146
Pastoral Ministry
fountain of benevolence. He tests the love of His professed followers
by committing to their tender mercies the afflicted and bereaved ones,
the poor and the orphan. These are in a special sense the little ones
whom Christ looks upon, whom it is an offense to Him to neglect.
Those who do neglect them are neglecting Christ in the person of His
afflicted ones. Every kind act done to them in the name of Jesus, is
accepted by Him as if done to Himself, for He identifies His interest
with that of suffering humanity, and He has intrusted to His church the
grand work of ministering to Jesus by helping and blessing the needy
and suffering. On all who shall minister to them with willing hearts,
the blessing of the Lord will rest.—
The Review and Herald, June 27,
1893
.
Teach the afflicted to care for themselves—It means to teach
the improvident the need of economy. There are thousands of the
widows and the fatherless, the young and the aged, the afflicted and
the crippled, who should be taught how to help themselves. Many
confined to their beds, are unable to work. But those who can work
should be made to realize that if they do not work, they shall not be
fed. Every one who is capable of eating a square meal is capable of
working to pay for that meal. If made to pay for his food, he will
appreciate the money-value of strength and time. Such beneficence
carries with it valuable lessons. It not only ministers to the needs of
the poor, but teaches them how to care for themselves.—
Manuscript
156
a, 1901 (
Battle Creek Letters, 46
).