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Chapter 11—To Brethren in Responsible Positions
[The articles in this section are from Special Testimonies, Series A
6:27-46 (1896).]
Connection with God’s Work
Cooranbong, Australia,
July 6, 1896
Dear Brother-----,
It has been revealed to me that the Lord proves and tries all
who have named the name of Christ, but especially those who are
stewards in any department of His cause. A connection with the
special work of God for this time brings with it much responsibility,
and the higher the position of trust, the greater the responsibility
attached to it. How humble and sincere the one needs to be who is
filling such a position! How fearful and mistrustful of himself! How
careful to give all the praise and thanksgiving to God!
There is a watcher standing by the side of all those who are
filling positions of trust, ready to reprove and convict of wrongdoing,
or to answer the prayers for help. He watches to see if the men
privileged to bear responsibilities will look to God for wisdom and
avail themselves of every opportunity to perfect a character after the
divine similitude. If they deviate from straight-forward rectitude,
God turns from them; if they do not earnestly strive to understand the
will of God concerning them, He cannot bless or prosper or sustain
them.
Those whom God has placed in positions of responsibility should
never seek to exalt themselves or to turn the attention of men to their
work. They must give all the glory to God. They must not seek for
power that they may Lord it over God’s heritage; for only those who
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are under the rule of Satan will do this.
But the rule-or-ruin system [
See appendix.
] is too often seen
in our institutions. This spirit is cherished and revealed by some in
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