law.
* * * * *
Many in the world set their affections on things that in themselves
are not evil; but they become satisfied with these things, and do not
seek the greater and higher good that Christ desires to give them.
Now we must not rudely seek to deprive them of what they hold
dear. Reveal to them the beauty and preciousness of truth. Lead
them to behold Christ in His loveliness; then they will turn from
everything that would draw their affections away from Him. This is
the principle of the Saviour’s dealing with men; it is the principle
that must be brought into the church.
Christ came into the world to “bind up the broken-hearted, to
proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to
them that are bound.” Isaiah 61:1. The Sun of Righteousness shall
[55] “arise with healing in His wings.” Malachi 4:2. The world is full
of men and women who are carrying a heavy burden of sorrow and
suffering and sin. God sends His children to reveal to them Him
who will take away the burden and give them rest. It is the mission
of Christ’s servants to help, to bless, and to heal.
* * * * *
Christ’s favorite theme was the paternal character and abundant
love of God. This knowledge of God was Christ’s own gift to men,
and this gift He has committed to His people to be communicated
by them to the world.
* * * * *
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In presenting to the people the various lessons and warnings of
the special message for this time, we must bear in mind that not all
are equally appropriate for the congregations that assemble at our
camp meetings. Even Jesus said to His disciples, who had been with
Him for three years: “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye
cannot bear them now.” John 16:12. We must endeavor to present
the truth as the people are prepared to hear it and to appreciate its
value. The Spirit of God is working upon the minds and hearts of
men, and we are to work in harmony with it.
Of some truths the people already have a knowledge. There are
some in which they are interested, of which they are ready to learn
more. Show them the significance of these truths and their relation
to others which they do not understand. Thus you will arouse a
desire for greater light. This is “rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15.
* * * * *
Let the message for this time be presented, not in long, labored [56]
discourses, but in short talks, right to the point. Do not think when
you have gone over a subject once that you can pass right on to other
points, and the hearers will retain all that has been presented. There
is danger of passing too rapidly from point to point. Give short
lessons, in plain, simple language, and let them be often repeated.
* * * * *
Do not immediately follow one discourse with another, but let a
period of rest intervene, that the truth may be fastened in the mind,
and that opportunity for meditation and prayer may be given for
both ministers and people. Thus there will be growth in religious
knowledge and experience.
* * * * *
Keep the mind concentrated on a few vital points. Do not bring
unimportant ideas into your discourses. God would not have you
think that you are impressed by His Spirit when you fly from your
subject, bringing in foreign matters that have no connection with
52 Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
your text. By wandering from straight lines, and bringing in that
which calls the mind off the subject, you lose your bearing, and
weaken all that you have previously said. Give your hearers pure
wheat, thoroughly winnowed.
Be careful never to lose a sense of the presence of the divine
Watcher. Remember that you are speaking, not only before an
assembly of men, but before One whom you should ever recognize.
Speak as if the whole heavenly universe were before you.
* * * * *
[57] One night, previous to an important meeting, I seemed in my
sleeping hours to be in meeting with my brethren, listening to One
who spoke as having authority. He said: “Many souls will attend
this meeting who are honestly ignorant of the truths that will be
presented. They will listen and become interested, because Christ
is drawing them; conscience tells them that what they hear is true,
for it has the Bible for its foundation. The greatest care is needed in
dealing with these souls.
“Let such portions of the message be dealt out to them as they
may be able to grasp and appropriate. Though it should appear
strange and startling, many will recognize with joy that new light
is shed on the word of God; whereas if new truths were presented
in so large a measure that they could not comprehend them, some
would go away and never come again. Some, in their efforts to tell
it to others, would misrepresent what they had heard. Some would
so wrest the Scriptures as to confuse other minds.
“Those who will study the manner of Christ’s teaching, and
educate themselves to follow His way, will attract and hold large
numbers now, as Christ held the people in His day. At every meeting,
Satan will be on the ground, that with his hellish shadow he may
obtrude himself between man and God to intercept every ray of light
that might shine on the soul. But when the truth in its practical
character is urged upon the people because you love them, souls
will be convicted, because the Holy Spirit of God will impress their
hearts.
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
“Arm yourselves with humility; pray that angels of God may
come close to your side to impress the mind; for it is not you that
Camp Meeting 53
work the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit must w
