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Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

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438 <strong>Testimonies</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Church</strong> <strong>Vol</strong>ume 1[470][471]Satan was yet alive, as persevering, earnest, and artful as ever; that hewas still seeking to allure souls from <strong>the</strong> path of righteousness.One important part of <strong>the</strong> work of <strong>the</strong> ministry is to faithfullypresent to <strong>the</strong> people <strong>the</strong> health re<strong>for</strong>m as it stands connected with<strong>the</strong> third angel’s message as part and parcel of <strong>the</strong> same work. Theyshould not fail to adopt it <strong>the</strong>mselves, and should urge it upon all whoprofess to believe <strong>the</strong> truth.Ministers should have no separate interest aside from <strong>the</strong> greatwork of leading souls to <strong>the</strong> truth. Their energies are all needed here.They should not engage in merchandise, in peddling, or in any businessaside from this one great work. The solemn charge given to Timothyrests with equal weight upon <strong>the</strong>m, laying upon <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong> most solemnobligations and most fearful responsibilities. “I charge <strong>the</strong>e <strong>the</strong>re<strong>for</strong>ebe<strong>for</strong>e God, and <strong>the</strong> Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge <strong>the</strong> quick and<strong>the</strong> dead at His appearing and His kingdom; Preach <strong>the</strong> word; be instantin season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-sufferingand doctrine.” “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do <strong>the</strong>work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”Wrong habits of life have lessened our mental and physical sensibilities,and all <strong>the</strong> strength we can acquire by right living and placingourselves in <strong>the</strong> best relation to health and life should be devoted unreservedlyto <strong>the</strong> work which God has assigned us. We cannot af<strong>for</strong>dto use <strong>the</strong> few enfeebled, crippled energies which we possess to servetables or to mingle merchandise with <strong>the</strong> work God has committed tous. Every faculty of mind and body is now needed. The work of Godrequires this, and no separate business can be engaged in aside fromthis great work without taking time and strength of mind and body,and thus lessening <strong>the</strong> vigor and <strong>for</strong>ce of our labor in <strong>the</strong> cause of God.Ministers who do this will not have all that time <strong>for</strong> meditation andprayer, and all that strength and clearness of mind that <strong>the</strong>y should haveto understand <strong>the</strong> cases of those who need help, and to be preparedto “be instant in season, out of season.” A word fitly spoken at <strong>the</strong>right time may save some poor, erring, doubting, fainting soul. Paulexhorted Timothy: “Meditate upon <strong>the</strong>se things; give thyself whollyto <strong>the</strong>m; that thy profiting may appear to all.”In Christ’s commission to His disciples He tells <strong>the</strong>m: “Whatsoeverye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever yeshall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” If this is <strong>the</strong> fearfully

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