48
Manual for Canvassers
by helping one another. We must be pitiful and courteous. We must
press together, drawing in even cords. Only those who live the prayer
of Christ, working it out in practical life, will stand the test that is to
come upon all the world. Those who exalt self, place themselves in
Satan’s power, preparing to receive his deceptions. The word of the
Lord to His people is that we are to lift the standard higher and still
higher. If we obey His voice, He will work with us, and our efforts will
be crowned with success. In our work we shall receive rich blessings
from on high, and shall lay up treasure beside the throne of God.
If we only knew what is before us, we would not be so dilatory in
the Lord’s work. There are ministers and workers who will present
a tissue of falsehoods as testing truths, even as the Jewish rabbis
presented the maxims of men as the word of God. These are given to
the people as meat in due season, while their souls are starving for the
bread of life. Even now there seems to be a burning desire to get up
something startling and bring it in as new light. Men are presenting as
important truth that which is only fable and falsehood. This imaginary
food which is being prepared for the household of God will cause
spiritual consumption, decline, and death. We are in the shaking time,
[70]
the time when everything that can be shaken will be shaken. The Lord
will not excuse those who know the truth if they do not in word and
deed obey His commands. If we make no effort to win souls to Christ,
we shall be held responsible for the work we might have done but did
not do because of our spiritual indolence. Those who belong to the
Lord’s kingdom must work earnestly for the saving of souls. They
must do their part to bind up the law and seal it among the disciples.
Some flatter themselves that the Lord will give them another op-
portunity, that there will be a second probation. Fatal delusion! Just
now, day by day, hour by hour, we are building for the last great day.
We are trading on our Lord’s money, and at His coming He will reckon
with us, and we shall have to give an account of what we have done
with His goods. As responsible beings we are working for time and for
eternity, making our records in the books of heaven, and preparing our
reward or punishment. Our reward will be proportionate to our work.
“My reward is with Me,” Christ declares, “to give every man according
as his work shall be.”
Revelation 22:12
. He will expect results from
every one.