390
Gospel Workers 1915
* * * * *
As laborers together with God, you should come close to one
another. Lessons of love, confidence, respect for one another, must be
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given, both in and out of the desk. You must live that which you teach.
Remember that new converts look to you for an example.
Some for whom you labor will wish to have the work done in
their own way, thinking that their way is best; but if you have the
spirit and the meekness of Christ, if you show respect and love for one
another, God will enable you to perfect the work in a manner that will
please Him. Work for your own souls until self is subdued, until Christ
recognizes His image in you. This will be the most impressive lesson
that you can give to those whom you educate.
In foreign fields, especially, the work cannot be accomplished
except by well-considered plans. While you should endeavor to labor
in harmony with the instructions of those at the head of the work,
many unforeseen circumstances will arise for which they could make
no provision. There must be something ventured, some risks taken,
by those on the field of battle. There will be crises in which prompt
action is necessary.
When missions are opened in foreign lands, it is of special impor-
tance that the work be started right. The laborers should be careful
that they do not restrict it by narrow plans. While the state of the
treasury demands that economy be exercised, there is danger of an
economy which results in loss rather than gain. This has actually
been the case in some of our missions, where the workers have bent
their powers almost wholly to planning how to get along in the least
expensive manner. With different management, far more might have
been accomplished; and on the whole less means would have been
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taken from the treasury.
In new fields our growth has been slow, because the special truths
which we present are not popular with the world. The observance of
the seventh-day Sabbath is a heavy cross for every one who accepts
the truth. Many who can see that our doctrines are sustained by the
Scriptures, shrink from accepting them, because they do not wish to
be peculiar, or because by obedience to the truth they would be cut off
from their means of support. Because of these things, much wisdom
is needed in planning how to bring the truth before the people.