Pioneer Work
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missionary, and his medical skill opened the way for the gospel to
reach many hearts.
The Example of Christ
The divine commission needs no reform. Christ’s way of present-
ing truth cannot be improved upon. The Saviour gave the disciples
practical lessons, teaching them how to work in such a way as to
make souls glad in the truth. He sympathized with the weary, the
heavy-laden, the oppressed. He fed the hungry and healed the sick.
Constantly He went about doing good. By the good He accomplished,
by His loving words and kindly deeds, He interpreted the gospel to
men.
Brief as was the period of His public ministry, He accomplished
the work He came to do. How impressive were the truths He taught!
How complete His lifework! What spiritual food He daily imparted as
He presented the bread of life to thousands of hungry souls! His life
was a living ministry of the word. He promised nothing that He did
not perform.
The words of life were presented in such simplicity that a child
could understand them. Men, women, and children were so impressed
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with His manner of explaining the Scriptures that they would catch
the very intonation of His voice, place the same emphasis on their
words, and imitate His gestures. Youth caught His spirit of ministry
and sought to pattern after His gracious ways by seeking to assist those
whom they saw needing help.
Just as we trace the pathway of a stream of water by the line of
living green it produces, so Christ could be seen in the deeds of mercy
that marked His pathway at ever step. Wherever He went, health
sprang up and happiness followed wherever He passed. The blind and
deaf rejoiced in His presence. His words to the ignorant opened to
them a fountain of life. He dispensed His blessings abundantly and
continuously. They were the garnered treasures of eternity, given in
Christ, the Lord’s rich gift to man.
Christ’s work in behalf of man is not finished. It continues today.
In like manner His ambassadors are to preach the gospel and to reveal
His pitying love for lost and perishing souls. By an unselfish interest
in those who need help they are to give a practical demonstration of