Communications to Elder Hull
407
all the time for your Master’s business when you shall be away from
home. If you do this, you will have on the armor every moment. Your
soul’s highest desire will be to glorify God, to do His will upon earth,
and you will have sweet confidence and trust in Him. You will not feel
so restless, but will have a constant theme for meditation, devotion,
and holiness. I was referred to
1 Corinthians 9:27
: “But I keep under
my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I
have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” You have a
work to do to understand yourself. Be not flattered by remarks which
unwise and foolish brethren may make concerning your efforts. If they
praise your preaching, let it not elate you. If God’s blessing attends
your labors, fruits will be seen. Your preaching will not merely please,
but will gather in souls.
Brother Hull, you must be guarded on every side. I saw that
whatever divides the affections, or takes away from the heart supreme
love for God, or prevents unlimited confidence and entire trust in Him,
assumes the character and takes the form of an idol. I was pointed
to the first great commandment: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” There
is allowed no separation of our affections from God. Nothing is to
divide our supreme love for Him or our delight in Him. Your will,
wishes, plans, desires, and pleasures must all be in subjection. You
have something to learn, to exalt the Lord God in your heart, in your
conversation, in all your acts; and then Jesus can teach you, and help
you, as you cast your net on the right side of the ship, to bring it to
shore full of fishes. But without the help of Christ in casting your net,
you may toil weeks, months, and years without seeing much fruit of
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your labor.
I saw that you would be tempted to feel that your brethren want to
gauge you, that they want to put too much restraint upon you. But your
brethren only want you to live according to the instructions of God’s
word, and God wishes to bring you there, and angels are watching you
with the deepest solicitude. You must conform your life to the word of
God, that you may be blessed and strengthened of Him, or you will
fall out by the way, and while you preach to others, you yourself will
be a castaway. But you may be an overcomer, and may win eternal
life. You are recovering yourself from the snare of Satan, but he is
preparing other snares for you. God will help and strengthen you if