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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
necessities. We cannot equal the example, but we should copy it.
Love for souls for whom Christ made this great sacrifice should
stimulate His ministers to exertion, to self-denial and persevering
effort, that they may be co-workers with Him in the salvation of
souls. Then will the works of God’s servants be fruitful, for they
will indeed be His instruments. The power of God will be seen upon
them in the gracious influences of His Spirit. God would have you
arouse and possess strength to surmount obstacles; be not easily
discouraged; if need be, labor, as did the apostle Paul, in weariness,
in painfulness, in watching, forgetting infirmities in the deep interest
felt for souls for whom Christ died.
Some of our ministers are taking advantage of the liberalities
of our brethren to advantage themselves; and in so doing they are
gradually losing their influence; their example in these things is
destroying the confidence of their brethren in them. And they are
effectually closing the door so that those who really need help and
are worthy of it cannot obtain it. They also shut the door whereby
help may be expected to sustain the cause. Many of the people
are becoming disheartened as they see some of the ministers they
employ manifesting so little interest for the prosperity of the cause
of God. They do not see a devotion to the work. The people are
neglected, and the cause is languishing, because of the lack of well-
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directed and efficient labor which they have a right to expect from
their ministers.
In their disappointment some of the brethren give up to a feeling
of impatience and desperation, as they see the selfishness and cov-
etousness manifested by their teachers. The people are in advance
of many of their ministers. If the ministers manifest a spirit of self-
sacrifice and a love for souls, means will not be withheld from the
cause. Let the ministers come up to the exalted standard as repre-
sentatives of Christ and we shall see the glory of God attending the
presentation of truth, and souls will be constrained to acknowledge
its clearness and power. The cause of God must be made primary.
My brother, you could do a good work. You have a knowledge
of the truth and could be a great blessing to the cause of present truth
if you were consecrated and sanctified to the work, having no selfish
interest aside from it. God has committed to you a sacred trust,
precious talents; and if you are found true to your trust, faithfully