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Testimonies for the Church, Volume 9 - Ellen G. White

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Chapter 62<br />

An Appeal to Laymen<br />

When a special ef<strong>for</strong>t is put <strong>for</strong>th by laborers of<br />

experience in a community where our own people<br />

live, <strong>the</strong>re rests upon <strong>the</strong> believers in that field a<br />

most solemn obligation to do all in <strong>the</strong>ir power to<br />

open <strong>the</strong> way <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord to work. They should<br />

search <strong>the</strong>ir hearts prayerfully, and clear <strong>the</strong> King's<br />

highway by putting away every sin that would<br />

hinder <strong>the</strong>m from co-operating with God and with<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir brethren.<br />

This has not always been fully understood.<br />

Satan has often brought in a spirit that has made it<br />

impossible <strong>for</strong> church members to discern<br />

opportunities <strong>for</strong> service. Believers have not<br />

infrequently allowed <strong>the</strong> enemy to work through<br />

<strong>the</strong>m at <strong>the</strong> very time when <strong>the</strong>y should have been<br />

wholly consecrated to God and to <strong>the</strong> advancement<br />

of His work. Unconsciously <strong>the</strong>y have wandered<br />

far from <strong>the</strong> way of righteousness. Cherishing a<br />

spirit of criticism and faultfinding, of pharisaical<br />

225

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