Community Awareness
119
and oppressed, and befriend the orphan, you bring yourselves into a
closer relationship to Jesus.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:25
.
Some ministers cannot feel for the poor, needy, and ignorant—
Christ’s heart is cheered by the sight of those who are poor in every
sense of the term; cheered by His view of the ill-used ones who are
[116]
meek; cheered by the seemingly unsatisfied hungering after righteous-
ness, by the inability of many to begin. He welcomes, as it were, the
very condition of things that would discourage many ministers. He
corrects our erring piety, giving the burden of the work for the poor
and needy in the rough places of the earth, to men and women who
have hearts that can feel for the ignorant and for those that are out of
the way. The Lord teaches these workers how to meet those whom
He wishes them to help. They will be encouraged as they see doors
opening for them to enter places where they can do medical missionary
work. Having little self-confidence, they give God all the glory. Their
hands may be rough and unskilled, but their hearts are susceptible to
pity; they are filled with an earnest desire to do something to relieve
the woe so abundant; and Christ is present to help them. He works
through those who discern mercy in misery, gain in the loss of all
things. When the Light of the world passes by, privileges appear in all
hardships, order in confusion, the success and wisdom of God in that
which has seemed to be a failure.—
Counsels on Health, 26
.
Public Relations
The best way to deal with error is to present truth—The best
way to deal with error is to present the truth, and leave wild ideas to
die for want of notice. Contrasted with truth, the weakness of error
is made apparent to every intelligent mind. The more the erroneous
assertions of opposers, and of those who rise up among us to deceive
souls, are repeated, the better the cause of error is served. The more
publicity is given to the suggestions of Satan, the better pleased is his
satanic majesty.—
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 165
.
Do not misrepresent in order to gain favor—We are not to mis-
represent what we profess to believe in order to gain favor. God
despises misrepresentation and prevarication. He will not tolerate the
man who says and does not. The best and noblest work is done by fair,
honest dealing.—
Evangelism, 132
.