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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
position, whether they followed the plow, worked at the carpenter’s
trade, or enjoyed the discipline of a college; if God has accepted them,
let every man beware of casting the slightest reflection upon them.
Never speak disparagingly of any man, for he may be great in the sight
of the Lord, while those who feel great may be lightly esteemed of
God because of the perversity of their hearts. Our only safety is to lie
low at the foot of the cross, be little in our own eyes, and trust in God;
for He alone has power to make us great.
Our ministers are in danger of taking credit to themselves in the
work which they do. They think God is favoring them, and they become
independent and self-sufficient; then the Lord gives them up to the
buffetings of Satan. In order to do God’s work with acceptance, we
must have the spirit of meekness, of lowliness of mind, each esteeming
others better than himself. There is much at stake. The judgment
and ability of all are needed now. Every man’s work is of sufficient
importance to demand that it be performed with care and fidelity. One
man cannot do the work of all. Each has his respective place and his
special work, and each should realize that the manner in which his
work is done must stand the test of the judgment.
The work before us is important and extensive. The day of God is
hastening on, and all the workers in the Lord’s great field should be
men who are striving to become perfect, wanting in nothing, coming
behind in no gift, waiting for the appearing of the Son of man in
the clouds of heaven. Not one moment of our precious time should
be devoted to bringing others to conform to our personal ideas and
opinions. God would educate men engaged as colaborers in this
great work to the highest exercise of faith and the development of a
harmonious character.
Men have varied gifts, and some are better adapted to one branch
of the work than another. What one man would fail to do, his brother
minister may be strong to accomplish. The work of each in his position
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is important. One man’s mind is not to control another. If one man
stands up, feeling that no one shall influence him, that he has judgment
and ability to comprehend every branch of the work, that man will fail
of the grace of God.
My husband has experience and qualities that are valuable, if these
can be sanctified by the grace of Christ. God will make his labors
wholly acceptable if he will imitate the Pattern.