Warnings and Admonitions
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their study and their guide in deciding what is the highest and best in
all cases. The one faultless character, the perfect Pattern set before
them in the gospel, should be studied with deepest interest. The one
lesson most essential for them to learn is that goodness alone gives true
greatness. May God deliver us from the philosophy of worldly-wise
men. Their only hope is in becoming fools, that they may be wise
indeed.
The weakest follower of Christ has entered into alliance with in-
finite power. In many cases God can do little with men of learning
because they feel no need of leaning upon Him who is the Source of all
wisdom; therefore, after a trial, He sets them aside for men of inferior
talent who have learned to rely upon Him, whose souls are fortified
by goodness, truth, and unwavering fidelity, and who will not stoop to
anything that will leave a stain upon the conscience.
Brethren, if you connect your souls with God by living faith, He
will make you men of power. If you trust to your own strength and
wisdom, you will surely fail. It is not pleasing to God that you take
so little interest in religious service. You are representative men, and
as such, you exert a wider influence than persons in less prominent
positions. You should ever seek first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness. You should be active, interested workers in the church,
cultivating your religious faculties, and keeping your own souls in the
love of God. The Lord has claims upon you in this matter that you
cannot lightly disregard; you must either grow in grace or be dwarfed
and crippled in spiritual things. It is not only your privilege but your
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duty to bear testimony for Christ when and where you can; and by
exercising the mind in this way, you will cultivate a love for sacred
things.
We are in danger of regarding Christ’s ministers simply as men,
not recognizing them as representatives of Him. All personal con-
siderations should be laid aside; we must listen for the word of God
through His ambassadors. Christ is ever sending messages to those
who listen for His voice. On the night of our Saviour’s agony in the
Garden of Gethsemane the sleeping disciples heard not the voice of
Jesus; they had a dim sense of the angel’s presence, but lost the power
and glory of the scene by drowsiness and stupor, and thus failed to
receive the evidence which would have strengthened their souls for
the terrible scenes before them. Thus the very men who most need