Counsel to Missionaries in Africa
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Love of self, pride, and self-sufficiency lie at the foundation of
the greatest trials and discords that have ever existed in the religious
world. Again and again the angel has said to me, “Press together, press
together, be of one mind, of one judgment.” Christ is the leader, and
you are brethren; follow Him. Walk in the light as He is in the light.
Those who walk in the footsteps of Christ shall not walk in darkness,
but those who draw apart in unsanctified independence cannot have
God’s presence and blessing in the work. Clean hands, a pure heart,
and a right spirit are the gifts of God; seek for them with all diligence.
Christ says, “Without me ye can do nothing.”
God has a great work to be accomplished in Africa, and no plans
must be laid without the aid of His infinite wisdom. After your plans
of labour have been talked over together, mingled with earnest prayer,
work, work for Christ. Be not intimidated by apparent difficulties
which threaten to obstruct your pathway. There is a right way to work,
and God will direct you therein. If you labour in perfect unity, with
unselfish interest, and brotherly love, angels of God will be with you.
This is God’s work, and He will make the rough places smooth, He
will prepare the way before you. The work which is to be done in
foreign countries can never be done by mortal man unaided by di-
vine wisdom. You must look to the Captain for orders, and then obey
without questioning. As you go forward in the strength of Israel’s
God, in simplicity and faith, the difficulties which Satan will mag-
nify into mountains will become as mole hills. Workers can easily
place themselves where divine love, power, and wisdom cannot reach
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them, where they cannot have help in counsel, in difficulties and trials,
because they would not understand and rightly appropriate heaven’s
rich treasure. They would glorify themselves, and think their own
ways perfect, and become established in self-righteousness. Man’s
wisdom is counted foolishness. When self is put entirely away, then
you can obtain a new and rich experience, you will discern your own
imperfections as you lie low at the foot of the cross, and as you view
the perfections of Christ, self will sink into insignificance.
Christ will appear to the discerning eye the perfection of attractive
loveliness; then His mould will be upon mind and heart, and will be
revealed in the character. The impress of the divine mind should be
made upon the heart, and manifested in the life. Come to Jesus in
your need, pray in living faith, hold fast to the hand of divine power,