38 Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists
lives are just as precious as yours. Then why do you wrap your coat
about you, and hug the shore? Awake to duty and to usefulness! If you
will launch out into the deep and let down your nets, the Master will
gather in the fishes, and you will see of the mighty working of God.
Do not, my ministering brethren, allow yourselves to be kept at
home to serve tables; and do not hover around the churches, preaching
to those who are already fully established in the faith. Teach the people
to have light in themselves, and not to depend upon the ministers. They
should have Christ as their helper, and should educate themselves to
help one another, so that the minister can be free to enter new fields.
An important work is to be done in the world. New fields are to be
opened; and the zeal and the missionary spirit that Christ manifested
are greatly needed. Oh that the power of God would set the truth home
to every heart! Oh that all might see the necessity of having a living
connection with God, and of knowing and doing his will from day to
day!
The names of some will be blotted out of the book of life. Whose
shall it be? Let us each examine ourselves carefully to see if we are in
the faith; let us be diligent to make sure work for eternity. Jesus says
that he will confess the name of the overcomer before his Father, and
before the holy angels. If we would have our names honored before
the heavenly host in the day of God, we must obtain the white raiment
now. We must clothe ourselves with humility as with a garment. Every
step heavenward must be a step of humility.
The True Witness has said, “Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that
thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed,
and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” What is the shame
of this nakedness and poverty? It is the shame of clothing ourselves
with self-righteousness, and of separating ourselves from God, when
he has made ample provision for all to receive his blessing.
Oh that the power of God may rest upon us before we separate for
our homes and fields of labor! Oh that we may consider the importance
of improving every day that we may have a good record in heaven!
Christ has said, “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not
worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not
worthy of me.” My heart has been made to ache as I have seen some of
my brethren considering so seriously whether or not they would make