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Gospel Workers 1915
they will fail to receive that knowledge which they must obtain in
the school of Christ. These will be doomed to struggle with many
difficulties, for which they are wholly unprepared. They will ever lack
experience and wisdom until they learn their great inefficiency.
Very much has been lost to the cause by the defective labors of
men who possess ability, but who have not had proper training. They
have engaged in a work which they knew not how to manage, and as
the result have accomplished but little. They have not done a tithe of
what they could have done had they received the right discipline at
the start. They seized upon a few ideas, managed to get a runway of
a few discourses, and here their progress ended. They felt competent
to be teachers, when they had scarcely mastered their a b c in the
knowledge of the truth. The have been stumbling along ever since,
not doing justice to themselves or to the work. They do not seem to
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have sufficient interest to arouse their dormant energies, or to tax their
powers to become efficient workers. They have not taken pains to form
thorough and well-devised plans, and their work shows deficiency in
every part.
Some have given up in discouragement, and have engaged in other
employment. Had these patiently and humbly placed their feet on the
lowest round of the ladder, and then with persevering energy climbed
step by step, diligently improving the privileges and opportunities
within their reach, they might have become able, useful workmen, who
could give full proof of their ministry, and of whom the Master would
not be ashamed.
If those who propose to work for the salvation of souls depend
on their own finite wisdom, they will certainly fail. If they entertain
humble views of self, and rely fully upon the promises of God, He will
never fail them. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not
unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and
He shall direct thy paths.” [
Proverbs 3:5, 6
] We have the privilege of
being directed by a wise Counselor.
God can make humble men mighty in His service. Those who
obediently respond to the call of duty, improving their abilities to the
very utmost, may be sure of receiving divine assistance. Angels will
come as messengers of light to the help of those who will do all that
they can on their part, and then trust in God to co-operate with their
efforts.