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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
White to do it. This, I saw, was not as God would have it. In the
first place, there is a deficiency with some of our ministers. They
lack thoroughness. They do not take on the burden of the work
and reach out to lift just where the people need help. They do not
possess discernment to see and feel just where the people need to be
corrected, reproved, built up, and strengthened. Some of them labor
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weeks and months in a place, and there is actually more to do when
they leave than when they commenced. Systematic benevolence is
dragging. It is one part of the minister’s labor to keep up this branch
of the work; but, because this is not agreeable, some neglect their
duty. They talk the truth from the word of God, but do not impress
the people with the necessity of obedience. Therefore many are
hearers, but not doers. The people feel the deficiency. Things are
not set in order among them, and they look to Brother and Sister
White to make up the deficiency.
Some of our ministering brethren have glided along without
settling deep into the work and getting hold of the hearts of the
people. They have excused themselves with the thought that Brother
and Sister White would bring up the things that were lacking; that
they were specially adapted to the work. These men have labored,
but not in the right way. They have not borne the burden. They
have not helped where help was needed. They have not corrected
deficiencies which needed to be corrected. They have not entered,
whole heart, and soul, and energies, into the wants of the people.
Time has passed, and they have nothing to show for it. The burden of
their deficiencies falls back on us. And they encourage the people to
look to us, presenting the idea that nothing will accomplish the work
but our special testimony. God is not pleased with this. Ministers
should take greater responsibilities and not entertain the thought that
they cannot bear that message which will help the people where they
need help. If they cannot do this, they should tarry in Jerusalem till
they are endowed with power from on high. They should not engage
in a work which they cannot perform. They should go forth weeping,
bearing precious seed, and return from their effort rejoicing, bringing
their sheaves with them.
Ministers should impress upon the people the necessity of indi-
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vidual effort. No church can flourish unless its members are workers.
The people must lift where the ministers lift. I saw that nothing last-