Ministers, Order, and Organization
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times all the mental and physical energies may be drawn upon to make
the very strongest stand, to array evidences in the clearest light, and
set them before the people in the most pointed manner, and urge them
home by the strongest appeals. As souls are on the point of leaving the
enemy’s ranks and coming up on the Lord’s side, the contest is most
severe and close. Satan and his angels are unwilling that any who have
served under the banner of darkness should take their position under
the bloodstained banner of Prince Immanuel.
I was shown opposing armies who had endured a painful struggle
in battle. The victory was gained by neither, and at length the loyal
realize that their strength and force is wearing away, and that they will
be unable to silence their enemies unless they make a charge upon
them and obtain their instruments of warfare. It is then, at the risk of
their lives, that they summon all their powers and rush upon the foe. It
is a fearful struggle; but victory is gained, the strongholds are taken.
If at the critical period the army is so weak through exhaustion that
it is impossible to make the last charge and batter down the enemy’s
fortifications, the whole struggle of days, weeks, and even months is
lost; and many lives are sacrificed and nothing gained.
A similar work is before us. Many are convinced that we have the
truth, and yet they are held as with iron bands; they dare not risk the
consequences of taking their position on the side of truth. Many are in
the valley of decision, where special, close, and pointed appeals are
necessary to move them to lay down the weapons of their warfare and
take their position on the Lord’s side. Just at this critical period Satan
throws the strongest bands around these souls. If the servants of God
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are all exhausted, having expended their fund of physical and mental
strength, they think they can do no more, and frequently leave the field
entirely, to commence operations elsewhere. And all, or nearly all, the
time, means, and labor have been spent for nought. Yes, it is worse
than if they had never commenced the work in that place, for after the
people have been deeply convicted by the Spirit of God, and brought
to the point of decision, and are left to lose their interest, and decide
against these evidences, they cannot as easily be brought where their
minds will again be agitated upon the subject. They have in many
cases made their final decision.
If ministers would preserve a reserve force, and at the very point
where everything seems to move the hardest, then make the most