58
Christian Leadership
take those who will not differ from them but will act like mere ma-
chines. No president has any right to do this. Leave others to plan, and
if they fail in some things do not take it as an evidence that they are
unfitted to be thinkers.
Our most responsible men had to learn by a long discipline and
practice how to use their judgment. In many things they have shown
that their work ought to have been better.—
Letter 12, 1885
(October
28, 1885, to Butler and Haskell).
Choose Wise Men—For years the Lord has been instructing us
to choose wise men,-men who are devoted to God,—men who know
what the principles of heaven are,-men who have learned what it
means to walk with God,—and to place upon them the responsibility
of looking after the business affairs connected with our work. This is
in accordance with the Bible plan as outlined in the sixth chapter of
Acts. We need to study this plan; for it is approved of God. Let us
follow the Word.—
The Review and Herald, October 5, 1905
.
Choose Men Who Can Be Trusted—God will teach His people
to move carefully, and to make wise choice of men who will not betray
sacred trusts. If in Christ’s day the believers needed to be guarded in
their choice of men for positions of responsibility, we who are living
in this time certainly need to move with great discretion. We are to
present every case before God, and in earnest prayer ask Him to choose
for us.—
Testimonies for the Church 9:264
.
Great Care in Selecting Leaders—The Lord has been pleased to
present before me many things in regard to the calling and labor of our
ministers, especially those who have been appointed as presidents of
conferences. Great care should be exercised in the selection of men
for these positions of trust. There should be earnest prayer for divine
enlightenment.—
Gospel Workers, 413
.
[54]
Choose Men Who Have Experience in Faith—Those who are
thus appointed as overseers of the flock should be men of good re-
pute; men who give evidence that they have not only a knowledge of
the Scriptures, but an experience in faith, in patience, that in meek-
ness they may instruct those who oppose the truth. They should be
men of thorough integrity, not novices, but intelligent students of the
Word, able to teach others also, bringing from the treasure-house
things new and old; men who in character, in words, in deportment,
will be an honor to the cause of Christ, teaching the truth, living the