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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
where God should lead, fully and sincerely complying with the condi-
tions on his part, and confident that the Lord would faithfully perform
His word. The patriarch went wherever God indicated his duty; he
passed through wildernesses without terror; he went among idolatrous
nations, with the one thought: “God has spoken; I am obeying His
voice; He will guide, He will protect me.”
Just such faith and confidence as Abraham had the messengers of
God need today. But many whom the Lord could use will not move
onward, hearing and obeying the one Voice above all others. The con-
nection with kindred and friends, the former habits and associations,
too often have so great an influence upon God’s servants that He can
give them but little instruction, can communicate to them but little
knowledge of His purposes; and often after a time He sets them aside
and calls others in their place, whom He proves and tests in the same
manner. The Lord would do much more for His servants if they were
wholly consecrated to Him, esteeming His service above the ties of
kindred and all other earthly associations.
Ministers of the gospel have a sacred work. They have a solemn
message of warning to bear to the world—a message which will be
a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. They are God’s mes-
sengers to man, and they should never lose sight of their mission or
of their responsibilities. They are not like worldlings; they cannot
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be like them. If they would be true to God they must maintain their
separate, holy character. If they cease to connect with heaven they
are in greater danger than others and can exert a stronger influence
in the wrong direction, for Satan has his eye constantly upon them,
waiting for some weakness to be developed whereby he may make a
successful attack. And how he triumphs when he succeeds; for when
one who is an ambassador for Christ is off his watch, through him the
great adversary may secure many souls to himself.
Those who closely connect with God may not be prosperous in
the things of this life; they may often be sorely tried and afflicted.
Joseph was maligned and persecuted because he preserved his virtue
and integrity. David, that chosen messenger of God, was hunted like
a beast of prey by his wicked enemies. Daniel was cast into a den
of lions because he was true and unyielding in his allegiance to God.
Job was deprived of his worldly possessions and so afflicted in body
that he was abhorred by his relatives and friends, yet he preserved his