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Colporteur Ministry
in approaching persons, would show the same want of tact and skill in
dealing with minds, should they enter the ministry....
In evangelistic canvassing, young men may become better prepared
for ministerial labor than by spending many years in school.—
Manual
for Canvassers, 41, 42
(1902).
The Essential Knowledge—To those who are attending school
that they may learn how to do the work of God more perfectly, I would
say: Remember that it is only by a daily consecration to God that you
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can become soul winners. There have been those who were unable to
go to school because they were too poor to pay their way. But when
they became sons and daughters of God they took hold of their work
where they were, laboring for those around them. Though destitute
of the knowledge obtained in school, they consecrated themselves to
God, and God worked through them. Like the disciples when called
from their nets to follow Christ, they learned precious lessons from
the Saviour. They linked themselves with the Great Teacher, and
knowledge they gained from the Scriptures qualified them to speak
to others of Christ. Thus they became truly wise, because they were
not too wise in their own estimation to receive instruction from above.
The renewing power of the Holy Spirit gave them practical, saving
energy.
The knowledge of the most learned man, if he has not learned
in Christ’s school, is foolishness so far as leading souls to Christ
is concerned. God can work with those only who will accept the
invitation: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and
I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I
am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
.—
Testimonies for the Church 6:318
(1900).
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