Support of City Missions
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be said or done to discourage them. On the contrary, let their hands be
strengthened and their hearts encouraged.
There is enough wealth in your conference to carry forward this
work successfully; and shall the prince of darkness be left in undisputed
possession of our great cities because it costs something to sustain
missions? Let those who would follow Christ fully come up to the
work, even if it be over the heads of ministers and president. Those who
in such a work as this will say, “I pray thee have me excused,” should
beware lest they receive their discharge for time and for eternity. Let
Christians who love duty lift every ounce they can and then look to God
for further strength. He will work through the efforts of thoroughgoing
men and women and will do what they cannot do. New light and power
will be given them as they use what they have. New fervor and zeal
will stir the church as they see something accomplished.
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We rejoice in spirit as we contemplate what may be done; but we
blush before our Maker at the thought of the little that has been accom-
plished. Shepherds have neglected their God-given responsibilities;
they have become narrow and faithless, and have encouraged unpar-
donable cowardice, slothfulness, and covetousness. They have not
realized the magnitude and importance of the work. Men are wanted
whose eyes are anointed to see and understand heaven’s designs. Then
the standard of piety will be raised, and there will be real missionaries
who will be ready to sacrifice for the truth’s sake. There is no room in
the church of God for the selfish and ease-loving; but men and women
are called for who will make exertions to plant the standard of truth in
our large cities, in the great thoroughfares of travel.
A world is to be warned, and in humility we should work as God
has given us ability. Let every state come up to the work. What right
have those with narrow and unconsecrated ideas to say what their
conference will do and what it will not do? The-----mission will not
be left wholly to your state; but if your conference had a heart to work,
it could sustain two such missions and not feel the burden. Come,
brethren, arouse to action. Time lost through your unbelief and want
of courage is lost forever. Let the ministers act as though something
were to be done, and the largehearted men who love God and keep His
commandments will come up to the help of the Lord. In this way the
church will be disciplined for future efforts; for their beneficence is
never to cease.