354
Gospel Workers 1915
Source of your strength, and will be in peril. You may be left to your
own supposed sufficiency, to do as Judas did,—betray your Lord....
Looking to Men for Counsel
Some of our conferences are weak in Christian experience because
their leading men—and the people have followed their example—have
sought for the approval of man with far greater anxiety than for the
approval of God. They have looked to man for help and counsel
more than to God. They have made men their burden-bearers, and
have accepted human wisdom just when and where they should have
depended upon God. And too often those of whom they sought counsel
needed help themselves; for their souls were not right with God. The
presidents of our conferences have become weak and inefficient by
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making flesh their arm. Trust in the wisdom of man does not facilitate
growth in grace and in the knowledge of Christ.
Brethren, when perplexities arise in your conference, when emer-
gencies are to be met, do not let these dark clouds drift into the General
Conference if you can possibly avoid it. The president of the General
Conference should not be burdened with the affairs of the State con-
ferences, as has been the case in the past. If you, with your associates
in the work, cannot adjust the troubles and difficulties that arise in
your conference, how do you think that one man can do this work for
all the conferences? Why should you pour all your perplexities and
discouragements into the burdened mind and heart of the president of
the General Conference? He cannot understand the situation as well as
do you who are on the ground. If you shirk responsibility and crosses
and burden-bearing, hard thinking and earnest praying, and look to
the president of the General Conference to do your work and help you
out of your difficulties, cannot you see that you lay upon him burdens
that will imperil his life? Have you not mind and ability as well as
he? You should not neglect any part of the work because it calls for
earnest, cross-bearing effort.
I repeat, Do not throw your burdens upon the president of the
General Conference. Do not expect him to take up your dropped
stitches and bind off your work. Resolve that you will bear your own
burdens through Christ who strengthens you.