Importance of Right Example on the Part of Laborers
“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, N. S. W.,
(SpTA07 36)
March 30, 1896.
(SpTA07 36)
(Recopied July 27, 1896.)
(SpTA07 36)
Dear Brother and Sister -----,
(SpTA07 36)
The Lord loves you. I am aroused at two o’clock in the morning to write you those things which force themselves upon my mind. By your own choice you may place yourselves under influences which will help you to form a character for the kingdom of God, and make your work acceptable, or you may receive into your life that which will make your work a failure.
(SpTA07 36.1)
It is of the greatest importance that ministers and workers set a right example. If they hold and practise lax, loose principles, their example is quoted by those who love to talk rather than to practise, as a full vindication of their course of action. Every mistake that is made grieves the heart of Jesus, and does injury to the influence of the truth, which is the power of God for the salvation of souls. The whole synagogue of Satan watches for mistakes in the lives of those who are seeking to represent Christ, and the most is made of every defection.
(SpTA07 36.2)
Take heed lest by your example you place other souls in peril. It is a terrible thing to lose your 37own soul, but to pursue a course which will cause the loss of other souls is still more terrible. That our influence should result in being a savor of death unto death is a terrible thought, and yet it is possible. With what holy jealousy, then, should we keep guard over our thoughts, our words, our habits, our dispositions, and our characters. God requires more deep, personal holiness on our part. Only by revealing his character can we co-operate with him in the work of saving souls.
(SpTA07 36.3)
Value of a Consistent Life
The Lord’s workers cannot be too careful that their actions do not contradict their words; for a consistent life alone can command respect. If our practise harmonizes with our teaching, our words will have effect; but a piety which is not based upon conscientious principles, is as salt without savor. To speak, and do not, is as a sounding brass, and a tinkling cymbal. It is of no use for us to strive to inculcate principles which we do not conscientiously practise.
(SpTA07 37.1)
Watch unto prayer. In this way alone can you put your whole being into the Lord’s work. Self must be put in the background. Those who make self prominent, gain an education that soon becomes second nature to them, and they will soon fail to realize that instead of uplifting Jesus, they uplift themselves; that instead of being channels through which the living water can flow to refresh others, they absorb the sympathies and affections of those around them. This is not loyalty to our crucified Lord.
(SpTA07 37.2)
Not to Elicit Sympathy
We are ambassadors for Christ, and we are to live, not to save our reputation, but to save perishing souls from perdition. Our daily endeavor should be to show them that they may gain truth and righteousness. Instead of trying to elicit sympathy for ourselves, by giving others the impression that we are not appreciated, we are to forget self entirely; and if we fail to do this, through want of spiritual discernment and vital piety, God will require at our hands the souls of those for whom we should have labored. He has made provision that every worker in his service may have grace and wisdom, that he may become a living epistle, known and read of all men. By watchfulness and prayer we may accomplish just what the Lord designs that we shall. By faithful, painstaking discharge of our duty, by watching for souls as they that must give account, we may remove every stumbling-block out of the way of others. By earnest warnings and entreaties, with our own souls drawn out in tender solicitude for those that are ready to perish, we may win souls to Christ.
(SpTA07 38.1)
The Danger of Grieving the Holy Spirit
I would that all my brethren and sisters would remember that it is a serious thing to grieve the Holy Spirit; and it is grieved when the human agent seeks to work himself, and refuses to enter the service of the Lord because the cross is too heavy, or the self-denial too great. The Holy Spirit seeks to abide in each soul. If it is welcomed as an honored guest, those who receive it 39will be made complete in Christ. The good work begun will be finished; the holy thoughts, heavenly affections, and Christlike actions will take the place of impure thoughts, perverse sentiments, and rebellious acts.
(SpTA07 38.2)
The Holy Spirit is a divine teacher. If we heed its lessons, we shall become wise unto salvation. But we need to guard well our hearts; for too often we forget the heavenly instruction we have received, and seek to act out the natural inclinations of our unconsecrated minds. Each one must fight his own battle against self. Heed the teachings of the Holy Spirit. If this is done, they will be repeated again and again until the impressions are as it were “[lead] in the rock forever.”
(SpTA07 39.1)
God’s Claims Upon Us
God has bought us, and he claims a throne in each heart. Our minds and bodies must be subordinated to him; and the natural habits and appetites must be made subservient to the higher wants of the soul. But we can place no dependence upon ourselves in this work. We cannot with safety follow our own guidance. The Holy Spirit must renew and sanctify us. In God’s service there must be no half-way work. Those who profess to serve God, and yet indulge their natural impulses, will mislead other souls. Said Christ, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.... This do, and thou shalt live.”
(SpTA07 39.2)
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for 40the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”
(SpTA07 39.3)
Principles of Health Reform
The Lord has given his people a message in regard to health reform. This light has been shining upon their pathway for thirty years; and the Lord cannot sustain his servants in a course which will counteract it. He is displeased when his servants act in opposition to the message upon this point, which he has given them to give to others. Can he be pleased when half the workers laboring in a place, teach that the principles of health reform are as closely allied with the third angel’s message as the arm is to the body, while their co-workers, by their practise, teach principles that are entirely opposite? This is regarded as a sin in the sight of God, and is one reason why he could not give greater success to the work in -----.
(SpTA07 40.1)
My brother, you must no longer demerit the messengers and the message God has sent you in regard to the principles of healthful living. Testimony after testimony has been given, which should have brought about great reforms; but at home and abroad your life has been a decided witness against the warnings which the Lord has sent; and nothing brings such discouragement upon the Lord’s watchmen as to be connected with those who have mental capacity, and who understand the reasons of our faith, but by precept and 41example manifest indifference to moral obligations.
(SpTA07 40.2)
The light which God has given upon health reform cannot be trifled with without injury to those who attempt it; and no man can hope to succeed in the work of God while, by precept and example, he acts in opposition to the light which God has sent. The voice of duty is the voice of God,—an in-born, heaven-sent guide,—and the Lord will not be trifled with upon these subjects. He who disregards the light which God has given in regard to the preservation of health, revolts against his own good, and refuses to obey the One who is working for his best good.
(SpTA07 41.1)
The Duty of the Christian
It is the duty of every Christian to follow that course of action which the Lord has designated as right for his servants. He is ever to remember that God and eternity are before him, and he should not disregard his spiritual and physical health, even though tempted by wife, children, or relatives to do so. “If the Lord be God, follow him; if Baal, follow him.”
(SpTA07 41.2)
The principles of health reform, right or wrong, which are adopted by him who gives the word of God to others, will have a molding influence upon his work, and upon those with whom he labors. If his principles are wrong, he can and will misrepresent the truth to others; if he accepts the truth which appeals to reason rather than to perverted appetite, his influence for the right will be decided. The truth will be in his heart as a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.
(SpTA07 41.3)
God’s instruction is not Yea and Nay, but Yea and Amen in Christ Jesus; and his workers are 42called upon to remember that they cannot drift along with unsettled principles which are warped and distorted by impulse, without misrepresenting the truth which they profess, and doing a lasting injury to their own souls......
(SpTA07 41.4)