Workers in the Cause
647
There are great laws that govern the world of nature, and spiritual
things are controlled by principles equally certain. The means for an
end must be employed if the desired results are to be attained. God
has appointed to every man his work according to his ability. It is by
education and practice that persons are to be qualified to meet any
emergency which may arise, and wise planning is needed to place each
one in his proper sphere, that he may obtain an experience which will
fit him to bear responsibility.
But while education, training, and the counsel of those of experi-
ence are all essential, the workers should be taught that they are not
to rely wholly upon any man’s judgment. As God’s free agents, all
should ask wisdom of Him. When the learner depends wholly upon
another’s thoughts, and goes no further than to accept his plans, he sees
only through that man’s eyes and is, so far, only an echo of another.
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God deals with men as responsible beings. He will work by His Spirit
through the mind He has put in man, if man will only give Him a
chance to work and will recognize His dealings. He designs that each
shall use his mind and conscience for himself. He does not intend that
one man shall become the shadow of another, uttering only another’s
sentiments.
All should love their brethren and respect and esteem their leaders,
but they should not make them their burden bearers. We are not to
pour all our difficulties and perplexities into the minds of others, to
wear them out. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that
giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given
him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.” Jesus invites us:
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give
you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is
easy, and My burden is light.”
The foundation of Christianity is Christ our righteousness. Men are
individually accountable to God, and each must act as God moves upon
him, not as he is moved by the mind of another; for if this manner of
labor is pursued, souls cannot be impressed and directed by the Spirit
of the great I am. They will be kept under a restraint which allows no
freedom of action or of choice.
It is not the will of God that His people in Battle Creek should
remain in their present condition of coldness and inaction until by