574
Evangelism
Many of them have suffered from severe mental taxation, un-
relieved by physical exercise. The result is a deterioration of their
powers, and a tendency to shirk responsibilities. What they need is
more active labor. This is not alone confined to those whose heads
are white with the frost of time, but men young in years have fallen
into the same state, and have become mentally feeble. They have a list
of set discourses; but if they get beyond the boundaries of these, they
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lose their soundings.
The old-fashioned pastor, who traveled on horseback, and spent
much time in visiting his flock, enjoyed much better health, notwith-
standing his hardships and exposures, than our ministers of today, who
avoid all physical exertion as far as possible, and confine themselves
to their books.
Ministers of age and experience should feel it their duty, as God’s
hired servants, to go forward, progressing every day, continually be-
coming more efficient in their work, and constantly gathering fresh
matter to set before the people. Each effort to expound the gospel
should be an improvement upon that which preceded it. Each year
they should develop a deeper piety, a tenderer spirit, a greater spiri-
tuality, and a more thorough knowledge of Bible truth. The greater
their age and experience, the nearer should they be able to approach
the hearts of the people, having a more perfect knowledge of them.—
Testimonies For The Church 4:269, 270
(1876).
Financial Worries—When ministers and teachers, pressed un-
der the burden of financial responsibilities, enter the pulpit or the
schoolroom with wearied brain and overtaxed nerves, what else can
be expected than that common fire will be used instead of the sacred
fire of God’s kindling? The strained, tattered efforts disappoint the
listeners and hurt the speaker. He has had no time to seek the Lord, no
time to ask in faith for the unction of the Holy Spirit.—
Testimonies
For The Church 7:250, 251
(1902).
Avoiding Long Committees at Night—A minister cannot keep
in the best spiritual frame of mind while he is called upon to settle little
difficulties in the various churches. This is not his appointed work.
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God desires to use every faculty of His chosen messengers. Their mind
should not be wearied by long committee meetings at night; for God
wants all their brain power to be used in proclaiming the gospel as it is
in Christ Jesus.