Church Discipline
219
them gain a rich experience.—
The Review and Herald, September 28,
1897
.
Although not congenial to the minister’s natural inclinations,
warnings are to be given, sins rebuked, and wrongs corrected—
He will have many straight and plain words to address to those who
need them; for when God commissions men to do His work, He lays
upon them the burden of watching for souls as they that must give
an account. When needed warnings are to be given, sins are to be
rebuked, errors and wrongs are to be corrected, not only in the pulpit
but personal labor. This is divine work, and although it is not congenial
to the natural inclinations, the minister must proclaim the straight truth
which will make the ears of them that hear tingle; for they must lay
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before those who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, the
dangers and perils that are around them, and the doom that awaits the
impenitent. Because this message is not agreeable to their inclination,
or welcome to those who must be warned, they are solemnly charged
to be faithful in its declaration.—
The Review and Herald, September
6, 1892
.
Ministers do great harm by allowing their forbearance toward
the erring to degenerate into toleration of their sins—Ministers of
the gospel sometimes do great harm by allowing their forbearance
toward the erring to degenerate into toleration of sins and even partici-
pation in them. Thus they are led to excuse and palliate that which God
condemns; and after a time they become so blinded as to commend the
very ones whom God commands them to reprove. The only safe-guard
against these dangers is to add to patience godliness,—to reverence
God, His character and His law, and to keep His fear ever before the
mind. By communion with God, through prayer and the reading of His
Word, we should cultivate such a sense of the holiness of His character
that we shall regard sin as He regards it.—
The Acts of the Apostles,
504
.
Too many ministers leave plain dealing to be done by other
ministers—Too many ministers neglect to deal faithfully with those
with whom they come in contact. They leave plain dealing to be done
by other ministers: for they do not want to run the risk of losing the
friendship of those for whom they labor. If ministers would deal at
the right time with those who err, they would prevent an accumulation
of wrong, and save souls from death. If the work of reproving is