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Workers with God
165
Laborers Should Improve Themselves
Having learned the simple rules, they [the ministers] should
bend their minds to the acquisition of knowledge in connection with
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their labor, so that they may be workmen that need not be ashamed.
They can master one branch of science after another, while they
are engaged in the work of preaching the truth, if they will wisely
employ their time. Golden moments are thrown away in unimportant
conversation, in indolence, and doing those things which are of little
consequence, that ought to be used every day in useful employments
that will fit us more nearly to approach the high standard.
The men who now stand before the people as representatives of
Christ have generally more ability than they have training, but they
do not put their faculties to use, making the most of their time and
opportunities. Nearly every minister in the field, had he exerted his
God-given energies, might not only be proficient in reading, writing,
and grammar, but even in languages. It is essential for them to set
their aim high. But there has been but little ambition to put their
powers to the test to reach an elevated standard in knowledge and in
religious intelligence.
Our ministers will have to render to God an account for the
rusting of the talents He has given to improve by exercise. They
might have done tenfold more work intelligently had they cared to
become intellectual giants. Their whole experience in their high
calling is cheapened because they are content to remain where they
are. Their efforts to acquire knowledge will not in the least hinder
their spiritual growth if they will study with right motives and proper
aims.
Need of Workers
Workers are needed all over the world. The truth of God is to
be carried to foreign lands, that those that are in darkness may be
enlightened. Work should be done that will qualify the students to
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be laborers together with God.
God requires that a zeal be shown in this direction infinitely
greater than has hitherto been manifested. As a people we are in
some respects far behind in missionary work. We are not doing one
twentieth part of the good we might accomplish in positions of trust,