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144
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
they will catch the beams of light flashing from heaven? What shall
I say?
“Repent, and Do the First Works”
The atmosphere of the church is so frigid, its spirit is of such an
order, that men and women cannot sustain or endure the example
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of primitive and heaven-born piety. The warmth of their first love
is frozen up, and unless they are watered over by the baptism of
the Holy Spirit, their candlestick will be removed out of its place,
except they repent and do their first works. The first works of the
church were seen when the believers sought out friends, relatives,
and acquaintances, and with hearts overflowing with love told the
story of what Jesus was to them and what they were to Jesus. Oh,
that the Lord would awaken those who are in responsible positions,
lest they undertake to do work, relying upon their own smartness.
The work that comes forth from their hands will lack the mold and
superscription of Christ.
Perverting Power of Selfishness
Selfishness mars all that unconsecrated workers do. They have
need to pray always, but they do not. They need to watch unto
prayer. They have need to feel the sacredness of the work, but they
do not feel this. They handle sacred things as they do common
things. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned, and until they can
drink of the water of life, and Christ be in them as a well of water
springing up unto everlasting life, they will refresh no one, bless no
one; and except they repent, their candlestick will be removed out of
its place. There is need of enduring patience, of invincible charity,
of omnipotent faith in the work of saving souls. Self must not be
prominent. Wisdom from Christ must be exercised in dealing with
human minds.
Every worker who deals with souls successfully must come to
the work divested of self. There can be no scolding or fretting,
no arbitrary authority exercised, no putting forth of the finger and
speaking vanity; but come to the work with hearts warmed with
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love for Jesus and for precious souls for whom He died. Those who
are self-sufficient cannot conceal their weakness. They will come