is a stranger to the operation of His Spirit upon the heart, bringing the
desires and affections into conformity to the obedience of Christ. She does
not possess ennobling qualities of mind and does not discern sacred things.
She has let her children do as they pleased. The fearful experience that she
has had with two of her elder children has not made the deep impression on
her mind that the circumstances demanded. She has educated her children
to love dress, vanity, and folly. She has not disciplined her two younger
girls. A D, under a proper influence, would be a worthy young man;
but he has much to learn. He follows inclination rather than duty. He
loves to follow his own will and pleasure, and has not a correct knowledge
of the duties devolving upon a Christian. Self-gratification, and his own
inclination, he would gladly interpret to be duty. Self-gratification he has
not overcome. He has a work to do to clear his spiritual vision, that he may
understand what it is to be sanctified to God, and learn the high claims of
God upon him. The serious defects in his education have affected his life.
If, with his good qualifications, Brother B were well balanced and a
faithful foreman of the office, his labor would be of great value to the office,
and he could earn double wages. But for the past years, considering his
deficiency, with his unconsecrated influence, the office could better afford
to do without him, even if his services could be had for nothing. Brother
and Sister B have not learned the lesson of economy. The gratification of
the taste, and the desire for pleasure and display, have had an overpowering
influence upon them. Small wages would be of more advantage to them
than large, for they would use all as they pass along, were it ever so much.
They would enjoy as they go, and then when affliction draws upon them,
would be wholly unprepared. Twenty dollars a week would be laid out
about the same as twelve. Had Brother and Sister B been economical
managers, denying themselves, they could ere this have had a home of their
own, and besides this have had means to draw upon in case of adversity.
But they will not economize as others have done,
30
upon whom they have sometimes been dependent. If they neglect to learn
these lessons, their characters will not be found perfect in the day of God.
Brother B has been the object of the great love and condescension of
Christ, and yet he has never felt that he could imitate the great Exemplar.
He claims, and all his life has sought after, a better portion in this life than
was given our Lord. He has never felt the depths of ignorance and sin from
which Christ has proposed to lift him and to link him to His divine nature.
It is a fearful thing to minister in sacred things when the heart and hands
are not holy. To be a co-worker with Christ involves fearful responsibilities;
to stand as His representative is no small matter. The fearful realities of the
judgment will test every man’s work. The apostle said, “We preach not
ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;” “for God, who commanded the light
to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” The sufficiency
of the apostle was not in himself, but in the gracious influence of the Spirit
of Christ, which filled his soul and brought every thought into subjection
to the obedience of Christ. The power of truth attending the word preached
will be a savor of life unto life or of death unto death. Ministers are required
to be living examples of the mind and spirit of Christ, living epistles, known
and read of all men. I tremble when I consider that there are some ministers,
even among Seventh-day Adventists, who are not sanctified by the truths
which they preach. Nothing less than the quick and powerful Spirit of God
working in the hearts of His messengers to give the knowledge of the glory
of God, can gain for them the victory.
Brother B’s preaching has not been marked by the sanction of God’s
Spirit. He can talk fluently and make a point plain, but his preaching
has lacked spirituality. His appeals have not touched the heart with a new
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
tenderness. There has been an array of words, but the hearts of his hearers
have not been quickened and melted with a sense of a Saviour’s love
