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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
which cannot interest or profit others. He tries to maintain a system
which, in itself, is correct; but here again it will be seen that those
things which are useful of themselves may become wearisome and
burdensome by dwelling too much upon them, and by seeking to
carry them out under all circumstances. There is danger of neglecting
the weightier matters.
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The Brethren D should avoid being tedious in their labor. Their
influence has been good in the main. Brother D is naturally a good
manager in temporal things. His instruction and example in this
direction have helped those who were humble enough to be advised.
But the jealousy, distrust, rebellion, complaining, and murmuring
which have existed in the church have been disheartening. These
brethren should guard against being too exacting.
In order to perfect Christian character, we should not cultivate
merely a life of quiet, prayerful abstraction, nor a life of all outward
zeal and busy excitement, while personal piety is neglected. But the
present time requires us to be waiting for the coming of the Lord
and vigilantly working for the salvation of our fellow men. “Not
slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” God will not
accept the most exalted services unless they are first consecrated by
the surrender of the soul to Him and His love. With a certain class of
minds there is danger of systematizing away the Spirit of God and
the vitality of the religion of Christ, and preserving an exact round
of wearisome duties and ceremonies.
We are living in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
and our nice and exact plans cannot always be carried out to the
advantage of all. If we stand back upon our dignity we shall fail to
help those who need help the most. The servants of Christ should
accommodate themselves to the varied conditions of the people.
They cannot carry out exact rules if they meet the cases of all. Labor
will have to be varied to meet the people where they are. “Of some
have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear,
pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the
flesh.”
The apostle counsels his Corinthian brethren: “Whether there-
fore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
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Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to
the church of God: even as I please all men in all things, not seeking