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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. He should be
taught repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thus will the labor of Christ’s representative be in harmony with His
work in the heavenly sanctuary.
Ministers would reach many more hearts if they would dwell more
upon practical godliness. Frequently, when efforts are made to intro-
duce the truth into new fields, the labor is almost entirely theoretical.
The people are unsettled. They see the force of truth and are anxious
to obtain a sure foundation. When their feelings are softened is the
time, above all others, to urge the religion of Christ home upon the
conscience; but too often the course of lectures has been allowed to
close without that work being done for the people which they needed.
That effort was too much like the offering of Cain; it had not the sacri-
ficial blood to make it acceptable to God. Cain was right in making an
offering, but he left out all that made it of any value—the blood of the
atonement.
It is a sad fact that the reason why many dwell so much on theory
and so little on practical godliness is that Christ is not abiding in their
hearts. They do not have a living connection with God. Many souls
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decide in favor of the truth from the weight of evidence, without being
converted. Practical discourses were not given in connection with the
doctrinal, that as the hearers should see the beautiful chain of truth they
might fall in love with its Author and be sanctified through obedience.
The minister’s work is not done until he has urged home upon his
hearers the necessity of a change of character in accordance with the
pure principles of the truth which they have received.
A formal religion is to be dreaded, for in it is no Saviour. Plain,
close, searching, practical discourses were given by Christ. His am-
bassadors should follow His example in every discourse. Christ and
His Father were one; in all the Father’s requirements Christ cheerfully
acquiesced. He had the mind of God. The Redeemer was the perfect
Pattern. Jehovah was manifested in Him. Heaven was enshrined in
humanity, and humanity enclosed in the bosom of Infinite Love. If
ministers will in meekness sit at the feet of Jesus, they will soon obtain
right views of God’s character and will be able to teach others also.
Some enter the ministry without deep love to God or to their fellow
men. Selfishness and self-indulgence will be manifested in the lives of
such; and while these unconsecrated, unfaithful watchmen are serving