Chapter 9—Dangers and Duty of Ministers
I have been shown that more can be accomplished now, by laboring
in places where a few have been raised up, than in entirely new fields,
unless the opening is very good. A few who really believe the truth, in
different towns, will exert an influence, and excite inquiry in minds
in regard to their faith; and if their lives are exemplary, their light will
shine, and they will have a gathering influence. And yet I was shown
places were the truth has not been proclaimed, which should be visited
soon. But 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 and caution and love,
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 souls around them.
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, and urge the importance of the truth upon others
around them. They must not wait for the ministers, and neglect a plain
duty which God has left for them to perform.
Some of our ministers feel but little disposition to take the burden
of the work of God upon them, and labor with that disinterested benev-
olence which characterized the mission and life of our divine Lord.
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The churches, as a general thing, are farther advanced than some of the
ministers. They have had faith in, and have acted upon the testimonies
God has been pleased to give, while some of the preachers are far
behind. They profess to believe the testimony borne, and some of
them make them an iron rule for those who have had no experience
in reference to them, and thereby do hurt; 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.
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