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The Fields are Ready to Harvest, August 16
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I
say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white
already to harvest.
John 4:35
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God’s servants are not to exhaust their time and strength in working especially
for those whose whole lifetime has been devoted to the service of Satan, till the
entire being is corrupted. As the outcasts come—and they will come, as they came
to Christ—we are to forbid them not. We are to reach out to them a helping hand.
But God calls for workers to reach those of the higher classes, who, if converted,
could in turn work for those of their own standing. He desires to see converted
talent and converted influence in the ministry enlisted in His service. The Lord is
working upon men and women of talent and influence, leading them to connect
with those who are giving the last message of mercy to the world.
A mistake has been made in setting young men and young women at work in
the slums of our great cities. Few will be saved as a result of this work.... The Lord
has shown me that our work is to bring into the truth those who will be producers
as well as consumers. There are men of talent and influence who are longing for
something they have not yet received. Let the truth in its simplicity be presented
to them. If converted, they would exert a powerful influence for the truth.
God has men whom He will call into His service, men who will not carry
forward the work in the lifeless way in which it has been carried forward in the past.
Many who have not yet heard the message to be given to the world have learned
the meaning of self-denial and self-sacrifice. Men will come into the truth who
will work with earnestness and zeal, tact and understanding. Let none discourage
these zealous workers. In some things they will make some mistakes, and will
need to be corrected and instructed. But have not men who have been longer in
the truth made mistakes, and needed correction and instruction? When they made
mistakes, the Lord did not cast them off, but healed them and strengthened them,
presenting them with His banner to hold aloft.
God selects His messengers, and gives them His message; and He says, “Forbid
them not.” New methods must be introduced. God’s people must awaken to the
necessity of the time in which they are living.
[Christ] knew that when the Holy Spirit should be poured out on the disciples,
the harvest of His seed-sowing would be reaped. Thousands would be converted
in a day....
Time is passing, and the Lord calls upon the workers in all lines of His work
to lift up their eyes and behold the fields all ripe for the harvest.—
Pacific Union
Recorder, October 23, 1902
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