Chapter 32—Cautions Sounded
Slum Work Not to Be Glamorized—Precautions must be taken
in this last work that mortals shall undertake. There is danger of so
working upon the imagery of the mind that persons who are wholly
unfitted to engage in the sacred work of God will consider themselves
appointed by Heaven to work for the outcast and fallen. If all the
experiences, pleasant and unpleasant were depicted, there would not
be so many drawn to this class of work. Many enter the work because
they love that which is sensational and exciting. But unless they throw
all their energies into this grand, soul-saving work, they reveal that
they have not the true missionary spirit.—
Manuscript 177, 1899
.
Danger in Working for Outcasts—In every effort to keep the
soul with all diligence, man needs the keeping power of God. There
is danger, constant danger, of contamination in the work among the
fallen and degraded. Why, then, do men and women place themselves
in contact with this danger who are unprepared to resist temptation,
and who have not sufficient strength of character for the work?
Upon the mind of many a young man engaged in the so-called
medical missionary work an altogether different effect is produced
than the doctor or any of his associates imagine. [
Reference is here
made to Dr. J. H. Kellogg, who was leading out in a rapidly expanding
work for the depraved and outcast.—Compilers.
] He is not careful
to watch the designs of Satan toward him in his new and exposed
career, and gradually he separates from the home life and healthful
influences. Before every such youth the danger signal needs to be
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uplifted. In every place where men and women are working for the
degraded someone must bear grave responsibilities, or the workers
will become cheap in their attitude, their words, and their principles.
Many will unite in this work, thinking that by so doing they will
be helped from their life of sin; and when occasion arises these will
think it right to prevaricate, to be dishonest, or to commit any of
the sins of which they have been guilty in the past. Beholding this,
the workers who are not living in close connection with God will be
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