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Break Up the Fallow Ground, November 15
Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your
fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain
righteousness upon you.
Hosea 10:12
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The principles of the truth must be interwoven with our character and
life. We should cherish every ray of light that falls upon our pathway, and
live up to the requirements of God. We should grow in spirituality. We are
losing a great deal of the blessing ... because we do not take advance steps
in the Christian life....
The members of the church of Christ should gather up the divine rays
of light from Jesus, and reflect them to others, leaving a bright track
heavenward in the world. They are to be as the wise virgins, having their
lamps trimmed and burning, representing the character of Christ to the
world. We are not to be satisfied with anything short of this. We are not
to be satisfied with our own righteousness, and content without the deep
movings of the Spirit of God.
Christ says, “Without me ye can do nothing.” It is this marked nothing-
ness, so apparent in the labors of many ... that alarms us; for we know that
this is an evidence that they have not felt the converting power of Christ
upon their hearts. You may look from the topmost bough to the lowest
branch of their work, and you will find nothing but leaves. God desires
us to come up to a higher standard. It is not His will that we should have
such a dearth of spirituality....
I remember visiting in Iowa when the country was new, and I saw the
farmers breaking the new ground. I noticed that they had heavy teams, and
made tremendous efforts to make deep furrows, but the laborers gained
strength and muscle by the exercise of their physical powers. It will make
our young men strong to go into new fields, and break up the fallow ground
of men’s hearts. This work will drive them nearer to God.... They will gain
efficiency and ability by mastering difficulties and overcoming obstacles
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The Review and Herald, October 8, 1889
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