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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
Let every succeeding day be made the most important day of labor.
That day, that evening, may be the only opportunity which some soul
may have to hear the warning message. Keep this ever in mind.
When ministers allow themselves to be called away from their
work to visit the churches, not only do they exhaust their physical
strength, but they rob themselves of the time needed for study and
prayer and for silence before God in self-examination. Thus they are
unfitted to do the work when and where it should be done.
There is nothing more needed in the work than the practical results
of communion with God. We should show by our daily lives that
we have peace and rest in God. His peace in the heart will shine
forth in the countenance. It will give to the voice a persuasive power.
Communion with God will impart a moral elevation to the character
and to the entire course of action. Men will take knowledge of us, as
of the first disciples, that we have been with Jesus. This will impart
to the minister’s labors a power even greater than that which comes
from the influence of his preaching. Of this power he must not allow
himself to be deprived. Communion with God through prayer and the
study of His word must not be neglected, for here is the source of his
strength. No work for the church should take precedence of this.
We have too slight a hold upon God and upon eternal realities. If
men will walk with God, He will hide them in the cleft of the Rock.
Thus hidden, they can see God, even as Moses saw Him. With the
power and light that God imparts, they can comprehend more and
accomplish more than they had before deemed possible.
More ability, tact, and wisdom are needed in presenting the word
and feeding the flock of God than many suppose. A dry, lifeless pre-
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sentation of the truth belittles the most sacred message that God has
given to men.
Those who teach the word must themselves live in hourly contact,
in conscious, living communion with God. The principles of truth and
righteousness and mercy must be within them. They must draw from
the Fountain of all wisdom moral and intellectual power. Their hearts
must be alive with the deep movings of the Spirit of God.
The source of all power is limitless; and if in your great need
you seek for the Holy Spirit to work upon your own soul, if you shut
yourself in with God, be assured that you will not come before the
people dry and spiritless. Praying much and beholding Jesus, you