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Life Sketches of Ellen G. White
minutes, destroy their work by indulging the feelings which prompt
words like these: “Well, if they want to leave us, let them go.”
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We found that we could do nothing for the scattered sheep near us
until we had first corrected the wrongs in many of the members of the
church. They had let these poor souls wander. They felt no burden
for them. I wrote out pointed testimonies not only for those who had
erred greatly and were out of the church, but for those members in the
church who had erred greatly in not going in search of the lost sheep.
The Lost Sheep
The Lord is giving the erring, the weak and trembling, and even
those who have apostatized from the truth, a special call to come fully
into the fold. But many have not learned that they have a special duty
to go and search for these lost sheep.
The Pharisees murmured because Jesus received publicans and
common sinners, and ate with them. In their self-righteousness they
despised these poor sinners who gladly heard the words of Jesus. To
rebuke this spirit in the scribes and Pharisees, and leave an impressive
lesson for all, the Lord gave the parable of the lost sheep. Notice in
particular the following points:
The ninety and nine sheep are left, and diligent search is made
for the one that is lost. The entire effort is made for the unfortunate
sheep. So should the effort of the church be directed in behalf of those
members who are straying from the fold of Christ. And have they
wandered far away? do not wait till they return before you try to help
them, but go in search of them.
When the lost sheep was found, it was borne home with joy, and
much rejoicing followed. This illustrates the blessed, joyful work of
laboring for the erring. The church that engages successfully in this
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work, is a happy church. That man or that woman whose soul is drawn
out in compassion and love for the erring, and who labors to bring
them to the fold of the Great Shepherd, is engaged in a blessed work.
And, oh, what a soul-enrapturing thought, that when one sinner is thus
reclaimed, there is more joy in heaven than over ninety and nine just
persons! Selfish, exclusive, exacting souls who seem to fear to help
those in error, as though they would become polluted by so doing, do
not taste of the sweets of this missionary work; they do not feel that