Courage
Not Boys But Men—There must be in these conferences, not
children, but men who will move understandingly and bear burdens,
letting their voice be heard above the voices of the unfaithful, who
present objections, doubts, and criticism. Great interests are not to be
managed by children. An undeveloped Christian, dwarfed in religious
growth, destitute of wisdom from above, is unprepared to meet the
fierce conflicts through which the church is often called to pass. “I
have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never
hold their peace day nor night.” Unless the minister shall fearlessly
declare the whole truth, unless he shall have an eye single to the glory
of God and shall work under the direction of the great Captain of his
salvation, unless he shall move to the front, irrespective of censure
and uncontaminated by applause, he will be accounted an unfaithful
watchman.
There are some in _____ who ought to be men instead of boys....
When God raises up men to do His work, they are false to their
trust if they allow their testimony to be shaped to please the minds of
the unconsecrated. He will prepare men for the times. They will be
humble, God-fearing men, not conservative, not policy men; but men
who have moral independence and will move forward in the fear of
the Lord. They will be kind, noble, courteous, yet they will not be
swayed from the right path, but will proclaim the truth in righteousness
whether men will hear or whether they will forbear.—
Testimonies for
the Church 5:262-263
.
Men of Action—The Lord calls for minutemen, men who will be
prepared to speak words in season and out of season that will arrest
the attention and convict the heart. The kingdom of God consisteth
not in outward show. Light will not be received by following selfish
plans, but by looking unto Jesus, following Christ’s leadings, not the
suppositions of men. The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace
and joy in the Holy Ghost. It often happens that circumstances arise
which demand prompt action. And sometimes precious opportunities
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