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Human Needs and Divine Supply
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touched upon, and that is all. Prophecies have been dwelt upon, doc-
trines have been expounded; but that which is essential to the church
in order that they may grow in spiritual strength and efficiency, in
order that the preaching may carry conviction with it, and souls be
converted to God, has been largely left out of ministerial effort. This
subject has been set aside, as if some time in the future would be
given to its consideration. Other blessings and privileges have been
presented before the people until a desire has been awakened in the
church for the attainment of the blessing promised of God; but the
impression concerning the Holy Spirit has been that this gift is not
for the church now, but that at some time in the future it would be
necessary for the church to receive it.
All Other Blessings
This promised blessing, if claimed by faith, would bring all other
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blessings in its train, and it is to be given liberally to the people of
God. Through the cunning devices of the enemy the minds of God’s
people seem to be incapable of comprehending and appropriating
the promises of God. They seem to think that only the scantiest
showers of grace are to fall upon the thirsty soul. The people of God
have accustomed themselves to think that they must rely upon their
own efforts, that little help is to be received from heaven; and the
result is that they have little light to communicate to other souls who
are dying in error and darkness. The church has long been contented
with little of the blessing of God; they have not felt the need of
reaching up to the exalted privileges purchased for them at infinite
cost. Their spiritual strength has been feeble, their experience of
a dwarfed and crippled character, and they are disqualified for the
work the Lord would have them to do. They are not able to present
the great and glorious truths of God’s Holy Word that would convict
and convert souls through the agency of the Holy Spirit. The power
of God awaits their demand and reception. A harvest of joy will be
reaped by those who sow the holy seeds of truth. “He that goeth
forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
The world have received the idea from the attitude of the church
that God’s people are indeed a joyless people, that the service of