402
Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
must be learners; and when they show a marked success in the lesser
responsibilities, then they will be fitted to be entrusted with greater
ones. The different conferences are better off without such inefficient
workers. The burden of souls can no more rest upon men in their
state of unconsecration than upon babes. They are ignorant of vital
godliness and need a most thorough conversion before they can be
even Christians.
Brother A F needs a thorough drill in our college. His language
is defective. There is a coarseness and want of refinement in his
deportment; yet notwithstanding this, he is self-sufficient and entirely
deceived in regard to his ability. He has had no real faith in the
Testimonies of the Spirit of God. He has not carefully studied them
and practiced the truths brought out. While he has so little spirituality
he will not understand the value of the Testimonies nor their real object.
[441]
These young men read the Bible, but they have very little experience
in prayerful, earnest, humble searching of the Scriptures, that they
may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
There is great danger of encouraging a class of men to enter the
field who have no genuine burden for souls. They may be able to
interest the people and to engage in controversy, while they are by
no means men of thought, who will improve their ability and enlarge
their capacities. We have a dwarfed and defective ministry. Unless
Christ shall abide in the men who preach the truth, they will lower the
moral and religious standard wherever they are tolerated. One example
is given them, even Christ. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works.” In the Bible we have the
unerring counsel of God. Its teachings, practically carried out, will fit
men for any position of duty. It is the voice of God speaking every
day to the soul. How carefully should the young study the word of
God and treasure up its sentiments in the heart, that its precepts may
be made to govern the whole conduct. Our young ministers, and those
who have been some time preaching, show a marked deficiency in
their understanding of the Scriptures. The work of the Holy Spirit is to
enlighten the darkened understanding, to melt the selfish, stony heart,
to subdue the rebellious transgressor, and save him from the corrupting
influences of the world. The prayer of Christ for His disciples was: