Elements of Good Leadership
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As the disciples of Christ reveal His character, they show forth His
miraculous power, bearing a convincing testimony to the truth of His
word.—
Letter 140, 1901
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Do Your Duty at Any Cost—The mighty God of Israel is our
God. In Him we may trust, and if we obey His requirements He will
work for us in as signal a manner as He did for His ancient people.
Everyone who seeks to follow the path of duty will at times be assailed
by doubt and unbelief. The way will sometimes be so barred by
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obstacles, apparently insurmountable, as to dishearten those who will
yield to discouragement; but God is saying to such, Go forward. Do
your duty at any cost. The difficulties that seem so formidable, that fill
your soul with dread, will vanish as you move forward in the path of
obedience, humbly trusting in God.—
Patriarchs and Prophets, 437
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Canvassing Work Is Not for Everybody—Let us consider the
proposition presented at the Minneapolis meeting. Some who did
not receive their counsel from God prepared a resolution, which was
carried, that no one should labor as a minister unless he first made a
success in the canvassing field. The Spirit of the Lord did not indite
that resolution. It was born of minds that were taking a narrow view
of God’s vineyard and His workmen. It is not the work of any man to
prescribe the work for any other man contrary to his own convictions of
duty. He is to be advised and counseled, but he is to seek his directions
from God, whose he is, and whom he serves.
If one undertakes the canvassing work, and is not able to sustain
himself and his family, it is the duty of his brethren, so far as lies
in their power, to help him out of his difficulty, and disinterestedly
open ways whereby this brother may labor according to his ability and
obtain means honestly to sustain his family.
When a man is struggling with honest endeavor to sustain himself
and his family, and yet is unable to do this, so that they suffer for nec-
essary food and clothing, the Lord will not pronounce our ministering
brethren guiltless if they look on with indifference or prescribe condi-
tions for this brother which are virtually impossible of fulfillment....
Now, has God told you that this brother must keep at work in a
certain line, as canvassing, until he is free from debt? Has He not
rather enjoined it upon you as a minister of Christ, to see how you
could help him out of his distress, and encourage others to relieve him