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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
“Whosoever hath not [put to the best use his ability and means],
from him shall be taken away even that he hath.” Those who are too
indolent to realize their responsibilities and exercise their faculties
will fail of receiving the blessing of God, and the ability which they
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had will be taken away and given to the active, zealous workers who
increase their talents by constant use. “Seest thou a man diligent in his
business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean
men.” A person who diligently labors under the direction of the Spirit
of God will possess power and influence, for all may see in him a spirit
of untiring devotion to the cause of God in any department where duty
calls him.
All the hands in our offices should place themselves in the most fa-
vorable condition for the formation of good and correct habits. Several
times each day precious, golden moments should be consecrated to
prayer and the study of the Scriptures, if it is only to commit a text to
memory, that spiritual life may exist in the soul. The varied interests
of the cause furnish us with food for reflection and inspiration for our
prayers. Communion with God is highly essential for spiritual health,
and here only may be obtained that wisdom and correct judgment so
necessary in the performance of every duty.
The strength acquired in prayer to God, united with individual
effort in training the mind to thoughtfulness and care-taking, prepares
the person for daily duties and keeps the spirit in peace under all
circumstances, however trying. The temptations to which we are daily
exposed make prayer a necessity. In order that we may be kept by
the power of God through faith, the desires of the mind should be
continually ascending in silent prayer for help, for light, for strength,
for knowledge. But thought and prayer cannot take the place of earnest,
faithful improvement of the time. Work and prayer are both required
in perfecting Christian character.
We must live a twofold life—a life of thought and action, of silent
prayer and earnest work. All who have received the light of truth
should feel it their duty to shed rays of light upon the pathway of
the impenitent. They should be witnesses for Christ in our offices as
verily as in the church. God requires us to be living epistles, known
and read of all men. The soul that turns to God for its strength, its
support, its power, by daily, earnest prayer, will have noble aspirations,
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clear perceptions of truth and duty, lofty purposes of action, and a