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Conference Officials
277
have a deep, growing experience in heavenly things, we walk with
the Lord, as did Enoch. Instead of consenting to the propositions of
Satan, there is most earnest prayer for the heavenly anointing, that
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we may distinguish the right, the heaven born, from the common.
If we are fighting in the strength of the Mighty One, we are
on the side that will win at last. In the end we shall conquer. The
greatest work, the most perilous scenes are before us. The deadly
conflict we must meet. Are we prepared for it? God is still speaking
to the children of men. He is speaking in many different ways. Will
they hear His voice? Will we place our hands confidingly in His and
say, “Lead me, guide me”?
There is cheap religion in abundance, but there is no such thing
as cheap Christianity. Self may figure largely in a false religion, but it
cannot appear in Christian experience. You are workers together with
God. “Without Me,” said Christ, “ye can do nothing.” We cannot be
shepherds of the flock unless we are divested of our own peculiar
habits, manners, and customs, and come into Christ’s likeness. When
we eat His flesh and drink His blood, then the element of eternal
life will be found in the ministry. There will not be a fund of stale,
oft-repeated ideas. There will be a new perception of truth.
Some who stand in the pulpit make the heavenly messengers in
the audience ashamed of them. The precious gospel, which it has
cost so much to bring to the world, is abused. There is common,
cheap talk; grotesque attitudes and workings of the features. There
is, with some, rapid talking, with others a thick, indistinct utterance.
Everyone who ministers before the people should feel it a solemn
duty to take himself in hand. He should first give himself to the Lord
in complete self-renunciation, determined that he will have none of
self, but all of Jesus.
The word is the preacher’s light, and as the golden oil flows
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from the heavenly olive tree into the bowl, it makes the lamp of life
flash with a clearness and power that all will discern. Those who
have the privilege of sitting under such a ministry, if their hearts
are susceptible to the Holy Spirit’s influence, will feel an inner life.
The fire of God’s love will be kindled within them. The Bible, the
word of God, is the bread of life. He who feeds the flock of God
must himself first eat of the bread which came down from heaven.
He will see the truth on every side. He will not venture to come