Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Our Ministers 441and physical vigor that as faithful workmen of God they may give fullproof of their ministry.In every important place there should be a depository for publications.And someone who really appreciates the truth should manifestan interest to get these books into the hands of all who will read. Theharvest is great, but the laborers are few, and the few experiencedlaborers now in the field have all they should do to labor in word anddoctrine. Men will arise who claim that God has laid upon them theburden of teaching the truth to others. All such should be provedand tried. They should not be relieved from all care, neither should [474]they be lifted into responsible positions at once; but they should beencouraged if they deserve encouragement, to give full proof of theirministry. It would not be the best course for such ones to pursue, toenter into other men’s labors. Let them first labor in connection withone of experience and wisdom, and he can soon see whether they arecapable of exerting an influence that will be saving. Young preacherswho have never had wearing labor, nor felt the draft upon their mentaland physical strength, should not be encouraged to hope for a supportindependent of their own physical labor, for this will only injure themand will be a bait to entice men to engage in the work who realizenothing of the burden of it or the responsibility resting upon God’schosen ministers. Such will feel competent to teach others when theyhave scarcely learned the first principles themselves.Many who profess the truth are not sanctified by it and are notendowed with wisdom; they are not led and taught of God. God’speople, as a general thing, are worldly-minded and have departed fromthe simplicity of the gospel. This is the cause of the great lack ofspiritual discernment in the course they have pursued toward ministers.If a minister preaches with freedom, some will praise him to his face.Instead of dwelling upon the truths he uttered, and improving uponthem, thus showing themselves to be not forgetful hearers, but doersof the work, they exalt him by referring to what he has done. Theydwell upon the virtues of the poor instrument, but forget Christ whoemployed the instrument. Ever since the fall of Satan, who was oncean exalted angel in glory, ministers have fallen through exaltation.Unwise Sabbathkeepers have pleased the devil well by praising theirministers. Were they aware that they were aiding Satan in his work?They would have been alarmed had they realized what they were doing.