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only in his profession, but in trade, in all his business relations. He
does his work with fidelity, knowing that the eye of God is upon him.
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In the church his voice is not silent. He has words of gratitude and
encouragement to utter; for he is a growing Christian, with a fresh
experience every day. He is a helpful, active worker in the church,
laboring for the glory of God and the salvation of his fellow men. He
would feel condemned and guilty before God were he to neglect to
attend public worship, thus failing to improve the privileges that would
enable him to do better and more effective service in the cause of truth.
God is not glorified when influential men make themselves mere
businessmen, ignoring their eternal interests, that are so much more
enduring, so much more noble and elevated, than the temporal. Where
should the greatest tact and skill be exercised, if not upon those things
that are imperishable, as enduring as eternity? Brethren, develop your
talent in the direction of serving the Lord; manifest as much tact and
ability in working for the upbuilding of the cause of Christ as you do
in worldly enterprises.
There is, I am sorry to say, a great want of earnestness and interest
in spiritual things on the part of the heads of many families. There
are some who are seldom found in the house of worship. They make
one excuse, then another, and still another, for their absence; but the
real reason is that their hearts are not religiously inclined. A spirit of
devotion is not cultivated in the family. The children are not brought
up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. These men are not what
God would have them. They have no living connection with Him; they
are purely businessmen. They have not a conciliatory spirit; there is
such a lack of meekness, kindness, and courtesy in their deportment
that their motives are misconstrued, and the good they really do possess
is evil spoken of. If they could realize how offensive their course is in
the sight of God, they would make a change.
The work of God should be carried forward by men who have a
daily, living experience in the religion of Christ. “Without Me,” says
Christ, “ye can do nothing.” None of us are beyond the power of temp-
tation. All who are connected with our institutions, our conferences,
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and our missionary enterprises may ever have the assurance that they
have a powerful foe, whose constant aim is to separate them from
Christ, their strength. The more responsible the position they occupy,
the more fierce will be Satan’s attacks; for he knows that if he can