Those who are in communion with Christ will discern what is the need of those who are suffering, who have been sinning against God, and who are oppressed by a burden of guilt. Consecrated teachers will know that such a pupil in sin is suffering of spiritual disorder, and that if ever a poor soul needed help he does. The teacher's heart will go out in sympathy for him, and a helping hand will be stretched out to lift him out of the slough of despair into which his feet are sinking. He who loves Christ will love souls for whom he died, and will say to the despairing, “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” These words are written for the distressed, sin-convicted souls in Zion, who are humbled in the dust with genuine sorrow. Tell them to look to Jesus and live; but, oh, be careful that you do not draw aside your garments lest they should touch those of the sinner! Be careful that you do not say in word or attitude, “I am holier than thou.” Instead of this, cry to the poor soul, “Look and live.” Does Satan plead loudly against these poor souls, accusing them of sin, and pointing to their filthy garments? The blood of Jesus Christ pleads with greater power. Their backslidings have indeed been grievous, their resistance of life has been great; they have heaped insults upon the invitations of Jesus, and instead of responding to his drawing, have closed the door of the heart against him, and shut out the light of his love that has shone for them; but still the invitation of Christ has not been withdrawn. He has still pleaded: “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”SSW September 1, 1893, par. 1

Satan will stand at the right hand of the sinner to accuse him, and to overshadow him with the darkness of despair; but the divine Advocate will stand at God's right hand to plead for such poor souls. He will lift up his hands before the Father's throne, saying, “I have graven them upon the palms of my hands.” Those who entreat for help for poor sinning souls will be laboring together with God. Who then will be inclined to condemn, denounce, and discourage? “It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Christ has never lost a case that was intrusted to him. Oh, how valuable is a soul in his sight! It is the price of his own blood. He presents the efficacy of his blood to the Father, and he prevails. In the name of the dear Saviour, I ask, What are we doing to save perishing souls? What are teachers in the Sabbath school doing for their classes? What are superintendents and officers of the Sabbath school doing to advance the kingdom of God in the school? Oh, that all might make this their one object to save the souls of old and young!SSW September 1, 1893, par. 2

Jesus loves the purchase of his blood, and in passing through the scene of his humiliation to the scene of his exaltation in the heavens, he lost none of his compassionate nature. Today the same loving, tender, sympathizing heart is open to all the sorrows and woes of humanity. Today the hand that was pierced is reached forth to bless more abundantly his people that are in the world. Can Christ forget the struggling church that has been left here in the world, which has come to be like the world before the flood, fit for destruction, which has become like Sodom, meet for the wrathful fires from heaven? The Father sees the wormwood and the gall which his dear Son drank for the fallen race. He hears his prayer in behalf of his children: “I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.... I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.... As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.... Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.”SSW September 1, 1893, par. 3

Even in the heavenly courts Jesus bears our nature. He did not disgrace but exalted humanity, in that he was not overcome with sin. In whatever position you may be placed, know that you are Christ's hired servant, and seek him, that you may have the patience, the meekness, the lowliness of Christ. “Learn of me,” said the great Teacher; “for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”SSW September 1, 1893, par. 4

August 1, 1893

October 1, 1893