Education for the Missionary Work
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they will cry out, “Who is sufficient for these things?” Then they will
in deep humility strive daily to place themselves in close connection
with Christ. While overcoming the selfish inclinations of the natural
heart, they are placing their feet in the path where Christ leads the
way. “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding
unto the simple.” But those who have a high estimate of their own
ability and acquisitions, are so full of self-importance that there is
no opportunity for the entrance of the word of God, to instruct and
enlighten them.
Many feel that they are fitted for a work that they know scarcely
anything about, and if they start in to labor in a self-important manner,
they will fail to receive that knowledge which they must obtain in
Christ’s school. These will be doomed to struggle with many diffi-
culties, 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. They have been stumbling along ever since,
not doing justice to themselves or to the work. They do not seem
to have sufficient interest to arouse their dormant energies, and task
their powers to become efficient workers. They have not taken the
pains to form thorough and well-devised plans, and their work shows
a 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