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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
the duties devolving upon a Christian. Self-gratification, and his own
inclination, he would gladly interpret to be duty. Self-gratification he
has not overcome. He has a work to do to clear his spiritual vision,
that he may understand what it is to be sanctified to God, and learn
the high claims of God upon him. The serious defects in his education
have affected his life.
If, with his good qualifications, Brother B were well balanced and
a faithful foreman of the office, his labor would be of great value to
the office, and he could earn double wages. But for the past years,
considering his deficiency, with his unconsecrated influence, the office
could better afford to do without him, even if his services could be
had for nothing. Brother and Sister B have not learned the lesson of
economy. The gratification of the taste, and the desire for pleasure
and display, have had an overpowering influence upon them. Small
wages would be of more advantage to them than large, for they would
use all as they pass along, were it ever so much. They would enjoy as
they go, and then when affliction draws upon them, would be wholly
unprepared. Twenty dollars a week would be laid out about the same as
twelve. Had Brother and Sister B been economical managers, denying
themselves, they could ere this have had a home of their own, and
besides this have had means to draw upon in case of adversity. But
they will not economize as others have done, upon whom they have
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sometimes been dependent. If they neglect to learn these lessons, their
characters will not be found perfect in the day of God.
Brother B has been the object of the great love and condescension
of Christ, and yet he has never felt that he could imitate the great
Exemplar. He claims, and all his life has sought after, a better portion
in this life than was given our Lord. He has never felt the depths of
ignorance and sin from which Christ has proposed to lift him and to
link him to His divine nature.
It is a fearful thing to minister in sacred things when the heart and
hands are not holy. To be a co-worker with Christ involves fearful
responsibilities; to stand as His representative is no small matter. The
fearful realities of the judgment will test every man’s work. The apostle
said, “We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;” “for God,
who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our
hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ.” The sufficiency of the apostle was not in himself,