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Welfare Ministry
The Lord is working to reach the most depraved. Many will know
what it means to be drawn to Christ, but will not have moral courage
to war against appetite and passion. But the workers must not be
discouraged at this; for it is written: “In the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils.”
1 Timothy 4:1
. Is it only those rescued from the lowest
depths that backslide? There are those in the ministry who have had
light and a knowledge of the truth who will not be overcomers. They
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do not restrict their appetites and passions or deny themselves for
Christ’s sake. Many poor outcasts, even publicans and sinners, will
grasp the hope set before them in the gospel, and will go into the
kingdom of heaven before the ones who have had great opportunities
and great light, but who have walked in darkness....My brethren and
sisters, take your position on the Lord’s side, and be earnest, active,
courageous co-workers with Christ, laboring with Him to seek and
save the lost.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:74, 75
.
Not to Follow Salvation Army Methods—The Lord has marked
out our way of working. As a people we are not to imitate and fall in
with Salvation Army methods. This is not the work that the Lord has
given us to do. Neither is it our work to condemn them and speak harsh
words against them. There are precious, self-sacrificing souls in the
Salvation Army. We are to treat them kindly. There are in the Army
honest souls, who are sincerely serving the Lord, and who will see
greater light, advancing to the acceptance of all truth. The Salvation
Army workers are trying to save the neglected, downtrodden ones.
Discourage them not. Let them do that class of work by their own
methods and in their own way. But the Lord has plainly pointed out
the work that Seventh-day Adventists are to do.—
Testimonies for the
Church 8:184, 185
.
Helping the Outcasts Find a New Career—As God’s children
devote themselves to this work [restoring the fallen], many will lay
hold of the hand stretched out to save them. They are constrained to
turn from their evil ways. Some of the rescued ones may, through
faith in Christ, rise to high places of service, and be entrusted with
responsibilities in the work of saving souls. They know by experience
the necessities of those for whom they labor, and they know how to
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help them. They know what means can best be used to recover the
perishing. They are filled with gratitude to God for the blessings they