Bible truth would accustom the mind to run in that channel, and we would
thus be better qualified for the important work devolving upon us.
“I was shown that God did not lay upon us such heavy burdens as we
have borne in the past. It is our duty to talk to the church and show them
the necessity of working for themselves. They have been carried too much.
The reason why we should not be required to take upon ourselves heavy
burdens and engage in perplexing labor is that the Lord has work of another
character for us to perform. He would not have us exhaust our physical
and mental energies, but hold them in reserve, that upon special occasions,
whenever help is actually needed, our voices may be heard.
“I saw that important moves would be made, in which our influence
would be demanded to lead out; that influences would arise, and errors
would occasionally be brought into the church, and that then our influence
would be required. But if exhausted by previous labors, we would not
possess that calm judgment, discretion, and self-control necessary for the
important occasion in which God would have us act a prominent part.
“Satan has crippled our efforts by so affecting the church as to call
forth from us almost double labor to cut our way through the darkness and
unbelief. These efforts to set things in order in the churches have exhausted
our strength, and lassitude and debility have followed. I saw that we have
a work to do, but the adversary of souls will resist every effort that we
attempt to make. The people may be in a state of backsliding, so that God
cannot bless them, and this will be disheartening; but we should not be
discouraged. We should do our duty in presenting the light, and leave the
responsibility with the people.”
I will here copy from another testimony, written June 6, 1863: “I was
shown that our testimony is still needed in the church, that we should labor
to save ourselves trials and cares,
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and that we should preserve a devotional frame of mind. It is the duty of
those in the office to tax their brains more, and of my husband to tax his
less. Much time is spent by him upon various matters which confuse and
weary his mind, and unfit him for study or for writing, and thus prevent his
light from shining in the Review as it should.
“My husband’s mind should not be crowded and overtaxed. It must
have rest, and he must be left free to write and attend to matters which
others cannot do. Those engaged in the office could lift from him a great
weight of care if they would dedicate themselves to God and feel a deep
interest in the work. No selfish feelings should exist among those who
labor in the office. It is the work of God in which they are engaged, and
they are accountable to Him for their motives and the manner in which
this branch of His work is performed. They are required to discipline their
minds. Many feel that no blame should be attached to forgetfulness. This
is a great mistake. Forgetfulness is sin. It leads to many blunders and to
much disorder and many wrongs. Things that should be done ought not to
be forgotten. The mind must be tasked; it must be disciplined until it will
remember.
“My husband has had much care, and has done many things which
others ought to have done, but which he feared to have them do, lest, in
their heedlessness, they should make mistakes not easily remedied, and
thus involve losses. This has been a great perplexity to his mind. Those
who labor in the office should learn. They should study, and practice, and
exercise their own brains; for they have this branch of business alone, while
my husband has the responsibility of many departments of the work. If a
workman makes a failure, he should feel that it rests upon him to repair
damages from his own purse, and should not allow the office to suffer loss
through his carelessness. He should not cease to bear responsibilities, but
should try again, avoiding former mistakes. In this way he will learn to take
that care which the word of God ever requires, and then he will do no more
than his duty.
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“My husband should take time to do those things which his judgment
tells him would preserve his health. He has thought that he must throw
off the burdens and responsibilities which were upon him, and leave the
office, or his mind would become a wreck. I was shown that when the Lord
released him from his position, he would give him just as clear evidence
of his release as he gave him when He laid the burden of the work upon
him. But he has borne too many burdens, and those laboring with him at
the office, and also his ministering brethren, have been too willing that he
should bear them. They have, as a general thing, stood back from bearing
burdens, and have sympathized with those who were murmuring against
him, and left him to stand alone while he was bowed down beneath censure,
until God has vindicated His own cause. If they had taken their share of the
burdens, my husband would have been relieved.
“I saw that God now requires us to take special care of the health He
has given us, for our work is not yet done. Our testimony must still be
borne, and will have influence. We should preserve our strength to labor
in the cause of God when our labor is needed. We should be careful not to
take upon ourselves burdens that others can and should bear. We should
encourage a cheerful, hopeful, peaceful frame of mind; for our health
depends upon our so doing. The work that God requires us to do will not
prevent our caring for our health, that we may recover from the effect of
overtaxing labor. The more perfect our health, the more perfect will be
our labor. When we overtax our strength, and become exhausted, we are
liable to take cold, and at such times there is danger of disease assuming a
dangerous form. We must not leave the care of ourselves with God, when
He has placed that responsibility upon us.”
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
October 25, 1869, while at Adams Center, New York, I was shown that
some ministers among us fail to bear all the responsibility that God would
have them. This lack throws extra labor upon those who are burden bearers,
especially
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