Cause in Iowa
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brought out by other minds, and without study or earnest prayer meet
opponents and engage in contests, indulging in sharp speeches and
witticisms, flattering themselves that this is doing the work of a gospel
minister. In order to be fitted for God’s work, these men need as
thorough a conversion as Paul experienced. Ministers must be liv-
ing representatives of the truth they preach. They must have greater
spiritual life, characterized by greater simplicity. The words must be
received from God and given to the people. The attention of the people
must be arrested. Our message is a savor of life unto life or of death
unto death. The destinies of souls are balancing. “Multitudes are in
the valley of decision. A voice should be heard crying: If the Lord be
God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.”
Prompt, energetic, and earnest action may save an undecided soul.
[447]
No one can tell how much is lost by attempting to preach without the
unction of the Holy Spirit. There are souls in every congregation who
are hesitating, almost persuaded to be wholly for God. The decision is
being made for time and for eternity; but it is too often the case that
the minister has not the spirit and power of the message of truth in
his own heart, hence no direct appeals are made to those souls that
are trembling in the balance. The result is that impressions are not
deepened upon the hearts of the convicted ones, and they leave the
meeting feeling less inclined to accept the service of Christ than when
they came. They decide to wait for a more favorable opportunity, but
it never comes. That godless discourse, like Cain’s offering, lacked
the Saviour. The golden opportunity is lost, and the cases of these
souls are decided. Is not too much at stake to preach in an indifferent
manner and without feeling the burden of souls?
In this age of moral darkness it will take something more than dry
theory to move souls. Ministers must have a living connection with
God. They must preach as though they believed what they said. Living
truths, falling from the lips of the man of God, will cause sinners
to tremble and the convicted to cry out: “Jehovah is the God; I am
resolved to be wholly on the Lord’s side.” Never should the messenger
of God cease his strivings for greater light and power from above. He
should toil on, pray on, hope on, amid discouragement and darkness,
determined to gain a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures and to
come behind in no gift. As long as there is one soul to be benefited, he
should press forward with new courage at every effort. There is work,