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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
expend, item by item, their eyes will be opened to see the leaks. While
they may not be called upon to deprive themselves of warm meals, as
the early workers did in their itinerant life, they may learn to supply
their real wants with less expense than they now think necessary. There
are persons who practice self-denial in order to give means to the cause
of God; then let the workers in the cause also practice self-denial by
limiting their expenses as far as possible. It would be well for all our
workers to study the history of the Waldensian missionaries and to
imitate their example of sacrifice and self-denial.
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We have a grand work to do for the Master, to open the word of
God to those who are in the darkness of error. Young friends, act as
though you had a sacred charge. You should be Bible students, ever
ready to give to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is
in you. By your true Christian dignity give evidence that you know
you have a truth that it is for the interest of the people to hear. If this
truth is inwrought in the soul, it will manifest itself in the countenance
and demeanor, in a calm, noble self-possession and peace which the
Christian alone can possess.
Those who have genuine humility, and whose minds have been
expanded by the truths unfolded in the gospel, will have an influence
that will be felt. They will make an impression upon minds and hearts,
and they will be respected by the larger number, even of those who
have no sympathy with their faith. With the truths of the Bible and our
valuable papers they will have success, for the Lord will open the way
before them. But to urge our papers upon the people by means of gifts
and premiums does not have a permanent influence for good. If our
workers would go forth relying upon the truths of the Bible, with the
love of Christ and of souls in their hearts, they would accomplish more
in obtaining permanent subscribers than by depending upon premiums
or low prices. The prominence given to these inducements to take the
paper gives the impression that it cannot possess real merit in itself.
The results would be better if the paper were made prominent and the
money spent for premiums were reserved to distribute a few copies
free. When premiums are offered, some may be induced to take the
paper who otherwise would not, but others will refuse to subscribe
because they think it a speculation. If the canvasser would present the
merits of the paper itself, with his heart uplifted to God for success,
and would depend less upon premiums, more would be accomplished.