Chapter 31—Working for Outcasts
The Gospel Invitation to All Classes—Christ illustrated the spir-
itual blessings of the gospel by a temporal feast, the invitation to the
supper. He set forth the wonderful condescension of God in the earnest
invitation of the master of the feast to all who would come. The special
call of the gospel to be given near the close of earth’s history is also
presented.
The invitation was to go first to the highways, bidding all come
to the marriage supper of the Lamb. That message to the people so
highly favored was rejected.
The next call was made to the poorer class—the poor, the halt, the
maimed, the blind. These were not exalted by ambitious projects. If
they would accept the invitation, they might come. This message was
given, and the servants brought the report, “Lord, it is done as thou
hast commanded, and yet there is room.”
Then the Master said to His workers, “Go and seek in the byways,
for the most degraded and the helpless, and compel them to come in,
that My house may be filled.”—
Manuscript 81, 1899
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“Compel them to come in,” Christ bids us.... In obedience to this
word we must go to the heathen who are near us and to those who
are afar off. The “publicans and harlots” must hear the Saviour’s
invitation. Through the kindness and long-suffering of His messengers
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the invitation becomes a compelling power to uplift those who are
sunken in the lowest depths of sin.—
The Ministry of Healing, 164
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Christ Longs to Reshape the Character—However low, how-
ever fallen, however dishonored and debased others may be, we are
not to despise them and pass them by with indifference; but we should
consider the fact that Christ has died for them....Christ longs to reshape
the marred human character, to restore the moral image of God in
men.—
The Review and Herald, October 15, 1895
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He Regards Them as Precious—Every soul is the object of the
loving interest of Him who gave His life that He might bring men back
to God. This earnest, persevering interest expressed by our heavenly
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