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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
will gain confidence in their own experience that God is really leading
and guiding them. And as they meet peril and have real anguish of
spirit they are obliged to meditate and are made to feel the necessity of
prayer in their effort to move understandingly and work to advantage
in the cause of God; they find that conflict and perplexity call for the
exercise of faith and trust in God, and for that firmness which develops
power. Necessities are constantly arising for new ways and means to
meet emergencies. Faculties are called into use that would lie dormant
were it not for these pressing necessities in the work of God. This
gives a varied experience so that there will be no use for men of one
idea and those who are only half developed.
Men of might and power in this cause, whom God will use to
His glory, are those who have been opposed, baffled, and thwarted
in their plans. Brethren B and C might have turned their own fail-
ures into important victories; but, instead of this, they have shunned
the responsibilities which would make liability to mistakes possible.
These precious brethren have failed to gain that education which is
strengthened by experience and which reading and study and all the
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advantages otherwise gained will never give them.
You, Brother A, have had strength to bear some responsibilities.
God has accepted your energetic labors and blessed your efforts. You
have made some mistakes, but because of some failures you should
in nowise misjudge your capabilities nor distrust the strength that you
may find in God. You have not been willing and ready to assume
responsibilities. You are naturally inclined to shun them and to choose
an easier position, to write and exercise the mind where no special,
vital interests are involved. You make a mistake in relying upon my
husband to tell you what to do. This is not the work God has given
my husband. You should search out what is to be done and lift the
disagreeable burdens yourself. God will bless you in so doing. You
must bear burdens in connection with the work of God according to
your best judgment. But you must be guarded, lest your judgment shall
be influenced by the opinions of others. If it is apparent that you have
made mistakes, it is your privilege to turn these failures into victories
by avoiding the same in the future. By being told what to do you will
never gain the experience necessary for any important position.
The same is applicable to all who are standing in the different
positions of trust in the various offices at Battle Creek. They are not to