Support of City Missions
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should encourage those under your charge to seek for higher spiritual
attainments, to live holier and purer lives. In your efforts to save souls
from perdition and to build up the church in truth and righteousness,
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you should use tact, wisdom, and the power that it is your privilege
to have through constant communion with God. God requires this
of you and of every other minister engaged in His work. You should
show your loyalty to your crucified Redeemer by acting as though you
realized that you have a solemn charge to present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus, wanting in nothing.
In your case very much more might have been accomplished by
holy living, by fervent prayer, and by a careful, painstaking discharge
of every duty. You might have done much by faithful warnings and
reproofs and by affectionate appeals. It is not brain power alone that
is needed, but heart power. The truth presented as it is in Jesus will
have an effect. You lack ardent, active home religion. Selfish interests
have clouded your mind and perverted your judgment, and the claims
of God have not been realized. You need to unburden your soul of
worldly cares and business, and to have an eye single to the glory of
God.
The eternal destiny of all is soon to be decided. From Illinois,
Wisconsin, Iowa, and other conferences scores of ministers should
go forth with burning zeal to proclaim the last message of warning.
And at such a time as this will the presidents of our conferences lie
back in the harness and refuse to draw the heavy load? Will they by
voice or pen exert an influence to discourage those who have a mind
to work? Any course on their part that would encourage indolence and
unbelief is criminal in the highest degree. They should encourage the
people to diligence in the cause of God, to make every exertion for
the salvation of souls; but they should never leave even the slightest
impression on their minds that they are sacrificing too much for the
cause of God, or that more is required of them than is reasonable. In
the heavenly warfare something must be ventured. Now is our time to
work, to encounter difficulties and dangers. The providence of God
says, “Go forward,” not back into Egypt; and instead of framing a
testimony to please the people, ministers should seek to arouse those
who are asleep.
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I discern in your letter, Elder M, a vein of unbelief, a lack of
judgment and discernment. Your position confirms the testimony I