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Counsels for the Church
all were brought to the ground, the building went together without
the sound of ax or hammer. This building represents God’s spiritual
temple, which is composed of material gathered out of every nation,
and tongue, and people, of all grades, high and low, rich and poor,
learned and unlearned. These are not dead substances to be fitted by
hammer and chisel. They are living stones, quarried out from the world
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by the truth; and the great Master Builder, the Lord of the temple, is
now hewing and polishing them, and fitting them for their respective
places in the spiritual temple. When completed, this temple will be
perfect in all its parts, the admiration of angels and of men; for its
Builder and Maker is God. Let no one think that there need not be a
stroke placed upon him.
There is no person, no nation, that is perfect in every habit and
thought. One must learn of another. Therefore God wants the different
nationalities to mingle together, to be one in judgment, one in purpose.
Then the union that there is in Christ will be exemplified.
I was almost afraid to come to this country because I heard so
many say that the different nationalities of Europe were peculiar and
had to be reached in a certain way. But the wisdom of God is promised
to those who feel their need and who ask for it. God can bring the
people where they will receive the truth. Let the Lord take possession
of the mind and mold it as the clay is molded in the hands of the potter,
and these differences will not exist. Look to Jesus, brethren; copy His
manners and spirit, and you will have no trouble in reaching these
different classes.
We have not six patterns to follow, nor five; we have only one,
and that is Christ Jesus. If the Italian brethren, the French brethren,
and the German brethren try to be like Him, they will plant their feet
upon the same foundation of truth; the same spirit that dwells in one
will dwell in the other—Christ in them, the hope of glory. I warn
you, brethren and sisters, not to build up a wall of partition between
different nationalities. On the contrary, seek to break it down wherever
it exists. We should endeavor to bring all into the harmony that there is
in Jesus, laboring for the one object, the salvation of our fellow men.
Will you, my ministering brethren, grasp the rich promises of God?
Will you put self out of sight and let Jesus appear? Self must die before
God can work through you. I feel alarmed as I see self cropping out
in one and another here and there. I tell you, in the name of Jesus