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Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

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cause. The ministers engaged in this work must be<br />

energized by <strong>the</strong> spirit and power of <strong>the</strong> truths <strong>the</strong>y<br />

preach, and <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong>y will have an influence. The<br />

people will seldom rise higher than <strong>the</strong>ir minister.<br />

A world-loving spirit in him has a tremendous<br />

influence upon o<strong>the</strong>rs. The people make his<br />

deficiencies an excuse to cover <strong>the</strong>ir world-loving<br />

spirit. They quiet <strong>the</strong>ir own consciences, thinking<br />

that <strong>the</strong>y may be free to love <strong>the</strong> things of this life<br />

and be indifferent to spiritual things because <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

ministers are so. They deceive <strong>the</strong>ir own souls and<br />

remain in friendship with <strong>the</strong> world, which <strong>the</strong><br />

apostle declares to be enmity with God.<br />

Ministers should be examples to <strong>the</strong> flock.<br />

They should manifest an undying love <strong>for</strong> souls<br />

and <strong>the</strong> same devotion to <strong>the</strong> cause which <strong>the</strong>y<br />

desire to see in <strong>the</strong> people. The ministers in<br />

Vermont have made a mistake in <strong>the</strong>ir labor. They<br />

have passed over <strong>the</strong> same ground again and again<br />

to help <strong>the</strong> churches, when frequently <strong>the</strong>y needed<br />

labor bestowed upon <strong>the</strong>mselves, to bring <strong>the</strong>m<br />

into a position where God could bless <strong>the</strong>ir labors<br />

and make <strong>the</strong>m fruitful. There has not been one<br />

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