Work of the Gospel Minister
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when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy there-of goeth and
selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” He tells men of treasure
beyond estimate, which is within the reach of all. He came to earth to
guide their minds in their search for this treasure. The way is marked
out; the very poorest who will follow Him will be made richer than the
most wealthy upon earth who know not Jesus, and they will be made
increasingly rich by sharing their happiness with others.
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay
up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” Those who
do this will meet with no loss. The treasure laid up in heaven is secure;
and it is put to our account, for Jesus said: “Lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven.” Men may sow here, but they reap in eternity.
It is this eternal treasure that ministers of Christ are to present
wherever they may go. They are to urge the people to become wise unto
salvation. They are not to allow world-loving, timeserving professed
believers to influence their course and weaken their faith. It is not their
mission to help individuals or churches to contrive how they can save
money by narrow plans and circumscribed efforts in the cause of God.
Instead of this they are to teach men how to work disinterestedly and
thus become rich toward God. They should educate minds to place the
right estimate on eternal things and to make the kingdom of heaven
first.
Calebs are wanted in these two fields. There must be in these con-
ferences, not children, but men who will move understandingly and
bear burdens, letting their voice be heard above the voices of the un-
faithful, who present objections, doubts, and criticism. Great interests
are not to be managed by children. An undeveloped Christian, dwarfed
in religious growth, destitute of wisdom from above, is unprepared
to meet the fierce conflicts through which the church is often called
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to pass. “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which
shall never hold their peace day nor night.” Unless the minister shall
fearlessly declare the whole truth, unless he shall have an eye single
to the glory of God and shall work under the direction of the great
Captain of his salvation, unless he shall move to the front, irrespective
of censure and uncontaminated by applause, he will be accounted an
unfaithful watchman.