Our Aged Pioneer Workers
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make of none effect the message which in these last days must be
given in its purity to God’s remnant people.
Many of the tried servants of God have fallen asleep in Jesus. Let
the help of those who are left alive to this day be appreciated. Let
their testimony be valued. The good hand of the Lord has been with
these faithful workers. He will uphold them by His strong arm, saying:
“Lean on Me. I will be your strength and your exceeding great reward.”
Those who were in the message at its beginning, who fought bravely
when the battle went hard, must not lose their hold now.
The most tender interest should be cherished toward those whose
life interest is bound up with the work of God. Notwithstanding their
many infirmities, these workers still possess talents that qualify them
to stand in their lot and place. God desires them to occupy leading
positions in His work. They have stood faithful amidst storm and trial,
and are among our most valuable counselors. How thankful we should
be that they can still use their gifts in the Lord’s service!
Let not the fact be lost sight of that in the past these earnest
wrestlers sacrificed everything to advance the work. The fact that
they have grown old and gray in the service of God is no reason why
they should cease to exert an influence superior to the influence of
men who have far less knowledge of the work and far less experience
in divine things. Though worn and unable to bear the heavier burdens
that younger men can and should carry, their value as counselors is
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of the highest order. They have made mistakes, but they have learned
wisdom from their failures; they have learned to avoid errors and dan-
gers, and are they not then competent to give wise counsel? They have
borne test and trial, and, though they have lost some of their vigor, they
are not to be pushed aside by less-experienced workers, who know
very little about the labor and self-sacrifice of these pioneers. The
Lord does not thus lay them aside. He gives them special grace and
knowledge.
When John was old and gray-headed, he was given a message to
bear to the persecuted churches. The Jews made several attempts to
take his life, but the Lord said: “Let him live. I who created him will
be with him and will guard him.” Constantly this aged disciple bore
testimony for the Master. In beautiful language, with a musical voice,
speaking in a way that impressed the hearts of all who heard him, he
told of the words and works of Christ. He was sent as an exile to