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Testimonies for the Church Volume 7
The world watches to see what fruit is borne by professed Chris-
tians. It has a right to look for self-denial and self-sacrifice from those
who claim to believe advanced truth.
* * * * *
There have been, and will continue to be, among our workers those
who do not feel their need of Jesus at every step. They think they
cannot take time to pray and attend religious meetings. They have so
much to do that they cannot find time to keep their souls in the love
of God. When this is the case, Satan is on the ground to create vain
imaginations.
Workers who are not diligent and faithful do incalculable harm.
They set an example for others. In every institution there are some who
are rendering wholehearted, cheerful service; but will not the leaven
affect them? Shall the institution be left without some sincere examples
of Christian fidelity? When men claiming to be representatives of
Christ reveal that they are unconverted, their characters gross, selfish,
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impure, they should be separated from the work.
The workers need to realize the sacredness of the trust with which
the Lord has honored them. Impulsive motives, fitful actions, must
be put aside. Those who cannot distinguish between the sacred and
the common are not safe stewards of high responsibilities. When
tempted, they will betray their trust. Those who do not appreciate the
privileges and opportunities of a connection with the work of God will
not stand when the enemy presents his specious temptations. They are
easily misled by selfish, ambitious projects. If, after the light has been
presented to them, they still fail of distinguishing right from wrong,
the sooner they are disconnected from the institution, the purer and
more elevated will be the character of the work.
* * * * *
No one should be retained in any one of the Lord’s institutions
who in a crisis fails of realizing that His instrumentalities are sacred.
If workers have no relish for the truth; if their connection with the
institution makes them no better, brings to them no love for the truth,
then, after sufficient trial, separate them from the work; for their