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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
transformed in mind and being, and are renewed by the spirit of
Christ, they cannot become thorough, efficient workmen in the Re-
deemer’s cause. His life is the example for Christians. Self-sacrifice
and disinterested benevolence should characterize their lives. Self-
interest is too prominent. Oh, how little does Brother K know of
what it is to labor for God, to lift the cross of Christ and walk in the
footsteps of the self-denying Redeemer!
A minister of Christ, a teacher of the truth, a true shepherd, is in
one sense a servant of all, anticipating the wants of those who need
help, and knowing how to be useful here and there in the great work
of saving souls. A man who professes to teach the truth, and goes
just where he pleases, and works when and how he pleases, yet shuns
responsibilities, is not bearing the cross after Christ nor fulfilling the
commission of a gospel minister. Few know by experience what it
is to suffer for Christ’s sake. They desire to be like Christ, but wish
to avoid poverty and crucifixion. They would gladly be with Him in
glory, but do not love to come to Him through much self-denial and
tribulation.
It has not cost Brother K hard effort to search out the truth; for
chosen men of God have prepared arguments to his hand, clear,
plain, and convincing. Difficult points of present truth have been
reached by the earnest efforts of a few who were devoted to the work.
Fasting and fervent prayer to God have moved the Lord to unlock
His treasuries of truth to their understanding. Wily opponents and
boasting Goliaths have had to be met, sometimes face to face, but
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more frequently with the pen. Satan has urged men on to fierce
opposition, to blind the eyes and darken the understanding of the
people. The few who had the interest of the cause and truth of God
at heart were aroused to its defense. They did not seek for ease, but
were willing to venture even their lives for the truth’s sake.
These zealous searchers after truth risked their capital of strength
and their all in the work of defending the truth and spreading the
light. Link after link of the precious chain of truth has been searched
out, until it stands forth in beautiful harmony, uniting in a perfect
chain. These men of investigating minds have brought out arguments
and made them so plain that a schoolboy may understand them. How
easy now for men to become teachers of the truth, while they shun
self-sacrifice and self-denial.