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Chapter 61—Address to Ministers
Dear Brethren,
October 25, 1868, I was shown that not all who profess to be
called to teach the truth are qualified for this sacred work. Some
are far from meeting the mind and will of God. Some indulge in
slothfulness in temporal things, and their religious life is marked
with spiritual sloth. Where there is a lack of persevering energy and
close application in temporal matters and business transactions, the
same deficiency will be apparent in spiritual things.
Some of you are heads of families, and your example and influ-
ence are molding the characters of your children. Your example will
be followed by them in a greater or less degree, and your lack of
thoroughness is setting a bad example for others. But your deficien-
cies are more sensibly felt, with more weighty results, in the cause
and work of God. Your families have felt this deficiency and suf-
fered on account of it; they have lacked many things which diligent
industry and perseverance might have supplied. But this deficiency
has been seen and felt in the cause and work of God in as much
greater degree as His cause and work is of higher importance than
the things pertaining to this life.
The influence of some ministers is not good. They have not
carefully guarded their moments, thus giving the people an example
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of industry. They spend in indolence moments and hours which, once
passed into eternity with their record of results, can never be recalled.
Some are naturally indolent, which makes it difficult for them to
make a success of any enterprise they undertake. This deficiency
has been seen and felt all through their religious experience. Those
at fault are not alone the losers; others are made to suffer by their
deficiencies. At this late period, many have lessons to learn which
should have been learned at a much earlier date.
Some are not close Bible students. They are disinclined to apply
themselves diligently to the study of God’s word. In consequence of
this neglect they have labored at great disadvantage and have not, in
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