Counsel to Missionaries en Route to Africa
11
neutralize your work. Do not cultivate habits of singularity, but obtain
Christ’s mould every day you live. Study the Pattern.
Every one of you united in this missionary work, both our brethren
and sisters who act a part in it, are men and women of strong wills.
This is as it should be, if each has practised equal self-control. But
this lesson has not been learned as thoroughly as it should be. If you
are willing to learn meekness and lowliness of heart in Christ’s school,
He will surely give you rest and peace. It is a terribly hard struggle
to give up your own will and your own way. But this lesson learned,
you will find rest and peace. Pride, selfishness, and ambition must
be overcome; your will must be swallowed up in the will of Christ.
The whole life may become one constant love sacrifice, every action
a manifestation, and every word an utterance of love. As the life of
the vine circulates through stem and cluster, descends into the lower
fibres, and reaches to the topmost leaf, so will the grace and love of
Christ burn and abound in the soul, sending its virtues to every part of
the being, and pervading every exercise of body and mind.
Again I would urge upon [you] the necessity from the very first
establishment of your work, to commence in a dignified, Godlike
manner, that you may give character to the influence of the truth which
you know to be of heavenly birth. But remember that great care is to
be exercised in regard to the presentation of truth. Carry the minds
along guardedly. Dwell upon practical godliness, weaving the same
into doctrinal discourses. The teachings and love of Christ will soften
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and subdue the soil of the heart for the good seed of truth. You will
obtain the confidence of the people by working to obtain acquaintance
with them. But keep up the elevated character of the work. Let the
publications, the papers, the pamphlets, be working among the people,
and preparing the minds of the reading class for the preaching of the
truth. Let no stinted efforts be made in this line, and the work, if
commenced wisely, and prosecuted wisely, will result in success. But
do be humble and teachable, if you will teach others, and lead others
in the way of truth and righteousness.—
Letter 14, 1887
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