Application to the Work
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You are in need of vital energy from heaven. We must in our work
not only strike the iron when it is hot but make the iron hot by striking.
Slow, easy, indolent movements will do nothing for us in this work.
We must be instant in season, out of season. These are critical times
for work. By hesitation and delay we lose many good opportunities....
That which stands most in the way of your performing duty is
irresolution, weakness of purpose, indecision. May God help you to
gird the armor on, and do your Master’s work.—
Letter 13, 1886
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Diligence—Faithfulness—Obedience to Leadership—The in-
terests of Christ’s kingdom call for diligence and faithfulness in as
much greater degree as spiritual and eternal things are of more im-
portance than temporal things. There must be no feeble working, no
sluggish, tardy action, for this would imperil our own souls and the
souls of others....
What general would undertake the command of an army while the
officers, under him refused to obey until they had satisfied themselves
that his command was a reasonable one? Such a course would mean
loss to the entire army. It would weaken the hands of the soldiers. The
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question would arise in their minds, Is there not a better way? But
even though there be a better way, the orders must be obeyed, or defeat
and disaster would result. A moment’s delay, and the advantage that
would have been gained is lost.
Every good soldier is implicit and prompt in the obedience he
renders to his captain. The will of the commander is to be the will of
the soldier. Sometimes the soldier may be surprised at the command
given, but he is not to stop to inquire the reason for it. When the order
of the captain crosses the wishes of the soldier, he is not to hesitate
and complain, saying, I see no consistency in these plans. He must not
frame excuses and leave his work undone. Such soldiers would not be
accepted as fitted to engage in earthly conflicts, and much more will
they not be accepted in Christ’s army. When Christ commands, His
soldiers must obey without hesitation. They must be faithful soldiers,
or He cannot accept them. Freedom of choice is given to every soul,
but after a man has enlisted, he is required to be as true as steel, come
life or come death.—
Manuscript 7 1/2, 1900
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Disciplined, Organized Mind Essential—Those who teach the
Word should not shun mental discipline. Every worker, or company of
workers, should by persevering effort establish such rules and regu-