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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
some mighty miracle-working power the church shall be aroused to
life and activity. If we would be wise, and use diligently, prayerfully,
and thankfully the means whereby light and blessing are to come to
God’s people, then no power upon earth would be able to withhold
these gifts from us. But if we refuse God’s means we need not look
for Him to work a miracle to give us light and vigor and power, for
this will never be done.
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The Lord has shown me that men in responsible positions are
standing directly in the way of His work because they think the work
must be done and the blessing must come in a certain way, and they will
not recognize that which comes in any other way. My brethren, may
the Lord place this matter before you as it is. God does not work as men
plan, or as they wish; He “moves in a mysterious way His wonders to
perform.” Why reject the Lord’s methods of working, because they do
not coincide with our ideas? God has His appointed channels of light,
but these are not necessarily the minds of any particular set of men.
When all shall take their appointed place in God’s work, earnestly
seeking wisdom and guidance from Him, then a great advance will
have been made toward letting light shine upon the world. When men
shall cease to place themselves in the way, God will work among us
as never before.
While extensive plans should be laid, great care must be taken that
the work in each branch of the cause be harmoniously united with
that in every other branch, thus making a perfect whole. But too often
it has been the reverse of this; and, as the result, the work has been
defective. One man who has the oversight of a certain branch of the
work magnifies his responsibilities until, in his estimation, that one
department is above every other. When this narrow view is taken, a
strong influence is exerted to lead others to see the matter in the same
light. This is human nature, but it is not the spirit of Christ. Just in
proportion as this policy is followed, Christ is crowded out of the work,
and self appears prominent.
The principles that should actuate us as workers in God’s cause are
laid down by the apostle Paul. He says: “We are laborers together with
God.” “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto
men.” And Peter exhorts the believers: “As every man hath received
the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards
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of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as