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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
instrumentalities; they are to give all their powers and efficiency to
magnifying the work of God’s commandment-keeping people. Those
who in their human wisdom try to conceal the peculiar characteristics
that distinguish God’s people from the world will lose their spiritual
life and will no longer be upheld by His power.
[251]
Our medical workers should never entertain the idea that it is
essential to make an appearance of being wealthy. There will be a
strong temptation to do this with the thought that it will give influence.
But I am instructed to say that it will have the opposite effect.
All who seek to uplift themselves by conforming to the world set
an example that is misleading. God recognizes as His those only who
practice the self-denial and sacrifice which He has enjoined. Physicians
are to understand that their power lies in their meekness and lowliness
of heart. God will honor those who make Him their dependence.
The style of a physician’s dress, his equipage, his furniture, count
not one jot with God. He cannot work by His Holy Spirit with those
who try to compete with the world in dress and display. He who
follows Christ must deny himself and take up the cross.
The physician who loves and fears God will need to make no
outward display in order to distinguish himself; for the Sun of Righ-
teousness is shining in his heart and is revealed in his life, and this
gives him distinction. Those who work in Christ’s lines will be living
epistles, known and read of all men. Through their example and influ-
ence men of wealth and talent will be turned from the cheapness of
material things to lay hold on eternal realities. The greatest respect
will ever be shown to the physician who reveals that he receives his
directions from God. Nothing will work so powerfully for the ad-
vancement of God’s instrumentality as for those connected with it to
stand steadfast as His faithful servants.
The physician will find that it is for his present and eternal good
to follow the Lord’s ways of working. The mind that God has made
He can mold without the power of man, but He honors men by asking
them to co-operate with Him in His great work.
[252]
Many regard their own wisdom as sufficient, and they arrange
things according to their judgment, thinking to bring about wonderful
results. But if they would depend on God, and not on themselves,
they would receive heavenly wisdom. Those who are so engrossed
with their work that they cannot find time to press their way to the