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172
Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
from the help that God has moved men to give, for the advancement
of His cause.
We find examples in the word of God concerning this very mat-
ter. Cyrus, king of Persia, made a proclamation throughout all his
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kingdom, and put it into writing, saying: “Thus saith Cyrus king
of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms
of the earth; and He hath charged me to build Him an house at
Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His
people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which
is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel.” A second
commandment was issued by Darius for the building of the house of
the Lord, and is recorded in the sixth chapter of Ezra.
The Lord God of Israel has placed His goods in the hands of
unbelievers, but they are to be used in favor of doing the works that
must be done for a fallen world. The agents through whom these
gifts come may open up avenues through which the truth may go.
They may have no sympathy with the work, and no faith in Christ,
and no practice in His words; but their gifts are not to be refused on
that account.
It is very strange that some of our brethren should feel that it
is their duty to bring about a condition of things that would bind
up the means that God would have set free. God has not laid upon
them the responsibility of coming in conflict with the authorities
and powers of the world in this matter. The restraining hand of God
has not yet been withdrawn from the earth. Let the leaders in the
work bide their time, hide in Christ, and move and work with great
wisdom. Let them be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves.
I have repeatedly been shown that we might receive far more favors
than we do in many ways if we would approach men in wisdom,
acquaint them with our work, and give them an opportunity of doing
those things which it is our privilege to induce them to do for the
advancement of the work of God.
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Activity in Our Churches
[Special Testimonies, Series A 3:35-39 (1895).]
February 2, 1895.