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time nor means to keep all parts of this machinery in harmonious
action.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:600, 601
.
God Wants Heartwork—Our brethren who bear responsibilities
in devising plans for carrying forward this part of the work must
keep in mind that while a certain amount of education and training is
essential in order to work intelligently, there is danger of making this
too great a matter. By obtaining a most thorough education in all the
minutiae, and leaving vital principles out of the question, we become
dry and formal workers. The hearts that God has made willing by the
operations of His grace are fitted for the work.
God wants heartwork. The unselfish purpose, the pure, elevated
principle, the high and holy motive, He will accept. His grace and
power will work with these efforts. All who realize that it is the work of
God to prepare a people for His coming will find in their disinterested
efforts opportunities where they can do tract and missionary labor. But
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there may be too much means expended and too much time occupied
in making matters so exact and minute that the heartwork is neglected
and a dry form preserved.
I tell you frankly that Jesus and the power of His grace are being
left out of the question. Results will show that mechanical working
has taken the place of piety, humility, and holiness of heart and life.
The more spiritual, devoted, and humble workers find no place where
they can take hold, and therefore they stand back. The young and
inexperienced learn the form and do their work mechanically; but
true love, the burden for souls, is not felt. Less dwelling upon set
forms, less of the mechanical, and more of the power of godliness are
essential in this solemn, fearful day of responsibilities.—
Testimonies
for the Church 4:601
.
Spiritual Before Mechanical—There is order in heaven; and
there should be system and order upon the earth, that the work may
move forward without confusion and fanaticism. Our brethren have
been working to this end; but while some of our ministers continually
bear the burden of souls, and ever seek to bring the people up in spir-
itual attainments, those who are not so conscientious, and who have
not carried the cross of Christ nor felt the value of souls as reflected
from Calvary, will, in teaching and educating others in the mechani-
cal working, become formal and powerless themselves, and bring no
Saviour to the people.