Former Members, Inactive Members
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have skill in administering to souls diseased with sin. The work of
warning sinners, of weeping over them and pleading with them, has
been neglected until many souls are past all cure. Some have died in
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their sins, and will in the judgment confront with reproaches of their
guilt those who might have saved them, but who did not. Unfaithful
ministers, what a retribution awaits you!—
Testimonies for the Church
2:506
.
Hunt up the backsliders with the message of mercy—God will
work mightily with His ministers when their hearts are filled with love
for the poor lost sheep of the house of Israel. Hunt up the backsliders,
those who once knew what religion was, and give them the message
of mercy.—
Counsels on Health, 533
.
A straying sheep fills the shepherd with grief and anxiety—
The shepherd who discovers that one of his sheep is missing, does not
look carelessly upon the flock that is safely housed, and say, “I have
ninety and nine, and it will cost me too much trouble to go in search of
the straying one. Let him come back, and I will open the door of the
sheepfold, and let him in.” No; no sooner does the sheep go astray than
the shepherd is filled with grief and anxiety. He counts and recounts
the flock. When he is sure that one sheep is lost, he slumbers not. He
leaves the ninety and nine within the fold; and goes in search of the
straying sheep. The darker and more tempestuous the night, and the
more perilous the way, the greater is the shepherd’s anxiety, and the
more earnest his search. He makes every effort to find that one lost
sheep.—
Christ’s Object Lessons, 187, 188
.
A good shepherd will leave the 99 and seek the lost sheep—If
there is a backslider, the shepherd knows how to present the truth in
such a manner that the soul will be convicted. He will leave the ninety
and nine, and seek the lost sheep. But if the shepherd does not visit his
flock, he knows not their condition, he knows not what truths to set
before them, nor what is appropriate to their case. And more than this,
as the preacher manifests so little interest in the souls under his charge,
he cannot set an example to the flock to have an interest and love and
watch-care for souls.—Appeal and Suggestions to Conference Officers
(Ph 2)18.