Chapter 35—Into All the World
I deeply feel the necessity of our making more thorough and earnest
efforts to bring the truth before the world. In the last vision given me,
I was shown that we were not doing one twentieth part of the work we
should for the salvation of souls. We labor for them indifferently, as
though it was not a question of very great importance whether they
received or rejected the truth. General efforts are made, but we fail
to work to the point by personal effort. We do not approach men
and women in a manner that impresses them that we have a personal
interest for them, and that we feel deeply in earnest for their salvation,
and do not mean to give them up.
We hold too much at a distance those who do not believe the truth.
We call them and wait for them to come to us to inquire for the truth.
Many will not be inclined to do this, for they are in darkness and error,
and cannot discern the truth and its vital importance. Satan holds
them with his firm power, and if we would help them, we must show
a personal interest and love for their souls, and take hold of them in
earnest. We must work in prayer and love, with faith and unwearied
patience, hoping all things and believing all things, having the wisdom
of the serpent and the meekness of the dove, in order to win souls to
Christ.
Special Preparation
We are not, as a people, sufficiently aroused to the short time in
which we have to work, and we do not understand the magnitude of the
work for the time. The night soon cometh, in which no man can work.
[212]
God calls for men and women to qualify themselves, by consecration
to His will and earnest study of the Scriptures, to do His special work
for these last days. He calls for men now who can work. As they
engage in the work in sincerity and humility to do all they can, they
will be obtaining a more thorough experience. They will have a better
knowledge of the truth and better know how to reach souls and help
171