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The Voice in Speech and Song
in a manner to bring them to the cross of Jesus Christ. The messenger
of God must present eternal truths plainly, and keep in distinct view
before the people their peril in neglecting eternal interests. While self
is kept out of sight Jesus Christ must be ever lifted up and exalted.
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men
after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God
hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and
God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things
which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are
despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to
nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence. But
of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it
is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians
[323]
1:26-31
.
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of
speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I
determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and
Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in
much trembling” [
1 Corinthians 2:1-3
].
The apostle feared lest his work should stand in the wisdom of
men and not in the power of God, and thus his labor prove to be a work
which would not produce a harvest....Especial heed should be given to
the words of the apostle: “Of these things put them in remembrance,
charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no
profit, but to the subverting of the hearers” [
2 Timothy 2:14
].
The minister of the gospel is never exhorted to strive to be a smart
preacher, a popular speaker; but is commanded to “study to show
thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings:
for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” (
2 Timothy 2:15, 16
).
Will every messenger of God give heed to these words?—
Manuscript
29, 1893
.
New Light, New Ideas—Some of our ministers have a runway
of discourses which they use without variation year after year. The
same illustrations, the same figures, and almost the same words. They
have ceased to be students. There is an end to improvement, and
they stagger under the load of a few set discourses to prevent mental