16
Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
God would have them. This lack throws extra labor upon those who
are burden bearers, especially upon my husband. Some ministers fail
[14]
to move out and venture something in the cause and work of God.
Important decisions are to be made; but as mortal man cannot see the
end from the beginning, some shrink from venturing and advancing
as the providence of God leads. Someone must advance; someone
must venture in the fear of God, trusting the result with Him. Those
ministers who shun this part of the labor are losing much. They are
failing to obtain that experience which God designed they should have
to make them strong, efficient men that can be relied upon in any
emergency.
Brother A, you shrink from running risks. You are not willing to
venture when you cannot see the way perfectly clear. Yet someone
must do this very work; someone must walk by faith, or no advance
moves will be made, and nothing will be accomplished. A fear that
you will make mistakes and mismoves, and then be blamed, binds
you. You excuse yourself from taking responsibility because you have
made some mistakes in the past. But you should move according to
your best judgment, trusting the result with God. Someone must do
this, and it is a trying position for anyone. One should not bear all this
responsibility alone, but with much reflection and earnest prayer, it
should be equally shared.
During my husband’s affliction, the Lord tested and proved His
people to reveal what was in their hearts; and in so doing He showed
to them what was undiscovered in themselves that was not according
to the Spirit of God. The trying circumstances under which we were
placed called out from our brethren that which otherwise would never
have been revealed. The Lord proved to His people that the wisdom
of man is foolishness, and that unless they possess firm trust and
reliance on God, their plans and calculations will prove a failure.
We are to learn from all these things. If errors are committed, they
should teach and instruct, but not lead to the shunning of burdens and
responsibilities. Where much is at stake, and where matters of vital
consequence are to be considered, and important questions settled,
God’s servants should take individual responsibility. They cannot lay
[15]
off the burden and yet do the will of God. Some ministers are deficient
in the qualifications necessary to build up the churches, and they are
not willing to wear in the cause of God. They have not a disposition to