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Speak the Truth to My Neighbor, August 17
Being a God Neighbor
These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth
to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your
gates.
Zechariah 8:16
To all who are working with Christ I would say, Wherever you can
gain access to the people by the fireside, improve your opportunity. Take
your Bible, and open before them its great truths. Your success will not
depend so much upon your knowledge and accomplishments as upon
your ability to find your way to the heart. By being social and coming
close to the people, you may turn the current of their thoughts more
readily than by the most able discourse.
Take along the publications and ask them to read. When they see
that you are sincere they will not despise any of your efforts. There is a
way to reach the hardest hearts. Approach in the simplicity and sincerity
and humility that will help us to reach the souls of them for whom Christ
died.
Allow no opportunity to pass unimproved. Visit those who live near
you, and by sympathy and kindness try to reach their hearts. Visit the
sick and suffering and show a kindly interest in them. If possible, do
something to make them more comfortable. Through this means you
can reach their hearts and speak a word for Christ. Eternity alone will
reveal how far reaching such a line of labor can be.
Those who do not take up this work, those who act with the indiffer-
ence that some have manifested, will soon lose their first love and will
begin to censure, criticize, and condemn their own brethren.
Those who go forth in the spirit of the Master, seeking to reach
souls with the truth, will ... become more and more vitalized as they
give themselves to the service of God. It is a joyous work to open the
Scriptures to others.
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