Counsel Regarding the Work in Cities
307
multiply it, and this you cannot afford to do. Hold to the affirmative.
Angels of God are watching you, and they understand how to impress
those whose opposition you refuse to meet with arguments. Dwell not
on the negative points of questions that arise, but gather to your minds
affirmative truths, and fasten them there by much study, earnest prayer,
and heart consecration. Keep your lamps trimmed and burning, and
let bright rays shine forth, that men, beholding your good works, may
be led to glorify your Father who is in heaven.
If Christ had not held to the affirmative in the wilderness of tempta-
tion, He would have lost all that He desired to gain. Christ’s way is the
best way to meet our opponents. We strengthen their arguments when
we repeat what they say. Keep always to the affirmative. It may be that
the very man who is opposing you will carry your words home, and
be converted to the sensible truth that has reached his understanding.
I have often said to our brethren: Your opponents will make state-
ments about your work that are false. Do not repeat their statements,
but hold to your assertions of the living truth; and angels of God will
[359]
open the way before you. We have a great work to carry forward, and
we must carry it in a sensible way. Let us never get excited, or allow
evil feelings to arise. Christ did not do this, and He is our example in
all things. For the work given us to do we need much more of heavenly,
sanctified, humble wisdom, and much less of self. We need to lay hold
firmly on divine power.
Those who have departed from the faith will come to our congre-
gations to divert our attention from the work that God would have
done. You cannot afford to turn your ears from the truth to fables. Do
not stop to try to convert the one who is speaking words of reproach
against your work, but let it be seen that you are inspired by the Spirit
of Jesus Christ; and angels of God will put into your lips words that
will reach the hearts of the opposers. If these men persist in pressing
their way in, those who are of a sensible mind in the congregation will
understand that yours is the higher standard. So speak that it will be
known that Jesus Christ is speaking through you.—
Testimonies for
the Church 9:137-149
.
* * * * *