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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
clearly what is to be done; but you fail to be that benefit to the cause
that you might be if you were prompt and decisive at the critical
moment, and would overcome the habit of hesitation and delay which
has marked your character and which has greatly retarded the work of
God. This defect, unless overcome, will prove, in instances of great
crises, disastrous to the cause and fatal to your own soul. Punctuality
and decisive action at the right time must be acquired, for you have
not these qualities. In the warfare and battles of nations there is often
more gained by good management in prompt action than in earnest,
dead encounter with the enemy.
The ability to do business with dispatch, and yet do it thoroughly,
is a great acquisition. My brother, you have really felt that your
cautious, hesitating course was commendable, rather a virtue than a
wrong. But from what the Lord has shown me in this matter, these
sluggish movements on your part have greatly hindered the work of
God and caused many things to be left undone which in justice ought
to have been done with promptness. It will be difficult now for you to
make the changes in your character which God requires you to make,
because it was difficult for you to be punctual and prompt of action in
youth. When the character is formed, the habits fixed, and the mental
and moral faculties have become firm, it is most difficult to unlearn
wrong habits, to be prompt in action. You should realize the value of
time. You are not excusable for leaving the most important, though
unpleasant work, hoping to get rid of doing it altogether, or thinking
that it will become less unpleasant, while you occupy your time upon
pleasant matters not really taxing. You should first do the work which
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must be done and which involves the vital interests of the cause, and
only take up the less important matters after the more essential are
accomplished. Punctuality and decision in the work and cause of God
are highly essential. Delays are virtually defeats. Minutes are golden
and should be improved to the very best account. Earthly relations and
personal interests should ever be secondary. Never should the cause
of God be left to suffer, in a single particular, because of our earthly
friends or dearest relatives.
“And He said to another, Follow Me. But he said, Lord, suffer
me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead
bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And
another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them