1.致传道人
怀爱伦夫人
“你要写信给撒狄教会的使者，说：‘那有上帝的七灵和七星的，说：我知道你的行为，按名你是活的，其实是死的。你要警醒，坚固那剩下将要死的;因我见你的行为，在我上帝面前，没有一样是完全的。所以要回想你是怎样领受、怎样听见的、又要遵守，并要悔改。若不警醒，我必临到你那里，如同贼一样。我几时临到，你也决不能知道”(启3:1-3)。“我们的劝勉不是出于错误，不是出于污秽，也不是用诡诈。但上帝既然验中了我们，把福音托付我们，我们就照样讲，不是要讨人喜欢，乃是要讨那察验我们心的上帝喜欢。因为我们从来没有用过谄媚的话，这是你们知道的;也没有藏着贪心，这是上帝可以作见证的。我们作基督的使徒，虽然可以叫人尊重，却没有向你们或向别人求荣耀;只在你们中间存心温柔，如同母亲乳养自己的孩子”(帖前2:3-7)。“我作了这福音的执事，是照上帝的恩赐，这恩赐是照祂运行的大能赐给我的。我本来比众圣徒中最小的还小，然而祂还赐我这恩典，叫我把基督那测不透的丰富传给外邦人，又使众人都明白，这历代以来隐藏在创造万物之上帝里的奥秘是如何安排的，为要藉着教会使天上执政的、掌权的，现在得知上帝百般的智慧。这是照上帝从万世以前，在我们主基督耶稣里所定的旨意”(弗3:7-11)。{PH118 1.1}
“因此，我在父面前屈膝，(天上地上的全家，都是从祂得名)求祂按着祂丰盛的荣耀，藉着祂的灵，叫你们心里的力量刚强起来，使基督因你们的信，住在你们心里，叫你们的爱心有根有基，能以和众圣徒一同明白基督的爱是何等长阔高深，并知道这爱是过于人所能测度的，便叫上帝一切所充满的，充满了你们。上帝能照着运行在我们心里的大力，充充足足的成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。但愿祂在教会中，并在基督耶稣里，得着荣耀，直到世世代代，永永远远”(弗3:14-21)。{PH118 1.2}
福音传道人的严肃工作是要使众人都明白这历代以来隐藏在上帝里的奥秘是如何安排的(弗3:9)。着手这工作的人若是拣选最少自我牺牲的部分，满足于讲道，而把照顾人的工作留给别的某个人去做，他就不必指望自己的工作会蒙上帝悦纳。基督为之而死的人正因缺乏有良好指导的个人之工而灭亡，而当传道人不愿如耶稣在祂的话中所指示的作众人的仆人时，他就弄错了自己的呼召。那些在神圣的讲台上侍奉的人应当跌在磐石上并且跌碎;然后主才会将祂的名号放在他们身上，将他们塑造成尊贵的器皿。如果那些从事传道事工的人确实是与上帝同工的人，我们就会看到在各国为拯救基督已经为之死的灵魂而做的扎实美好的工作。{PH118 2.1}
上帝需要献身的人，他们乐于舍己。天使们的工作是恒常认真的;因为他们定意引人归向耶稣。这应当是传道人们作工的方式。他们的信息应该是：“愿意的，都可以白白取生命的水喝”(启22:17)。天使们的服务不是要努力把什么人拒之门外，而是要将众人都收聚进来;然而，如果要把福音的信息传给所有的人，人就必须与天使工作者合作。神力与人力必须结合起来，以便完成拯救失丧之人的大工。如果没有神助，人就无法做成自己得救的工夫，但他若不甘心乐意地决心与上帝合作，上帝也不会救他。人必须受教从事这项大工，而且他们的成长和教育有赖于他们与神力的联合。上帝提供一切能力、一切才干，使人们可以参加工作;然而，如果没有神的合作，为上帝工作的人就永远不能达到最高的发展。品格的匀称和工作的和谐发展，将通过人对上帝的持续倚赖和认真的努力来实现。我们成功和力量的秘诀，在于向那些有兴趣的人直接发出个人的呼吁，毫不动摇地倚靠至高者。{PH118 2.2}
撒但和他的使者们正在为统治世界而奋斗，生命之君和天使们也在参战，决心搭救凡愿意逃脱罪恶奴役的人。上帝等着看那些被祂的真理启发的人会做些什么。祂一次又一次地呼吁祂的传道人们去作羊群的牧者。祂现在正等着祂的人间代表们的合作，等着他们去照顾将死的羊和小羊。上帝的传道人，作为献身顺命的儿女，难道不要开始照着祂的指示开始从事一项又一项的工作吗?每一个传福音的人都应当是真正的传道人。上帝每一个已蒙赦免的孩子都应当受那些与上天同工之人的指教，以便成为使者，像圣父和圣子一样作工，寻找拯救失丧的人。所有的基督徒都应当高举耶稣，说：仰望祂。“看哪，上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的”(约1:29)。{PH118 3.1}
传道人负有神圣的责任，要为灵魂警醒，好像将来交账的人。他必须使自己对他所为之操劳的人感兴趣，查明一切使他们困惑和烦恼并阻止他们行在真理之光中的东西。约伯说：“素不认识的人，我查明他的案件”(伯29:16)。这应当被认为是重要的要道工作，即使这需要付出许多辛苦的努力和不便，且使你们很少有时间花在证道上。这是家庭的布道工作，决不应被忽视;因为这里涉及永恒的利益。那些没能做这项工作之人的借口，并不能免除他们的责任。他们如果选择不做这项工作，就是忽视了基督为之而死的灵魂，忽视了上帝赐给他们的责任，并在天上的案卷中被登记为不忠心的仆人。传道人若使自己远离那些需要他帮助的人，他岂是像主那样作工，要成为别人的力量和福气吗?那些忽视与百姓亲自交往的人，变得自我中心，需要这种与弟兄们交流的经历，以便了解他们的属灵状况，知道如何牧养上帝的羊群，按时分粮给各人。那些忽视这项工作的人表明，他们需要道德革新，然后他们才会发现，他们没有承担工作的负担。{PH118 3.2}
上帝呼召男男女女与祂一同作工，信仰纯正、内心清洁、目的单一。他们应当通过拯救失丧的人来荣耀上帝。上帝要求由衷的服务。一种形式的、口头上的服务在使人归顺上帝的工作中是完全无效的。一种不出自内心的服务就像鸣的锣响的钹一般。内心必须被圣灵的合作活力所激励，然后凭信站立，将髑髅地的十字架尽收眼底，工人就能向他人传达其主题的神圣灵感了。他就能从丰盛的库房中拿出新旧的东西来，这会激励听众的心，他们既知罪了，就会喊叫说：“我们必须做什么才能得救呢?”传道人若离开讲台，使自己与百姓分开，而不为那些内心已被基督之爱触动的人做出特别的个人努力，他就会失去一个永远无法挽回的机会。{PH118 4.1}
我们需要宣教的传道人，在行为和真理上都是宣教士的传道人，他们会藉着活泼的信心和恳切的祷告、藉着完全降服于上帝来与主耶稣基督交流，以致天国的信息能藉着他们传给世人。这样他们就不会不给人留下明确的印象，激励那些听他们的人悔改、信、爱、喜乐、为主认真作工。但是为了从众光和知识之源获得赐生命的力量，工人必须对圣灵的每一个动作有响应，以便神圣的亮光藉着他们光照教会和世界。传道人不应当允许自己处于低水平，他们应当志存高远。为了操练自己达到敬虔，为了正确地把握他们所从事的神圣工作，他们每天都需要被圣灵举起来，呼吸属灵圣洁的纯净空气。{PH118 4.2}
在传道人中间必须有更多的忘我，更完全地在基督耶稣里隐藏自己，以便他们能做上帝的工作，为要得人，既藉着讲道，也藉着在家庭中的服务，探访人，与他们一起祷告，向他们展示上帝话语的天上吗哪，教育他们默想基督的爱。在做这项工作时，传道人必有天上的使者陪伴，他自己也必在使人有得救智慧的真理上受指教和光照。在探访人时，他会了解他们的需要，他的同情心也会被唤起来。耶稣对用血买来的灵魂的爱会在对失丧之人的柔情中表现出来，且会通过运用而增长：他会将自我沉浸在对这工作的兴趣中。他会对那些需要帮助的人说出许多直白的话;因为当上帝委托人做祂的工作时，祂就使他们有负担为灵魂警醒，好像将来交账的人。必要时，要发出警告，谴责罪恶，纠正错误和恶行，不仅是在讲坛上，而且是通过个人之工。这是上帝的工作，尽管不符合人本性的倾向，传道人也必须传讲会使听众耳鸣的率直真理;因为他们必须把包围爱宴乐不爱上帝之人的危险和威胁，和等候不悔悟之人的厄运摆在他们面前。{PH118 5.1}
因为这种信息不符合他们的倾向，或不受那些必须受到警告之人欢迎，所以传道人受到严严的嘱咐要忠心地传讲。他们会遇到似乎不肯纠正的错误，会领教似乎被掩盖却需要到处揭露出来的罪恶。先知说：“你要大声喊叫，不可止息，扬起声来，好像吹角。向我百姓说明他们的过犯，向谁各家说明他们的罪恶，他们天天寻求我，乐意明白我的道，好像行义的国民，不离弃他们上帝的典章”(赛58:1,2)。“我在上帝面前，并在将来审判活人死人的基督耶稣面前，凭着祂的显现和祂的国度嘱咐你，务要传道，无论得时不得时，总要专心，并用百般的忍耐，各样的教训，责备人，警戒人，劝勉人”(提后4:1,2)。传道人不要沉湎于叙述奇闻轶事，而要传讲这道。“犯罪的人，当在众人面前责备他，叫其余的人也可以惧怕。我在上帝和基督耶稣并蒙拣选的天使面前嘱咐你，要遵守这些话，不可存成见，行事也不可有偏心”(提前5:20,21)。“总要在言语，行为，爱心，信心，清洁上，都作信徒的榜样”(提前4:12)。“你当竭力在上帝面前得蒙喜悦，作无愧的工人，按着正意分解真理的道”(提后2:15)。{PH118 6.1}
我们要把基督传给众人，听从使徒的命令，他说：“我们传扬祂，是用诸般的智慧劝戒各人，教导各人，要把各人在基督里完完全全地引到上帝面前。我也为此劳苦，照着祂在我里面运用的大能尽心竭力”(西1:28, 29)。这种经验对保罗来说很重要吗?请仔细阅读他的话，看看基督的传道人按照较低的敬虔标准塑造自己的人生是否安全。{PH118 6.2}
“愿颂赞归与我们主耶稣基督的父上帝!祂在基督里曾赐给我们天上各样属灵的福气”(弗1:3)。在这丰富仁慈的安排中，还有什么所缺乏的呢?因着基督的功劳，我们在基督里拥有天国的一切属灵福分。我们有权利亲近上帝，呼吸祂临格的空气。如果我们与这个世界上普通的、廉价的、肉欲的东西保持密切的联系，撒但的阴影就会介入，以致我们不能看出上帝的应许和保证的福气，因此不能得到坚固，达到属灵的高标准。若不常在基督面前，我们就得不到平安、自由、勇气和力量。{PH118 6.3}
“就如上帝从创立世界以前，在基督里拣选了我们，使我们在祂面前成为圣洁，无有瑕疵”(弗1:4)。这里不可能有误解，除非故意视而不见。我们应当在祂面前在爱里成为圣洁，无有瑕疵。我们在恩典里得到长进的条件是善用我们已经得到的亮光。我们若是愿意寻见，就必须继续不断地寻找;我们若是愿意得到，就必须继续祈求;我们若是愿意让门开着，就必须坚持不懈地叩门。我们自己毁灭的责任必伏在我们自己门口。上帝的道对我们说话，好像一切都取决于我们自己的努力。我们若是愿意无有瑕疵地站在上帝的宝座前，就必须前来，必须抵挡魔鬼;必须努力进窄门;必须存心忍耐奔那路程;必须打信心的仗;必须与执政的、掌权的摔跤;必须在上帝面前苦苦祈求。我们必须有那种有功效的信心，否则它就必无能为力。好行为不能支付我们得赎的代价;它们乃是我们信仰耶稣基督的果子，祂才是我们的义。{PH118 7.1}
我们的经验必须拓宽加深;因为藉着恩典，上帝的能力要在我们的软弱上显得完全。我们的意志必须坚定地、坚决地、明智地置于上帝的旨意一边。不要自以为是，也不要懒惰。我们恐惧地度过在今世寄居的时间是合宜的，不是不信任上帝的恩典，而是害怕自我会获得至高无上的地位。我们不应担心上帝会有什么失败，而应害怕我们中间有什么人因我们自己的罪恶倾向而得不着所应许的。我们应把标准定得高一些，并在日常生活中认真努力去达到它，直到我们的灵魂燃烧着神圣的渴望。我们需要谈论信心，因为它很软弱;然而在谈论信心时，我们必须谈到那种生发仁爱并且洁净心灵的信心。{PH118 7.2}
对于什么是基督教传道人的职责，我们已经有了很浅陋的想法。许多在神圣的讲台上侍奉上的人一点儿也不了解自己的责任。他们把事情看得太简单了，太舒服了;许多人坐在撒但的安乐椅上，认为他们若是部分抄袭另一位传道人，就会满足要求。传道人们需要警惕，但没有人需要绝望。我们需要自省，以便明白我们是否在学习基督的柔和谦卑;因为我们应当效法祂的榜样。我们在操劳中应当作像保罗一样的见证。他说：“你们知道，自从我到亚西亚的日子以来，在你们中间始终为人如何，服事主，凡事谦卑，……凡与你们有益的，我没有一样避讳不说的，或在众人面前，或在各人家里，我都教导你们;又对犹太人和希腊人证明当向上帝悔改，信靠我主耶稣基督。”“所以我今日向你们证明，你们中间无论何人死亡，我于众人的血是洁净的。因为上帝的旨意，我并没有一样避讳不传给你们的。圣灵立你们作全群的监督，你们就当为自己谨慎，也为全群谨慎，牧养上帝的教会，就是祂用自己血所买来的。”“我凡事给你们作榜样，叫你们知道应当这样劳苦，扶助软弱的人，又当记念主耶稣的话，说：‘施比受更为有福’”(徒20:18-21,26-28,35)。{PH118 8.1}
主耶稣对彼得说：“你回头以后，要坚固你的弟兄”(路22:32)。祂即将升天之前，对自己的门徒说：“约拿的儿子西门，你爱我比这些更深吗?”彼得说：“主啊，是的，祢知道我爱祢。”耶稣对他说：“你喂养我的小羊”(约21:15)。彼得对这项工作没有什么经验;但如果他不学会喂养小羊，就是那些在信心上还幼稚的人，他的基督徒生活就不完美。给无知的人适当的教导，向他们打开圣经并教育他们，使他们成为有用和负责任的人，需要非常细心、许多耐心和毅力。这是现今我们各教会中必须成就的工作，否则倡导真理的人就会经验贫乏，遭受试探和欺骗。每一位传道人都应该深刻理解主对彼得的指示。基督再三指示祂手下的牧人：“喂养我的小羊，”“喂养我的羊。”{PH118 8.2}
主对彼得所说的话，宣布了福音传道人的责任。这件事已呈现在我面前，就是在澳大利亚的工作有了错误的模式。虽然主并不要求祂的传道人操劳过度，超过他们的体力，尽管如此，如果他们像聪明的将军们计划让每一个举动都说明这项工作的未来和现在的影响，原能有比现在更多的信徒。开辟更多园地却不能彻底作工是不明智的。若是从一开始就从工人们心中根除了自私;若是对耶稣和对基督为之而死之人的爱控制了工人们，原能兴起一群何等强壮的人啊。嫉妒、恶意的猜度、忌恨已在你们和上帝之间建起了屏障，使主不可能做祂的工作——祂使人认识真理的宝贵工作了。要是许多人归正了，谁能照顾这些小羊，这些初信的人呢?他们会从忌恨、嫉妒和恶意的猜测学到什么功课呢?求问的人会从哪儿得到正确的指教呢?谁会教育和训练他们为主作工呢?向他们传讲真理的人正是需要学习福音传道人应做之工的入门功课的人。这工作不是说教。{PH118 9.1}
福音传道人远远不应怀有嫉妒的精神，惟恐自己若在办公室或在更为一般的生活中与别人同工，别人就会得到太多信誉。自私已经如此驱动了人，以致上帝的工作受阻，上帝的信息被许多人拒绝。情绪已经表现出来，一种精神得到珍爱，是主所谴责的，邪恶没有都被看见和承认，也没有作出赔偿。上帝的灵和能力已经与那些怀有妒忌的人隔绝了。在传道事工上做的一半工作真比什么都没做还要糟糕;因为已经有了这样的模式，需要许多的时间、许多艰苦认真的操劳才能改变印象，推进正确的教育。教会一直受到这样的训练，以致觉得自己没有特别的责任要去探访、讲论真理、与人一起祷告和彼此代祷、探望病人、鼓励他们、给予同情和爱心、表明他们在基督里彼此互为肢体。所有苦恋的情感主义都证明是灵魂的一个陷阱。有些人可以说是站在悬崖的边缘，再往错误的方向走一步就会证明他们永远的毁灭。{PH118 10.1}
在收割的田地里只有一个工人的地方，本应该有许多工人;然而传道人若是不能做彻底的工作，反而认为上帝所要求的只是一半的工作，那他最好还是不要参与圣工。那些随时准备献身于传道工作，不仅仅是讲道，而且为灵魂服务，探望家庭，查考圣经并与他们一起祷告的人，会取得成功;在为他人效劳的圣洁努力中，会变得心连心;人们也会像传道人为他们工作一样，出去为别人工作。{PH118 10.2}
在我们所有的工作中，我们都永远不应忘记，应许之虹环绕着施恩的宝座。道路是为所有犯罪的人开放的，他们要回归耶稣，要自卑，要悔改，要得到赦免、平安和基督那过于人所能知道的爱。当我们有了归正的传道事工时，工作才会具有一种不同的模式，才会在更崇高更圣洁的原则上进行。{PH118 10.3}
PH118 - Address To Ministers
(Mrs. E. G. White)
“Unto the angel of the church of Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” “For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: for as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness; nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ. For we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.” “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto me who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”?{PH118 1.1}[1]
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit, in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted?and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that we might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that ye ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages world without end.”?{PH118 1.2}[2]
The solemn work of the gospel minister is to make all men see “what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God.” If one enters upon this work choosing the least self-sacrificing part of it, contenting himself with preaching, and leaving the work of ministering for some one else to do, he need not expect that his labors will be acceptable to God. Souls for whom Christ has died are perishing for want of well-directed personal labor; and when the minister is not willing to be a servant of the people, as Jesus has directed in his word, then he has mistaken his calling. Those who minister in the sacred desk should fall upon the Rock and be broken; then the Lord will put his superscription upon them, and fashion them as vessels unto honor. If those who engage in the work of the ministry were indeed laborers together with God, we should see a solid and beautiful work wrought in all countries for the saving of the souls for whom Christ has died.?{PH118 2.1}[3]
God calls for consecrated men, who are willing to deny self. The work of the heavenly intelligences is constant and earnest; for they are intent upon drawing men to Jesus. This is the manner in which ministers should labor. Their message should be, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” The angels in their ministration do not labor so as to shut any soul out, but rather to gather all in; but if the message of the gospel is to go to all men, human agents must co-operate with the angel workers. Divine and human agencies must combine in order to accomplish the great work of saving the souls of the lost. Man cannot work out his own salvation without divine aid, and God will not save him without willing, decided co-operation. Human agencies must be educated for this great work, and their growth and?education depends upon their union with divine forces. God provides all the capabilities, all the talents, by which men may enter the work; but the highest development of the worker for God can never be attained without divine co-operation. Symmetry of character and the harmonious development of the work, will be accomplished through continual dependence upon God and earnest effort on the part of man. The secret of our success and power will be found in making direct, personal appeals to those who are interested, having unwavering reliance upon the Most High.?{PH118 2.2}[4]
Satan and his angels are struggling for the mastery of the world, while the Prince of life and the angels of heaven are engaged in the battle, determined to rescue all those who would escape from the bondage of evil. God waits to see what those who have been enlightened by his truth will do. Again and again he has called for his ministers to be shepherds to the flock. He is now waiting for the co-operation of his human agents, waiting for them to minister to the sheep and lambs that are ready to die. O, will not the ministers of God, as consecrated, obedient children, take up one line of work after another as he presents it to them? Every herald of the gospel is to be a minister indeed. Every forgiven child of God is to be instructed by those who are laborers together with heaven, that he is to be a messenger to work in the same way as the Father and the Son are working, seeking to save the lost. All Christians are to lift up Jesus, and say, Behold him. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”?{PH118 3.1}[5]
The sacred responsibility rests upon the minister to watch for souls as one that must give an account. He must interest himself in the souls for whom he labors, finding out all that perplexes and troubles them and prevents them from walking in the light of the truth. Job says, “The cause that I knew not, I searched out.” This should be considered the important work of the ministry, even if it demands much painstaking effort and inconvenience, and gives much less time for sermonizing. This is home missionary work, and it is in no case to be neglected; for eternal interests are here involved.?The excuses of those who fail to do this work, do not relieve them of the responsibility. If they choose not to do it, they neglect the souls for whom Christ died, neglect their God-given responsibility, and are registered in the books of heaven as unfaithful servants. Does the minister work as did the Master to be a strength and a blessing to others when he shuts himself away from those who need his help? Those who neglect personal intercourse with the people, become self-centred, and need this very experience of placing themselves in communication with their brethren that they may understand their spiritual condition, and know how to feed the flock of God, giving to each his portion of meat in due season. Those who neglect this work make it manifest that they need moral renovation, and then they will see that they have not carried the burden of the work.?{PH118 3.2}[6]
God calls for men and women to be laborers together with him, to be workers who are sound in faith, pure in heart, and single in purpose. They should work to glorify God by saving souls that are lost. God requires heart-service. A service of form, lip-service, is wholly ineffectual in the work of converting souls to God. A service that comes not from the heart is as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. The heart must be stirred with the co-operative energy of the Holy Spirit, then standing in full view of the cross of Calvary by faith, the laborer can communicate to others the divine inspiration of his theme. From a full treasure-house he can bring forth things new and old, which will stir the hearts of his hearers, and, convicted, they will cry out, “What must I do to be saved?” If the minister leaves the pulpit, and separates himself from the people without making a special, personal effort for those whose hearts have been touched by the love of Christ, he has lost an opportunity which he will never recover.?{PH118 4.1}[7]
We need missionary ministers, ministers who are missionaries in deed and in truth, who place themselves in communication with the Lord Jesus Christ by living faith and earnest prayer, by complete surrender to God, so that Heaven’s message through them may be given to the world. Then?they will not fail to make decided impressions, inciting those who hear them to repentance, faith, love, joy, and earnest work for the Master. But in order to have life-giving power from the Source of all light and knowledge, the workers must be responsive to every movement of the Holy Spirit, that divine light may shine through them to the church and to the world. Ministers should not allow themselves to take a low level, they should aim high. In order to exercise themselves unto godliness, in order to rightly take hold of the sacred work in which they are engaged, they need daily to be lifted up by the Holy Spirit, to breathe the pure atmosphere of spiritual holiness.?{PH118 4.2}[8]
Among ministers there must be more self-forgetfulness, a more complete hiding of themselves in Christ Jesus, in order that they may work the works of God, in order to win souls both by preaching the Word and by ministering in the homes in visiting the people, in praying with them, in presenting to them the heavenly manna of the Word of God, educating them to contemplate the love of Christ. In doing this work, the minister will be attended by angels of heaven, and will be himself instructed and enlightened in the truth that maketh wise unto salvation. In visiting the people he will learn their necessities, and his sympathies will be called out. The love of Jesus for blood-bought souls will manifest itself in tenderness to the lost, and will grow by exercise: He will sink self in his interest for the work. He will have many straight and plain words to address to those who need them; for when God commissions men to do his work, he lays upon them the burden of watching for souls as they that must give an account. When needed, warnings are to be given, sins are to be rebuked, errors and wrongs are to be corrected, not only in the pulpit but by personal labor. This is divine work; and although it is not congenial to the natural inclinations, the minister must proclaim the straight truth, which will make the ears of them that hear tingle; he must lay before those who are lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, the dangers and perils that are around them, and the doom that awaits the impenitent.?{PH118 5.1}[9]
Because this message is not agreeable to their inclination or welcome to those who must be warned, ministers are solemnly charged to be faithful in its declaration. They will meet wrongs that seem to defy correction. They will be made aware of sins that seem to be covered that will need to be exposed. The prophet says: “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness and forsook not the ordinance of their God.” “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom: Preach the word, be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” The minister is not to indulge in the relation of anecdotes, but he is to?preach the Word. “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” “Be thou an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”?{PH118 6.1}[10]
We are to present Christ to the people, following the words of the apostle where he says, “Whom we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus; whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” Was it essential for Paul to have this experience? Read carefully and meditate upon his words, and see if it is safe for any of the ministers of Christ to shape their life according to any lower standard of godliness.?{PH118 6.2}[11] “
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ.” What is there for us to ask that is not?included in this merciful, abundant provision? Through the merits of Christ we are blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ. It is our privilege to draw nigh to God, to breathe in of the atmosphere of his presence. If we keep ourselves in close union with the common, cheap, sensual things of this earth, Satan will interpose his shadow, so that we shall fail to discern the blessedness of the promises and assurances of God, and so shall fail to be strengthened to attain to a high spiritual standard. Nothing short of abiding in the presence of Christ will bring peace, freedom, courage, and power.?{PH118 6.3}[12]
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” There can be no misunderstanding here unless there is wilful blindness. We are to be holy and without blame before him in love. The condition upon which we receive an increase of grace is that we improve upon the light we already have. If we would find, we must go on continually seeking; if we would receive, we must continue to ask; if we would have the door opened, we must perseveringly knock. The responsibility of our own ruin will lie at our own door. The Word of God speaks to us as if everything depended upon our own efforts. We must come, we must resist the devil; we must strive to enter in at the strait gate; we must run the race with patience; we must fight the fight of faith; we must wrestle with principalities and powers; we must agonize before God in prayer, if we would stand blameless before the throne of God. We must have the faith that works, or it will be powerless. Good works will not pay the price of our redemption; they are the fruit of our faith in Jesus Christ, who is our righteousness.?{PH118 7.1}[13]
Our experience must broaden and deepen; for by grace the strength of God is to be made perfect in our weakness. Our will must be placed firmly, decidedly, intelligently, on the side of God’s will. There must be no presumption, no slothful work. It becomes us to pass the time of our sojourning here in fear, not in distrust of the grace of God, but in fear that self will gain the supremacy. We are not to fear that?there will be any failure on the part of God, but fear lest because of our own sinful inclination any of us should come short of the promise. Let the standard be set high, and let there be an earnest striving to reach it in our daily lives, till our souls burn with holy desire. We need to talk faith, for it is very feeble; but in talking faith, we must speak of that faith that works by love and purifies the soul.?{PH118 7.2}[14]
We have come to have very meagre ideas as to what constitutes the duty of a Christian minister. Many who minister in the sacred desk do not half understand their responsibilities. They are taking things altogether too easy and comfortable; many are in Satan’s easy chair, thinking that if they partially copy another minister, they will meet the requirements. There is need of alarm among the ministers, but no one need be hopeless. There is need of self-examination that we may understand whether we are learning the meekness and lowliness of Christ; for we are to follow his example. In our labors we are to bear the same testimony as did Paul. He says: “Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you in all seasons, serving the Lord in all humility of mind, ...and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men; for I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the flock of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” “I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”?{PH118 8.1}[15]
The Lord Jesus said to Peter, “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren;” and just before his ascension, he said to his disciple, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou?knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” This was a work in which Peter had had but little experience; but he could not be complete in Christian life unless he learned to feed the lambs, those who were young in the faith. It would require great care, much patience and perseverance, to give those who were ignorant the suitable teachings, opening up to them the Scriptures, and educating them for usefulness and duty. This is the work that must be done in our churches at this day, or the advocates of truth will have a dwarfed experience, and will be exposed to temptation and deception. The charge given to Peter should come home to every minister. Again and again the voice of Christ is heard repeating the charge to his under shepherds, “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep.”?{PH118 8.2}[16]
In the words addressed to Peter the responsibilities of the gospel minister are set forth. I have had the matter presented before me that a wrong mould has been given to the work in Australia. Though the Lord does not require that his ministers labor beyond their physical ability, still, if they had, like wise generals planned to make every stroke tell for the future as well as for the present influence of the work, there might have been many more believers than there are today. It is not wise to open up more fields than can be thoroughly worked. If from the first selfishness had been eradicated from the hearts of the laborers, if the love of Jesus and the love of souls for whom Christ died, had controlled the workers, what a strong company might have been raised up. Jealousies, evil surmisings, envyings, have built up barriers between you and God, making it impossible for the Lord to do his work, his precious work, of bringing souls to the knowledge of truth. If many had been converted, who would have been able to care for these lambs, these newly come to the faith? What lessons they would have learned of envy, jealousy, and evil surmising. Wherein would inquiring souls find the right kind of instruction? Who would educate and train them for the work of the Master? The very men who are presenting the truth to them had need to learn the first lessons as to what constitutes the work devolving on a gospel minister. It is not sermonizing.?{PH118 9.1}[17]
The minister of the gospel should be far from cherishing an envious spirit, fearing that another may receive too much credit if he shares his labor with him, in the office or in more general life. Selfishness has so actuated men that the work of God has been hindered, and the message of God has been refused by many. Feelings have been manifested, a spirit cherished, that the Lord condemns, and the evil has not all been seen and confessed, and restitution made. The Spirit and power of God have been shut away from those who have cherished envy. The half work done in the ministry was really worse than if nothing had been done; for such a mould has been given that much time, much hard, earnest labor, will be required in order that the impressions may be changed, and the right kind of education be advanced. The churches have been so trained that they feel no special responsibility to visit, to talk the truth, to pray with and for one another, to visit the sick, to encourage them, to give sympathy and love, and make it manifest that in Christ they are members one of another. All revealings of love-sick sentimentalism prove a snare to souls. Some have stood as it were upon the very brink of the precipice, and one more step in the wrong direction would prove their eternal ruin.?{PH118 10.1}[18]
Where there has been one laborer in the harvest field, there should have been many; but unless the minister can do thorough work, and not think that half work is all that God requires, he would better keep out of the cause. Those who stand ready to give themselves to the work of the ministry, not merely to sermonize, but to minister to souls, visiting them at their homes, searching the Scriptures and praying with them, will have success; heart will become joined to heart in holy endeavor to do for others; and the people will go forth to work for others as the minister has worked for them.?{PH118 10.2}[19]
In all our work let us never forget that the rainbow of promise encircles the throne of mercy. The way is open for all who have sinned to return to Jesus, to humble themselves, to repent, to find pardon, peace, and the love of Christ which passeth knowledge. When we have a converted ministry, the work will bear a different mould, and be conducted upon higher and holier principles.?{PH118 10.3}[20]
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