Ministerial Institutes
“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,”
is the Saviour’s command to His workers. But this plain direction has
been disregarded. Though the light has been given again and again,
men have been called from their fields of labor to spend weeks in
attending a ministerial institute. There was a time when this was nec-
essary, because our own people opposed the work of God by refusing
the light on the righteousness of Christ by faith. This they should have
received and should have imparted with heart and voice and pen, for
it is their only efficiency. They should have labored under the Holy
Spirit’s direction to give the light to others.
* * * * *
The holding of so many Biblical institutes among our own people
is not wise. The object is good, but there is a more urgent work to
be done in carrying the light of truth into regions where it has not
penetrated. The laborers held to work for those who already have a
knowledge of the truth are kept away from the people who know it
not. By devoting much time year after year to ministerial institutes,
our brethren have neglected fields that are white already to harvest.
Souls in spiritual blindness, prejudiced by those who misrepresent the
truth, have been left unwarned. Oh, the neglect that will be charged
against individuals, organizations, and churches in that day when every
man shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body! Then it
will be seen how great was the measure of responsibility for failing to
extend the work into the regions beyond.
An attendance upon so many institutes has not brought the greatest
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benefit to the workers themselves. Talent is best developed where it is
most needed. Ministers called from their fields to attend ministerial in-
stitutes are not so well prepared for the work as if they gave themselves
to consecrated labor in the destitute fields where the standard of truth is
to be uplifted. If they studied the word of God with a teachable spirit,
praying, and watching unto prayer, and working as well as praying,
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