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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
committed to each talents to be improved by putting them out to the
exchangers, that when the Master comes He may receive His own with
usury. The church at-----is largely composed of valuable material, but
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its members fail to reach the high standard which it is their privilege
to attain.
The working material in the church is found mostly in branches
of three families which are connected by marriage. There is more
talent in the church, and more material to make good workmen, than
can be employed to advantage in that locality. The entire church are
not growing in spirituality. They are not favorably situated to develop
strength by calling into exercise the talents that God has given them.
There is not room for all to work. One gets in the way of another.
There is a lack of spiritual strength. If this church were less a family
church each would feel individual responsibility.
If the talent and influence of several of its members should be
exercised in other churches, where they would be drawn out to help
where help is really needed, they would be obtaining an experience of
the highest value in spiritual things, and by thus bearing responsibilities
and burdens in the work of God would be a blessing to others. While
engaged in helping others, they would be following the example of
Christ. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister to others.
He pleased not Himself. He made Himself of no reputation, but took
upon Himself the form of a servant, and spent His life in doing good.
He could have spent His days on earth in ease and plenty, and have
appropriated to Himself the enjoyments of this life. But He lived not
to enjoy, He lived to do good and to save others from suffering, and
His example is for us to follow.
If consecrated to God, Brethren I and J could bear greater respon-
sibilities than they have borne. They have thought that they would
be prompt to respond to any call that should be made for means, and
that this was the principal burden that they had to bear in the cause
of God. But God requires more of them than this. If they had trained
their minds to a more critical study of the word of God, that they might
have become laborers in His cause, and had worked for the salvation
of sinners as earnestly as they have to obtain the things of this life,
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they would have developed strength and wisdom to engage in the work
of God where laborers are greatly needed.