of souls is too important and solemn a work to be entrusted
to men who are unacquainted
239 with God, and who do not have a special, definite experience in
seeking him through prayer, and exercising faith in him. All heaven is
interested in this work, and how can Heaven's richest blessings fall upon
those who labor in their own finite strength and
wisdom, instead of seeking help from him whose grace and power constantly
await their demand? The officers of our Conferences have neglected the
praying part, and the exercise of that faith which would honor
God and bring to them divine aid. There is an absence of soul-earnestness in
prayer, a burden of supplication, that the Lord will give you wisdom, and
pour upon you his Holy Spirit, that you may indeed be laborers
together with him. Open your Bibles before God, and pray for divine
enlightenment. Your Redeemer is waiting for you to call upon him in your
necessity. He knows the solemn charge he has committed to you in giving you
the care of souls. We are in times of peculiar danger from foes without and
within, and God would have you alive to everything concerning your specific
work. You need not try to do anything without the special help of your
heavenly Father. He is waiting for you to call, that he may say, "Here I
am." If you will seek, he says he will be found of you; his strength,
his grace, and his righteousness will be given to the humble, contrite one
who seeks him with all the heart. {GW92 238.3}
Claim the promises of God. The Lord will do all for you that he did
for Daniel, if you will co-operate with him as Daniel did. You may be
conquerors through humble, earnest trust in your Redeemer. As delegated
messengers to whom is assigned a special work, he wants you to become men of
spiritual power. It is the privilege of God's ministers to become men of
moral power and efficiency in all the offices they are called to fill. Every day
they may praise God for the fresh tokens of his love and blessing.
240 {GW92 239.1}
Removing to New Fields.
The question is asked me if it is not a mistake to remove the
president of a State Conference to a new field when many of the people in his
present charge are unwilling to give him up. The Lord has been pleased to
give me light on this question. I have been shown that ministers should not
be retained in the same district year after year, nor should the same man
long preside over a Conference. A change of gifts is for the good of our
Conferences and churches. Ministers have sometimes felt unwilling to change
their field of labor; but if they understood all
the reasons for making changes, they would not draw back. Some have pleaded
to remain one year longer in the same field, and frequently the request has
been respected. They have claimed to have plans for accomplishing a greater
work than heretofore. But at the close of the year there was a worse state of
things than before. If a minister has been unfaithful in his work, it is not
likely that he will mend the matter by remaining. The churches become
accustomed to the management of the one man, and think they must look to him
instead of looking to God. His ideas and plans have a controlling power in
the Conference. The people may see that he errs in judgment, and because of
this they learn to place a low estimate upon the ministry. If they would look
to God, and depend upon heavenly wisdom, they would be gaining an experience
of the highest value, and would themselves be able, in many respects at
least, to supply what is lacking in him who is the overseer of the flock. But
too often things are left to drift as they will, the president being held
responsible for the healthful condition of the churches in the Conference,
while the church members settle down, indifferent, lukewarm, doing nothing to
bring things into order. 241 {GW92 240.1}
The president may not feel the importance of sanctifying himself, that
others may be sanctified. He may be an unfaithful watchman, preaching to
please the people. Many are strong in some points of character, while they
are weak and deficient in other things where they should be strong. As the
result, a want of efficiency is manifest in some parts of the work. Should
the same man continue as president of the Conference year after year, his
defects would be reproduced in the churches under his labors. But one laborer may be strong where his brother is weak, and so
by exchanging fields of labor, one may, to some
extent, supply the deficiencies of another. If all were fully consecrated to
God, these marked imperfections of character would not exist; but since the laborers do not meet the divine standard, since they
weave self into all their work, the best thing, both for themselves and for
the churches, is to make frequent changes. And, on the other hand, if a laborer is spiritually strong, he is, through the grace
of Christ, a blessing to the churches, and his labors
are needed in different Conferences.
- {GW92 241.1}
Co-Operation Among the Churches. [FROM A
SERMON PREACHED TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1883.]
There is a great dearth of spirituality in the Conferences of the
different States; the churches are suffering, not so much for the want of
sermons as for lack of ministry. The members of the churches need personal labor; they need to be instructed as to how they can
engage in the work of God. In the winter, special efforts should be put
forth. Let the different churches visit one another from time to time. Thus
one church may encourage another by the manifestation of friendly,
Christ-like interest in the spiritual
242 welfare of the brethren. Those who will engage in active service for
the good of others will find that their own souls will be revived and quickened, and those whom they visit will be encouraged
and strengthened by the interest of their brethren in their behalf. {GW92
241.2}
When the harvest is gathered and the sowing is over, it is a favorable season for religious work. During the long
evenings the lessons of the Scriptures should be carefully studied. Precious
opportunities may be improved in conversing and praying together, in relating
experiences, in making diligent search of the Bible; by such Christian
association we may build up one another in the most holy faith. {GW92 242.1}
Let those who claim to be the sons and daughters of God meet together
to bring hope to one another's hearts. We keep apart from God and from one
another, but the scripture declares that "they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." [MAL. 3:16.] Coldness,
formality, and indifference are quenching the vital spark of piety. Wherever
we go we should carry an atmosphere of Christian hopefulness and cheer; then
those who are out of Christ will see some attractiveness in the religion we
profess. We need to get more distinct glimpses of heaven, the land where all
is brightness and joy. We need to know more of the fullness of the blessed
hope. {GW92 242.2}
Will not the representatives from the different Conferences make
arrangements to have meetings in the various churches in their districts, and
see to it that one church shall be a help to another? Some may be called to
go twenty, fifty, or one hundred miles from home to attend meeting with those
of like precious faith; but they should not count it a sacrifice. If they
call upon God to imbue them with the Holy Spirit, to give them words to speak
that will be as meat in due season, they will find their own hearts
refreshed, and they will be richly repaid. It has often been found that where
there was but a limited
243 number, the most precious and profitable seasons have been enjoyed.
In such meetings there had been ample time for conversation on religious
topics, time for prayer together, time for rejoicing in the love of God.
Every member of the church could learn the needs of his brethren and sisters, and by so doing could pray more intelligently for
them. It is impossible to do this so fully at large
camp-meetings or other gatherings, but at these smaller meetings we
have found our hearts knit together in bonds of love and Christian
fellowship. - {GW92 242.3} Fragments.
Qualifications for the Work.
Likeness to Christ.--The same Bible that contains the privileges of
God's people, and his promises to them, sets forth also the sacred duties and
solemn obligations of the shepherd who has charge of the flock of God. By
comparing the living preacher with the divine picture, all may see whether he
has the credentials from heaven,--likeness of character to him who is the
Chief Shepherd. God designs that the teacher of the Bible should in his
character and home life be an illustration of the principles of truth which
he is teaching to his fellow-men. {GW92 243.1}
What a man is, has greater influence than
what he says. The quiet, consistent, godly life is a living epistle, known
and read of all men. True character is not something shaped from without, or
put on; but it is something radiating from within. If true goodness, purity,
meekness, lowliness, and equity are dwelling in the heart, the fact will be
manifest in the character; and such a character is full of power.
244 {GW92 243.2}
The officers who were sent to take Jesus reported that never man spake like this man. But the reason of this was that
never man lived like this man; for if he had not so lived, he could not so
have spoken. His words bore with them a convincing power, because they came
from a heart pure and holy, full of love and sympathy, beneficence and truth.
There is eloquence beyond that of words, in the quiet, consistent life of a
pure, true Christian. We shall have temptations as long as we are in this
world, but instead of injuring us, they will only turn to our advantage, if
resisted. The bounds are placed where Satan cannot
pass. He may prepare the furnace, but instead of working injury, it will only
consume the dross, and bring forth the gold of the character, purer than
before the trial.
- {GW92 244.1}
In order for a man to become a successful minister, something more
than book knowledge is essential. The laborer for
souls needs integrity, intelligence, industry, energy, and tact. All these
are highly essential for the success of a minister of Christ. No man can be
inferior with these qualifications, but he will have a commanding influence.
Unless the laborer in God's cause can gain the
confidence of those for whom he is laboring, he can
do but little good. . . . You must show in your family that kindly
consideration, that tenderness, love, gentleness, noble forbearance, and true
courtesy, that is becoming to the head of a family, before you can make a
success of winning souls to Christ.--Vol. 3, pp. 553, 556. - {GW92 244.2}
Why is it that some of our ministers have so little power?--Because
they have not made an entire surrender to God. They do not see the sinfulness
of clinging to their own way. While they hold the truth, and try to present
it to others, they cling tenaciously to their own ideas, which are crude and
narrow and without symmetry; and in the minds of the
245 people the precious truth of God is blended with the peculiarities
of the minister, and is refused. Let all who preach the truth, and all who
profess to believe it, submit themselves fully to the influence of the Spirit
of God, that the truth may refine, elevate, and sanctify them. - {GW92 244.3}
It is the absence of the Holy Spirit and of the grace of God that
makes the gospel ministry so powerless to convict and convert. After the
ascension of Jesus, doctors, lawyers, priests, rulers, scribes, and theologians
listened with astonishment to words of wisdom and power from unlearned and
humble men. These wise men marveled at the success
of the lowly disciples, and finally accounted for it to their own
satisfaction from the fact that they had been with Jesus and learned of him.
Their character and the simplicity of their teachings were similar to the
character and teachings of Christ, in reference to which the apostle uses
these words: "God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound
the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which
are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to
naught things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence." [1
COR. 1:27-29.]--Vol. 4, p. 378.
- {GW92 245.1}
If God pronounces a woe upon those who are called to preach the truth
and refuse to obey, a heavier woe rests upon those who take upon them this
sacred work without clean hands and pure hearts. As there are woes for those
who preach the truth while they are unsanctified in heart and life, so there
are woes for those who receive and maintain the unsanctified in the position
which they cannot fill.--Vol. 2, p. 552.
- {GW92 245.2}
Humility.--The Saviour has given marked lessons in humility to all,
but especially to the gospel
246 ministers. In his humiliation, when his work upon earth was nearly
finished, and he was about to return to his Father's throne whence he had
come, with all power in his hands and all glory upon his head, among his last
lessons to his disciples was one upon the importance of humility. While his
disciples were contending as to who should be greatest in the promised
kingdom, he girded himself as a servant, and washed the feet of those who
called him Lord and Master. {GW92 245.3}
His ministry was nearly completed; he had only a few more lessons to
impart. And that they might never forget the humility of the pure and
spotless Lamb of God, the great and efficacious Sacrifice for man humbled
himself to wash the feet of his disciples. It will do you good,
and our ministers generally, frequently to review the closing scenes in the
life of our Redeemer. Here, beset with temptations as he was, we may all
learn lessons of the utmost importance to us. It would be well to spend a
thoughtful hour each day reviewing the life of Christ from the manger to
Calvary. We should take it point by point, and let the imagination vividly
grasp each scene, especially the closing ones of his earthly life. By thus
contemplating his teachings and sufferings, and the infinite sacrifice made
by him for the redemption of the race, we may strengthen our faith, quicken
our love, and become more deeply imbued with the spirit which sustained our
Saviour. If we would be saved at last, we must learn the lesson of penitence
and faith at the foot of the cross. . . . Everything noble and generous in
man will respond to the contemplation of Christ upon the cross. {GW92 246.1} I
long to see our ministers dwell more upon the cross of Christ, their own
hearts, meanwhile, softened and subdued by the Saviour's matchless love which
prompted that infinite sacrifice.--Vol. 4, p. 373.
- {GW92 246.2}
The Cause of Skepticism.--The reason why
there is so little of the Spirit of God manifested is that
247 ministers learn to do without it. They lack the grace of God, lack
forbearance and patience, lack a spirit of
consecration and sacrifice; and this is the only reason why some are doubting
the evidences of God's word. The trouble is not at all with the word of God,
but in themselves. They lack the grace of God; lack
devotion, personal piety, and holiness. This leads them to be unstable, and
throws them often on Satan's battle-field. I saw that however strongly men
may have advocated the truth; however pious they may appear to be; when they
begin to talk unbelief in regard to some scriptures, claiming that they cause
them to doubt the inspiration of the Bible, we should be afraid of them; for
God is at a great distance from them.-- Vol. I, p.
383. - {GW92 246.3} A
prevailing skepticism [FROM A PERSONAL TESTIMONY]
is continually increasing in reference to the Testimonies of the Spirit of
God; and these youth encourage questionings and doubts instead of removing
them, because they are ignorant of the spirit, and power, and force of the
Testimonies. While thus unsanctified in heart, their labor
can do the people no good. They may apparently convince souls that we have
the truth; but where is the Spirit and power of God to impress the heart and
awaken conviction of sin? Where is the power to carry the convicted forward
to an experimental knowledge of vital godliness? They have not a knowledge of
this themselves; then how can they represent the religion of Christ?--Vol. 4,
p. 437.
- {GW92 247.1}
Consecration.--Punctuality and decision in the work and cause of God
are highly essential. Delays are virtually defeats. Minutes are golden, and
should be improved to the very best account. Earthly relations and personal
interests should ever be secondary. Never should the cause of God be left to
suffer
248 in a single particular, because of our earthly friends or
dearest relatives. {GW92 247.2}
"And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer
me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury
their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said,
Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at
home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the
plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." [LUKE
9:59-62.] {GW92 248.1}
No earthly ties, no earthly considerations, should weigh one moment in
the scale against duty to the cause and work of God. Jesus severed his
connection from everything to save a lost world; and he requires of us a full
and entire consecration. There are sacrifices to be made for the interests of
God's cause. The sacrifice of feeling is the most keen that is required of
us; yet, after all, it is a small sacrifice. You have plenty of friends, and
if the feelings are only sanctified, you need not feel that you are making a
very great sacrifice. [FROM A PERSONAL TESTIMONY.] You do not leave your wife
among heathen. You are not called to tread the burning African desert, or to
face prisons, and encounter trial at every step. Be careful how you appeal to
your sympathies, and let human feelings and personal considerations mingle
with your efforts and labors for the cause of God.
He demands unselfish and willing service. You can render this, and yet do all
your duties to your family; but hold this as a secondary matter.--Vol. 3, p.
500.
- {GW92 248.2}
Some have felt tempted to take themselves from the work, to labor with their hands. I saw that if the hand of God
should be taken from them, and they be left subject to disease and death,
then they would know what trouble is. It is a fearful thing to murmur against
God. They do not bear in mind
249 that the way which they are traveling is a rugged, self-denying,
self-crucifying way, and they must not expect everything to move on as
smoothly as though they were traveling in the broad road. {GW92 248.3} I
saw that some of the servants of God, even ministers, are so easily
discouraged, self is so quickly hurt, that they imagine themselves slighted
and injured when it is not so. They think their lot hard. Such realize not
how they would feel should the sustaining hand of God be withdrawn, and they
pass through anguish of soul. They would then find their lot tenfold harder
than it was before, while they were employed in the work of God, suffering
trials and privations, yet withal having the Lord's approbation. Some that
are laboring in the cause of God know not when they
do have an easy time. They have had so few privations, and know so little of
want or wearing labor or burden of soul, that when
they have an easy time, when they are favored of
God and almost entirely free from anguish of spirit, they know it not, and
think their trials great. I saw that unless such have a spirit of
self-sacrifice, and are ready to labor
cheerfully, not sparing themselves, God will release them. He will not
acknowledge them as his self-sacrificing servants, but will raise up those who will labor,
not slothfully, but in earnest, and will know when they have an easy time.
God's servants must feel the burden of souls, and weep between the porch and
the altar, crying, "Spare thy people, Lord." {GW92 249.1}
Some of the servants of God have given up their lives to spend and be
spent for the cause of God, until their constitutions are broken down, and
they are almost worn out with mental labor,
incessant care, toil, and privations. Others have not had and would not take
the burden upon them. Yet just such ones think they have a hard time, because
they have never experienced hardships. They never have been baptized into the
suffering part, and never will
250 be as long as they manifest so much weakness and so little
fortitude, and love their ease so well.--Vol. I, p. 129.
- {GW92 249.2}
"Who is blind, but my servant? or deaf,
as my messenger that I sent?" [ISA. 42:19.] God does not wish us to hear
all that is to be heard, or to see all that is to be seen. It is a great
blessing to close the ears, that we hear not, and the eyes, that we see not.
The greatest anxiety should be to have clear eyesight to discern our own
shortcomings, and a quick ear to catch all needed reproof and instruction,
lest by our inattention and carelessness we let them slip, and become
forgetful hearers, and not doers of the work.--Vol. I. p 707. - {GW92 250.1}
Conversation.--Good conversation will accompany a good conscience, as
surely as good fruit will be produced by a good tree. If a man is unkind and
churlish in his family, and to others connected with him, no one need to inquire how he will manage in the church. He will
exhibit the same petulant, overbearing disposition which he shows at home. No
man can have the spirit and the mind of Christ without being rendered better
by it in all the relations and duties of life. Murmuring, complaining, and
fretful passion are not the fruit of good principles. --Vol. 4, p. 347.
- {GW92 250.2}
Jesting, joking, and worldly conversation belong to the world. Christians who have the peace of God in their hearts, will
be cheerful and happy without indulging in lightness or frivolity. While
watching unto prayer, they will have a serenity and peace which will elevate
them above all superfluities. The mystery of godliness, opened to the mind of
the minister of Christ, will raise him above earthly and sensual enjoyments.
He will be a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust. The
251 communication opened between God and his
soul will make him fruitful in the knowledge of God's will, and open before
him treasures of practical subjects that he can present to the people, which
will not cause levity or the semblance of a smile, but will solemnize the
mind, touch the heart, and arouse the moral sensibilities to the sacred
claims that God has upon the affections and life. Those who labor in word and doctrine should be men of God, pure in
heart and life.--Vol. 3, p. 241.
- {GW92 250.3}
The holy deportment of the minister of Christ should be a rebuke to
vain, frothy professors. The love of truth and holiness manifested in your
serious, heavenly conversation, will convict others, and lead them to the
truth, and those around you will be compelled to say, "God is with this
man, of a truth."--Vol. I, p. 434.
- {GW92 251.1} A
powerful discourse delivered from the desk may affect minds; but a little
imprudence on the part of the minister out of the pulpit, a lack of gravity
of speech and true godliness, will counteract his influence, and do away the
good impressions made by him. The converts will be his; in many instances
they will seek to rise no higher than their preacher. There will be in them
no thorough heart work. They are not converted to God. The work is
superficial, and their influence will be an injury to those who are really
seeking the Lord.--Vol. I, p. 380.
- {GW92 251.2} When
a minister bearing the solemn message of warning to the world, receives the
hospitable courtesies of friends and brethren, and neglects the duties of a
shepherd of the flock, and is careless in his example and deportment,
engaging with the young in trifling conversation, in jesting and joking, and
in relating humorous anecdotes to create laughter, he is unworthy of being a
gospel minister, and needs to be
252 converted before he should be entrusted with the care of the sheep and
lambs. Ministers who are neglectful of the duties devolving on a faithful
pastor, give evidence that they are not sanctified by the truths they present
to others, and should not be sustained as laborers in
the vineyard of the Lord, till they have a high sense of the sacredness of
the work of a minister of Christ.--Vol. 3, p. 233.
- {GW92 251.3}
Instructing Parents.--Those who have no children of their own to share
their thoughts and labor, and to call for the
exercise of forbearance, patience, and love, should guard themselves, lest
their thoughts and labor center upon themselves.
They are poorly qualified to instruct parents as to the training of their
children; for they have not had experience in this work. Yet in very many
cases, those who have no children are the most ready to instruct those who
have, when at the same time, the former make children of themselves in many
respects. They cannot be turned out of a certain course, and they require
even more patience exercised toward them than children do. It is selfish to
have a certain course marked out, and pursue this course to the inconvenience
of others. - {GW92 252.1}
Health.--The position of our ministers calls for health of body and
discipline of mind. Good sound sense, strong nerves, and a cheerful temper
will recommend the gospel minister anywhere. This should be sought for, and
perseveringly cultivated.--Vol. 3, p. 466.
- {GW92 252.2}
Our preachers are not particular enough in regard to their habits of
eating. They partake of too large quantities of food, and of too great a
variety at one meal. Some are reformers in name only. They have no rules by
which to regulate their diet, but indulge in eating fruits or nuts between
their meals, and thus impose too heavy burdens upon the digestive organs.
Some eat three meals a day, when two
253 would be more conducive to physical and spiritual health. If the
laws which God has made to govern the physical system are violated, the
penalty must surely follow. {GW92 252.3}
Because of imprudence in eating, the senses of some seem to be
paralyzed, and they are sluggish and sleepy. These pale-faced ministers who are suffering in consequence of selfish
indulgence of the appetite, are no recommendation of health reform. When
suffering from overwork, it would be much better to drop out a meal
occasionally, and thus give nature a chance to rally. Our laborers
could do more by their example to advance health reform than by preaching it.
When elaborate preparations are made for them by well-meaning friends, they
are strongly tempted to disregard principle; but by refusing the dainty
dishes, the rich condiments, the tea and coffee, they may prove themselves to
be true, practical health reformers. Some are now suffering in consequence of
transgressing the laws of life, thus causing a stigma to rest on the cause of
health reform. Excessive indulgence in eating, drinking, sleeping, or seeing,
is sin.-- Vol. 4, p. 416.
- {GW92 253.1}
Overeating prevents the free flow of thought and words, and that
intensity of feeling which is so necessary in order to impress the truth upon
the heart of the hearer. The indulgence of appetite beclouds and fetters the
mind, and blunts the holy emotions of the soul. The mental and moral powers
of some of our preachers are enfeebled by improper eating and lack of
physical exercise. Those who crave great quantities of food should not
indulge their appetite, but should practice self-denial, and retain the
blessings of active muscles and unoppressed brains.
Overeating stupefies the entire being by diverting the energies from the
other organs to do the work of the stomach.
254 {GW92 253.2}
The failure of our ministers to exercise all the organs of the body proportionately, causes some organs to become worn, while
others are weak from inaction. If wear is left to come almost exclusively
upon one organ or set of muscles, the one most used must become overwearied and greatly weakened. Each faculty of the
mind, and each muscle has its distinctive office, and all are required to be
equally exercised in order to become properly developed and to retain
healthful vigor. Each organ has its work to do in
the living organism. Every wheel in the machinery must be a living, active,
working wheel. All the faculties have a bearing upon one another, and all
need to be exercised in order to be properly developed.--
Vol. 3, p. 310.
- {GW92 254.1}
Some ministers maintain a certain dignity not in accordance with the
life of Christ, and are unwilling to make themselves
useful by engaging in physical labor, as occasion
may require, to lighten the burdens of those whose hospitalities they share,
and to relieve them of care. Physical exercise would prove a blessing to
them, rather than an injury. In helping others, they would advantage
themselves. But some go to the other extreme. When their time and strength
are all required in the work and cause of God, they are willing to engage in labor, and become servants of all, even in temporal
things; and they really rob God of the service he requires of them. Thus
trivial matters take up precious time which should be devoted to the
interests of God's cause.-- Vol. 2, p. 643.
- {GW92 254.2}
In order to perfect Christian character, we should not cultivate
merely a life of quiet, prayerful abstraction, nor a
life of all outward zeal and busy excitement, while personal piety is
neglected. But the present time requires us to be waiting for the coming of
the Lord, and vigilantly working for the
255 salvation of our fellow-men. "Not slothful in business; fervent in
spirit; serving the Lord." [ROM. 12:11.] God will not accept the most
exalted services, unless they are first consecrated by the surrender of the
soul to him and his love. With a certain class of minds, there is danger of
systematizing away the Spirit of God and the vitality of the religion of
Christ, and preserving an exact round of wearisome duties and ceremonies.
{GW92 254.3}
We are living in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, and
our nice and exact plans cannot always be carried out to the advantage of
all. If we stand back upon our dignity, we shall fail to help those who need
help the most. The servants of Christ should accommodate themselves to the
varied conditions of the people. They cannot carry out exact rules, if they
meet the cases of all. Labor will have to be varied
to meet the people where they are. "Of some have compassion, making a
difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating
even the garment spotted by the flesh." [JUDE
22, 23.] {GW92 255.1}
The apostle counsels his Corinthian brethren, "Whether therefore
ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none
offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the
profit of many, that they may be saved." "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto
all, that I might gain the more." "To the weak became I as weak,
that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men,
that I might by all means save some." [1 COR. 10:31-33; 9:19,
22.] "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak,
and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor for his good to edification. For even Christ
pleased not himself; but, as it is written,
256 The reproaches of them that reproached thee
fell on me." [ROM. 15:1-3.]-- Vol. 2, p. 673.
- {GW92 255.2} Labor in New Fields.--In order to grow in grace and in
the knowledge of the truth, laborers must have a
varied experience. This will be best acquired in extended labor
in new fields, in different localities, where they will come in contact with
all classes of people, and all varieties of minds, and where various kinds of
labor will be required to meet the wants of many
and varied minds. This drives the true laborer to
God and the Bible for light, strength, and knowledge, that he may be fully
qualified to meet the wants of the people. He should heed the exhortation
given to Timothy: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth." "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom
his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of
meat in due season?" [2 TIM 2:15; LUKE 12:42.] -- Vol. 2, p. 642.
- {GW92 256.1}
It will make our young men strong to go into new fields, and break up
the fallow ground of men's hearts. This work will drive them nearer to God.
It will help them to see that they are altogether inefficient in themselves.
They must be wholly the Lord's. They must put away their self-esteem and
self-importance, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. When they do this, they
will be willing to go without the camp, and bear the burden as good soldiers
of the cross. They will gain efficiency and ability by mastering difficulties
and overcoming obstacles. Men are wanted for responsible positions, but they
must be men who have given full proof of their ministry, in willingness to
wear the yoke of Christ.
- {GW92 256.2}
Our ministers in responsible places are men whom God has accepted. No
matter what their origin, no
257 matter what their former position, whether they followed the plow, worked at the carpenter's trade, or enjoyed the
discipline of a college; if God has accepted them, let every man beware of
casting the slightest reflection upon them. Never speak disparagingly of any
man; for he may be great in the sight of the Lord, while those who feel great
may be lightly esteemed of God because of the perversity of their hearts.-- Vol. 4, p. 608.
- {GW92 256.3}
Not one moment of our precious time should be devoted to bringing
others to conform to our personal ideas and opinions. God would educate men
engaged as co-laborers in this great work to the
highest exercise of faith, and the development of a harmonious character.
{GW92 257.1}
Men have varied gifts, and some are better adapted to one branch of
the work than another. What one man would fail to do, his brother minister
may be strong to accomplish. The work of each in his position is important. One man's
mind is not to control another. If one man stands up, feeling that no one
shall influence him, that he has judgment and ability to comprehend every
branch of the work, that man will fail of the grace of God.--
Vol. 4, p. 608.
- {GW92 257.2}
After you have received counsel from the wise, the judicious, there is
yet a Counselor whose wisdom is unerring. Fail not
to present your case before him, and entreat his direction. He has promised
that if you lack wisdom and ask of him, he will give it to you liberally, and
upbraid not.-- Vol. 2, p. 152.
- {GW92 257.3}
Presidents of Conferences should be men who can be fully trusted with
God's work. They should be men of integrity, unselfish, devoted, working
Christians. If they are deficient in these respects, the churches under their
care will not prosper. They, even more than other ministers of Christ, should
set an example of holy living, and of unselfish devotion
258 to the interests of God's cause, that those looking to them for
an example may not be misled. But in some instances they are trying to serve
both God and mammon. They are not self-denying; they do not carry a burden
for souls. Their consciences are not sensitive; when the cause of God is
wounded, they are not bruised in spirit. In their hearts they question and
doubt the Testimonies of the Spirit of God. They do not themselves bear the
cross of Christ; they know not the fervent love of Jesus. And they are not
faithful shepherds of the flock over which they have been made overseers;
their record is not one that they will rejoice to meet in the day of God.-- Test. 32, p. 135.
- {GW92 257.4}
While the president of a Conference should faithfully perform the
duties of his office, it is in his power, through the grace of Christ, to be
a kindhearted man. He is not to lord it over God's
heritage. But it is a sad fact that our brethren in the ministry are not all
humble men. They want praise from the people; they enjoy the sense of
authority which their position gives them; they like to dictate, to rule.
They seem to feel that office, position, confers greatness; but it is
character alone, true goodness, that is true greatness.{GW92 258.1}
Brethren in the ministry, I feel called upon to say to you, Rebuke all
who shall flatter or praise you. Lead the people to look to God and have
faith in him, instead of attracting them to yourselves.
You are in constant danger in this respect. Those who extol and favor you, you will, in your finite judgment, regard as
your best friends, when they are the very ones who are subject to temptation,
and who will become your tempters. If you are wrong, they will strengthen you
in the wrong, and will, through their counsel and influence, lead you to do
that which will harm your own soul, and result in weakness to the church. For
Christ's sake
259 teach the people to look to God, and to him alone; teach them to
receive light from him, to search the Scriptures for themselves, and know for
themselves what is truth. {GW92 258.2} I
have been shown so much of human imperfection in those who have the oversight
of churches, that I dare not utter one word of praise of commendation to any
man. Let the laborers so live and so work that they
can have the approval of God, and they will not be relying upon human
sympathy, living upon human praise, that so frequently comes from
unsanctified lips. They will be looking unto the Author and Finisher of our
faith. {GW92 259.1} I
have been shown the homes of ministers, presidents of Conferences, which are
not all they should be. If the wife is not a humble, God-fearing, devoted
woman, she will exert a wrong influence over her husband. If she is an
unrestrained talker, she may lead him to acts that will do much harm. He may
be influenced in his labor by a wisdom that is not
from above. If he has not a steadfast purpose, an eye single to the glory of
God, his wife's likes and dislikes, her preferences and opinions, will mould
his work. Thus her want of self-denial and consecration to God will be felt
all through the Conference.
- {GW92 259.2}
Brotherly Love.--There is too much of an independence of spirit
indulged in among the messengers. This must be laid aside, and there must be
a drawing together of the servants of God. There has been too much of a
spirit to ask, "Am I my brother's keeper?" Said the angel,
"Yea, thou art thy brother's keeper. Thou shouldst
have a watchful care for thy brother, be interested for his welfare, and
cherish a kind, loving spirit toward him. Press together, press
together," God designed that man should be open-hearted and honest,
without affectation, meek, humble, with simplicity. This is the principle of
heaven; God ordered it so.-- Vol. 1, p. 113.
260 {GW92 259.3} Manner of Labor.
Christ as a Teacher.--When Jesus spoke, it was not with hesitating
uncertainty; his words came with an earnestness and assurance appropriate to
their importance and the momentous consequences involved in their reception or
rejection. When his doctrines were opposed, he defended them with so great
zeal and certainty as to impress his hearers that he would die, if need be,
to sustain the authority of his teachings.
- {GW92 260.1}
The world's Redeemer went about doing good.
When before the people, speaking to them the words of eternal truth, with
what earnestness he watched the changing countenances of his hearers. The
faces that expressed deep interest and pleasure as they listened to his
words, gave him great satisfaction. But when the truth, plainly uttered,
touched some cherished sin or idol, he marked the change of countenance, the cold, stern,
forbidding look, which told that the truth was unwelcome. Jesus knew that the
plain reproof of sin was the very thing his hearers needed; and the light he
shed into the darkened chambers of their minds would have been the greatest
blessing to them, had they accepted it. His work was to lay
down in simple lines, yet so as to be clearly understood, truths that if
obeyed would bring peace and happiness to the soul. He could look beneath the
surface, and he saw the cherished sins that were ruining the life and
character, that were shutting souls away from God. He pointed out these sins,
that all might see them in the true light, and put them away. In some who
presented the most hardened exterior, he discerned hopeful subjects. He knew
that they would respond to the light, and that they would become his true
followers. How grateful we should be to God that he can read every heart as
an open book. Human wisdom casts aside many souls that might be saved; for
man can judge only by appearance, but God knoweth
the heart.
261 {GW92 260.2}
As the arrows of truth pierced the hearts of Christ's hearers,
breaking through the barriers of selfishness, and working humiliation,
contrition, and finally gratitude, the Saviour's heart was made glad; for it was
just such cases that he came to seek and to save. When his eyes swept over
the throng of listeners about him, and he recognized among them the same
faces that he had seen on former occasions, joy was expressed in his
countenance, that they were hopeful subjects of his kingdom. {GW92 261.1}
The messengers of Christ, those whom he sends in his stead, will have
the same feelings, the same earnest interest. And those who are tempted to
think that their labor is not appreciated, and are
inclined to be discouraged, should remember that Jesus, the Majesty of
heaven, had just as hard hearts to deal with, and he
had a more trying experience than we have had or ever can have. He taught the
people with patient love, and his deep, searching wisdom knew the wants of
every soul among his listeners. And when he saw them refuse the message of
peace and love he came to give them, his heart felt anguish to the very
depths.
- {GW92 261.2}
Our Saviour awed men by his purity and elevated morality, while his
love and gentle benignity inspired them with enthusiasm. The poorest and
humblest were not afraid to approach him; even little children were attracted
to him. They loved to climb upon his lap and to kiss that pensive face,
benignant with love. This loving tenderness you need. You should cultivate
love. [FROM A PERSONAL TESTIMONY.] Expressions of sympathy, and acts of
courtesy and respect for others, would not detract from your dignity one
particle, but would open to you many hearts that are now closed against you.
{GW92 261.3}
Christ was just what every minister should strive to be. We should
learn to imitate his character, and combine strict justice, purity,
integrity, love, and noble generosity. A pleasant face in which love is
262 reflected, with kind and courteous manners, will do more, aside from
pulpit efforts, than labor in the desk can do
without these. It becomes us to cultivate a deference to other people's
judgment, when, to a greater or less extent, we are absolutely dependent upon
them. We should cultivate true Christian courtesy and tender sympathy, even
for the roughest, hardest cases of humanity. Jesus came from the pure courts
of heaven to save just such.--Vol. 3, p. 422.
- {GW92 261.4}
Sinners should have a clear impression given them of the nearness and
willingness of Christ to give them present salvation. A Saviour should be
presented before the people, while the heart of the speaker should be subdued
and imbued with his Spirit. The very tones of the voice, the look, the words,
should possess an irresistible power to move hearts and control minds. Jesus
should be found in the heart of the minister. If Jesus is in the words and in
the tones of the voice, if they are mellow with his tender love, it will
prove a blessing of more value than all the riches, pleasures, and glories of
the earth; for such blessings will not come and go without accomplishing a
work. Convictions will be deepened, impressions will be made, and the
question will be raised, "What shall I do to be saved?"--Vol. 3, p.
32.
- {GW92 262.1}
Ministers need to have a more clear, simple
manner of presenting the truth as it is in Jesus. They themselves need to
comprehend more fully the great plan of salvation. There are many among their
hearers who want a plain, clear explanation of the steps requisite in
conversion. The great masses of the people are more ignorant on this point
than many suppose. Among graduates of colleges, eloquent orators, able
statesmen, men in high positions of trust, there are many who have given
their powers
263 to other matters, and have neglected the things of greatest
importance. When such men form a part of the congregation, the speaker
generally strains every power to preach an intellectual discourse; he chooses
a subject that will have in it as little of the simplicity of true Bible
religion and heart service to God as possible. He does not preach Christ. He
does not show that sin is the transgression of the law. He seldom makes plain
the plan of salvation. He seldom tells what one must do to be saved. That
which would have touched the hearts of the hearers would have been to show
them Christ upon the cross of Calvary to bring redemption within their reach.
They need to be taught as children how to make Jesus their friend, how to
bring him into their life-work.
- {GW92 262.2}
Some ministers make a mistake in the preparation of their discourses.
They arrange every minutia with such exactness that they give the Lord no
room to lead and impress their minds. Every point is fixed, stereotyped as it
were, and they cannot depart from the plan marked out. This course, if
continued, will cause them to become narrow-minded, circumscribed in their views,
and will soon leave them as destitute of life and energy as were the hills of
Gilboa of dew and rain. They must throw the soul
open, and let the Holy Spirit take possession to impress the mind. When
everything is laid out beforehand, and they feel that they cannot vary from
these set discourses, the effect is little better than that produced by
reading a sermon. {GW92 263.1}
God would have his ministers wholly dependent upon him, but at the
same time they should be thoroughly furnished unto every good work. No
subject can be treated before all congregations in the same manner. The
Spirit of God, if allowed to do its work, will impress the mind with ideas
adapted to meet the cases of those who need help. But the 264 tame, formal discourses of many who enter the desk have very
little of the vitalizing power of the Holy Spirit in them. The habit of
preaching such discourses will effectually destroy a minister's usefulness
and ability. . . . {GW92 263.2}
God's watchmen must not study how they shall please the people nor
listen to their words and utter them; but they must listen to hear what saith the Lord, what is his word
for the people. If they rely upon discourses prepared years before, they may
fail to meet the necessities of the occasion. Their hearts should be laid
open, so that the Lord may impress their minds, and then they will be able to
give the people the precious truth warm from heaven. --Test. 32, p. 7. - {GW92 264.1} I
have heard some ministers talk of Christ's life and teachings, in a
commonplace manner, as though recounting the incidents in the life of some
great man of the world. Indeed, it is not unusual for ministers in their
discourses to treat of Christ as though he were a man like themselves. When I
hear this sacred subject treated in such a manner, I feel a grief that I
cannot express; for I know that although these men are teachers of the truth,
they have never had exalted views of Christ; they have never become
acquainted with him and learned of him. They have not that elevation of
thought which would give them a clear conception of the divine character of
the world's Redeemer. {GW92 264.2}
The ministers of Christ, who bear the message of truth to men, will
never become self-sufficient or self-exalted if they have correct views of
the character and work of Christ, the author of man's salvation. The
unworthiness, weakness, and inefficiency of their own efforts, in contrast
with those of the Son of God, will make them humble, distrustful of self, and
will lead them to rely upon Christ for strength and efficiency in their work.
Habitually
265 dwelling upon Christ, his exalted character, and the all-sufficient
merits of his sacrifice, increases faith, sharpens the imaginative powers,
strengthens the longing desire to be like him, and creates holy earnestness
in prayer that makes it efficacious.
- {GW92 264.3}
Silent Prayer.--According to the light that has been given me, it
would be pleasing to God for ministers to bow down as soon as they step into
the pulpit, and solemnly ask help from God. What impression would that make?
There would be solemnity and awe upon the people. Their minister is communing
with God; he is committing himself to God before he dares to stand before the
people. Solemnity rests upon the people, and angels of God are brought very
near. Ministers should look to God the first thing as they come into the
desk, thus saying to all, God is the source of my strength-- Vol. 2, p. 613.
- {GW92 265.1}
Many who profess to be ministers of Christ manifest a wonderful
submission as they see the unconverted all around them going to perdition. A
minister of Christ has no right to be at ease, and sit down submissively, in
view of the fact that the truth is powerless, and souls are not stirred by
its presentation. He should resort to prayer, and should work and pray
without ceasing. Those who submit to remain destitute of spiritual blessings,
without earnest wrestling for those blessings, consent to have Satan triumph.
- {GW92 265.2}
You who labor in the cause of God and see no
souls brought to the knowledge of the truth, no churches raised up and
organized, should change your manner of labor. You
should fast and pray. You should lay the matter before your brethren, and
solicit their counsel and prayers, lest you be self-deceived, and, what is
more, deceive others also.
266 {GW92 265.3}
Our Need of the Holy Spirit.--The efficiency of a discourse depends on
the application of the truth to the heart by the Spirit of God. When Elijah
sought God in the mountains, a devouring fire swept by; but God was not in
the flame. A tempest rose, the thunder rolled, and the lightnings
flashed; but God was not in all this. Then there came a still, small voice,
and the prophet covered his head before the presence of the Lord. It is the
still, small voice of the Spirit of God that has power to convict and convert
the soul.
- {GW92 266.1}
When the theory of the truth is repeated without its sacred influence
being felt upon the soul of the speaker, it has no force upon the hearers,
but is rejected as error, the speaker making himself responsible for the loss
of souls.--Vol. 4, p. 441.
- {GW92 266.2}
In order to be a blessing to your people, you need to improve in many
things. [FROM A PERSONAL TESTIMONY.] You should cultivate courtesy, and
cherish a tender sympathy for all. You should have the crowning grace of God,
which is love. You criticise too much, and are not so
forbearing as you must be if you would win souls. You could have much more
influence if you were less formal and rigid, and were actuated more by the
Holy Spirit. Your fear of being led by men is too great. God uses men as his
instruments, and will use them as long as the world shall stand. {GW92 266.3}
The angels who fell were anxious to become independent of God. They
were very beautiful, very glorious, but dependent on God for their happiness,
and for the light and intelligence they enjoyed. They fell from their high
estate through insubordination. Christ and his church are inseparable. To
neglect or despise those whom God has appointed to lead out, and to bear the
responsibilities connected with his work and with the advancement and spread
of the truth, is to reject the means which God has
267 ordained for the help, encouragement, and strength of his people. To
pass these by, and think that your light must come
through no other channel than directly from God, places you in a position
where you are liable to deception, and to be overthrown. . . . {GW92 266.4}
You frequently talk too long when you do not have the vitalizing
influence of the Spirit of heaven. You weary those who hear you. Many make a
mistake in their preaching, in not stopping while the interest is up. They go
on speechifying until the interest that had risen in the minds of the hearers
dies out, and the people are really wearied with words of no special weight
or interest. Stop before you get here. Stop when you have nothing of special
importance to say. Do not go on with dry words that only excite prejudice and
do not soften the heart. You want to be so united to Christ that your words
will melt and burn their way to the soul. Mere prosy talk is insufficient for
this time. Arguments are good; but there may be too much of the
argumentative, and too little of the Spirit and life of God. {GW92 267.1}
Without the special power of God to work with your efforts, your
spirit subdued and humbled in God, your hearts softened, your words flowing
from a heart of love, your labors will be wearing
to your self, and not productive of blessed
results. There is a point which the minister of Christ reaches, beyond which
human knowledge and skill are powerless. We are struggling with giant errors,
and evils which we are impotent to remedy, or to arouse the people to see and
understand; for we cannot change the heart. We cannot quicken the soul to
discern the sinfulness of sin, and to feel the need of a Saviour. But if our labors bear the impress of the Spirit of God, if a
higher, a divine power attends our efforts to sow the gospel seed, we shall see fruits of our labor
to the glory of God. He alone can water the seed sown.--Vol. 3, p. 418.
268 {GW92 267.2}
Small Congregations.--Do not become discouraged or slacken your
efforts when there are only a few to listen to a discourse. Even if there are
but two or three, or no more than one, how do you know but that there may be
one soul with whom the Spirit of God is striving? The Lord may give you a message
for that soul, and he, if converted, may be the means of reaching many
others. The results of your labor may, all unknown
to you, be multiplied a thousand-fold. Do not look at the empty seats, and
let your faith and courage sink, but think of what God is doing, in bringing
his truth before the world. Remember that you are co-operating with divine
agencies,--agencies that can never fail. Speak with as much earnestness,
faith, and interest, as if there were thousands present to listen to your
words.
- {GW92 268.1}
In England a minister went to his church to preach one rainy morning,
and found that he had only one man for audience. But he would not disappoint
his hearer, and he preached to him with earnestness and interest. As a result
the man was converted, and became a missionary, and through his efforts
thousands heard the good news of salvation. One discourse did the work for
him, and he gathered abundantly for the Master. - {GW92 268.2}
Health Reform.--One important part of the work of the ministry is to
faithfully present to the people the health reform, as it stands connected
with the third angel's message, as a part of the same work. They should not
fail to adopt it themselves, and should urge it upon all who profess to
believe the truth.--Vol. 1, p. 469.
- {GW92 268.3}
Gifts and Offerings.--I saw that the cause of God is not to be carried
forward by pressed offerings. God does not accept such offerings. This matter
is to be left wholly to the people. They
269 are not to bring a yearly gift merely, but should also freely
present a weekly and monthly offering before the Lord. This work is left to
the people, for it is to be to them a weekly, monthly, living test. This
tithing system, I saw, would develop character, and manifest the true state
of the heart. . . . {GW92 268.4}
Ministers should not be severe, and draw upon any one man, and press
means from him. If he does not give just as much as another thinks he should,
they are not to denounce him and throw him overboard. They should be as
patient and forbearing as the angels are. They should work in union with
Jesus. Christ and angels are watching the development of character, and
weighing moral worth. The Lord bears long with his erring people. The truth
will be brought to bear closer and closer, and will cut off one idol after
another, until God reigns supreme in the hearts of his consecrated people. I
saw that God's people must bring to him a free-will offering; and the
responsibility should be left wholly upon the individual, whether he will
give much or little. It will be faithfully recorded. Give the people of God
time to develop character. {GW92 269.1}
Ministers of God should bear the pointed testimony. The living truths
of his word should be brought to bear upon the heart.--Vol. I, p. 237.
- {GW92 269.2}
Liberality.--Never should the laborer who
raises up little companies here and there give the impression to those newly
come to the faith, that God does not require them to work systematically in
helping to sustain the cause by their personal labors
and by their means. Frequently those who receive the truth are among the poor
of this world; but they should not make this an excuse for neglecting those
duties which devolve upon them in view of the precious light they have
received. They should not allow poverty to prevent them from laying up a
treasure in heaven. The blessings within reach of the rich are
270 also within their reach. If they are faithful in using what little
they do possess, their treasure in heaven will increase according to their
fidelity. It is the motive with which they work, not the amount they do, that
makes their offering valuable in the sight of Heaven.{GW92 269.3}
All should be taught to do what they can for the Master; to render to
him according as he has prospered them. He claims as his just due a tenth of
their income, be it large or small; and those who withhold this, commit
robbery toward him, and cannot expect his prospering hand to be with them.
Even if the church is composed mostly of poor brethren, the subject of
systematic benevolence should be thoroughly explained, and the plan heartily
adopted. God is able to fulfill his promises. His resources are infinite, and
he employs them all in accomplishing his will. And when he sees a faithful
performance of duty in the payment of the tithe, he often, in his wise
providence, opens ways whereby it shall increase. {GW92 270.1}
He who follows God's arrangement in the little that has been given him
will receive the same returns as he who bestows of his abundance. The same is
true also of those who cheerfully employ their talents of ability in the
cause of God, while those who fail to improve that which has been given them
will incur the same loss as though that little had been much. It was the man
who had only one talent, but who went and hid that talent in the earth, that
received the condemnation of the Lord.
- {GW92 270.2} I
saw that those who profess to be looking for the coming of the Lord should
not have a close, penurious spirit. Some of those who have been called to
talk the truth, and to watch for souls as they that must give an account,
have wasted much precious time for the sake of saving a little, when their
time was worth a great deal more than that which they
271 gained. This is displeasing to God. It is right that economy should
be used, but it has by some been stretched into meanness, with no other
object than to increase their treasures, which will shortly eat their flesh
like fire, unless they, as faithful stewards, make a right disposal of their
Lord's goods.--Vol. 1, p. 153. - {GW92 270.3}
Respect of Persons.--Ministers should not use flattery or be
respecters of persons. There ever has been, and still is, great danger of
erring here, of making a little difference with the wealthy, of flattering
them by special attention, if not by words. There is danger of "having
men's persons in admiration" [JUDE 16.] for the sake of gain, but if one
does this, he endangers their eternal interests. Some wealthy man may regard
the minister as a special favorite, and may be very
liberal with him; this gratifies the minister, and he, in turn, lavishes
praise upon the benevolence of his donor. His name may be exalted by
appearing in print, and yet, that liberal donor may be entirely unworthy of
the credit given him. His liberality did not arise from a deep, living
principle to do good with his means, to advance the
cause of God because he appreciated it, but from some selfish motive, a
desire to be thought liberal. He may have given from impulse, and his liberality have no depth of principle. He may have been
moved upon by listening to stirring truth, which for the time being loosed
his purse-strings; yet, after all, his liberality has no deeper motive. He
gives by spasms; his purse opens spasmodically, and closes just as securely,
spasmodically. He deserves no commendation, for he is in every sense of the
word a stingy man; and unless thoroughly converted, purse and all, will hear
the withering denunciation, "Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for
your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your
garments are
272 moth-eaten." [JAMES 5:1, 2.] Such will awake at last from a
horrible self-deception. Those who praised their spasmodic liberalities
helped Satan to deceive them, and made them think that they were very
liberal, very sacrificing, when they knew not the first principles of
liberality or self-sacrifice.--Vol. 1, p. 475.
- {GW92 271.1}
The truth should be presented in a manner that will make it attractive
to the intelligent mind. We are not understood as a people, but are looked
upon as poor, weak-minded, low, and degraded. Then how important for all who
teach, and all who believe the truth, to be so affected by its sanctifying
influence that their consistent, elevated lives shall show unbelievers that
they have been deceived in this people. How important that the cause of truth
be stripped of everything like a false and fanatical excitement, that the
truth may stand upon its own merits, revealing its native purity and exalted
character.--Vol. 1, p. 414.
- {GW92 272.1} Deportment.--The
minister should never lose sight of the fact that he is a representative of
Christ. He should cultivate grace, courtesy, and refinement of manner. Both
in and out of the pulpit he should carry himself with a quiet dignity
becoming his elevated calling. Solemnity, a certain godly authority, mingled
with meekness, should characterize the demeanor of
him who is a teacher of God's truth. Ministers should not make a practice of
relating anecdotes that will detract from the force and solemnity of the
truth presented. The truth should be clothed in chaste and dignified
language; and the illustrations should be of a like character.
- {GW92 272.2}
How to Deal with Faultfinders.--There are in our churches those who
profess the truth who are only hindrances to the work of reform. This class
are frequently in trial. Doubts, jealousies, and suspicion,
273 the fruits of selfishness, seem to be interwoven with their very
nature. They are a burden to the church and to the ministers of Christ. Much
of the time and labor of the ministers is required
to undo their work of evil, and restore harmony and union in the church. This
takes from the courage and strength of God's servants, and unfits them for
the work that he has for them to do in saving perishing souls from ruin.
{GW92 272.3}
Many that are drifting into darkness and infidelity are picking flaws
with the Bible, and bringing in superstitious inventions, unscriptural
doctrines, and philosophical speculations; others excite trifling inquiries and disputations, which
call off the servants of God from their work, causing them to waste their
time and lose their labor. Those who permit
themselves to be thus hindered are giving place to Satan, and surrounding
their own souls with an atmosphere of doubt and unbelief. While doing this,
they might have been bringing gold, silver, and precious stones to lay upon the foundation. The ministers of Christ should
not allow themselves to be thus hindered in their work. There will be enough
to question, and quibble, and criticise, to keep the ministers of God
constantly busy, if they will allow themselves to be detained from the great
work of giving the last message of warning to the world. {GW92 273.1}
Brethren, pull away from the shore, launch out into the deep, and cast
the gospel net again. In this important period of the work, ministers cannot
be detained to prop up men and women who see and have once felt the force of
the truth. They should fasten believing Christians to Christ, who is able to
hold them up and preserve them blameless unto his appearing, while they go
forth to new fields of labor. - {GW92 273.2}
Order and Discipline.--While the Bible teaching in regard to faith and
sanctification should be presented to the people, there is need of guarding
every
274 point, so that no place may be given to those demoralizing
influences manifest among some classes of people who have much to say in
regard to holiness. There are many who are careless in deportment, and low
and coarse in their tastes, who grasp at a superficial theory of
sanctification, and justify themselves in their commonness, when they should
diligently seek to purify themselves by obedience to the truth. They talk of
the freedom they feel, the happiness they have; but by their words, deportment,
and dress, they fail to recommend their religion. Camp-meetings should never
be conducted in such a manner as to encourage this kind of experience. To
encourage an unbecoming familiarity in the association of men and women, boys
and girls, under the pretext of seeking conversion and sanctification, is to
foster an evil whose influence is of the worst character. Christ and his
righteousness must be clearly presented to the people; the teacher himself
must be circumspect in conduct, having his conversation elevated and holy,
that he may teach believers and unbelievers the reasons of his faith from
both the law and the gospel. He must show to all that they must do the will
of God if they would know of the doctrine. - {GW92 273.3}
"Be instant in season, out of season." [2 TIM. 4:2.] To be
"instant in season," is to be alert to the privileges of the house
and hour of worship and to the time when men are conversing on the topics of
religion. And "out of season," when you are at the fireside, in the
field, by the way-side, in the market, seek to be ready to turn the thoughts
of men, in a suitable and wise manner, to the great themes of the Bible. With
tender and fervent spirit urge the claims of God upon the soul. Many, many
precious opportunities are allowed to slip by unimproved, because men are
persuaded that it is out of season. But who knows what might be the effect of
a wise appeal to the
275 conscience, by using the word of God that will accomplish that for which
God has given it? It is written, "In the morning sow thy seed, and in
the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that,
or whether they both shall be alike good." [ECCL. 11:6.] He who is
sowing seeds of eternal truth may bear a burdened heart, and send up prayers
with supplication and tears, but he will come again with rejoicing, bringing
his sheaves with him.
- {GW92 274.1}
There are in the ministry, men who gain apparent success by swaying
minds through a human influence. They play upon the feelings at will, making
their hearers weep, and in a few minutes laugh. Under this kind of labor, many are moved by impulse to a profession of
Christ, and there is thought to be a wonderful revival. But when the test
comes, it is seen that the work is not enduring. When the feelings were
stirred, many were borne along by the tide that seemed to be setting
heavenward. But in the strong current of temptation they quickly float back
as driftwood. The laborer is self-deceived, and
thus he misleads his hearers.
- {GW92 275.1} When ministers have success in moving upon
minds, if they are conscious that God has wrought with their efforts they
will not become self-sufficient and boastful. They will walk as they have
Christ for an example. Satan will not let them alone; he will assail them
with temptation, and unless with humility and prayer they are continually
seeking for divine guidance, they will be overcome.
- {GW92 275.2}
Danger of Applause.--I have been shown that great caution should be
used, even when it is necessary to lift a burden of oppression from men and
women, lest they lean to their own wisdom, and fail to make God their only
dependence. It is not safe
276 to speak in praise of persons, or to exalt the ability of a
minister of Christ. In the day of God, very many will be weighed in the
balance and found wanting because of exaltation. I would warn my brethren and
sisters never to flatter persons because of their ability; for they cannot
bear it. Self is easily exalted, and in consequence, persons lose their
balance. I say again to my brethren and sisters, If you would have your souls
clean from the blood of all men, never flatter, never praise the efforts of
poor mortals; for it may prove their ruin. It is unsafe, by our words and
actions, to exalt a brother or sister, however apparently humble may be their
deportment. If they really possess the meek and lowly spirit which God so
highly esteems, help them to retain it. This will not be done by censuring
them, nor by neglecting to properly appreciate their
true worth. But there are few who can bear praise without being injured.
{GW92 275.3}
Some ministers of ability who are now
preaching present truth, love approbation. Applause stimulates them, as the
glass of wine does the inebriate. Place these ministers where they have a
small congregation, which promises no special excitement, and which provokes
no decided opposition, and they will lose their interest and zeal, and appear
as languid in the work as the inebriate when he is deprived of his dram.
These men will fail to make real, practical laborers
until they learn to labor without the excitement of
applause.--Vol. 3, p. 185.
- {GW92 276.1} A
minister of Christ, a teacher of the truth, a true shepherd, is in one sense
a servant of all, anticipating the wants of those who need help, and knowing
how to be useful here and there in the great work of saving souls. A man who
professes to teach the truth, and goes just where he pleases, and works when
and how he pleases, yet shuns responsibilities, is not bearing the cross
after Christ, nor
277 fulfilling the commission of a true gospel minister.-- Vol. 2, p. 650.
- {GW92 276.2}
Some of our ministers carry too light responsibilities, they shun
individual care and burdens; for this reason they do not feel that need of
help from God that they would if they lifted the burdens that the work of God
and our faith require them to lift. When burdens in this cause have to be
borne, and when those who bear them are brought into strait places, they will
feel the need of living near to God, that they may have confidence to commit
their ways to him, and in faith claim that help which he alone can give. They
will then be daily obtaining an experience in faith and trust, which is of the
highest value to gospel ministers.--Vol. 3, p. 234.
- {GW92 277.1}
The Shepherd's Work.--A true shepherd will have an interest in all
that relates to the welfare of the flock, feeding, guiding, and defending
them. He will carry himself with great wisdom, and will manifest a tender
consideration for all, being courteous and compassionate to all, especially
to the tempted, the afflicted, and the desponding. . . . "Even as the
Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his
life a ransom for many." "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The
servant is not greater than his lord; neither he
that is sent greater than he that sent him." "But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men." "We then that are
strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please
ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbor
for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it
is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me."
{GW92 277.2}
It is not the work of a gospel minister to lord it over God's
heritage, but in lowliness of mind, with
278 gentleness and long forbearance to exhort, reprove, rebuke, with all
long-suffering and doctrine.--Vol. 3, p. 228.
- {GW92 277.3} I
was shown that the usefulness of young ministers, married or unmarried, is
often destroyed by the attachment shown to them by young women. Such do not
realize that other eyes are upon them, and that the course pursued by them
may have a tendency to very much injure the influence of the minister to whom
they give so much attention. If they would strictly regard the rules of
propriety, it would be much better for them, and much better for their
minister. It places him in a disagreeable position, and causes others to look
upon him in a wrong light. Yet I saw that the burden of the matter rests upon
the ministers themselves. They should show a distaste
for these things, and if they take the course which God would have them, they
will not long be troubled. They should shun every appearance of evil, and
when young women are very sociable, it is their duty to let them know that it
is not pleasing. They must repulse this forwardness, even if they are thought
to be rude. Such things should be rebuked, in order to save the cause from
reproach. Young women who have been converted to the truth and to God, will
listen to reproof, and will be reformed.-- Vol. 1,
p. 381.
- {GW92 278.1} Labor for the Young.--Very much has been lost to the
cause of God by a lack of attention to the young. Ministers should form an
acquaintance with the youth in their congregations. Many are reluctant to do
this, but their neglect is a sin in the sight of Heaven. There are among us many
who are not ignorant of our faith, yet whose hearts have never been touched
by the power of divine grace. Can we who claim to be servants of God pass on
day after day, week after week, indifferent to these souls 279 who are out of Christ? If they should die in their sins, unwarned, their blood would be required at the unfaithful
watchman's hands.{GW92 278.2}
Why should not this labor for the youth in
our borders be regarded as the highest kind of missionary work? It will
require the most delicate tact, the most thoughtful consideration, the most
earnest prayer that heavenly wisdom may be imparted. The youth are the
objects of Satan's special attacks; but kindness, courtesy, that tender
sympathy that flows from a heart filled with love to Jesus, will give you
access to them. You may win their confidence, so that they will listen to
your words, and thus be saved from many a snare of the enemy. {GW92 279.1}
When the youth give their hearts to God, your care for them should not
cease. Lay some special responsibility upon them. Make them feel that they
are expected to do something. The Lord chooses them because they are strong.
Teach them to labor in a quiet, unpretending way,
for their young companions. Let different branches of the missionary work be
laid out systematically, and let instruction and help be given, so that the
young may learn to act a part. Thus they will grow up to be workers for God. - {GW92 279.2}
The Testimonies.--There should be no trial, or labor
with those who have never seen the individual having visions, and who have
had no personal knowledge of the influence of the visions. Such should not be
deprived of the benefits and privileges of the church, if their Christian
course is otherwise correct, and they have formed a good Christian character.
{GW92 279.3}
Some, I was shown, could receive the published visions, judging of the
tree by its fruits. Others are like doubting Thomas; they cannot believe the
published Testimonies, nor receive evidence through the testimony of others,
but must see and have the
280 evidence for themselves. Such must not be set aside, but long patience
and brotherly love should be exercised toward them until they find their
position and become established for or against. If they fight against the
visions, of which they have no knowledge; if they carry their opposition so
far as to oppose that in which they have had no experience, and feel annoyed
when those who believe that the visions are of God speak of them in meeting
and comfort themselves with the instruction given through vision, the church
may know that they are not right. God's people should not cringe and yield,
and give up their liberty to such disaffected ones. God has placed the gifts
in the church that the church may be benefited by them; and when professed
believers in the truth oppose these gifts and fight against the visions,
souls are in danger through their influence, and it is time then to labor with them, that the weak may not be led astray by
their influence.--Vol. 1, p. 328.
- {GW92 279.4}
Some of our brethren have had long experience in the truth, and have
for years been acquainted with me and with the influence of the visions. They
have tested the truthfulness of these testimonies, and asserted their belief
in them. They have felt the powerful influence of the Spirit of God resting
upon them to witness to the truthfulness of the visions. If such, when
reproved through vision, rise up against them, and work secretly to injure
our influence, they should be faithfully dealt with, for their influence is
endangering those who lack experience.--Vol. 1, p. 382.
- {GW92 280.1}
The Joy of the Lord.--As their reward the faithful under-shepherds
will hear from the Chief Shepherd, "Well done, good and faithful
servant." He will then place the crown of glory upon their heads, and
bid them enter into the joy of their Lord. What is that joy?--It is beholding
with Christ the redeemed
281 saints, reviewing with him their travail for
souls, their self-denial and self-sacrifice, their giving up of ease, of
worldly gain, and every earthly inducement, and choosing the reproach, the
suffering, the self-abasement, the wearing labor,
and the anguish of spirit as men would oppose the counsel of God against
their own souls; it is calling to remembrance the chastening of their souls
before God, their weeping between the porch and the altar, and their becoming
a spectacle unto the world, to angels, and to men. All this is then ended,
and the fruits of their labors are seen, souls are
saved through their efforts in Christ. The ministers who have been co-workers
with Christ, enter into the joy of their Lord, and are satisfied.--Vol. 2, p.
709. {GW92 280.2} |