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To God’s Workmen
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taken away in their sins. “His blood,” He says, “will I require at
thine hand.” But if His messengers lift up their voices in reproof and
warning, to turn men from their wicked ways, and those souls will
not hear, then the watchman is clear; the offender against God will
be taken in his sins; his blood will be upon his own soul.
These solemn matters are set before me in clear lines. God
has appointed apostles, pastors, evangelists, and teachers, for the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith.
God declares to His people, “Ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s
building.” There must be a continual advancement. Step by step
His followers must make straight paths for their feet, lest that which
is lame be turned out of the way. Those who would labor for God
must work intelligently to replenish the deficiencies in themselves
and glorify the Lord God of Israel by standing in the light, working
in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. Thus they will carry the
church forward and upward and heavenward, making its separation
from the world more and more distinct.
As they assimilate their character to the divine Pattern, men
will not guard their own personal dignity. With jealous, sleepless,
loving, devoted interest, they will guard the sacred interest of the
church from the evil which threatens to dim and cloud the glory
that God intends shall shine forth through her. They will see that
Satan’s devices have no place or countenance in her by encouraging
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faultfinding, gossiping, evilspeaking, and accusing of the brethren;
for those things would weaken and overthrow her.
The Controversy Waxes Stronger
There never will be a time in the history of the church when
God’s worker can fold his hands and be at ease, saying, “All is peace
and safety.” Then it is that sudden destruction cometh. Everything
may move forward amid apparent prosperity; but Satan is wide-
awake, and is studying and counseling with his evil angels another
mode of attack where he can be successful. The contest will wax
more and more fierce on the part of Satan; for he is moved by a
power from beneath. As the work of God’s people moves forward
with sanctified, resistless energy, planting the standard of Christ’s