Usefulness of Older Workers
27
younger laborers to gain wisdom, strength, and maturity by association
with these faithful men. Let the younger men realize that in having
such workers among them they are highly favored. Let them give them
[34]
an honored place in their councils.
As those who have spent their lives in the service of Christ draw
near to the close of their earthly ministry, they will be impressed by
the Holy Spirit to recount the experiences they have had in connection
with the work of God. The record of His wonderful dealings with His
people, of His great goodness in delivering them from trial, should
be repeated to those newly come to the faith. God desires the old and
tried laborers to stand in their place, doing their part to save men and
women from being swept downward by the mighty current of evil. He
desires them to keep the armor on till He bids them lay it down.—
The
Acts of the Apostles, 573, 574
.
Special Grace and Knowledge
The Lord gives special grace and knowledge to the aged men who
have had an experience in the work from its earliest history, and have
watched it develop in its various lines of progress. Let these men be
appreciated and respected. Let not the fact he lost sight of that in the
past they have sacrificed everything to advance the work. Because
they are growing old is no reason why they should cease to exert
an influence superior to the influence of the men who have had far
less study of the Word, far less experience in divine things, far less
knowledge of the communications of Christ to His people.
I have been instructed that no indifference or disrespect is to be
shown to these burden-bearing pioneers in the work. They are God’s
workmen, and have acted a prominent part in building up the work
[35]
which today ought to bear the similitude of the pattern shown them in
the mount.—
Manuscript 34, 1901
.
Older Ministers to Speak at Camp Meetings
In 1890 I was given the following message to bear to our people:
“A mistake has been made in putting young men forward to speak
at our camp meetings, before large congregations, when they had
not the vital truths to present that were appropriate for the occasion.