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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
let it be for His sake. Our divine Lord was made perfect through
suffering. Oh, when shall we see men laboring as He labored!
The word of God is our standard. Every act of love, every word
of kindness, every prayer in behalf of the suffering and oppressed, is
reported before the eternal throne and placed on heaven’s imperishable
record. The divine word pours light into the most darkened under-
standing, and that light makes the most cultivated feel their inefficiency
and sinfulness.
The enemy is buying souls today very cheap. “Ye have sold your-
selves for nought,” is the language of Scripture. One is selling his
soul for the world’s applause, another for money; one to gratify base
passions, another for worldly amusement. Such bargains are made
daily. Satan is bidding for the purchase of Christ’s blood and buying
them cheap, notwithstanding the infinite price which has been paid to
ransom them.
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Great blessings and privileges are ours. We may secure the most
valuable heavenly treasures. Let ministers and people remember that
gospel truth ruins if it does not save. The soul that refuses to listen to
the invitations of mercy from day to day can soon listen to the most
urgent appeals without an emotion stirring his soul.
As laborers with God we need more fervent piety and less self-
exaltation. The more self is exalted, the more will faith in the tes-
timonies of the Spirit of God be lessened. Those who are the most
closely connected with God are the ones who know His voice when
He speaks to them. Those who are spiritual discern spiritual things.
Such will feel grateful that the Lord has pointed out their errors, while
those who trust wholly in themselves will see less and less of God in
the testimonies of His Spirit.
Our work must be accompanied with deep humiliation, fasting, and
prayer. We must not expect all peace and joy. There will be sadness;
but if we sow in tears we shall reap in joy. Darkness and despondency
may at times enter the heart of the self-sacrificing ones; but this is not
against them. It may be God’s design to cause them to seek Him more
earnestly.
What we need now is Calebs, men who are faithful and true. Indo-
lence marks the lives of too many at the present day. They turn their
shoulders from the wheel just when they should persevere and bring
all their powers into active exercise. Ministers of Christ, “awake thou