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The Publishing Ministry
saw so little true religious principle in those in the church and those
working in the office that he was perplexed, distressed, disgusted. He
stumbled over the lack of conscientiousness in keeping the Sabbath
manifested by some who yet professed to be commandment keepers.
Marcus had an exalted regard for the work in the office; but the vanity,
the trifling, and the lack of principle stumbled him. God had raised
him up and in His providence connected him with His work in the
office. But there is so little known of the mind and will of God by
some who work in the office that they looked upon this great work
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of the conversion of Marcus from Judaism as of no great importance.
His worth was not appreciated. He was frequently pained with the
deportment of F and of others in the office; and when he attempted to
reprove them, his words were received with contempt that he should
venture to instruct them. His defective language was an occasion of
jest and amusement with some.
Marcus felt deeply over the case of F, but he could not see how he
could help him. Marcus never would have left the office if the young
men had been true to their profession. If he makes shipwreck of faith,
his blood will surely be found on the skirts of the young who profess
Christ, but who, by their works, their words, and their deportment, state
plainly that they are not of Christ, but of the world. This deplorable
state of neglect, of indifference, and unfaithfulness, must cease; a
thorough and permanent change must take place in the office, or those
who have had so much light and so great privileges should be dismissed
and others take their places, even if they be unbelievers.... A profession
is not enough. There must be a work inwrought in the soul and carried
out in the life.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:192, 193
.
Caring for the Spiritual Welfare of Others—There are positions
where some can earn better wages than at the office, but they can
never find a position more important, more honorable, or more exalted
than the work of God in the office. Those who labor faithfully and
unselfishly will be rewarded. For them there is a crown of glory
prepared, compared with which all earthly honors and pleasures are
as the small dust of the balance. Especially will those be blessed who
have been faithful to God in watching over the spiritual welfare of
others in the office....
The soul is of infinite value and demands the utmost attention.
Every man who fears God in that office should put away childish and