Home Missionary Work
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remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”
Revelation
2:5
.
Oh, how few know the time of their visitation! How few, even
among those who claim to believe present truth, understand the signs
of the times or what we are to experience before the end! We are
today under divine forbearance; but how long will the angels of God
continue to hold the winds, that they shall not blow?
Notwithstanding God’s inexpressible mercy toward us, how few
in our churches are truly humble, devoted, God-fearing servants of
Christ! How few hearts are full of gratitude and thanksgiving because
they are called and honored to act a part in the work of God, being
partakers with Christ of His sufferings!
Today a large part of those who compose our congregations are
dead in trespasses and sins. They come and go like the door upon
its hinges. For years they have complacently listened to the most
solemn, soul-stirring truths, but they have not put them in practice.
Therefore they are less and less sensible of the preciousness of truth.
The stirring testimonies of reproof and warning do not arouse them
to repentance. The sweetest melodies that come from God through
human lips—justification by faith, and the righteousness of Christ—do
not call forth from them a response of love and gratitude. Though the
heavenly Merchantman displays before them the richest jewels of faith
and love, though He invites them to buy of Him “gold tried in the fire,”
and white raiment” that they may be clothed, and “eyesalve” that they
may see, they steel their hearts against Him, and fail to exchange their
lukewarmness for love and zeal. While making a profession, they deny
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the power of godliness. If they continue in this state, God will reject
them. They are unfitting themselves to be members of His family.
Winning Souls the Chief Aim
We are not to feel that the work of the gospel depends principally
upon the minister. To every man God has given a work to do in
connection with His kingdom. Everyone who professes the name of
Christ is to be an earnest, disinterested worker, ready to defend the
principles of righteousness. Every soul should take an active part in
advancing the cause of God. Whatever our calling, as Christians we