Church and the Ministry
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disagreeable labor, as the leaders in this message experienced; that
times have changed; and that since there is now more means in the
cause of God, it is not necessary for them to place themselves in such
trying circumstances as many were called to meet in the rise of the
message.
But were there the same diligence and self-sacrifice manifest at the
present stage of the work as at its beginning, we should see a hundred
times more than is now accomplished.
If the work is to go forward on the high plane of action upon
which it started, there must be no falling off in moral resources. New
accessions of moral power must continually be made. If those now
entering the field as laborers feel that they may relax their efforts, that
self-denial and strict economy not only of means but of time are not
now essential, the work will retrograde. The workers at the present
time should have the same degree of piety, energy, and perseverance
that the leaders had.
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The work has been extended so that it now covers a large territory,
and the number of believers has increased. Still there is a great defi-
ciency, for a larger work might have been accomplished had the same
missionary spirit been manifested as in earlier days. Without this spirit
the laborer will only mar and deface the cause of God. The work is
really retrograding instead of advancing as God designs it should. Our
present numbers and the extent of our work are not to be compared
with what they were in the beginning. We should consider what might
have been done had every worker consecrated himself, in soul, body,
and spirit, to God as he should have done.
* * * * *
Our churches are to co-operate in the work of spiritual tilling, with
the hope of reaping by and by. There is much perversity to be met,
much thwarting of holy plans and consecrated effort, because of the
evil heart of unbelief. But the work must be done. The soil is stubborn,
but the fallow ground must be broken up, the seeds of righteousness
must be sown. Pause not, teachers beloved by God, as though doubtful
whether to prosecute a labor which will grow as performed. Fail not,
neither be discouraged. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. “We