Spirit of Independence
413
But I have been instructed by the Lord that in this work there is no
such thing as every man’s being independent. The stars of heaven are
all under law, each influencing the other to do the will of God, yielding
their common obedience to the law that controls their action. And, in
order that the Lord’s work may advance healthfully and solidly, His
people must draw together.
The spasmodic, fitful movements of some who claim to be Chris-
tians are well represented by the work of strong but untrained horses.
When one pulls forward, another pulls back; at the voice of their mas-
ter one plunges ahead, and the other stands immovable. If men will
not move in concert in the great and grand work for this time, there
will be confusion. It is not a good sign when men refuse to unite with
their brethren, and prefer to act alone. Let laborers take into their
confidence the brethren who are free to point out every departure from
right principles. If men wear the yoke of Christ, they cannot pull apart;
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they will draw with Christ.
Some workers pull with all the power that God has given them,
but they have not yet learned that they should not pull alone. Instead
of isolating themselves, let them draw in harmony with their fellow-
laborers. Unless they do this, their activity will work at the wrong time
and in the wrong way. They will often work counter to that which God
would have done, and thus their work is worse than wasted.
On the other hand, the leaders among God’s people are to guard
against the danger of condemning the methods of individual workers
who are led by the Lord to do a special work that but few are fitted to
do. Let brethren in responsibility be slow to criticize movements that
are not in perfect harmony with their methods of labor. Let them never
suppose that every plan should reflect their own personality. Let them
not fear to trust another’s methods; for by withholding their confidence
from a brother laborer who, with humility and consecrated zeal, is
doing a special work in God’s appointed way, they are retarding the
advancement of the Lord’s cause.
God can and will use those who have not had a thorough education
in the schools of men. A doubt of His power to do this, is manifest
unbelief; it is limiting the omnipotent power of the One with whom
nothing is impossible. O for less of this uncalled-for, distrustful cau-
tion! It leaves so many forces of the church unused; it closes up the
way, so that the Holy Spirit cannot use men; it keeps in idleness those