helping hand. Thus they hold them off at arms’ length. They have
not learned that they have a special duty to go and search for these lost
sheep. They must not wait till these come to them. Read the touching
parable of the lost sheep. Luke 15:1-7 : “Then drew near unto Him all
the publicans and sinners for to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes
murmured, saying, This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
And He spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having
an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and
nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And
when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which
was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one
sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which
need no repentance.”
The Pharisees murmured because Jesus received publicans and
common sinners, and ate with them. In their self-righteousness they
despised these poor sinners who gladly heard the words of Jesus. To
rebuke this spirit in the scribes and Pharisees, and leave an impressive
lesson for all, the Lord gave the parable of the lost sheep. Notice in
particular the following points:
The ninety and nine sheep are left, and diligent search is made for
the one that is lost. The entire effort is made for this unfortunate sheep.
So should the effort of the church be directed in behalf of those members
who are straying from the fold of Christ. And have they wandered far
away, do not wait till they return before you try to help them, but go in
search of them.
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When the lost sheep was found, it was borne home with joy, and
much rejoicing followed. This illustrates the blessed, joyful work of
laboring for the erring. The church that engages successfully in this work
is a happy church. That man or that woman whose soul is drawn out in
compassion and love for the erring, and who labors to bring them to the
fold of the Great Shepherd, is engaged in a blessed work. And, oh, what
a soul-enrapturing thought, that when one sinner is thus reclaimed, there
is more joy in heaven than over ninety and nine just persons! Selfish,
exclusive, exacting souls who seem to fear to help those in error, as
though they would become polluted by so doing, do not taste of the
sweets of this missionary work; they do not feel that blessedness which
fills all heaven with rejoicing upon the rescue of one who has gone astray.
They are shut up to their narrow views and feelings, and are becoming
as dry and unfruitful as the mountains of Gilboa, upon which there was
neither dew nor rain. Let a strong man be shut away from labor, and he
becomes feeble. That church or those persons who shut themselves away
from bearing burdens for others, who shut themselves up to themselves,
will soon suffer spiritual feebleness. It is labor that keeps the strong man
strong. And spiritual labor, toil and burden bearing, is what will give
strength to the church of Christ.
Sabbath and first day, April 18, 19, we enjoyed a good season with
our people at Greenville. Brethren A and B were with us. My husband
baptized eight. The 25th and 26th we were with the church in Wright.
This dear people are ever ready to welcome us. Here my husband
baptized eight.
May 2 we met a large congregation at the house of worship at
Monterey. My husband spoke with clearness and force upon the parable
of the lost sheep. The word was greatly blessed to the people. Some who
had strayed were out of the
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church, and there was no spirit of labor to help them. In fact, the stiff,
stern, unfeeling position of some in the church was calculated to prevent
their return, should they be disposed thus to do. The subject touched the
hearts of all, and all manifested a desire to get right. On first day we
spoke three times in Allegan to good congregations. Our appointment
was out to meet with the church at Battle Creek the 9th, but we felt
that our work in Monterey was but just commenced, and we therefore
decided to return to Monterey and labor with that church another week.
The good work moved on, exceeding our expectations. The house was
filled, and we never before witnessed such a work in Monterey in so
short a time. First day, fifty came forward for prayers. Brethren felt
deeply for the lost sheep, and confessed their coldness and indifference,
and took a good stand. Brethren G. T. Lay and S. Rummery gave good
testimonies, and were joyfully received by their brethren. Fourteen were
baptized, one of them a man near the middle age of life, who had felt
opposed to the truth. The work moved on with solemnity, confessions,
and much weeping, carrying all before it. Thus closed the arduous labors
of the Conference year. And still we felt that the good work in Monterey
was by no means finished. We have made arrangements to return and
spend several weeks in Allegan County.
The Conference just past has been a season of deepest interest. The
labors of my husband have been very great during its numerous sessions,
and he must have rest. Our labors for the past year are regarded favorably
by our people, and there was manifested to us at the Conference,
sympathy, tender care, and benevolence. With them we have enjoyed
great freedom, and we part, enjoying mutual confidence and love.
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Chap. 2 - Doing for Christ
From what has been shown me, Sabbathkeepers are growing more
selfish as they increase in riches. Their love for Christ and His people
is decreasing. They do not see the wants of the needy, nor feel their
sufferings and sorrows. They do not realize that in neglecting the poor
and the suffering they neglect Christ, and that in relieving the wants and
sufferings of the poor as far as possible, they minister to Jesus.
Christ says to His redeemed people: “Come, ye blessed of My
Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the
world: for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and
ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in: naked, and ye
clothed Me: I was sick, and ye visited Me: I was in prison, and ye came
unto Me.
“Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we
Thee an hungered, and fed Thee? or thirsty, and gave Thee drink? When
saw we Thee a stranger, and took Thee in? or naked, and clothed Thee?
Or when saw we Thee sick, or in prison, and came unto Thee? And the
King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have
done it unto Me.”
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
To become a toiler, to continue patiently in well-doing which calls
for self-denying labor, is a glorious work, which Heaven smiles upon.
Faithful work is more acceptable to God than the most zealous
