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Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
may hope that its influence will leaven the churches throughout all the
conferences, many of whom are now standing as if paralyzed.
The institutions which God has established as centers of influ-
ence for the dissemination of light are not blending their interests and
working together as God would have them. The managers of these
institutions should know that their very first work is to harmonize with
their fellow workers. Our ministers must awake to understand the
situation. The gospel is the sanctifying influence in our world. Its
influence upon hearts will bring harmony. The standard of truth is to
be uplifted and the atonement of Christ presented as the grand, central
theme for consideration.
The medical missionary work is to be to the work of the church as
the right arm to the body. The third angel goes forth proclaiming the
commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The medical missionary
work is the gospel in practice. All lines of work are to be harmoniously
blended in giving the invitation: “Come; for all things are now ready.”
To those in Battle Creek has been given the message that many
should move into places where they may engage in this very work
in connection with their temporal business. Had they moved out by
faith, willing to endure wearing labor and privation for the work’s
sake, they would have obtained a rich experience in the things of God.
But they thought that they would find things a little more convenient in
Battle Creek, that the work there would be less taxing than elsewhere,
and therefore they remained. Many who crowd into Battle Creek get
no good there because they do not make use of the knowledge they
receive. They do no good in Battle Creek, but are swelling the number
who need conversion. They have not the spirit of sacrifice. They have
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much of self and a little of Christ, a little faith and a few good works.
They think that they have religion, but it all amounts to nothing.
God speaks to you in His word, saying: “Forasmuch as this people
draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor Me, but
have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is
taught by the precept of men: therefore, behold, I will proceed to do
a marvelous work among this people, even a marvelous work and
a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the
understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.”
“In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes
of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness. The meek