To a Young Minister and His Wife
291
they had left Egypt, and how his interest and love for them had led
him to plead with God in their behalf. He related to them how he had
earnestly entreated of the Lord to let him pass over Jordan into the
Promised Land; “but the Lord was wroth with me for your sakes, and
would not hear me.” Moses presented before them their sins, and said
to them: “Ye have been rebellious against the Lord from the day that I
knew you.” He related to them how many times he had pleaded with
God and humbled his soul in anguish because of their sins.
[320]
It was the design of God that Moses should frequently remind
Israel of their transgressions and rebellion, that they might humble
their hearts before God in view of their sins. The Lord would not have
them forget the errors and sins which had provoked His anger against
them. The rehearsal of their transgressions, and of the mercies and
goodness of God to them, which they had not appreciated, was not
agreeable to their feelings. Nevertheless, God directed that this should
be done.
I have been shown that young men like you, who have had but a few
years of imperfect experience in the cause of present truth, are not the
ones whom God will trust to bear weighty responsibilities and to lead
out in this work. Such should manifest a delicacy in taking positions
which will conflict with the judgment and opinions of those of mature
experience, whose lives have been interwoven with the cause of God
nearly as many years as you have lived and who have had an active
part in this work from its small beginning. God will not select men
of but little experience and considerable self-confidence to lead out in
this sacred, important work. There is much at stake here. Men who
have had but little experience in the sufferings, trials, opposition, and
privations that have been endured to bring the work up to its present
condition of prosperity should be very jealous of themselves.
Young men who now engage in the work of preaching the truth
should cultivate modesty and humility. They should be careful how
they become exalted, lest they be overthrown. They will be accountable
for the clear light of truth which now shines upon them. I saw that God
is displeased with the disposition that some have to murmur against
those who have fought the heaviest battles for them and who endured
so much in the commencement of the message, when the work went
hard.