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Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers
Cooranbong, Australia,
June 14, 1896
Dear Brother and Sister-----,
Last Friday night I was conversing with you, telling you some-
thing with reference to your methods of labor. The heavenly Watcher
stood beside us, and I wish I could write every word He uttered; but
I fear that I cannot. You said: “I wish I knew in regard to my duty.
In some way I do not feel satisfied with the result of my labor.” The
voice of the One beside us was then heard, saying: “Have faith in
God; learn of Christ Jesus. When you handle the sacred truths of
God’s word, keep Christ uplifted. Your great need is to learn Christ’s
manner of teaching. When you are teaching the people, present only
a few vital points, and keep your mind concentrated on these points.
You bring unimportant ideas into your discourses. These are not
always a ‘savor of life unto life,’ and have no real connection with
your text. By wandering from straight lines, and bringing in that
which calls the minds off the subject, you weaken all that you have
previously said.”
Disconnected Presentation of Truth
God would not have you think that you are impressed by His
Spirit when you fly from your subject, bringing in foreign matters
which are designed as a reproof, and which should not be named
in connection with the words of solemn and sacred truth. By doing
this, you lose your bearings, and weaken the effect of that which
is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness. You have made of none effect many precious
ideas, by mixing them with other thoughts which have come to your
mind but which had no bearing upon the subject. That which is far
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from the subject under consideration should find no place in your
discourses.
There are in this world hearts that are crying aloud for the living
God. But helpless human nature has been fed with distasteful food;
discourses dissatisfying to hungry, starving souls have been given
in the churches. In these discourses there is not that divine mani-
festation that touches the mind and creates a glow in the soul; the
hearers cannot say, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked