Exemplary in Habit, Deportment, and Dress
55
and do your best. Do not overlook present golden opportunities and
let your life prove a failure while you sit idly dreaming of ease and
success in a work for which God has never fitted you. Do the work
that is nearest you. Do it, even though it may be amid perils and
hardships in the missionary field; but do not, I beg of you, complain of
hardships and self-sacrifices. Look at the Waldenses. See what plans
they devised that the light of the gospel might shine into benighted
minds. We should not labor with the expectation of receiving our
reward in this life, but with our eyes fixed steadfastly upon the prize
[69]
at the end of the race. Men and women are wanted now who are as
true to duty as the needle to the pole, men and women who will work
without having their way smoothed and every obstacle removed.
When You Live Your Faith—I have described what canvassers ought
to be; and may the Lord open their minds to comprehend this subject in
its length and breadth, and may they realize their duty to represent the
character of Christ by their patience, courage, and steadfast integrity.
Let them remember that they can deny Him by a loose, lax, undecided
character. Young men, if you take these principles with you into the
canvassing field you will be respected; and many will believe the truth
you advocate, because you live your faith, because your daily life is
as a bright light set upon a candlestick, which giveth light to all that
are in the house. Even your enemies, as much as they war against
your doctrines, will respect you; and when you have gained this much,
your simple words will have a power and will carry conviction to
hearts.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:406, 407
(1885).
[70]