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chief interest. You have cherished an independence that could not
be maintained if you realized your true position—that you are an
apprentice, learning how to work in the very best manner for the
prosperity of God’s cause; that you are a scholar, seeking to obtain
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knowledge concerning that with which you are unacquainted. You
could have made much greater progress had you earnestly tried to
serve God as an efficient worker.
You have been too reserved. You have not come into close relation
with men engaged in the different departments of the work; you have
not consulted with them as familiarly as you should to move under-
standingly. Had you done this you might have been a more efficient
helper. You have moved too much according to your own judgment
and carried out your own ideas and plans. There has been a lack of
harmonious connection between the workers. Those who might have
helped you have been reluctant to impart their knowledge to you on
account of this lack of familiarity on your part, and also because you
move so much from impulse and feeling that they have dreaded to
approach you.
The Saviour of the world was the adored of angels, He was a prince
in the royal courts of heaven; but He laid aside His glory and clothed
His divinity with humanity. He became the meek and lowly Jesus. He
left His riches and glory in heaven and became poor that we, through
His poverty, might be made rich. Three years He journeyed from
place to place, a homeless wanderer. But selfish men will repine and
murmur if called to leave their little earthly treasure for Christ’s sake,
or to labor in the work of saving souls for whom He gave His precious
life. Oh, what ingratitude! No one can appreciate the blessings of
redemption unless he feels that he can joyfully afford to make any and
every sacrifice for the love of Christ. Every sacrifice made for Christ
enriches the giver, and every suffering and privation endured for His
dear sake increases the overcomer’s final joy in heaven.
You know but little of real sacrifice and genuine denial of self.
You have had but little experience in hardships and taxation of your
energies. Your burden has been light, while others have been loaded
down with serious responsibilities. The young man who asked Jesus
what he should do that he might have eternal life was answered: “Keep
the commandments.” He confidently and proudly replied: “All these
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things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Jesus looked