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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
curiosity, also pressed as near as possible. Something more than usual
was expected. Eager faces and listening attitudes gave evidence of the
deep interest. The attention of all seemed riveted upon the speaker.
His eyes were lighted up with unutterable love, and the heavenly
expression upon His countenance gave meaning to every word uttered.
Angels of heaven were in that listening throng. There, too, was the
adversary of souls with his evil angels, prepared to counteract, as far
as possible, the influence of the heavenly Teacher. The truths there
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uttered have come down through the ages and have been a light amid
the general darkness of error. Many have found in them that which
the soul most needed—a sure foundation of faith and practice. But in
these words spoken by the greatest Teacher the world has ever known
there is no parade of human eloquence. The language is plain, and the
thoughts and sentiments are marked with the greatest simplicity. The
poor, the unlearned, the most simple-minded, can understand them.
The Lord of heaven was in mercy and kindness addressing the souls
He came to save. He taught them as one having authority, speaking
the words of eternal life.
All should copy the Pattern as closely as possible. While they
cannot possess the consciousness of power which Jesus had, they can
so connect with the Source of strength that Jesus can abide in them
and they in Him, and so His spirit and His power will be revealed in
them.
“Walk in the light, as He is in the light.” It is earthliness and
selfishness that separate from God. The messages from heaven are of
a character to arouse opposition. The faithful witnesses for Christ and
the truth will reprove sin. Their words will be like a hammer to break
the flinty heart, like a fire to consume the dross. There is constant need
of earnest, decided messages of warning. God will have men who are
true to duty. At the right time He sends His faithful messengers to do
a work similar to that of Elijah.
Ministers as Educators
The state of things in-----is a matter of deep regret. That which the
Lord has been pleased to present before me has been of a character to
give me pain. Whoever shall labor here or in-----hereafter will have
uphill work and must carry a heavy load because the work has not