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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
self-denial in appetite, or they will be a snare to the church. See if the
breath of life will not then come into our churches. A new element
needs to be brought into the work. God’s people must realize their
great need and peril, and take up the work that lies nearest them.
With those who engage in this work, speaking words in season and
out of season, helping the needy, telling them of the wonderful love of
Christ for them, the Saviour is always present, impressing the hearts
of the poor and miserable and wretched. When the church accepts
its God-given work, the promise is: “Then shall thy light break forth
as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy
righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy
rearward.” Christ is our righteousness; He goes before us in this work,
and the glory of the Lord follows.
All that heaven contains is awaiting the draft of every soul who
will labor in Christ’s lines. As the members of our churches individ-
ually take up their appointed work, they will be surrounded with an
entirely different atmosphere. A blessing and a power will attend their
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labors. They will experience a higher culture of mind and heart. The
selfishness that has bound up their souls will be overcome. Their faith
will be a living principle. Their prayers will be more fervent. The
quickening, sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit will be poured out
upon them, and they will be brought nearer to the kingdom of heaven.
* * * * *
The Saviour ignores both rank and caste, worldly honor and riches.
It is character and devotedness of purpose that are of high value with
Him. He does not take sides with the strong and worldly favored. He,
the Son of the living God, stoops to uplift the fallen. By pledges and
words of assurance He seeks to win to Himself the lost, perishing soul.
Angels of God are watching to see who of His followers will exercise
tender pity and sympathy. They are watching to see who of God’s
people will manifest the love of Jesus.
Those who realize the wretchedness of sin, and the divine com-
passion of Christ in His infinite sacrifice for fallen man, will have
communion with Christ. Their hearts will be full of tenderness; the
expression of the countenance and the tone of the voice will show
forth sympathy; their efforts will be characterized by earnest solici-