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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
Do Not Leave Loose Ends—Brother L should have his business
all straight and not left at loose ends. It is his privilege to be rich in
good works and to lay up for himself a good foundation against the
time to come that he may lay hold on eternal life. It is not safe for him
to follow his failing judgment. He should counsel with experienced
brethren and seek wisdom of God that he may do up his work well.
He should now be really in earnest, providing himself “bags which
wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not.”—
Testimonies
for the Church 2:676
(1871).
Aged Workers Not to Be Set Aside—The most tender interest
should be cherished toward those whose life interest is bound up
with the work of God. Notwithstanding their many infirmities, these
workers still possess talents that qualify them to stand in their lot and
place. God desires them to occupy leading positions in His work.
They have stood faithful amid storm and trial and are among our most
valuable counselors. How thankful we should be that they can still use
their gifts in the Lord’s service!
Let not the fact be lost sight of that in the past these earnest
wrestlers sacrificed everything to advance the work. The fact that
they have grown old and gray in the service of God is no reason why
they should cease to exert an influence superior to the influence of men
[751]
who have far less knowledge of the work and far less experience in
divine things.
Though worn and unable to bear the heavier burdens that younger
men can and should carry, their value as counselors is of the highest
order. They have made mistakes, but they have learned wisdom from
their failures; they have learned to avoid errors and dangers, and are
they not then competent to give wise counsel? They have borne test
and trial, and though they have lost some of their vigor, they are not
to be pushed aside by less-experienced workers who know very little
about the labor and self-sacrifice of these pioneers. The Lord does not
thus lay them aside. He gives them special grace and knowledge.—
Testimonies for the Church 7:287, 288
(1902).
To Be Honored and Respected—The old standard-bearers who
are still living should not be put in hard places. Those who served their
Master when the work went hard, who endured poverty and remained
faithful to the truth when our numbers were small, are ever to be
honored and respected. I am instructed to say: Let every believer