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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
servants are gaining an experience and forming a character which
will do honor to the cause of God.
The present is a season of solemn privilege and sacred trust to
the servants of God. If these trusts are faithfully kept, great will be
the reward of the faithful servant when the Master shall say: “Give
an account of thy stewardship.” The earnest toil, the unselfish work,
the patient, persevering effort, will be rewarded abundantly; Jesus
will say: Henceforth I call you not servants, but friends, guests. The
approval of the Master is not given because of the greatness of the
work performed, because many things have been gained, but because
of the fidelity in even a few things. It is not the great results we
attain, but the motives from which we act, that weigh with God. He
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prizes goodness and faithfulness more than the greatness of the work
accomplished.
I have been shown that many are in the greatest danger of failing
to perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. Ministers are in danger
of losing their own souls. Some who have preached to others will
themselves be cast away because they have not perfected a Christian
character. In their labor they do not save souls, and fail even to
save their own. They do not see the importance of self-knowledge
and self-control. They do not watch and pray, lest they enter into
temptation. If they would watch, they would become acquainted
with their weak points, where they are most likely to be assailed
by temptation. With watchfulness and prayer their weakest points
can be so guarded as to become their strongest points, and they can
encounter temptation without being overcome. Every follower of
Christ should daily examine himself, that he may become perfectly
acquainted with his own conduct. There is with nearly all a neglect
of self-examination. This neglect is positively dangerous in one
who professes to be a mouthpiece for God, occupying the fearful,
responsible position of receiving the words from God to give to
His people. The daily conduct of such a person has great influence
upon others. If he has any success in labor, he brings his converts to
his own low standard, and it is seldom that they rise higher. Their
minister’s ways, his words, his gestures and manners, his faith, and
his piety, are considered a sample of those of all Sabbathkeeping
Adventists; and if they pattern after him who has taught them the
truth, they think they are doing all their duty.