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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
nation that will not fail nor become discouraged. The throne of grace
is to be our continual dependence.
There is no excuse for the faith of our churches to be so faint and
feeble. “Turn you to the Stronghold, ye prisoners of hope.”
Zechariah
9:12
. There is strength for us in Christ. He is our Advocate before the
Father. He dispatches His messengers to every part of His dominion
to communicate His will to His people. He walks in the midst of His
churches. He desires to sanctify, elevate, and ennoble His followers.
The influence of those who truly believe in Him will be a savor of
life in the world. He holds the stars in His right hand, and it is His
purpose to let His light shine through these to the world. Thus He
desires to prepare His people for higher service in the church above.
He has given us a great work to do. Let us do it with accuracy and
determination. Let us show in our lives what the truth has done for us.
* * * * *
“Who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.”
Revelation 2:1
. This scripture shows Christ’s relation to the churches.
He walks in the midst of His churches throughout the length and
breadth of the earth. He watches them with intense interest to see
whether they are in such a condition spiritually that they can advance
His kingdom. Christ is present in every assembly of the church. He is
acquainted with everyone connected with His service. He knows those
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whose hearts He can fill with the holy oil, that they may impart it to
others. Those who faithfully carry forward the work of Christ in our
world, representing in word and works the character of God, fulfilling
the Lord’s purpose for them, are in His sight very precious. Christ
takes pleasure in them as a man takes pleasure in a well-kept garden
and the fragrance of the flowers he has planted.
* * * * *
It has cost self-denial, self-sacrifice, indomitable energy, and much
prayer, to bring up the various missionary enterprises where they
now stand. There is danger that some of those now coming upon the
stage of action will rest content to be inefficient, feeling that there
is now no need of so great self-denial and diligence, such hard and