Teacher and His Work
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present for the saving of souls must be the gospel by which our own
souls are saved. Only through a living faith in Christ as a personal
Saviour is it possible to make our influence felt in a skeptical world. If
we would draw sinners out of the swift-running current, our own feet
must be firmly set upon the Rock, Christ Jesus.
The badge of Christianity is not an outward sign, not the wearing
of a cross or a crown, but it is that which reveals the union of man with
God. By the power of His grace manifested in the transformation of
character the world is to be convinced that God has sent His Son as its
Redeemer. No other influence that can surround the human soul has
such power as the influence of an unselfish life. The strongest argument
in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian.—
Testimonies
on Sabbath-School Work, 115, 116
.
Patience With the Wayward
Remember that you cannot read hearts. You do not know the
motives which prompted the actions that to you look wrong. There
are many who have not received a right education; their characters
are warped, they are hard and gnarled, and seem to be crooked in
every way. But the grace of Christ can transform them. Never cast
them aside, never drive them to discouragement or despair by saying,
“You have disappointed me, and I will not try to help you.” A few
words spoken hastily under provocation,—just what we think they
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deserve,—may cut the cords of influence that should have bound their
hearts to ours.
The consistent life, the patient forbearance, the spirit unruffled
under provocation, is always the most conclusive argument and the
most solemn appeal. If you have had opportunities and advantages
that have not fallen to the lot of others, consider this, and be ever a
wise, careful, gentle teacher.
In order to have the wax take a clear, strong impression of the seal,
you do not dash the seal upon it in a hasty, violent way; you carefully
place the seal on the plastic wax, and quietly, steadily press it down,
until it has hardened in the mold. In like manner deal with human
souls. The continuity of Christian influence is the secret of its power,
and this depends on the steadfastness of your manifestation of the
character of Christ. Help those who have erred, by telling them of your