Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

416 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[447][448]at once upon the brethren for support. They are not entitled to thisuntil they can show good fruits of their labor. There is now danger ofinjuring young preachers, and those who have but little experience, byflattery, and by relieving them of burdens in life. When not preachingthey should be doing what they can for their own support. This is thebest way to test the nature of their call to preach. If they desire topreach only that they may be supported as ministers, and the churchpursue a judicious course, they will soon lose the burden and leavepreaching for more profitable business. Paul, a most eloquent preacher,miraculously converted of God to do a special work, was not abovelabor. He says: “Even unto this present hour we both hunger, andthirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; and labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, webless; being persecuted, we suffer it.” 1 Corinthians 4:11, 12. “Neitherdid we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labor andtravail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you.”2 Thessalonians 3:8.I have been shown that many do not rightly estimate the talentswhich are among them. Some brethren do not understand what preachingtalent would be the best for the advancement of the cause of truth,but think only of the present gratification of their feelings. Withoutreflection they will show preference for a speaker who manifests considerablezeal in his preaching and relates anecdotes which please theear and animate the mind for a moment, but leave no lasting impression.At the same time they will put a low estimate upon a preacherwho has prayerfully studied that he may present before the people thearguments of our position in a calm manner and in a connected form.His labor is not appreciated, and he is often treated with indifference.A man may preach in a spirited manner and please the ear, butconvey no new idea or real intelligence to the mind. The impressionsreceived through such preaching last no longer than while the speaker’svoice is heard. When search is made for the fruit of such labor, thereis little to be found. These flashy gifts are not as beneficial, and wellcalculated to advance the cause of truth, as a gift that can be trusted inhard, difficult places. In the work of teaching the truth it is necessarythat the important points of our position be well fortified with Scriptureevidences. Assertions may silence the unbeliever, but will not convince