Chapter 22—Calls for Laborers
A spirit of worldliness and selfishness has deprived the church of
many a blessing. We have no right to suppose an arbitrary withholding
from the church of the divine light and power, to account for its limited
usefulness. The measure of success which in the past has followed
well-directed effort contradicts such an idea. Success has ever been
granted proportionate to the labor performed. It is the limitation of
labors and sacrifices alone which has restricted the usefulness of the
church. The missionary spirit is feeble; devotion is weak; selfishness
and cupidity, covetousness and fraud, exist in its members.
Does not God care for these things? Can He not read the intents
and purposes of the heart? Earnest, fervent, contrite prayer would
open to them the windows of heaven and bring down showers of grace.
A clear, steady view of the cross of Christ would counteract their
worldliness and fill their souls with humility, penitence, and gratitude.
They would then feel that they are not their own, but that they are the
purchase of Christ’s blood.
A deadly spiritual malady is upon the church. Its members are
wounded by Satan; but they will not look to the cross of Christ, as
the Israelites looked to the brazen serpent, that they may live. The
world has so many claims upon them that they have not time to look
to the cross of Calvary long enough to see its glory or to feel its power.
When they now and then catch a glimpse of the self-denial and self-
dedication which the truth demands, it is unwelcome, and they turn
their attention in another direction, that they may the sooner forget it.
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The Lord cannot make His people useful and efficient while they are
not careful to comply with the conditions He has laid down.
Great demands are everywhere made for the light which God has
given to His people; but these calls are for the most part in vain. Who
feels the burden of consecrating himself to God and to His work?
Where are the young men who are qualifying themselves to answer
these calls? Vast territories are opened before us where the light
of truth has never penetrated. Whichever way we look we see rich
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