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Testimonies to Southern Africa
gladness by His divine efficiency. Then we go forth, working like
inspired labourers together with God.
There will always be conditions in God’s work. Every man is
called upon to dedicate himself unreservedly to God, soul, body, and
spirit. Amid self-denial and trial, discouragement and suffering, with
the devotion of a martyr and the courage of a hero, he is to hold fast to
that hand that never lets go, saying, I will not fail nor be discouraged....
It grieves my heart to think of what might have been if the ones
who enter the missionary field had been humble, devoted, consecrated
workers.
Those who enter any portion of the Lord’s vast vineyard should
understand that their supposed acquired abilities will not give them
success in their work. A too great recognition of self will place one
where he will be alone, terribly alone, without the co-operation of his
brethren, and without the co-operation of heavenly agencies.
Some of the workers... (from America) have been hindrances
and not helps. The day of God will reveal the results of their work.
They made confusion because they were not converted. Self was
working without the power of the pure, true agency. Had these workers
been sanctified, purified, and cleansed from all selfishness and self-
superiority, had they had a genuine experience in the things of God,
had their example and influence been right, Africa would not be what
it is today. The grand, far-reaching influence of the truth would have
embraced other territories....
[83]
If in Africa there had been consecrated workers to push their way
into unworked fields, with the full co-operation of the men who are
bearing responsibilities, the influence of this work would have added
large numbers to the Lord’s kingdom. But the same error has been
committed in Africa that was committed in Battle Creek,—a centre
was made in one place at a large outlay of means, while other portions
of the Lord’s vineyard which should have been worked were neglected.
God will use in His work humble men who do not think themselves so
useful that they trust to their own judgment and efficiency.
In Africa there were those who because of their humility were
supposed to be unable to do much. Christ worked with these men.
God gave them wisdom. But supposedly wiser men bound about the
work, and gave little encouragement for it to advance.... Had the work
been done that needed to be done, men of talent would have come to