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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
How much is required of the minister in his work of watching
for souls as they that must give an account! What devotion, what
singleness of purpose, what elevated piety, should be seen in his life
and character! How much is lost through a want of tact and skill in
presenting the truth to others, how much through a carelessness of
deportment, a roughness of speech, and a worldliness that in no way
represents Jesus or savors of heaven. Our work is about to close up.
Soon it will be said in heaven: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still:
and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous,
let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.” At
this solemn time the church is called upon to be vigilant because of the
intense activity of Satan. His agency is seen on every hand, and yet
ministers and people act as though they were ignorant of his devices
and paralyzed by his power. Let each member of the church awake.
Let each laborer remember that the vineyard he tills is not his own,
but belongs to his Lord, who has gone on a long journey and in His
absence has commissioned His servants to look after His interests; and
let him remember that if he is unfaithful to his trust he must give an
account to his Lord when He shall return.
While the doubting ones talk of impossibilities, while they tremble
at the thought of high walls and strong giants, let the faithful Calebs,
who have “another spirit,” come to the front. The truth of God, which
bringeth salvation, will go forth to the people if ministers and professed
believers will not hedge up its way, as did the unfaithful spies. Our
work is aggressive. Something must be done to warn the world; and let
no voice be heard that will encourage selfish interests to the neglect of
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missionary fields. We must engage in the work with heart and soul and
voice; both mental and physical powers must be aroused. All heaven
is interested in our work, and angels of God are ashamed of our weak
efforts.
I am alarmed at the indifference of our churches. Like Meroz, they
have failed to come up to the help of the Lord. The laymen have been
at ease. They have folded their hands, feeling that the responsibility
rested upon the ministers. But to every man God has appointed his
work; not work in his fields of corn and wheat, but earnest, persevering
work for the salvation of souls. God forbid, Elder M, that you or any
other minister should quench one particle of the spirit of labor that now
exists. Will you not rather stimulate it by your words of burning zeal?