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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
refinement and elevation of character with which they are brought
in contact is termed by them pride and lack of humility. Coarseness
and ignorance are regarded as humility.
With this class you have obtained a large share of your religious
experience; therefore you are not qualified for the work of teach-
ing the most solemn, refined, elevating, and withal the most testing
message to mortals. You may reach a class of minds, but the more
intelligent portion of the community will be driven further off by
your labors. You have not a sufficient knowledge of even the com-
mon branches of education to be an instructor of men and women
who have a wily devil on the other hand to suggest and devise ways
and means to lead them from the truth.
The teachers of the common schools are required to be masters of
their business. They are closely examined to ascertain if children can
properly be trusted to their care. By investigation the thoroughness
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of their qualifications is tested according to the importance of the
position which they are required to occupy. I saw that God’s work is
of as much more exalted character, and of as much higher interest,
as the eternal is above the temporal. A mistake made here cannot be
repaired. It is of infinite importance that all who go forth to teach the
truth should be qualified for their work. No less strict investigation
should be instituted in reference to their ability to teach the truth than
in the case of those who teach our schools. God’s work has been
belittled by the slack, loose course pursued by professed ministers
of Christ.
I was shown that ministers must be sanctified and holy, and must
have a knowledge of the word of God. They should be familiar with
Bible arguments and prepared to give a reason of their hope, or they
should cease their labors and engage in a calling where deficiency
will not involve such tremendous consequences. Ministers of the
popular denominations of the day are acceptable preachers if they
can speak upon a few simple points of the Bible; but the ministers
who are spreading unpopular truth for these last days, who have to
meet men of learning, men of strong minds, and opposers of every
type, should know what they are about. They should not take upon
themselves the responsibility of teaching the truth unless they are
qualified for the work. Before engaging in, or devoting themselves
to, the work they should become Bible students. If they have not an