Epistle Number Four.

During the tent-meeting in 1874, and after its close was an important time for S—— F——. Had there been a pleasant and commodious house of worship there, more than double the number that was really gained, would have taken their stand for the truth.T26 90.2

God works with our efforts. We may close the way for sinners by our negligence and selfishness. There should have been great diligence in seeking to save those who were still in error, yet interested in the truth. There is as wise generalship needed in the service of Christ, as over the battalions^{*The original publication had the spelling “batallions.”} of an army that protects the life and liberty of the people. It is not every one who can labor judiciously for the salvation of souls. There is much close thinking to be done. We must not enter into the Lord's work hap-hazard and expect success. The Lord needs men of mind, men of thought. Jesus calls for co-workers, not blunderers. God wants right-thinking and intelligent men to do the great work necessary to the salvation of souls.T26 90.3

Mechanics, lawyers, merchants, men of all trades and professions, educate themselves for their business that they may become masters of it. Should the followers of Christ be less intelligent, and while professedly engaged in his service, be ignorant of the ways and means to be employed? The enterprise of gaining everlasting life is above every earthly consideration. In leading souls to Jesus there must be a knowledge of human nature and a study of the human mind. It requires much careful thought and fervent prayer in order to know how to approach men and women upon the great subject of truth.T26 91.1

Some rash, impulsive, yet honest souls, after a pointed discourse has been given, will accost those who are not with us in a very abrupt manner, and make the truth, which we desire them to receive, repulsive to them. “The children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light.”T26 91.2

Business men and politicians study courtesy. It is their policy to make themselves as attractive as possible. They study to render their address and manners such that they may have the greatest influence over the minds of those about them. They use their knowledge and abilities as skillfully as possible in order to gain this object.T26 91.3

There is a vast amount of rubbish brought forward by the professed believers in Christ, which blocks up the way to the cross. Notwithstanding all this, there are some who are so deeply convicted that they will come through every discouragement and will surmount every obstacle in order to gain the truth. But had the believers in the truth purified their minds by obeying the truth, had they felt the importance of knowledge and refinement of manners in Christ's work, where one soul has been saved there might have been twenty.T26 91.4

Again, after souls have been converted to the truth, they need to be looked after. The zeal of many seems to fail as soon as a measure of success attends their efforts. They do not seem to realize that these newly converted ones need nursing, watchful attention, help and encouragement. They should not be left alone, a prey to Satan's most powerful temptations; they need to be educated in regard to their duties, to be kindly dealt with, to be led along, visited and prayed with. These souls need the meat apportioned to every man in due season.T26 92.1

No wonder that some become discouraged and linger by the way and are left for wolves to devour. Satan is upon the track of all. He sends his agents forth to gather back to his ranks the souls he has lost. There should be more fathers and mothers to take these babes in the truth to their hearts and encourage them and pray for them, that their faith be not confused.T26 92.2

Preaching is a small part of the work to be done for the salvation of souls. God's Spirit convicts sinners of the truth, and he places them in the arms of the church. The ministers may do their part, but they can never perform the work that the church should do. God requires his church to nurse those who are young in faith and experience, to go to them, not for the purpose of gossiping with them, but to pray, to speak unto them words that are “like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”T26 92.3

We all need to study character and manner that we may know how to deal judiciously with different minds, that we may use our best endeavors to help them to a correct understanding of the word of God, and to a true Christian life. We should read the Bible with them and draw their minds away from temporal things to their eternal interests.T26 93.1

It is the duty of God's children to be missionaries for him, to become acquainted with those who need help. If one is staggering under temptation, his case should be taken up carefully and managed wisely, for his eternal interest is at stake, and the words and acts of those laboring for him may be a savor of life unto life, or of death unto death.T26 93.2

Sometimes a case presents itself that should be made a prayerful study. The person must be shown his true character, understand his own peculiarities of disposition and temperament, and see his infirmities. He should be judiciously handled. If he can be reached, if his heart can be touched by this wise and patient labor, he can be bound with strong cords to Christ and led to trust in God.T26 93.3

Oh, when a work like this is done, all the heavenly court look and rejoice, for a precious soul has been rescued from Satan's snare and saved from death! Oh, will it not pay to work intelligently for the salvation of souls? Christ paid the price of his own life for them, and shall his followers ask, “Am I my brother's keeper?” Shall we not work in unison with the Master? Shall we not appreciate the worth of souls for whom our Saviour died?T26 94.1

Some efforts have been made to interest children in the cause, but not enough. Our Sabbath-schools should be made more interesting. The public schools have of late years greatly improved their methods of teaching. Object lessons, pictures and blackboards are used to make difficult lessons clear to the youthful mind. Just so may present truth be simplified and made intensely interesting to the active minds of the children.T26 94.2

Parents who could be approached in no other way, are frequently reached through their children, Sabbath-school teachers can instruct the children in the truth, and they will, in turn, take it into the home circle. But few teachers seem to understand the importance of this branch of the work. The modes of teaching which have been adopted with such success in the public schools could be employed with similar results in the Sabbath-schools, and be the means of bringing children to Jesus and educating them in Bible truth. This will do far more good than religious excitement of an emotional character that passes off as rapidly as it comes.T26 94.3

The love of Christ should be cherished. More faith is needed in the work we believe is to be done before the coming of Christ. There should be more self-denying, self-sacrificing labor in the right direction. There should be thoughtful, prayerful study how to work to the best advantage. Careful plans should be matured. We have minds among us that can invent and carry out if they will only be put to use. Great results would follow well-directed and intelligent efforts.T26 95.1

The prayer-meetings should be the most interesting gatherings that are held; but these are frequently ill-managed. Many attend the preaching, but neglect the prayer meeting. Here again thought is required. Plans should be laid, and wisdom sought of God, how to conduct the meetings so they will be interesting and attractive. The people hunger for the bread of life. If they find it at the prayer-meeting they will go there to receive it.T26 95.2

Long, prosy talks and prayers are out of place anywhere and especially in the social meeting. Those who are forward and ever ready to speak, are allowed to crowd out the testimony of the timid and retiring. Those who are most superficial generally have the most to say. Their prayers are long spun and mechanical. They weary the angels and the people who listen to them. Our prayers should be short and right to the point. Let the long, tiresome petitions be left for the closet if any have such to offer. Let the spirit of God into your hearts and it will sweep away all dry formality.T26 95.3

Music can be a great power for good, yet we do not make the most of this branch of worship. The singing is generally done from impulse or to meet special cases, and then it is left to blunder along losing its proper effect upon the minds of those present. Music should have beauty, pathos, and power. Let the voices be lifted in songs of praise and devotion. Call to your aid, if practicable, instrumental music, and let the glorious harmony ascend to God, an acceptable offering.T26 96.1

But it is sometimes more difficult to discipline the singers and keep them in working order, than to improve the habits of praying and exhorting. Many want to do things after their own style, object to consultation, are impatient under leadership. Well matured plans are needed in the service of God. Common sense is an excellent thing in the worship of the Lord. The thinking powers should be consecrated to Christ, and ways and means should be devised to serve him best. The church of God who are trying to do good by living out the truth and seeking to save souls, can be a power in the world if they will be disciplined by the Spirit of the Lord. They must not feel that they can go hap-hazard at work for eternity.T26 96.2

As a people, we lose much by lack of sympathy one with the other, a want of sociability. He who talks of independence and shuts himself up to himself, is not filling the position that God designed he should. We are all children of God, mutually dependent upon each other for happiness. The claims of God and of Humanity are upon us. We must all act our part in this life. It is the proper cultivation of the social elements of our nature that brings us in sympathy with our brethren, and affords us happiness in our efforts to bless others. The happiness of Heaven is in the pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels, and with the redeemed who have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. We cannot be happy while we are wrapped up in our interest for ourselves. We should live in this world to win souls to the Saviour. If we injure others, we injure ourselves also. If we bless others, we also bless ourselves, for the influence of every good deed is reflected back upon our own hearts.T26 97.1

We are in duty bound to help one another. It is not always that we are brought in contact with social Christians, those who are amiable and mild. Many have not received a proper education, their characters are warped, they are hard and gnarled and seem to be crooked in every way; while we help these to see and correct their defects, we must be careful not to become impatient and irritable over our neighbor's faults. There are disagreeable ones who profess Christ, but the beauty of Christian grace will transform them if they will set diligently about the work of obtaining the meekness and gentleness of Him they follow, remembering that “None of us liveth to himself.”T26 97.2

Co-workers with Christ, what an exalted position! Where is to be found the self-sacrificing missionaries in these large cities? The Lord needs workers in his vineyard. We should fear to rob God of the time he claims from us; we should fear to spend it in idleness or in the adornment of the body, appropriating to foolish purposes the precious hours God has given us to become conversant with our Bibles, to devote to prayer, to labor for the good of our fellow-beings, and fit ourselves and them for the great work devolving upon us.T26 98.1

Mothers spend unnecessary labor upon garments with which to beautify the persons of themselves and their children. It is our duty to dress ourselves plainly and to clothe our children neatly, without useless ornament, embroidery or display, taking care not to foster in them a love of dress that will prove their ruin, but seeking rather to cultivate the Christian graces. We can none of us be excused from our responsibilities, and in no case can we stand clear before the throne of God unless we do the work that the Master has left for us to do.T26 98.2

Missionaries for God are wanted, faithful men and women who will not shirk responsibility. Judicious labor will accomplish good results. There is real work to do. The truth should be brought before people in a careful manner by those who unite meekness with wisdom. We should not hold ourselves aloof from our fellow-men, but come close to them, for their souls are as precious as our own. We can carry the light into their homes, with a softened and subdued spirit plead with them to come up to the exalted privilege offered them, pray with them when it seems proper, and show them there are higher attainments they may reach, and then guardedly speak to them of the sacred truths of these last days.T26 99.1

There are more gatherings for singing than prayer among our people, but even these meetings can be conducted in so reverential, yet cheerful a manner that they may exert a good influence. There is, however, too much jesting, idle conversation and gossiping to make these seasons beneficial by elevating the thoughts and refining the manners.T26 99.2

There has been too much of a divided interest at S—— F——. When a new excitement is raised, there are those who cast their influence on the wrong side. Every man and woman should be on guard when there are deceptions abroad calculated to lead away from the truth. There are those who are ever ready to see and hear some new and strange thing, and the enemy of souls has, in these large cities, plenty to inflame the curiosity and keep the mind diverted from the great and sanctifying truths of these last days.T26 99.3

If every fluctuating religious excitement leads some to neglect to sustain fully, by their presence and influence, the minority who believe unpopular truth, there will be much weakness in the church where there should be strength. Satan takes various means by which to accomplish his purposes, and if, under the guise of popular religion, he can lead off vacillating and unwary ones from the path of truth, he has accomplished much in dividing the strength of the people of God.T26 100.1

This fluctuating revival enthusiasm, that comes and goes like the tides, carries a delusive exterior that deceives many honest persons into believing it the true Spirit of the Lord. It multiplies converts; those of excitable temperament, the weak and yielding flock to its standard, but when the wave recedes, they are found stranded on the beach. Be not deceived by false teachers, nor led by vain words. The enemy of souls is sure to have enough dishes of pleasing fables to suit the appetites of all.T26 100.2

There will ever be flashing meteors that arise, but the trail of light they leave goes out immediately in darkness that seems denser than it was before. These sensational religious excitements, that are created by the relation of anecdotes and the exhibition of excentricities and oddities^{*The original publication had the spelling “odities.”}, are all surface work, and those of our faith who are charmed and infatuated by these flashes of light, will never build up the cause of God. They are ready to withdraw their influence upon the slightest occasion, and induce others to attend those gatherings where they hear that which weakens the soul, and brings confusion to the mind. It is this withdrawal of the interest from the work that makes the cause of God languish.T26 100.3

We must be steadfast in the faith, we must not be movable. We have our work before us which is to cause the light of truth, as revealed in the law of God, to shine in upon other minds and lead them out of darkness. This work requires determined, persevering energy, and a fixed purpose to succeed.T26 101.1

There are those in the church who need to cling to the pillars of our faith, to settle down and find rock bottom, instead of drifting on the surface of excitement and moving from impulse. There are spiritual dyspeptics in the church. They are self-made invalids; their spiritual debility is the result of their own wavering course; they are tossed about here and there by the changing winds of doctrine, often confused and thrown into uncertainty because they move entirely by feeling; sensational Christians; they are hungry for something new and diverse; strange doctrines confuse their faith; they are worthless to the cause of truth.T26 101.2

God calls for men and women of stability, of firm purpose, who can be relied upon in seasons of danger and trial, who are as firmly rooted and grounded in the truth as the eternal hills, who cannot be swerved to the right or to the left, but move straight onward and are always found on the right side. There are those who, in time of religious peril, may be almost always looked for among the ranks of the enemy, if they have any influence it is on the wrong side. They do not feel under moral obligation to give all their strength to the truth they profess. Such will receive a reward according to their works.T26 102.1

Those who do little for the Saviour in the salvation of souls, and in keeping themselves right before God, will gain but little spiritual muscle. We need to continually use the strength we have that it may increase and develop. As disease is the result of the violation of natural laws, so is spiritual declension the result of a continued transgression of the law of God. And yet the very transgressors may profess to keep all God's commandments.T26 102.2

We must come nearer to God and place ourselves in a closer connection with Heaven, and many out the principles of the law in the minutest actions of our every-day lives, in order to be spiritually whole. God has given his servants ability, talents to be used for his glory, not to lay idle or be wasted. God has given his servants light and knowledge of his will, to be communicated to others and, in imparting to others, we become living channels of light. If we do not exercise our spiritual strength we become feeble, as the limbs of the body become powerless when the invalid is compelled to long inaction. It is use that gives power.T26 102.3

Nothing will give greater spiritual strength and increase earnestness and depth of feeling, than visiting and ministering to the sick and the desponding, helping them to see the light and to fasten their faith upon Jesus. There are disagreeable duties that somebody must do or souls will be left to perish. Christians will find a blessing in doing these duties, however unpleasant they may be. Christ took the disagreeable task upon himself of coming from the abode of purity and unsurpassed glory to dwell, a man among men, in a world seared and blackened by crime, violence, and iniquity. He did this to save souls, and shall the objects of such amazing love and unparalleled condescension excuse their lives of selfish ease? shall they choose their own pleasure, and follow their own inclinations, and leave souls to perish in darkness because they will meet with disappointment and rebuffs if they labor to save them? Christ paid an infinite price for man's redemption, and shall he say, My Lord, I will not labor in the vineyard, I pray thee have me excused!T26 103.1

God calls for those who are at ease in Zion to be up and doing. Will they not listen to the Master's voice? God wants prayerful, faithful workers who will sow beside all waters. Those who labor thus will be surprised to find how trials, resolutely borne in the name and strength of Jesus, will give firmness to the faith, and renew the courage. In the path of humble obedience is safety and power, comfort and hope. The reward will finally be lost by those who do nothing for Jesus. Weak hands will be unable to cling to the Mighty One, feeble knees will fail to support in the day of adversity. Bible readers and Christian workers will receive the glorious prize, and hear the Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.T26 103.2

The blessing of God will rest upon those in S—— F—— who have the cause of Christ at heart. The free-will offerings of our brethren and sisters, made in faith and love to the crucified Redeemer, will bring back blessings to them, for God marks and remembers every act of liberality in his saints. In preparing a house of worship there must be great exercise of faith and trust in God. In business transactions, those who venture nothing make but little advancement; why not have faith also in the enterprise of God and invest in His cause.T26 104.1

Some, when in poverty, are generous of their little, but become penurious as they acquire property. Why they have so little faith, is because they do not keep moving forward, as they prosper, and give even at a sacrifice to the cause of God.T26 104.2

In the Jewish system it was required that beneficence should first be shown to the Lord. At the harvest and the vintage, the first fruits of the fields, corn, wine and oil, were to be consecrated as an offering to the Lord. The gleanings and the corners of the fields were reserved for the poor. Our gracious Heavenly Father has not neglected the wants of the poor. The first-fruits of the wool when the sheep were shorn, of the grain when the wheat was threshed, were it be offered to the Lord; and at the feast it was commanded that the poor, the widows, the orphans and the strangers, should be invited. At the close of every year all were required to make solemn oath whether or not they had done according to the command of God.T26 105.1

This arrangement was made by the Lord to impress upon the people that in every matter he must be first. They were, by this system of benevolence, to bear in mind that their gracious Master was the true proprietor of their fields, their flocks, and their herds. That the God of Heaven sent them sunshine and rain for their seed-time and harvest, and that everything they possessed was of his creation. All was the Lord's and he had made them stewards of his goods.T26 105.2

The liberality of the Jews in the construction of the tabernacle and the erection of the temple, illustrate a spirit of benevolence which has not been equaled by Christians of any later date. They were just freed from their long bondage in Egypt, they were wanderers in the wilderness, yet scarcely were they delivered from the armies of the Egyptians who pursued them in their hasty journey, when the word of the Lord came to Moses, saying, “Speak unto the children of Israel that they bring me an offering; of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart, ye shall take my offering.”T26 105.3

His people had small possessions and no flattering prospect of adding to them; but an object was before them, to build a tabernacle for God. The Lord had spoken and they must obey his voice. They withheld nothing. All gave with a willing hand, not a certain amount of their increase, but a large portion of their actual possessions. They devoted it gladly and heartily to the Lord. They pleased him by so doing. Was it not all his? Had he not given them all they possessed? If he called for it was it not their duty to give back to the lender his own?T26 106.1

No urging was needed. The people brought even more than was required, and they were told to desist, for there was already more than could be appropriated. Again in building the temple, the call for means met with a hearty response. The people did not give reluctantly; they rejoiced in the prospect of a building being erected for the worship of God. They donated more than enough for the purpose. David blessed the Lord before all the congregation, and said, “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort, for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” Again, in his prayer David gives thanks in these words, “O Lord, our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand and is all thine own.”T26 106.2

David well understood from whom came all his bounties; would that those of this day who rejoice in a Saviour's love could realize that their silver and gold is the Lord's and should be used to promote his glory, not grudgingly retained to enrich and gratify themselves. He has an indisputable right to all that he has lent his creatures. All that they possess is his.T26 107.1

There are high and holy objects that require means; they will, thus invested, yield to the giver more elevated and permanent enjoyment than if they were expended in personal gratification or selfishly hoarded for the greed of gain. When God calls for our treasure, whatever the amount may be, the willing response makes the gift a consecrated offering to him, and lays up for the giver a treasure in Heaven that moth cannot corrupt, nor thieves break in and steal, nor fire consume. The investment is safe. The money is placed in bags that have no holes. It is secure.T26 107.2

Can Christians, who boast of a broader light than had the Hebrews, give less than they? Can Christians, living near the close of time, be satisfied with their offerings when not half so large as were the Jews? Their liberality was to benefit their own nation, the work in these last days extends to the entire world. The message of truth is to go to all nations, tongues and people; its publications, printed in many different languages, are to be scattered abroad like the leaves in Autumn.T26 108.1

It is written, “Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind;” and again, “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk even as he walked.” Let us inquire what would our Saviour have done in our circumstances, what would have been his efforts for the salvation of souls? This question is answered by the example of Christ. He left his royalty, and lay aside his glory, and sacrificed his riches, and clothed his divinity with humanity that he might reach men where they were. His example shows that he lay down his life for sinners.T26 108.2

Satan told Eve that a high state of felicity could be gained through the gratification of unlicensed appetite. But the promise of God to man is through denial of self. When Christ was suffering in agony upon the shameful cross, for man's redemption, human nature was exalted. Only by the cross can the human family be elevated to connect with Heaven. Self-denial and crosses meet us at every step of our Heavenward journey.T26 108.3

The spirit of liberality is the spirit of Heaven. The spirit of selfishness is the spirit of Satan. Christ's self-sacrificing love is revealed upon the cross. He gave all he had and then gave himself that man might be saved. The cross of Christ appeals to the benevolence of every follower of the blessed Saviour. The principle illustrated there is to give, give. This carried out in actual benevolence and good works is the true fruit of the Christian life. The principle of worldlings is to get, get, and thus they expect to secure happiness, but carried out in all its bearings, the fruit is misery and death.T26 109.1

To carry the truth to the population of the earth, to rescue them from their guilt and indifference, is the mission of the followers of Christ. Men must have the truth in order to be sanctified through it, and we are the channels of God's light. Our talents, our means, our knowledge, are not merely for our benefit, they are to use for the salvation of souls, to elevate man from his life of sin and bring him, through Christ, to the Infinite God.T26 109.2

We should be zealous workers in this cause, seeking to lead sinners, repenting and believing, to a divine Redeemer, to impress them with a high and exalted sense of God's love to man. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish but have everlasting life. What an incomparable love is this! A theme for the most profound meditation! The amazing love of God for a world that did not love him! The thought has a subduing power upon the soul, and brings the mind into captivity to the will of God. Men who are crazy for gain and are disappointed and unhappy in their pursuit of the world, need the knowledge of this truth to quiet the restless hungering and thirsting of their souls.T26 109.3

Missionaries for God are wanted in your large city, to carry light to those who sit in the shadow of death. Experienced hands are needed, in the meekness of wisdom and the strength of faith, to lift weary souls to the bosom of a compassionate Redeemer. Oh, selfishness! What a curse! It prevents us from engaging in the service of God. It prevents us from perceiving the claims of duty, which should set our hearts aglow with fervent zeal. All our energies should be turned to the obedience of Christ.T26 110.1

To divide our interest with the leaders of error, is aiding the wrong side and giving advantage to our foes. The truth of God knows no compromise with sin, no connection with artifice, no union with transgression. Soldiers are wanted who will always answer to the roll-call and be ready for immediate action. Not those who, when needed, are found aiding the power of the enemy.T26 110.2

Ours is a great work. Yet there are many who profess to believe these sacred truths but are paralyzed by the sophistry of Satan and are doing nothing for God but rather hinder his cause. When will they act like those who wait for the Lord? When will they show a zeal in accordance with their faith? Many people selfishly retain their means, and soothe their conscience with a plan for doing some great thing for the cause of God after their death. They make a will, donating a large sum to the church and its various interests, and then settle down with a feeling that they have done all that is required of them. Wherein have they denied self by this act? They have, on the contrary, exhibited the true essence of selfishness. When they have no longer any use for their money they propose to give it to God. But they will retain it as long as they can, till they are compelled to relinquish it by a messenger that cannot be turned aside.T26 110.3

Such a will is often an evidence of real covetousness. God has made us all his stewards, and in no case authorized us to neglect our duty or leave it for others to do. The call for means to advance the cause of truth will never be more urgent that now. Our money will never do a greater amount of good than at the present time. Every day of delay in rightly appropriating it, is limiting the period in which it will do good in the saving of souls. If we leave others to accomplish that which God has left for us to do, we wrong ourselves and him who gave us all we have. How can others do our work of benevolence any better than we can do it ourselves? God would have every man an executor of his own will in this matter, during his lifetime.T26 111.1

Adversity, accident or intrigue, may cut off forever meditated acts of benevolence, when he who has accumulated a fortune is no longer by to guard it. It is sad that so many neglect the golden opportunity to do good in the present, but wait to be cast out of their stewardship before giving back to the Lord the means which he has lent them to be used for his glory.T26 112.1

One marked feature in the teachings of Christ, is the frequency and earnestness with which he rebuked the sin of covetousness and pointed out the danger of worldly acquisitions and the inordinate love of gain. In the mansions of the rich, in the temple and in the streets, he warned those who inquired after salvation, “Take heed and beware of covetousness.” “Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.”T26 112.2

It is this increasing devotion to money getting, the selfishness which the desire of gain begets, that deadens the spirituality of the church and removes the favor of God from her. When the head and hands are constantly occupied with planning and toiling for the accumulation of riches, the claims of God and Humanity are forgotten.T26 112.3

If God has blessed us with prosperity it is not that our time and attentions should be diverted from him and given to that which he has lent us. The giver is greater than the gift. We have been bought with a price, we are not our own. Have we forgotten that infinite price paid for our redemption? Is gratitude dead in the heart? Does not the cross of Christ put to shame a life of selfish ease and indulgence?T26 112.4

What if Christ had left his work, becoming weary in consequence of the ingratitude and abuse that met him on every side! What if he had never reached that period when he said “It is finished!” What if he had returned to Heaven, discouraged by his receptions! What if he had never passed through that soul agony in the garden of Gethsemane that forced from his pores great drops of blood!T26 113.1

Christ was joined to his plan of labor to work out redemption for the race, by a love that is without parallel and a devotion to the Father's will. He toiled for the good of man up to the very hour of his humiliation. He spent his life in poverty and self-denial, for the degraded sinner. In a world that was his own he had no place to lay his weary head. We are reaping the fruits of this infinite self-sacrifice, and yet, when labor is to be done, when our money is wanted to aid the work of the Redeemer in the salvation of souls, we shrink from duty and pray to be excused. Ignoble sloth, careless indifference, and wicked selfishness seal our senses to the claims of God.T26 113.2

Oh, must Christ, the Majesty of Heaven, the King of Glory, bear the heavy cross, and wear the thorny crown, and drink the bitter cup, while we recline at ease, glorify ourselves and forget the souls he died to redeem by his precious blood? No, let us give while we have the power. Let us do while we have the strength. Let us work while it is day. Let us devote our time and our means to the service of God, that we may have his approbation and receive his reward.T26 113.3

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