Self-esteem and self-exaltation are prevailing evils, and because of this there is manifest a spirit of criticism, where no such thing should exist. And some who realize the responsibilities resting upon them, and who would go forth with the message of warning, are prevented by the forbiddings of those who feel that it is their prerogative to control the actions of their fellow-workers. Thus Satan is working to close the lips of some to whom God has given His message to the world; and if possible he will continue his working until souls who are convinced of the truth for this time, seeing the inconsistencies of those who profess to believe it, turn away and are lost. . . .
Tremendous responsibilities are ours; and men are called for who will not misinterpret their responsibilities, but will do their appointed work in a spirit of humility and in the fear of God. We should ever be work in a spirit of humility and in the fear of God. We should ever be afraid of a spirit that would lead us to place restrictions on the work of others, lest we hinder the advance of the message of truth. Those who have in the past allowed such a spirit to control them have sadly hurt the work. They need to repent and be converted; for the Holy Spirit cannot work with them while they refuse to acknowledge His counsel and control. He cannot use the men who employ the trust He has imposed upon them as an oppressive power to close the lips that He has opened.—
MS-117-1907
UNJUST CHARGES
In our work there is to be no lording it over those with whom we are connected. No sharp, dictatorial words are to be spoken. These are entirely uncalled for. Do not treat the workers as if you could not trust them. Never treat those with whom you work as unfaithful unless you have unmistakable evidence that they are unfaithful. And even when a worker’s unfaithfulness is clearly proved, you are not to deal with him in a manner that will give him excuse for saying, “You were harsh.” You are to do nothing that will provoke the erring to anger. Do not bear down on believers or unbelievers in a way that arouses the worst feelings of the heart. Do not make charges that may be cruelly unjust. By such a course, you may drive souls to perdition.— Let-126-1901
MEASURING OUT HARD JUDGMENT
There is too much selfish love among us. If there is a brother who encourages all we do and suggest as right, then we esteem that brother above others. If there is another whom we imagine does not look with favor on our way of doing things, we withdraw from that one and seek to demerit his work. The Holy Spirit is grieved with such a selfish religion as this,108and unless it is realized and put away, a spirit of prejudice and alienation will mar the work of God. God is dishonored when His people do not “love as brethren,” when the pattern is not correctly represented.
We are not all required to do exactly alike in the work. Each has his individual work to do. Spiritual life will lead to unity. We are in the world for work, earnest spiritual work. But one man is not given the same sort that is given to another. If a worker does not follow the plan of work that another thinks is right, this should not cause difference and alienation. The manner of accomplishing the work may not be precisely the way in which another would do it; but if the labor is conscientiously performed, God accepts the effort. God asks for the performance of good works, and the results of the efforts made will testify to the virtue of the worker. By their fruits ye shall know them; . . .
In many cases hard judgment has been measured out when encouragement and commendation should have been given; for the results of the work done have shown that the blessing of God was upon it. Wherever this principle has been brought in, God wants a change to be made; for it is contrary to His plan. When man’s mind is allowed to become the controlling power, both parties are injured—the one who allows himself to be conscience for another, and the one who permits himself to be controlled by human wisdom.
As workers we need to counsel together over difficult matters. It is right that brother should consult with brother, and it is our privilege after we have done this, to bow together in prayer, and ask for divine wisdom and counsel. But for one human voice to be a controlling power is a sad mistake, and this should not continue. — Let-186-1907
SECTION XIII
COUNSELS TO LEADERS
AVOID ERRORS OF THE PAST
Those who take hold of the work at this time are not to repeat the mistakes that have been made in the past, when men have sought to control and rule their fellow-workers. God forbids that this spirit shall come into His work. Another message than this is to be borne. Those who have felt a burden to place yokes on the necks of their brethren who desired to labor, are called upon to repent and be converted. “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found; call ye upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6. The message of the third angel is to go forth with a loud voice. Wake up the watchmen; leave them not to settle back in their deathlike slumber.—R. & H., July 23, 1908.
ENCOURAGE NEW LINES
The Lord works through various agencies. If there are those who desire to step into new fields and take up new lines of labor, encourage them to do so. Seventh-day Adventists are doing a great and good work; let no man’s hand be raised to hinder his brother. Those who have had experience in the work of God should be encouraged to follow the guidance and counsel of the Lord.
Do not worry lest some means shall go direct to conscientious laborers who are trying to do missionary work in a quiet and effective way. All the means is not to be handled by one agency or organization.110There is much business to be done conscientiously for the cause of God. Help is to be sought from every possible source. There are men who can do the work of securing means for the cause, and when these are acting conscientiously and in harmony with the counsels of their fellow-laborers in the field which they represent, the hand of restraint is not to be laid upon them. Those who are laborers together with Him who gave His life for the salvation of souls, must not be bound about with territorial restraints. — Let.-32-1908
LIMITING A WORKER’S USEFULNESS
When a precise line is laid down which the workers must follow in their efforts to proclaim the message, a limit is set to the usefulness of a great number of workers. I am charged to speak, saying, God seeth not as man seeth. Those who occupy responsible positions need to place a lower estimate upon the value of human wisdom and to esteem more highly the sanctification of the Spirit revealed in the lowliness and gentleness of Christ. . . .
To all who would mark out a course for their brother to pursue, the Lord says, Stand out of the way. Satan and his emissaries are doing enough of this kind of work. We are altogether too near the close of earth’s history to seek to block the wheels of the chariot of truth. God’s workers are to come into line, to pray together, to counsel together. And whenever it is impossible for them to gather for counsel, God will instruct through His Spirit those who sincerely desire to serve Him. — Let.—32-1908
NO MAN’S JUDGMENT FAULTLESS
Every worker needs to guard himself against thinking that he is a complete whole. My brother, you should learn that wherever you are in111God’s service, other minds besides yours should be brought into connection with the work. You will desire to do things that in your judgment should be done. But your will is not always to be followed. On some lines other minds may be more capable of giving wise counsel than is yours; therefore you need to counsel with your brethren. In your board-meetings let the other members fully express their minds. Do not regard your own judgment as fully sufficient to decide matters without any other voice. — Let.-179-1902.
DANGER OF NASTY VOTES
God has given to each individual judgment, and this gift He wants His workers to use and improve. The president of a conference must not consider that his individual judgment is to be the judgment of all.
In no conference should propositions be rushed through without time being taken by the brethren to carefully weigh all sides of the question. Because the president of a conference suggested certain plans, it has sometimes been considered unnecessary to consult the Lord about them. Thus propositions have been accepted that were not for the spiritual benefit of believers, and which involved far more than was apparent at the first casual consideration. Such movements are not in the order of God. Many, very many matters have been taken up and carried by vote, that have involved far more than was anticipated, and far more than those who voted would have been willing to assent to, had they taken time to consider the question from all sides. — Let.-340-1907.
TEACH OTHERS TO LOOK TO GOD
God has instructed me to say to Conference presidents and to ministers, Teach every church in the Conference to look to God for an112understanding of present truth and duty. The Lord has not placed upon presidents or ministers the responsibilities of the position that He alone, as head of His church, can occupy. Church and conference organization do not give to man any such responsibility. . . .
The exercise of authority has been carried to such extremes that it is now time to call a halt; for church members are receiving a false education. A mistake has been made that should be corrected before it is too late. Those who dare to accept responsibilities that are contrary to the gospel plan are in a dangerous place. They need to see its course of action in its true light. Their permissions and their forbiddings have fostered wrong ideas regarding the responsibility that individuals should carry, and have led believers to look to man instead of looking to God.
Brethren, the Lord will bless you in an effort to break up this wrong influence. Ministers will become weak and unchristlike if they continue to encourage this kind of work. God is to be the strength and wisdom of His people. Man power is not to rule the church of Christ. — MS-75-1907
SECTION XII
HUMBLE WORKERS TO BE ENCOURAGED
NEW PLANS TO BE INTRODUCED
Let us strive with earnestness for the victory over sin. Let us be determined not to give place to the enemy by criticising, by picking flaws, by demeriting others, and seeking to be first. Let us study the prayer made in our behalf, and work for its fulfilment. Let us keep our eyes fixed upon the perfect Pattern. The only way to avoid dissension and strife is to behold Him who came to this world to save sinners. It is for this object that His followers are to work. They are to yoke up with the Saviour, learning of Him His meekness and lowliness. He says to us, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matt. 28:20. How then can there be dissension and strife among us? If we live as in Christ’s presence, there will be no contention. There will be no hesitancy about introducing new plans of action, as the Holy Spirit may move upon some one to suggest them.
Christ’s presence means advance. He imbues men, women, and children with a sense of individual responsibility. We need to feel the sacred, sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit, that we may hear Christ saying to us, “Follow Me.” “He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12). . .
There are many who stand with a stone in their hand, waiting to place it before the wheel. But the Holy Spirit can so convert these hindering ones that they will be prepared to place the stone behind the wheel, so that it will not roll back. Let us each seek to be ready to place the stone in the proper position. — Let.—65-1900.
RESPECT FOR HUMBLE WORKERS
There are many who will spend and be spent to win souls to Christ. In obedience to the great commission, they will go forth to work for the Master. Under the ministration of angels, ordinary men will be moved by the Spirit of God to warn people in the highways and byways. Humble men, who do not trust in their gifts, but who work in simplicity, trusting always in God, will share in the joy of the Saviour as their persevering prayers bring souls to the cross.
We should say to them, Go forth, brethren, Do your best humbly and sincerely, and God will work with you. They should be strengthened and encouraged, and as fast as possible fitted for labor, that success may crown their efforts. They harmonize with unseen, heavenly instrumentalities. They are workers together with God, and their brethren should bid them God-speed, and pray for them as they labor in Christ’s name.
No one is authorized to hinder such workers. They should be treated with great respect. No one should speak a disparaging word of them as in the rough places of the earth they sow the gospel seed.
Christ will be with these humble workers. The angels of heaven will cooperate with them in their self-sacrificing efforts. By the power of the Holy Spirit Jesus will move upon hearts. God will work miracles in the conversion of sinners. Men and women will be gathered into church fellowship. Meeting houses will be built, and institutions of learning established.
These workers are trees of the Lord’s planting. In a peculiar sense they bear fruit equal to the fruit borne by the apostles. They receive a reward in this life, and a glorious reward awaits them in the future life.
It is time that church members understood that everywhere there is work to be done in the Lord’s vineyard. None are to wait for a regular115process before they make any efforts. They should take up the work right where they are. There should be many at work in what are called “irregular lines.” If one hundred laborers would step out of the “regular lines,” and take up self-sacrificing work, such as Bro. Shireman has done, souls would be won to the Lord. And the workers would understand by experience what it means to be laborers together with God.
Can it be that our brethren think that their criticisms are the productions of the Holy Spirit? It will be found that those who are criticised have more to show for their efforts than those who criticise. The names of the humble workers are stamped on the books of heaven, with the words, “Well, done, good and faithful servant:....enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matt. 25:23. But opposite the names of the critics stand the words, “Thou art weighed in the balance and art found wanting.” Daniel 5:27. — Letter 108, 1901.
IN THE CLOSING WORK
In this closing work of the gospel there is a vast field to be occupied; and more than ever before, the work is to enlist helpers from the common people. Both the youth and those older in years will be called from the field, from the vineyard, and from the workshop, and sent forth by the Master to give His message. Many of these may have had little opportunity for education; but Christ sees in them qualifications that will enable them to fulfil His purpose. If they put their hearts into the work and continue to be learners, He will fit them to labor for Him.
With such preparation as they can gain, thousands upon thousands of the youth and those older in years should be giving themselves to the work. Already many hearts are responding to the call of the Master Worker, and their numbers will increase. Y.I. March 3, 1908.
MANY WILL BE STIRRED
Many young men and women now engaged in secular labor will feel earnestly stirred to give themselves to the service of God, to become channels of light. Some will feel a burden to enter the canvassing field, and will become able evangelists. Let these be given an opportunity to obtain an education for the work of God. And let all God’s workers help and cheer and encourage one another with their prayers and faithful conversation, impressing one another with the dignity and responsibility of the work in which they are engaged. All missionary work is sacred. Said Paul, “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” — Let. 66-1901
WORKERS FROM ALL CLASSES
The truth is to go forth as a lamp that burneth.
The Lord will call men of high and low degree to do His bidding.
The prophet Daniel was a man of royal birth and noble heritage. Not many mighty, not many noble, are called. Yet we know that the Lord has chosen men from the highest ranks. On them the light of heaven has shone, and they have adorned by their practice the truth of Jehovah. Isaiah and Daniel were of royal birth. David was called from the sheepfold to the throne of Israel; Amos was a herdsman; Zechariah, a captive from Babylon; Elisha, a plowman. So the Lord calls men from all ranks to enter His service. Let.--96-1901
HUNDREDS OF WORKERS
Souls are perishing, and hundreds of workers are now needed. Men will be moved by the Holy Spirit to leave their ordinary employment and enter the barren fields that have never heard the last message of mercy. Many will be endowed with power from on high. They will work wisely, not expending means lavishly, but studying how souls can be brought to the knowledge of the truth by the opening of the Scriptures in house-to-house labor. This work men and women will take hold of for the love of Christ.—
July 10, 1901
WHEN THE CHURCH IS AWAKENED
When the church is awakened, decided changes will be made. Men and women will be converted, and so filled will they be by the Spirit of God that they will pass from country to country, from city to city, proclaiming118the message of truth. With hearts filled with earnest love for souls, they will open their Bibles and present the Word, “It is written.” Wherever they go a people will be raised up to stand in the day of the Lord. The simplicity of these humble workers will be their strength; for angels of God work with those who are humble and obedient. Learned, eloquent men will not see the results from their work that are seen by these humble, zealous, praying men. — MS-2-1900
WORDS OF CONFIDENCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT
One of Mrs. White’s last messages sent to the 1913 Gen. Conference.
For a number of months after the close of that meeting, I bore a heavy burden, and urged upon the attention of the brethren in responsibility those things which the Lord was instructing me to set before them plainly. Finally some of those in positions of trust in connection with the general work, after much prayer and careful study of the various messages given, ventured to undertake by faith the work called for, - a work they could not fully understand; and as they went forward in the fear of God, they received rich blessing.
It has brought great rejoicing to my heart to see the marvelous transformations that have been wrought in the lives of some who thus chose to advance by faith in the way of the Lord, rather than to follow a way of their own choosing. Had those brethren in responsibility continued to view matters in a false light, they would have created a condition of things that would sadly have marred the work; but when they heeded the instruction that was sent, and sought the Lord, God brought them into the full light, and enabled them to render acceptable service, and to bring about spiritual reformations.
When the Lord sets His hand to prepare the way before His ministers, it is their duty to follow where He directs. He will never forsake, or leave in uncertainty those who follow His leadings with full purpose of heart.
“I rejoice,” my brethren, “that I have confidence in you in all things.” And while I still feel the deepest anxiety over the attitude that some are taking toward important measures connected with the development of the cause of God in the earth, yet I have strong faith in the workers throughout the field, and believe that as they meet together and humble themselves before the Lord and consecrate themselves anew to His service, they will be enabled to do His will. . . .
I have been deeply impressed by scenes that have recently passed before me in the night season. There seemed to be a great movement—a work of revival—going forward in many places. Our people were moving into line, responding to God’s call. My brethren, the Lord is speaking to us. Shall we not heed His voice? Shall we not trim our lamps, and act like men who look for their Lord to come? The time is one that calls for light-bearing, for action.
“I therefore.....beseech you,” brethren, “that ye walk humbly of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”—G.C.B. May 19, 1913, p. 34.
SECTION XV
GOD’S CHURCH TRIUMPHANT
GOD IS LEADING
From light to light God is leading His people. He liveth in light unapproachable, but surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands of holy, happy beings, every one of them waiting to do His bidding. They are not inactive, but in communication with other worlds, in all God’s vast dominion. This little world is but an atom of the Lord’s dominion. Through various agencies, divine and human, He is seeking to save. He is actually stooping from His throne and observing the movements of every living being, and in His books are recorded every transaction; and through heavenly agencies He is lifting up the oppressed and pointing the way before every soul,—the way to reach the mansions above.
If men would co-operate with God, light from His throne would be penetrating all the highways and byways of life. All things are possible to those who are connected with the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. -- Let.-36a-1890.
NO CALL FOR DESPONDENCY
Elder Olsen, I urge you to be of good courage. Have confidence in God. Carry every burden to Him. He can and will make you efficient, but you must have faith. Do not be depressed; do not mourn in secret because of the unfaithfulness of the watchmen on the walls of Zion. There is no call for despondency and misapprehension. Place yourself where the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness can shine into all the chambers of your mind and into the soul-temple. Ye are the light of the world, God says.121He will make those who are faithful in the church radiant with the word of God. His Spirit will be communicated to human instrumentalities, giving them light before which moral darkness must flee away.—Lot.-43-1890.
THE MESSAGE WILL GO WITH POWER
We are near the close of the controversy between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness, and soon the delusions of the enemy will try our faith, of what sort it is. Satan will work miracles in the sight of the beast and deceive “them that dwell on the earth by means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast.”
But though the prince of darkness will work to cover the earth with darkness, and with gross darkness the people, the Lord will manifest His converting power. A work is to be accomplished in the earth similar to that which took place at the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the days of the early disciples, when they preached Jesus and Him crucified. Many will be converted in a day; for the message will go with power. It can then be said: “Our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost.” . . .
The work of the Holy Spirit is immeasurably great. It is from this source that power and efficiency come to the worker for God; . . . As Christ was glorified on the day of Pentecost, so will He again be glorified in the closing work of the gospel, when He shall prepare a people to stand the final test, in the closing conflict of the great controversy. — R. & H. Nov. 29, 1892
FINAL SUCCESS DEPENDENT ON UNITY
I have laid out the matter as it has been presented to me. The third angel’s message, in the place of swelling into a loud cry, is being smothered. Discouragements have come in. But the work is not to stop thus122It is to increase in the power of the Spirit of God. The time has come when the whole earth is to be lightened with the glory of the angel which came down from heaven. A decided work is to be done in presenting the truth for this time, the truth that will sanctify the soul; for we are in that age of the world’s history which Christ declared should be as the days of Noah were.
Two great armies are engaged in warfare. Satan with his great army is in conflict with Christ and God and the heavenly host. Satan has come down with great power, for he knows that his time is short, and he is working with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish. Then let the people who believe present truth understand that there is a work to be done in our world.
If we are laborers together with God, we have many fellow laborers with whom we should unite with heart and mind and strength. Our success depends upon our unity. Our efficiency and the power of our influence depends upon our wise and unreserved co-operation with one another and with God. We are to advance the work in new territories, sustaining pure principles at every step. We are to co-operate with the angel that is flying in the midst of heaven, who also is in harmony with the two former angels in forwarding the solemn event of the second appearing of Christ in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. — MS 177-1899.
AN ASSURANCE THAT THERE WILL BE UNITY
Evil must be assailed; falsehood and error must be made to appear in their true character; sin must be denounced; and the testimony of every believer in the truth must be as one. All your little differences, which arouse the combative spirit among brethren, are devices of Satan to divert minds from the great and fearful issue before us. The true peace will come123among God’s people when through united zeal and earnest prayer the false peace that exists to a large degree is disturbed. Now there is earnest work to do. Now is the time to manifest your soldierly qualities; let the Lord’s people present a united front to the foes of God and truth and righteousness. . . .
When the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the early church, “the whole multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul.” The Spirit of Christ made them one. This is the fruit of abiding in Christ. . . .
We have need of divine illumination. Every individual is striving to become a center of influence; and until God works for His people, they will not see that subordination to God is the only safety for any soul. His transforming grace upon human hearts will lead to unity that has not yet been realized; for all who are assimilated to Christ will be in harmony with one another. The Holy Spirit will create unity. — Let.-25b-1892
AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR
Many souls will come from other denominational churches, and at the eleventh hour will obey all the truth, because they have not set themselves in array against heaven’s light, but lived up to all the light they had; while those who have had great light, large privileges and opportunities, and have failed to live in the light and walk in the light, will drop out by the way. Their light will shine less and less until their lamps will go out for the want of the oil of grace in their vessels with their lamps. — Letter 36a, 1890.
THOUSANDS WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE TRUTH
As we near the time when principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places will be brought into warfare against the truth, when the deceiving power of Satan will be so great that if it were possible he will deceive the very elect, we must have our discernment sharpened by divine enlightenment, that we may know the Spirit that is of God, that we may not be ignorant of Satan’s devices. Human effort must combine with divine power, that we may be able to accomplish the closing work for this time. Christ used the wind as a symbol of the Spirit of God. As the wind bloweth whither it listeth, and we cannot tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth, so it is with the Spirit of God. We do not know through whom it will be manifested.
But I speak not my own words when I say that God’s Spirit will pass by those who have had their day of test and opportunity, but who have not distinguished the voice of God or appreciated the movings of His Spirit. Then thousands in the eleventh hour will see and acknowledge the truth. “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed.” These conversions to truth will be made with a rapidity that will surprise the church, and God’s name alone will be glorified. — Lt.-43-1890.
HARVEST PROPORTIONAL TO AGENCIES USED
We see the need of more devoted laborers. The prayer should go forth from unfeigned lips, for the God of the harvest to raise up laborers, for an increase of Christian instrumentality. The harvest of the world is to be reaped through the heavenly instrumentality co-operating with human agencies. In proportion as the agency is increased under the superintendency of holy messengers from heaven, will be the extent of the harvest reaped. — Let.—3, 1891
VICTORY FROM APPARENT DEFEAT
Never has there been a time when man has been so responsible to God as he is at the present hour. Never has there been a time when man’s position has been so critical as it is now. All things in nature and in the world at large are charged with intense earnestness. Satan, in co-operation with his angels and with evil men, will put forth every effort to gain the victory, and will appear to succeed. But from this conflict, truth and righteousness will come forth triumphant in victory. Those who have believed a lie will be defeated; for the days of apostasy will be ended. — MS-24-1891.
AN ALL-ABSORBING QUESTION
Those who are under the influence of the Spirit of God will not be fanatical, but calm, steadfast, free from extravagance. But let all who have had the light of truth shining clear and distinct upon their pathway, be careful how they cry peace and safety. Be careful how you make the first move to suppress the message of truth. Be careful what influence you exert at this time.
Those who profess to believe the special truths for this time need to be converted, and sanctified by the truth. As Christians we are made depositaries of sacred truth, and we are not to keep the truth in the outer court, but bring it into the sanctuary of the soul. Then the church will possess divine vitality throughout. The weak shall be as David, and David as the angel of the Lord. One question will be all-absorbing,—Who shall approach nearest the likeness of Christ? Who shall do the most to win souls to righteousness? When this is the ambition of believers, contention is at an end; the prayer of Christ is answered. . . .
Jesus longs to bestow the heavenly endowment in large measure126upon His people. Prayers are ascending to God daily for the fulfilment of the promise, and not one of the prayers put up in faith is lost. Christ ascended on high, leading captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. When after Christ’s ascension the Spirit came down as promised, like a rushing, mighty wind, filling the whole place where the disciples were assembled, what was the effect? Thousands were converted in a day. We have taught, we have expected, that an angel is to come down from heaven, that the earth will be lightened with his glory. Then we shall behold an ingathering of souls similar to that witnessed on the day of Pentecost. —Lst.-25b-1892.