Application to the Work
567
Not to Depend on Miracles—God does not generally work mir-
acles to advance His truth. If the husbandman neglects to cultivate
the soil after sowing his seed, God works no miracle to counteract
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the sure result of neglect. In the harvest he will find his field barren.
God works according to great principles which He has presented to
the human family, and it is our part to mature wise plans, and set in
operation the means whereby God shall bring about certain results.
Those who make no decided effort, but simply wait for the Holy
Spirit to compel them to action, will perish in darkness. We would ask
those who are waiting for a miracle, What means have been tried which
God has placed within your reach? We would ask those who are hoping
for some supernatural work to be done, who simply say, “Believe,
believe,” Have you submitted yourself to the revealed command of
God? The Lord has said, “Thou shalt,” and, “Thou shalt not.”
Let all study the parable of the talents, and realize that to every man
God has given his work—to every man He has entrusted his talents,
that by exercising his ability, he may increase his efficiency. You are
not to sit still, and do nothing in the work of God.—
The Review and
Herald, September 28, 1897
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Be Not Slothful—Labor for those who are loitering away their
lives, accomplishing only half of what they might for the Master. Strive
to arouse them to a sense of their responsibility. Pray for and exhort
one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching. Let
brother say to brother and sister to sister, “Come, my fellow laborer, let
us put all earnestness into our work; for the night is at hand, wherein
no man can work.” Let no one lose minutes by talking when he should
be working.
Let the talkative man remember that there are times when he has no
right to talk. There are those who take time to stand still. Let the voice
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of the faithful sentinel be heard, “Not slothful in business; fervent in
spirit; serving the Lord.” Have you work to do for the Master? Is it
building a house in which His work may be carried forward? Close
your lips. Make not others idle by tempting them to listen to your talk.
The time of many is lost when a man uses his tongue instead of his
tools.—
Manuscript 42, 1901
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Ministers Not to Engage in Secular Affairs—I wish to say to
Brethren _____ and _____ that their work is largely among unbeliev-
ers. Those who are successful expositors of Bible truth are to stand