208 Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists
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.” 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 do on their part, and then trust in God to work with their
efforts.
It should be impressed on all who have decided to become workers
for God, that they must give evidence that they are converted men. A
young man without a sound virtuous character will be no honor to the
truth. Every worker should be pure in heart; in his mouth should be
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found no guile. He should bear in mind that to be successful he must
have Christ by his side, and that every sinful practice, however secret,
is open to the view of Him with whom we have to do. Sin has marred
the divine image in man, but through Christ this may be restored. But
it is only through earnest prayer and the conquest of self that we can
become partakers of the divine nature. Many do not rise high enough
to meet the standard. Their faith is weak, they expect but little from
God, and they receive according to their faith. They need far more
faith in God, and far less confidence in self. When they have this, they
will be more successful in attaining perfection of character.
The true toilers in the Lord’s vineyard will be men of prayer, of
faith, of self-denial,—men who hold in restraint the natural appetites
and passions. These will in their own lives give evidence of the power
of the truth which they present to others; and their labors will not be
without effect.
The apostle Paul, in his dying charge to Timothy, says: “The things
that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit
thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” The
instruction given to Timothy contains lessons to be learned by all the
servants of Christ. Every one who anticipates engaging in the solemn
work of the ministry should give heed to the apostle’s charge to his son
in the gospel as the latter was entering upon his work: “Let no man
despise thy youth.” Timothy might pursue so wise a course that he
would gain the confidence of all with whom he should be associated.