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they have souls to be saved or not. They have neither faith in God
nor confidence in man. But they can understand and appreciate acts
of practical sympathy and helpfulness. As they see one with no in-
ducement of earthly praise or compensation come into their wretched
homes, ministering to the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked,
and tenderly pointing all to Him of whose love and pity the human
worker is but the messenger—as they see this, their hearts are touched.
Gratitude springs up. Faith is kindled. They see that God cares for
them, and they are prepared to listen as His word is opened.
In this work of restoration much painstaking effort will be required.
No startling communications of strange doctrines should be made to
these souls; but as they are helped physically, the truth for this time
should be presented. Men and women and youth need to see the law
of God with its far-reaching requirements. It is not hardship, toil, or
poverty that degrades humanity; it is sin, the transgression of God’s
law. The efforts put forth to rescue the outcast and degraded will be of
no avail unless the claims of the law of God and the need of loyalty
to Him are impressed on mind and heart. God has enjoined nothing
that is not necessary to bind up humanity with Him. “The law of the
Lord is perfect, converting the soul.... The commandment of the Lord
is pure, enlightening the eyes.” “By the word of Thy lips,” says the
[260]
psalmist, I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.”
Psalm 19:7,
8
;
17:4
.
Angels are helping in this work to restore the fallen and bring
them back to the One who has given His life to redeem them, and the
Holy Spirit is co-operating with the ministry of human agencies to
arouse the moral powers by working on the heart, reproving of sin, of
righteousness, and of judgment.
As God’s children devote themselves to this work, many will lay
hold of the hand stretched out to save them. They are constrained to
turn from their evil ways. Some of the rescued ones may, through
faith in Christ, rise to high places of service and be entrusted with
responsibilities in the work of saving souls. They know by experience
the necessities of those for whom they labor, and they know how to
help them; they know what means can best be used to recover the
perishing. They are filled with gratitude to God for the blessings they
have received; their hearts are quickened by love, and their energies
are strengthened to lift up others who can never rise without help.