Co-Workers with Christ
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in them a love of dress that will prove their ruin, but seeking rather
to cultivate the Christian graces. None of us can be excused from our
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responsibilities, and in no case can we stand clear before the throne of
God unless we do the work that the Master has left for us to do.
Missionaries for God are wanted, faithful men and women who
will not shirk responsibility. Judicious labor will accomplish good
results. There is real work to be done. The truth should be brought
before people in a careful manner by those who unite meekness with
wisdom. We should not hold ourselves aloof from our fellow men, but
come close to them; for their souls are as precious as our own. We
can carry the light into their homes, with a softened and subdued spirit
plead with them to come up to the exalted privilege offered them, pray
with them when it seems proper, and show them that there are higher
attainments that they may reach, and then guardedly speak to them of
the sacred truths for these last days.
There are more gatherings for singing than for prayer among our
people; but even these gatherings can be conducted in so reverential
yet cheerful a manner that they may exert a good influence. There
is, however, too much jesting, idle conversation, and gossiping to
make these seasons beneficial, to elevate the thoughts and refine the
manners.
Sensational Revivals
There has been too much of a divided interest in-----. When a new
excitement is raised, there are some who cast their influence on the
wrong side. Every man and woman should be on guard when there are
deceptions abroad calculated to lead away from the truth. There are
those who are ever ready to see and hear some new and strange thing;
and the enemy of souls has, in these large cities, plenty to inflame the
curiosity and keep the mind diverted from the great and sanctifying
truths for these last days.
If every fluctuating religious excitement leads some to neglect to
fully sustain, by their presence and influence, the minority who believe
unpopular truth, there will be much weakness in the church where
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there should be strength. Satan employs various means by which to
accomplish his purposes; and if, under the guise of popular religion,
he can lead off vacillating and unwary ones from the path of truth,