Workers in the Cause
645
ability should be encouraged to obtain the necessary education, that
they may be fitted to assist in spreading the light of truth. All who
are competent to do so should be led to engage in some branch of the
work according to their capabilities.
The solemn and momentous work for this time is not to be carried
forward to completion solely by the efforts of a few chosen men who
have heretofore borne the responsibilities in the cause. When those
whom God has called to aid in the accomplishment of a certain work
shall have carried it as far as they can, with the ability He has given
them, the Lord will not allow the work to stop at that stage. In His
providence He will call and qualify others to unite with the first, that
together they may advance still further, and lift the standard higher.
But there are some minds that do not grow with the work; instead of
adapting themselves to its increasing demands, they allow it to extend
far beyond them, and thus they find themselves unable to comprehend
or to meet the exigencies of the times. When men whom God is
qualifying to bear responsibilities in the cause take hold of it in a
slightly different way from that in which it has hitherto been conducted,
the older laborers should be careful that their course be not such as
to hinder these helpers or to circumscribe the work. Some may not
realize the importance of certain measures, simply because they do not
see the necessities of the work in all its bearings and do not themselves
feel the burden which God has specially laid upon other men. Those
who are not specially qualified to do a certain work should beware that
they do not stand in the way of others and prevent them from fulfilling
the purpose of God.
[723]
The case of David is to the point. He desired to build the temple of
the Lord, and gathered together rich stores of material for this purpose.
But the Lord told him that he was not to do that work; it must devolve
upon Solomon, his son. David’s large experience would enable him
to counsel Solomon and encourage him, but the younger man must
build the temple. The weary, worn minds of the older laborers may
not always see the greatness of the work, and they may not be inclined
to keep pace with the opening providence of God; therefore weighty
responsibilities should not rest wholly upon them. They might not
bring into the work all the elements essential to its advancement, hence
it would be retarded.