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Evangelism
It is not enough to preach to men; we must pray with them and for
them; we must not hold ourselves coldly aloof from them, but come
in sympathy close to the souls we wish to save, visit and converse
with them. The minister who conducts the work outside the pulpit in a
proper manner will accomplish tenfold more than he who confines his
labor to the desk.—
The Review and Herald, August 8, 1878
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Avoid Jesting and Joking—This spirit of jesting and joking, of
lightness and trifling, is a stumbling block to sinners and a worse
stumbling block to those who give way to the inclination of the un-
sanctified heart. The fact that some have allowed this trait to develop
and strengthen until jesting is as natural as their breath, does not lessen
its evil effects. When anyone can point to one trifling word spoken by
our Lord, or to any lightness seen in His character, he may feel that
lightness and jesting are excusable in himself. This spirit is unchris-
tian; for to be a Christian is to be Christlike. Jesus is a perfect pattern,
and we must imitate His example. A Christian is the highest type of
man, a representative of Christ.
Some who are given to jesting, and to light and trifling remarks,
may appear in the sacred desk with becoming dignity. They may
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be able to pass at once to the contemplation of serious subjects, and
present to their hearers the most important, testing truths ever com-
mitted to mortals; but perhaps their fellow laborers, whom they have
influenced, and who have joined with them in the careless jest, cannot
change the current of their thoughts so readily. They feel condemned,
their minds are confused; and they are unfitted to enter upon the con-
templation of heavenly themes, and preach Christ and Him crucified.
The disposition to say witty things that will create a laugh, when
the wants of the cause are under consideration, whether in a committee
meeting, a board meeting, or any other meeting for business, is not
of Christ. This untimely mirth has a demoralizing tendency. God is
not honored when we turn everything to ridicule one day, and the next
day are discouraged and almost hopeless, having no light from Christ,
and ready to find fault and murmur. He is pleased when His people
manifest solidity, strength, and firmness of character, and when they
have cheerful, happy, hopeful dispositions....
If the mind is centered upon heavenly things, the conversation will
run in the same channel. The heart will overflow at the contemplation
of the Christian’s hope, the exceeding great and precious promises