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The Story of Redemption
The seven chosen men were solemnly set apart for their duties
by prayer and the laying on of hands. Those who were thus ordained
were not thereby excluded from teaching the faith. On the contrary, it
is recorded that “Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders
and miracles among the people.” They were fully qualified to instruct
in the truth. They were also men of calm judgment and discretion,
well calculated to deal with difficult cases of trial, of murmuring or
jealousy.
This choosing of men to transact the business of the church, so
that the apostles could be left free for their special work of teaching
the truth, was greatly blessed of God. The church advanced in
numbers and strength. “And the word of God increased; and the
number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great
company of the priests were obedient to the faith.”
It is necessary that the same order and system should be main-
tained in the church now as in the days of the apostles. The prosperity
of the cause depends very largely upon its various departments being
conducted by men of ability, who are qualified for their positions.
Those who are chosen of God to be leaders in the cause of God,
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having the general oversight of the spiritual interest of the church,
should be relieved, as far as possible, from cares and perplexities of
a temporal nature. Those whom God has called to minister in word
and doctrine should have time for meditation, prayer, and study of
the Scriptures. Their clear spiritual discernment is dimmed by enter-
ing into the lesser details of business and dealing with the various
temperaments of those who meet together in church capacity. It is
proper for all matters of a temporal nature to come before the proper
officers and be by them adjusted. But if they are of so difficult a
character as to baffle their wisdom, they should be carried into the
council of those who have the oversight of the entire church.
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