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

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<strong>the</strong>y believe that Christ is at <strong>the</strong> door. Men and<br />

women are in <strong>the</strong> last hours of probation, and yet<br />

are careless and stupid, and ministers have no<br />

power to arouse <strong>the</strong>m; <strong>the</strong>y are asleep <strong>the</strong>mselves.<br />

Sleeping preachers preaching to a sleeping people!<br />

A great work must be accomplished <strong>for</strong><br />

ministers in order <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>m to make <strong>the</strong> preaching<br />

of <strong>the</strong> truth a success. The word of God should be<br />

thoroughly studied. All o<strong>the</strong>r reading is inferior to<br />

this. A careful study of <strong>the</strong> Bible will not<br />

necessarily exclude all o<strong>the</strong>r reading of a religious<br />

nature; but if <strong>the</strong> word of God is studied<br />

prayerfully, all reading which will have a tendency<br />

to divert <strong>the</strong> mind from it will be excluded. If we<br />

study <strong>the</strong> word of God with an interest, and pray to<br />

understand it, new beauties will be seen in every<br />

line. God will reveal precious truth so clearly that<br />

<strong>the</strong> mind will derive sincere pleasure and have a<br />

continual feast as its com<strong>for</strong>ting and sublime truths<br />

are unfolded.<br />

Visiting from house to house <strong>for</strong>ms an<br />

important part of <strong>the</strong> minister's labors. He should<br />

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