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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
except by self-denial. Of ourselves we can do nothing; but, through
God strengthening us, we can live to do good to others, and in this
way shun the evil of selfishness. We need not go to heathen lands to
manifest our desire to devote all to God in a useful, unselfish life.
We should do this in the home circle, in the church, among those
with whom we associate and with whom we do business. Right in
the common walks of life is where self is to be denied and kept in
subordination. Paul could say: “I die daily.” It is the daily dying to
self in the little transactions of life that makes us overcomers. We
should forget self in the desire to do good to others. With many there
is a decided lack of love for others. Instead of faithfully performing
their duty, they seek rather their own pleasure.
God positively enjoins upon all His followers a duty to bless
others with their influence and means, and to seek that wisdom of
Him which will enable them to do all in their power to elevate the
thoughts and affections of those who come within their influence. In
doing for others, a sweet satisfaction will be experienced, an inward
peace which will be a sufficient reward. When actuated by a high
and noble desire to do others good, they will find true happiness in
a faithful discharge of life’s manifold duties. This will bring more
than an earthly reward; for every faithful, unselfish performance of
duty is noticed by the angels and shines in the life record. In heaven
none will think of self, nor seek their own pleasure; but all, from
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pure, genuine love, will seek the happiness of the heavenly beings
around them. If we wish to enjoy heavenly society in the earth made
new, we must be governed by heavenly principles here.
Every act of our lives affects others for good or evil. Our influ-
ence is tending upward or downward; it is felt, acted upon, and to a
greater or less degree reproduced by others. If by our example we aid
others in the development of good principles, we give them power
to do good. In their turn they exert the same beneficial influence
upon others, and thus hundreds and thousands are affected by our
unconscious influence. If we by acts strengthen or force into activity
the evil powers possessed by those around us, we share their sin,
and will have to render an account for the good we might have done
them and did not do, because we made not God our strength, our
guide, our counselor.