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of glory. There are but few who are as faithful in the service of God as
they are in serving their own temporal interests. A resolute purpose
is sure to accomplish the desired end. Many do not feel that it is
essential to be as discriminating, apt, and accomplished in the work of
God as in their own temporal business. The mind and heart of those
who profess to believe the truth should be elevated, refined, ennobled,
and spiritualized. The work of educating the mind for this great and
important matter is fearfully neglected. The work of God is done
negligently, slothfully, and in a most bungling manner, because so
often left to the caprice of feeling, rather than to sanctified principle
and holy purpose.
There is the greatest necessity that men and women who have a
knowledge of the will of God should learn to become successful work-
ers in His cause. They should be persons of polish, of understanding,
not having the deceptive outside gloss and simpering affectation of
the worldling, but that refinement and true courteousness which savors
of heaven, and which every Christian will have if he is a partaker of
the divine nature. The lack of true dignity and Christian refinement in
the ranks of Sabbathkeepers is against us as a people and makes the
truth which we profess unsavory. The work of educating the mind and
manners may be carried forward to perfection. If those who profess
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the truth do not now improve their privileges and opportunities to grow
up to the full stature of men and women in Christ Jesus, they will be
no honor to the cause of truth, no honor to Christ.
If you, my brother, had studied the Holy Scriptures as faithfully as
you have watched to get gain, you would now be an able man in the
word of God and able also to teach others. It is your own fault that
you are not qualified to teach the truth to others. You have not been
cultivating that set of faculties which will make you an intelligent,
successful, spiritual worker for your Master. Such traits of character as
acquisitiveness and shrewdness in worldly dealing have been exercised
so much that your mind has been largely developed in the direction of
buying and selling, and getting the best end of the bargain. Instead of
establishing yourself in the confidence of your brethren and sisters and
friends as a man who possesses true nobility of character, elevating
you above all smallness and avariciousness, you make them afraid of
you. Your religious faith has been used to secure the confidence of
your brethren that you might practice your sharp dealing and make a