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Chapter 18—Vital Principles of Relationship
Jehovah Is Our King
[From Special Testimonies, Series A 10:12-20 (1897).]
God has revealed many things to me which He has bidden me
give to His people by pen and voice. Through this message of the
Holy Spirit, God’s people are given sacred instruction concerning
their duty to God and to their fellowmen.
A strange thing has come into our churches. Men who are placed
in positions of responsibility that they may be wise helpers to their
fellow workers have come to suppose that they were set as kings and
rulers in the churches, to say to one brother, Do this; to another, Do
that; and to another, Be sure to labor in such and such a way. There
have been places where the workers have been told that if they did
not follow the instruction of these men of responsibility, their pay
from the conference would be withheld.
It is right for the workers to counsel together as brethren; but that
man who endeavors to lead his fellow workers to seek his individual
counsel and advice regarding the details of their work, and to learn
their duty from him, is in a dangerous position and needs to learn
what responsibilities are really comprehended in his office. God has
appointed no man to be conscience for his fellowman. It is not wise
to lay so much responsibility upon an officer that he will feel that he
is forced to become a dictator.
A Constant Peril
For years there has been a growing tendency for men placed
in positions of responsibility to Lord it over God’s heritage, thus
removing from church members their keen sense of the need of
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divine instruction and an appreciation of the privilege to counsel
with God regarding their duty. This order of things must be changed.
There must be a reform. Men who have not a rich measure of that
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