- Preface
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- Ambassadors for Christ
- Consecration to the Work
- The Need of Preaching Christ
- Labor in New Fields
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- Pastoral Labor
- Faithfulness in Reproving Sin
- Compassion for the Erring
- Decision and Promptness in the Work of God
- Thoroughness in the Work
- Division of Labor
- A Personal Faith in Christ Our Greatest Need
- Meditation and Prayer
- Answers to Prayer
- The Cause of Doubts
- Danger in Cherishing Doubts
- The Importance of Bible Study
- How Shall We Search the Scriptures?
- Examination for the Ministry
- Young Ministers
- Manner of Speaking
- Danger in Overwork
- Order and Discipline
- Carefulness in Dress
- Physical Labor and Mental Activity
- Our Duty to Preserve Health
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- Discussions Not to be Sought
- Engaging in Secular Business
- Proper Remuneration for Ministers
- Danger in Self-Confidence
- Respect for the Sabbath
- The Minister's Wife
- Labor at Camp-Meetings
- Popular Holiness Meetings
- Business Meetings
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- Co-Operation Among the Churches
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- Education for the Missionary Work
- Young Men as Missionaries
- Methods of Labor
- Christ Our Source of Strength
- Love is Power
- No Respect of Persons With God
- Christ's Example a Rebuke to Bigotry and Exclusiveness
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- The Danger of Formalism
- Personal Effort
- Bible Readings with Families
- The Work of the Colporteur
- Importance of the Canvassing Work
- Cautions to Canvassers
- Economy in Mission Work
- Encouraging Words to the Workers
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- Christ Our Righteousness
- Christian Deportment and Influence
- Trust in God
- Effectual Prayer
- Are We in the Faith?
- Christ's Followers the Light of the World
- Courage in the Lord
- Love Among Brethren
- Humility and Faithfulness in Laborers
- Diligence and Consecration Needed
- Our Mighty Helper
- Consistency in the Christian Life
- Duties and Privileges of the Christian Laborer
Cautions to Canvassers
No canvasser should exalt the book for which he is working, above others that set forth the truth for this time. Should our canvassers drop all but one book, and concentrate their energies on that, the work would not be carried on as God would have it. It is necessary that a variety of books should be in the field, as minds are not constituted alike, and what would be food to one might fail to interest another. Some classes would be more benefited by papers and tracts than by books, and it will be necessary for the canvasser to make a wise selection of his books. Let no one doing the work of God become one-sided and short-sighted. The Lord has many instrumentalities through which he designs to work. When one book is exalted above another, there is danger that the very work best adapted to give light to the people will be crowded out. There is no need of contrasting different books, and judging as to which will do most good, and then pushing to the wall the one deemed weakest, for the advancement of another. God has a place for all the voices and all the pens that he has inspired to utterance for him. It will be difficult for some minds to fathom our most profound works, and a simpler way of putting the truth will reach them more readily. Let the leading workers encourage the weaker ones, and show an equal interest in every one of the instrumentalities set in operation to prepare a people for the day of the Lord. I think I have discerned in some, a feeling of contempt in regard to obtaining subscriptions for the Signs of the Times. Be careful, brethren; has not God spoken in regard to this journal? Has he not repeatedly shown that this is his instrumentality, that is to do an important work in these last days? Has he not shown that it is to be a pioneer to go forth to the people, laden with the precious treasures of truth? Papers and pamphlets and tracts all need attention in the canvassing work, for they are as little wedges that open the way for larger works. [From an Address to the General Conference in 1883.]—MS.GW92 353.1
My heart aches as I see those who profess to be looking for Christ's coming, devoting their time and talents to circulating books that contain nothing concerning the special truths for our time,—books of narrative, books of biography, books of men's theories and speculations. The world is full of such books; they can be had anywhere; but can the followers of Christ engage in so common a work when there is crying need for God's truth on every hand? It is not our mission to circulate such works. There are thousands of others to do this, who have as yet no knowledge of anything better. We have a definite mission, and we ought not to turn from it to side issues, employing men and means to bring to the attention of the people books that have no bearing upon the present truth.—MS.GW92 354.1