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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
divine instruction often fail to receive it because they do not place
themselves in communication with heaven. Satan is ever seeking to
impress and control the mind, and none of us are safe except as we
have a constant connection with God. We must momentarily receive
supplies from heaven, and if we would be kept by the power of God
we must be obedient to all His requirements.
The condition of your bearing fruit is that you abide in the living
Vine. “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in
Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I
in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do
nothing. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is
withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they
are burned.”
All your good purposes and good intentions will not enable you
to withstand the test of temptation. You must be men of prayer. Your
petitions must be not faint, occasional, and fitful, but earnest, perse-
vering, and constant. It is not necessary to be alone, or to bow upon
your knees, to pray; but in the midst of your labor your souls may be
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often uplifted to God, taking hold upon His strength; then you will be
men of high and holy purpose, of noble integrity, who will not for any
consideration be swayed from truth, right, and justice.
You are pressed with urgent cares, burdens, and duties; but the
greater the pressure upon you, and the heavier the burdens you have to
bear, the greater your need of divine aid. Jesus will be your helper You
need constantly the light of life to lighten your own pathway, and then
its divine rays will reflect upon others. The work of God is a perfect
whole, because perfect in all its parts. It is the conscientious attention
to what the world calls little things that makes the great beauty and
success of life. Little deeds of charity, little words of kindness, little
acts of self-denial, a wise improvement of little opportunities, a diligent
cultivation of little talents, make great men in God’s sight. If those
little things be faithfully attended to, if these graces be in you, and
abound, they will make you perfect in every good work.
It is not enough to be willing to give liberally of your means to
the cause of God. He calls for an unreserved consecration of all your
powers. Withholding yourselves has been the mistake of your life.
You may think it very difficult in your position to maintain a close