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Doing for Christ
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bread, sister, imitate the case brought to view in the Bible. Go to
your neighbor and say: “Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of
mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before
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him.” We have not an example of this lack of bread ever being made
an excuse to refuse entrance to an applicant. When Elijah came to
the widow of Sarepta, she shared her morsel with the prophet of
God, and he wrought a miracle, and caused that in that act of making
a home for his servant, and sharing her morsel with him, she herself
was sustained, and her life and that of her son preserved. Thus will
it prove in the case of many, if they do this cheerfully, for the glory
of God.
Some plead their poor health—they would love to do if they had
strength. Such have so long shut themselves up to themselves, and
thought so much of their own poor feelings, and talked so much of
their sufferings, trials, and afflictions, that it is their present truth.
They can think of no one but self, however much others may be
in need of sympathy and assistance. You who are suffering with
poor health, there is a remedy for you. If thou clothe the naked,
and bring the poor that are cast out to thy house, and deal thy bread
to the hungry, “then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and
thine health shall spring forth speedily.” Doing good is an excellent
remedy for disease. Those who engage in the work are invited to
call upon God, and He has pledged Himself to answer them. Their
soul shall be satisfied in drought, and they shall be like a watered
garden, whose waters fail not.
Wake up, brethren and sisters. Do not be afraid of good works.
“Let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap,
if we faint not.” Do not wait to be told your duty. Open your eyes
and see who are around you; make yourselves acquainted with the
helpless, afflicted, and needy. Hide not yourselves from them, and
seek not to shut out their needs. Who gives the proofs mentioned
in James, of possessing pure religion, untainted with selfishness or
corruption? Who are anxious to do all in their power to aid in the
great plan of salvation?
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I am acquainted with a widow who has two small children to sup-
port, wholly by the use of her needle. She looks pale and careworn.
All through the hard winter she has struggled to sustain herself and
her children. She has received a little help, but who would feel any