Support of City Missions
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The Lord has made us the depositaries of His law; He has committed
to us sacred and eternal truth, which is to be given to others in faithful
warnings, reproofs, and encouragement. By means of railroads and
steamboat lines we are connected with every part of the world and
given access to every nation with our message of truth. Let us sow the
seed of gospel truth beside all waters; for we know not which shall
prosper, this or that, or whether both shall be alike fruitful. Paul may
plant, and Apollos water; but it is God who giveth the increase.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Do not put your
light under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that it may give light to
all that are in the house. “Ye are not your own; for ye are bought
with a price,” even the precious blood of the Son of God. We have
no right to live to ourselves. Every minister should be a consecrated
missionary; every layman a worker, using his talents of influence and
means in his Lord’s service; for active benevolence is a vital principle
of Christianity. It is the exercise of this principle that is to bring
sheaves to the Lord of the harvest, while a want of it hinders the work
of God and bars the way for the salvation of souls.
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Ministers have neglected to enforce gospel beneficence. The sub-
ject of tithes and offerings has not been dwelt upon as it should have
been. Men are not naturally inclined to be benevolent, but to be sordid
and avaricious, and to live for self. And Satan is ever ready to present
the advantages to be gained by using all their means for selfish, worldly
purposes; he is glad when he can influence them to shirk duty and
rob God in tithes and offerings. But not one is excused in this matter.
“Let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.”
The poor and the rich, the young men and the young women who earn
wages—all are to lay by a portion; for God claims it. The spiritual
prosperity of every member of the church depends on personal effort
and strict fidelity to God. Says the apostle Paul: “Charge them that are
rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain
riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute,
willing to communicate; laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal
life.” All are required to show a deep interest in the cause of God in its
various branches, and close and unexpected tests will be brought to