422
Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
Those who will not improve the talent which God has given them
will fail of everlasting life. Those who have been of but little use
in the world will be rewarded accordingly, as their works have been.
When everything goes smoothly, they are borne along on the wave;
but when they need earnestly and untiringly to apply the oar, and row
against wind and tide, there seems to be no energy in their Christian
character. They will not take the trouble to work, but lay down their
oars and contentedly let the current carry them downstream. Thus they
generally remain until someone takes the burden and labors earnestly
and energetically to pull them upstream. Every time they yield to such
indolence they lose strength and have less inclination to work in the
cause of God. It is only the faithful conqueror who wins eternal glory.
A minister’s wife should ever have a leading influence on the minds
of those with whom she associates, and she will be a help or a great
hindrance. She either gathers with Christ or scatters abroad. A self-
sacrificing missionary spirit is lacking among the companions of our
ministers. It is self first, and then Christ secondly, and even thirdly.
Never should a minister take his wife with him unless he knows that
she can be a spiritual help, that she is one who can bear, and endure,
and suffer, to do good, and to benefit souls for Christ’s sake. Those
[454]
who accompany their husbands should go to labor unitedly with them.
They must not expect to be free from trials and disappointments. They
should not think too much of pleasant feelings. What have feelings to
do with duty?
I was cited the case of Abraham. God said to him, “Take now thy
son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land
of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the
mountains which I will tell thee of.” Abraham obeyed God. He did
not consult his feelings, but with a noble faith and confidence in God
he prepared for his journey. With a heart rent with anguish he beheld
the proud and loving mother gazing with fond affection upon the son
of promise. But he led that loved son away. Abraham suffered, yet
he did not let his will rise in rebellion against the will of God. Duty,
stern duty, controlled him. He dared not consult his feelings or yield
to them for one moment. His only son walked by the side of the stern,
loving, suffering father, talking engagedly, uttering over and over the
fond name of father, and then inquiring: “Where is the sacrifice?” Oh,
what a test for the faithful father! Angels looked with pleased wonder