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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
carefully preserving themselves by shunning burdens, remaining in
a state of inefficiency, and accomplishing next to nothing. Therefore
those who realize the worth of souls, who appreciate the sacredness
of the work and feel that it must go forward, are doing extra labor,
making superhuman efforts, and using up their brain power to keep
the work moving. Were the interest in the work and the devotion to
it equally divided, were all who profess to be ministers diligently
devoting their interest wholly to the cause, not saving themselves,
the few earnest, God-fearing workmen who are fast wearing away
their lives would be relieved of this high pressure upon them, and
their strength might be preserved so that, when actually required, it
would tell with double power, and produce far greater results than
can now be seen while under the pressure of overwhelming care and
anxiety. The Lord is not pleased with this inequality.
Many who profess to be called of God to minister in word and
doctrine do not feel that they have no right to claim to be teachers
unless they are thoroughly furnished by earnest, diligent study of
the word of God. Some have neglected to obtain a knowledge of
the simple branches of education. Some cannot even read correctly;
some misquote the Scriptures; and some, by their apparent lack of
qualification for the work they are trying to do, injure the cause of
God and bring the truth into disrepute. These do not see the necessity
of cultivating the intellect, of especially encouraging refinement
without affectation, and of seeking to attain to the true elevation of
Christian character. The certain and effectual means of attaining this
is the surrender of the soul to God. He will direct the intellect and
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affections so that they will center upon the divine and eternal, and
then will they possess energy without rashness, for all the powers
of the mind and of the whole being will be elevated, refined, and
directed in the loftiest, holiest channel. From the lips of the heavenly
Teacher were heard the words: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,
and with all thy strength.” When this submission to God is made,
true humility will grace every action, while at the same time those
who are thus allied to God and His heavenly angels will possess a
becoming dignity savoring of heaven.
The Lord requires His servants to be energetic. It is not pleasing
to Him to see them listless and indolent. They profess to have the