Chapter 28—Faithfulness in the Work of God
There is precious talent in the churches in Oregon and Washington
Territory; and had it been developed by well-directed labor, there might
now be efficient workers in these conferences. A live church is always
a working church. The truth is a power, and those who see its force will
stand boldly and fearlessly in its defense. Truth must be apprehended
by the intellect, received into the heart, and its principles incorporated
into the character; and then there must be a constant effort to win
others to accept it, for God holds men responsible for the use they
make of the light He imparts to them.
The Lord calls upon all His people to improve the ability He has
given them. The mental powers should be developed to the utmost;
they should be strengthened and ennobled by dwelling upon spiritual
truths. If the mind is allowed to run almost entirely upon trifling things
and the common business of everyday life, it will, in accordance with
one of its unvarying laws, become weak and frivolous, and deficient in
spiritual power.
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Times that will try men’s souls are just before us, and those who
are weak in the faith will not stand the test of those days of peril. The
great truths of revelation are to be carefully studied, for we shall all
want an intelligent knowledge of the word of God. By Bible study and
daily communion with Jesus we shall gain clear, well-defined views
of individual responsibility and strength to stand in the day of trial and
temptation. He whose life is united to Christ by hidden links will be
kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
More thought should be given to the things of God, and less to
temporal matters. The world-loving professor, if he will exercise
his mind in that direction, may become as familiar with the word of
God as he now is with worldly business. “Search the Scriptures,”
said Christ; “for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are
they which testify of Me.” The Christian is required to be diligent
in searching the Scriptures, to read over and over again the truths of
God’s word. Willful ignorance on this subject endangers the Christian
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