Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

358 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[382]they are in Christ’s stead, that they must illustrate by example thelife of Christ. “For we are laborers together with God.” “We then, asworkers together with Him, beseech you also that ye receive not thegrace of God in vain.”I was shown that the usefulness of young ministers, married orunmarried, is often destroyed by the attachment shown to them byyoung women. Such do not realize that other eyes are upon them,and that the course pursued by them may have a tendency to verymuch injure the influence of the minister to whom they give so muchattention. If they would strictly regard the rules of propriety, it wouldbe much better for them and much better for their minister. It placeshim in a disagreeable position and causes others to look upon him ina wrong light. Yet I saw that the burden of the matter rests upon theministers themselves. They should show a distaste for these things,and if they take the course which God would have them, they willnot be troubled long. They should shun every appearance of evil, andwhen young women are very sociable, it is their duty to let them knowthat it is not pleasing. They must repulse this forwardness even if theyare thought to be rude. Such things should be rebuked in order to savethe cause from reproach. Young women who have been converted tothe truth and to God will listen to reproof and will be reformed.Ministers should follow up their public labors by private efforts,laboring personally for souls whenever there is an opportunity, conversingaround the fireside, and entreating souls to seek for those thingswhich make for their peace. Our work here is soon to close, and everyman will receive his reward according to his own labor. I was shownthe saints’ reward, the immortal inheritance, and saw that those whohad endured the most for the truth’s sake will not think they have hada hard time, but will count heaven cheap enough.