Four Letters to a Leading Missionary Worker in Africa
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I tell you that which I have not spoken of or written to any other
human being. A change must come to you through the moving, melting
love of God, a change that will enable you to carry the credentials that
you are one who loves souls. I think I have spoken so plainly that you
will seek to learn of Christ His ways and methods, and seek to bring
more of the sunshine and joy of the truth, the brightness of the Sun
of Righteousness, into your own individual experience. Let your own
heart break; let the routine and precision be broken down. Look unto
Jesus, and not to men, to be told what to do. Catch the divine light
from the Light of the world, and flash it upon the pathway of others in
shaping and moulding the work in Africa.
The simplicity of Christ, the melting love of Jesus, will speak to
hearts when the mere reiteration of the truth will accomplish nothing.
Self must not be brought in as a specialty; it must be hid with Christ
in God....
It is a very delicate thing to deal with human minds. You may
stand up stiffly, and never, never soften their hearts, or you may come
close to the afflicted soul, and with a heart full of love, lead him away
from the enemy’s battleground, not drive him there, and leave him
there to become the sport of Satan’s temptations.
I will pray for you, but for Christ’s sake seek the meekness, the
simplicity, and the love of Jesus. Let His love break down every barrier.
Come close to your brethren. You need not countenance wrongdoing
in a single instance, but you can impress hearts that you long to co-
operate with Christ in saving the souls for whom He has died. I entreat
you to seek God. I urge you to open the door of your heart and let
the love and tender compassion of Christ in, and then let it out in
tender words and offices of love. May the Lord give you wisdom is
my prayer.
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P.S.—My brethren, we must all work wisely and intelligently.
Ceremonies and forms should not become so essential as to mark
out a course whereby the Lord should do His work. The world and
all society are looked upon as in disorder. Ideas and methods and
skilful inventions are instituted to remodel it, but the system is almost
altogether human. The change essential is conversion from error to
truth. The temple lies in ruins, and an attempt to build it with the
same old material is useless. Only the power of God can transform the
character of man, conforming him to the image of Christ in heart and