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Cause in Vermont
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be stationed over the world as faithful sentinels, that those who are
without God may be convinced that there is a power in the religion of
Christ. Such men of influence are in truth the salt of the earth. God
would not be pleased to have them congregate together and narrow
down their sphere of usefulness. Reliable men are very scarce for
the reason that the hearts of men are so devoted to their own selfish
interests that they know no other.
If there could be a number of picked men at the important post
at Battle Creek, God would be pleased; and if they would make a
sacrifice of their own selfish interests for the sake of the suffering
cause, they would only be following in the footsteps of their Re-
deemer, who left His glory, His majesty and high command, and
for our sakes became poor, that we, through His poverty, might be
made rich. Christ sacrificed for man; but man, in his turn, will not
willingly and cheerfully sacrifice for Christ. If a number of respon-
sible, true-hearted, burden-bearing men and women who could be
depended upon as minutemen, who would promptly respond to the
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call for help when help is needed, would move to Battle Creek, God
would be glorified. God wants men at Battle Creek who can be
depended upon; who will ever be found on the right side in times of
danger; who will faithfully war against the enemy, instead of taking
their position with those who trouble the Israel of God, and stand in
defense of those who weaken the hands of God’s servants, turning
their weapons against the very ones whom God enjoins upon them
to sustain. In order to prosper, every church must have men upon
whom it can rely in times of peril, men who are as true as steel,
unselfish men, who have the interest of God’s cause lying nearer
their hearts than anything which concerns their own opinions or their
worldly interests.
Churches are not wholly composed of pure, sincere Christians.
Not all the names that stand registered upon the church books are
worthy to be there. The life and character of some as compared with
others is as gold with worthless dross. It need not be so. Those
who are valuable in life and influence have felt the importance of
following Jesus closely, of making the life of Christ their study and
example. This will require effort, meditation, and earnest prayer. It
requires exertion to obtain the victory over selfishness and to make
the interest of God’s cause primary. Some have made the effort