Faithful Workers
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down reproach upon their own heads, and instead of courageously
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meeting these things, they throw the burden upon another and let him
meet the difficulties which they have shunned and in too many cases
the one who uses plain speech is made the great offender.
Brethren, I entreat you to move with an eye single to the glory
of God. Let His power be your dependence, His grace your strength.
By study of the Scriptures and earnest prayer seek to obtain clear
conceptions of your duty, and then faithfully perform it. It is essential
that you cultivate faithfulness in little things, and in so doing you
will acquire habits of integrity in greater responsibilities. The little
incidents of everyday life often pass without our notice, but it is these
things that shape the character. Every event of life is great for good
or for evil. The mind needs to be trained by daily tests, that it may
acquire power to stand in any difficult position. In the days of trial
and of peril you will need to be fortified to stand firmly for the right,
independent of every opposing influence.
God is willing to do much for you, if you will only feel your need of
Him. Jesus loves you. Ever seek to walk in the light of God’s wisdom,
and through all the changing scenes of life do not rest unless you know
that your will is in harmony with the will of your Creator. Through
faith in Him you may obtain strength to resist every temptation of
Satan and thus increase in moral power with every test from God.
You may become men of responsibility and influence if, by the
power of your will, united with divine strength, you earnestly engage
in the work. Exercise the mental powers, and in no case neglect the
physical. Let not intellectual slothfulness close up your path to greater
knowledge. Learn to reflect as well as to study, that your minds may
expand, strengthen, and develop. Never think that you have learned
enough and that you may now relax your efforts. The cultivated mind
is the measure of the man. Your education should continue during your
lifetime; every day you should be learning and putting to practical use
the knowledge gained.
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You are rising in true dignity and moral worth as you practice
virtue and cherish uprightness in heart and life. Let not your character
be affected by a taint of the leprosy of selfishness. A noble soul, united
with a cultivated intellect, will make you men whom God will use in
positions of sacred trust.