- Preface
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- Missionary Spirit Lacking
- A Self-complacent Class
- Satanic Death Stupor
- Spiritual Discernment Dimmed
- A State of Spiritual Weakness
- The Need of Heavenly Eyesalve
- Fanaticism and Cold Formalism
- Narrowed by Selfishness
- Covetousness
- Not One in Twenty Prepared
- Revival and Reformation Needed
- Delay Is Fatal
- Not Producers but Consumers
- Commandment Keeping a Cloak for Sin
- Dead in Trespasses and Sins
- Human Moralists
- A Spotted Record
- The Burden-Bearers Are Wearing Out
- Unable to Give an Intelligent Reason for Faith
- Some Will Trace Down the Prophetic Roll
- An Impressive Dream
- The Test to Be Met
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- The Summons
- Marching Orders
- No Time for Delay
- Important Questions
- The Call to Awake
- There Must Be Action
- The Divine Measurement
- What Might Have Been
- Heaven's Register
- More Required of Us Than of Our Fathers
- An Appeal to the Slothful Church
- Forceful Illustrations
- Profession vs. Expression
- Danger Accompanying Missionary Activity
- Encouragement to Beginners in Christian Service
- The Christian Life in Landscape
- The Christian's Watchwords
- A Spiritual Paralytic
- The Sure Remedy
- Unwarranted Excuses
- Aim for a Heavy Crown
- Service Has Been Paid For
- Go Forward
- An Impressive Scene
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- House to House
- The One-Soul Audience
- Close Personal Touch
- The Combination of Spiritual Revival and Personal Work
- Go to the People
- Invite to Your Home for Bible Study
- Be Social
- Manifest Sympathetic Interest
- Cite Personal Experience
- Illustrations Effective
- Deal with Practical Fundamentals
- Hold to Affirmative Truth
- Representatives in the Thoroughfares of Travel
- Sent Forth Two by Two
- Medical Evangelistic Tours
- Gospel Medical Missionaries
- Industrial Education
- Invite to Gospel Meetings
- Gather Into the Sabbath School
- By Pen and Voice
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- Efficiency
- Cultured Speech
- Mental Culture
- Christian Dignity and Politeness
- Genuineness
- Aggressiveness
- Determination
- Zeal
- Patience
- Tact
- Constancy
- Sympathy and Sociability
- Simplicity
- Faith
- Courage
- Consecration
- Whole-Heartedness
- Loyalty
- Dexterity
- Maintain High Standards
- Prudence and Forethought
- How to Counteract Discouragement
- Gentleness
- Impartiality
- Honesty-Faithfulness-Industry
- Unselfishness
- Cease to Worry
- Bear the Divine Credentials
- Minutemen
- Brave and True
- Shepherdly Care
- Humility
- Temperate
- Rest and Reflection
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The Indorsement
The followers of Christ are to labor as He did. We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the suffering and afflicted. We are to minister to the despairing, and inspire hope in the hopeless. And to us also the promise will be fulfilled, “Thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward.”—The Desire of Ages, 350.ChS 186.3
Those who have been engaged in this Christian help work have been doing what the Lord desires to have done, and He has accepted their labors. That which has been done in this line is a work which every Seventh-day Adventist should heartily sympathize with and indorse, and take hold of earnestly. In neglecting this work which is within their own borders, in refusing to bear these burdens, the church is meeting with great loss. Had the church taken up this work as they should have done, they would have been the means of saving many souls.—Testimonies for the Church 6:295.ChS 187.1
All His gifts are to be used in blessing humanity, in relieving the suffering and the needy. We are to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to care for the widow and the fatherless, to minister to the distressed and downtrodden. God never meant that the widespread misery in the world should exist. He never meant that one man should have an abundance of the luxuries of life, while the children of others should cry for bread. The means over and above the actual necessities of life are intrusted to man to do good, to bless humanity. The Lord says, “Sell that ye have, and give alms.” Be “ready to distribute, willing to communicate.” “When thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.” “Loose the bands of wickedness,” “undo the heavy burdens,” “let the oppressed go free,” “break every yoke.” “Deal thy bread to the hungry,” “bring the poor that are cast out to thy house.” “When thou seest the naked, ... cover him.” “Satisfy the afflicted soul.” “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” These are the Lord's commands. Are the great body of professed Christians doing this work?—Christ's Object Lessons, 370, 371.ChS 187.2
Good deeds are the fruit that Christ requires us to bear; kind words, deeds of benevolence, of tender regard for the poor, the needy, the afflicted. When hearts sympathize with hearts burdened with discouragement and grief, when the hand dispenses to the needy, when the naked are clothed, the stranger made welcome to a seat in your parlor and a place in your heart, angels are coming very near, and an answering strain is responded to in heaven. Every act of justice, mercy, and benevolence, makes melody in heaven. The Father from His throne beholds those who do these acts of mercy, and numbers them with His most precious treasures. “And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.” Every merciful act to the needy, the suffering, is regarded as though done to Jesus. When you succor the poor, sympathize with the afflicted and oppressed, and befriend the orphan, you bring yourselves into a closer relationship to Jesus.—Testimonies for the Church 2:25.ChS 187.3
The work of gathering in the needy, the oppressed, the suffering, the destitute, is the very work which every church that believes the truth for this time should long since have been doing. We are to show the tender sympathy of the Samaritan in supplying physical necessities, feeding the hungry, bringing the poor that are cast out to our homes, gathering from God every day grace and strength that will enable us to reach to the very depths of human misery, and help those who cannot possibly help themselves. In doing this work we have a favorable opportunity to set forth Christ the crucified One.—Testimonies for the Church 6:276.ChS 188.1
Many wonder why their prayers are so lifeless, their faith so feeble and wavering, their Christian experience so dark and uncertain. “Have we not fasted,” they say, “and walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?” In the fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah, Christ has shown how this condition of things may be changed.... Verses 6, 7. This is the recipe that Christ has prescribed for the faint-hearted, doubting, trembling soul. Let the sorrowful ones, who walk mournfully before the Lord, arise and help someone who needs help.—Testimonies for the Church 6:266.ChS 188.2
The glory of heaven is in lifting up the fallen, comforting the distressed. And wherever Christ abides in human hearts, He will be revealed in the same way. Wherever it acts, the religion of Christ will bless. Wherever it works, there is brightness.—Christ's Object Lessons, 386.ChS 188.3
The widow of Zarephath shared her morsel with Elijah; and in return, her life and that of her son were preserved. And to all who, in time of trial and want, give sympathy and assistance to others more needy, God has promised great blessing. He has not changed. His power is no less now than in the days of Elijah.—Prophets and Kings, 131, 132.ChS 188.4
The love of Christ, manifested in unselfish ministry, will be more effective in reforming the evil-doer than will the sword or the court of justice. These are necessary to strike terror to the lawbreaker, but the loving missionary can do more than this. Often the heart that hardens under reproof will melt under the love of Christ.—The Ministry of Healing, 106.ChS 189.1