- Preface
-
-
-
- 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
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- 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
-
-
-
The Underlying Motive in Successful Service
Whatsoever is done out of pure love, be it ever so little or contemptible in the sight of men, is wholly fruitful; for God regards more with how much love one worketh, than the amount he doeth.—Testimonies for the Church 2:135.ChS 262.3
Ten truly converted, willing-minded, unselfish workers can do more in the missionary field than one hundred who confine their efforts to set forms, and preserve mechanical rules, working without deep love for souls.—Testimonies for the Church 4:602.ChS 262.4
It is not the capabilities you now possess, or ever will have, that will give you success. It is that which the Lord can do for you. We need to have far less confidence in what man can do, and far more confidence in what God can do for every believing soul. He longs to have you reach after Him by faith. He longs to have you expect great things from Him. He longs to give you understanding in temporal as well as in spiritual matters. He can sharpen the intellect. He can give tact and skill. Put your talents into the work, ask God for wisdom, and it will be given to you.—Christ's Object Lessons, 146.ChS 262.5
The oil of grace gives to men the courage, and supplies to them the motives, for doing every day the work that God appoints to them. The five foolish virgins had lamps (this means a knowledge of Scripture truth), but they had not the grace of Christ. Day by day they went through a round of ceremonies and external duties, but their service was lifeless, devoid of the righteousness of Christ. The Sun of Righteousness did not shine in their hearts and minds, and they had not the love of the truth which conforms to the life and character, the image and superscription, of Christ. The oil of grace was not mingled with their endeavors. Their religion was a dry husk without the true kernel. They held fast to forms of doctrines, but they were deceived in their Christian life, full of self-righteousness, and failing to learn lessons in the school of Christ, which, if practiced, would have made them wise unto salvation.—The Review and Herald, March 27, 1894.ChS 263.1
The work of God is to be carried on to completion by the co-operation of divine and human agencies. Those who are self-sufficient may be apparently active in the work of God; but if they are prayerless, their activity is of no avail. Could they look into the censer of the angel that stands at the golden altar before the rainbow-circled throne, they would see that the merit of Jesus must be mingled with our prayers and efforts, or they are as worthless as was the offering of Cain. Could we see all the activity of human instrumentality, as it appears before God, we would see that only the work accomplished by much prayer, which is sanctified by the merit of Christ, will stand the test of the judgment. When the grand review shall take place, then shall ye return and discern between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.—The Review and Herald, July 4, 1893.ChS 263.2
Legal religion will not answer for this age. We may perform all the outward acts of service, and yet be as destitute of the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit as the hills of Gilboa were destitute of dew and rain. We all need spiritual moisture; and we need also the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness to soften and subdue our hearts. We are always to be as firm as a rock to principle. Bible principles are to be taught, and then backed up by holy practice.—Testimonies for the Church 6:417, 418.ChS 263.3
Success depends not so much on talent as on energy and willingness. It is not the possession of splendid talents that enables us to render acceptable service; but the conscientious performance of daily duties, the contented spirit, the unaffected, sincere interest in the welfare of others. In the humblest lot true excellence may be found. The commonest tasks, wrought with loving faithfulness, are beautiful in God's sight.—Prophets and Kings, 219.ChS 264.1
The symmetrical structure of a strong, beautiful character is built up by individual acts of duty. And faithfulness should characterize our life in the least as well as in the greatest of its details. Integrity in little things, the performance of little acts of fidelity and little deeds of kindness, will gladden the path of life; and when our work on earth is ended, it will be found that every one of the little duties faithfully performed has exerted an influence for good,—an influence that can never perish.—Patriarchs and Prophets, 574.ChS 264.2