亲爱的弟兄们：
当圣工的真实景况摆在我面前时，我无法向你们表达我心中的负担和悲痛。许多作真理教师的人需要在基督的学校中学习他们最初的课程。上帝使人归正的能力必须临到传道人的心上，否则他们就会听从别的呼召。基督的使者如果认识到向人们传讲真理的严肃性，他们就会成为谨慎自守、考虑周到，与上帝同工的人。他们如果真的意识到基督对祂门徒们的委托，就会以敬畏的心打开上帝的圣言，倾听主的指示，祈求上天的智慧，以便他们站在活人和死人中间时，能认识到必须为自己手中所做出的工作向上帝交账。{SpTA01a 1.1}
离了耶稣，传道人能做什么呢?什么也不能做。他如果是一个轻佻，爱开玩笑的人，就没有准备好履行主放在他身上的职责。基督说：“离了我，你们就不能做什么”(约15:5)。从他口中出来轻薄的话，琐碎的轶事和逗人的笑话，都是上帝的道所谴责的，与神圣的讲台完全不相宜。{SpTA01a 1.2}
弟兄们，我对你们坦言，如果传道人不归正，我们的教会就会患病垂死。唯有上帝的能力才能改变人心，并使人心中充满基督的爱。唯有上帝的能力才能纠正并制服人的种种情欲，圣化人的各种情感。凡作传道人的都必须降卑自己骄傲的心，将自己的意志顺服上帝的旨意，并且将自己的生命与基督一同隐藏在上帝里面。{SpTA01a 1.3}
传道的目标是什么呢?是将笑料与宗教混在一起吗?剧院才适合于这种表演。如果基督成形在人心里，真理及其使人成圣的能力被带进心灵的内殿，你们就不会有插科打诨的人了，也不会有坏脾气、乖戾、易怒的人去向将亡的人教导基督的宝贵教训了。{SpTA01a 2.1}
我们的传道人需要品格的改变。他们应该认识到，如果他们的工作不是在上帝里作的，如果他们被撇下依赖自己不完全的努力，他们在众人中就是最可悲的。基督必与每一位虽然还没达到品格的完全，但正在极恳切地追求变得象基督的传道人同在。这种传道人必是祈祷的人。他必在廊子和祭坛中间哭泣，在心灵的痛苦中呼求主的临格与同在，否则他就不能站在人们面前，让全天庭都观看他，让天使的笔记录他的话语、举止和精神。{SpTA01a 2.2}
但愿人们会敬畏主!但愿他们会爱主!但愿上帝的使者们会感受到对将亡之人的负担!这样，他们就不会只是高谈阔论了;而会有上帝的能力激发他们的心灵。他们的心也会因上帝之爱的火发热。他们的软弱就会变成刚强;因为他们会成为行道的人。他们会听到耶稣的声音：“看哪，我永远与你同在。”耶稣会作他们的教师;而他们所传的道也会是活泼而有功效的，比两刃的剑更快，连心中的思念和主意都能辨明。讲道的人越赏识神圣的临格，尊荣和信任上帝的能力，人们就越认出他是与上帝同工的人。他藉着上帝变得有力是与此相称的。{SpTA01a 2.3}
一个正在从事救灵工作的人，需要一种提拔人、振奋人的能力，需要在认识上帝和真理的知识上不断的长进。如果传道人所说的话来自上帝活泼的圣言，如果他相信并指望基督的合作，作祂的仆人，如果他隐藏自我高举世界的救赎主耶稣;他的话就会打动听众的心，而他的工作也必带有神圣的凭证。要以圣灵为使人知罪的活代表。那位神圣的代表把十字架牺牲的功劳呈现在讲道的人面前。当真理与在场的人接触时，基督就赢得他们归于祂自己，并且着手改变他们本性。祂随时准备帮助我们的软弱，用来自天国的观念教导、带领和激励我们。{SpTA01a 3.1}
在救灵的工作上，人们所能做的是何等微小。但如果他们被基督的灵所充满，则靠着祂所能成就的却是何等的伟大!人间的教师无法洞悉听众的内心，但耶稣却能将各人所需要的恩典分赐他们。祂了解人的才能、软弱和长处。主正在人心中工作，而传道人对听众而言可能成为死的香气叫人死，使他们远离基督。但如果传道人专诚献身，不信靠自己，单仰望耶稣，就能对那些已经受到圣灵感化而知罪的人成为活的香气叫人活。主正在这些人的心中预备道路，以便领受祂赐给人的信息。不信之人的心就这样受到感动，回应真理的信息。“我们是与上帝同工的。”植根于心中的信念，和因圣道的进入而开启的悟性，是和谐同工的。进入人心的真理拥有唤醒心灵种种潜能的能力。上帝的灵在人心中运行，配合上帝藉着祂仆人所做的工作。当传道人们认识到他们自己需要彻底的改变时，当他们感到自己需要达到更高的标准时，他们对教会的感化力就会是令人振奋、使人优雅的。{SpTA01a 3.2}
在传道人的队伍中有罪人存在。他们没有努力进入窄门。上帝也不与他们同工，因为祂无法容忍罪恶在祂面前。这是祂所深恶痛绝的。连一些曾在祂宝座周围侍立蒙祂所爱的天使，也因没有保持最初的忠诚而连同他们叛逆的首领一同被上帝赶出了天庭。圣洁是上帝宝座的根基;而罪是与圣洁相对立的;是罪钉死了上帝的儿子。人如果看清了罪的狰狞面目，就不会容忍它，也不会在罪中培养自己了。他们就会在生活和品格上改过自新，克服种种隐密的罪恶。你们如果要成为天上的圣徒，就必须先在地上成为圣徒。{SpTA01a 4.1}
我们的弟兄们非常需要克服隐密的罪。上帝的不悦像乌云一样笼罩在他们许多人的头上。教会是软弱的。自私、无情、贪婪、忌妒、恶意的猜测、谎言、偷盗、抢夺、耽于声色、放荡和淫乱，登记在一些自称相信严肃神圣现代真理之人的名下。当自称为基督徒的人们不断地放纵这种行为的时候，这些被咒诅的事怎能从营中被清除出去呢?他们在人前行事相当小心，但他们却得罪了上帝。他们公开和秘密的一切罪恶，在祂的圣目中一览无遗。如果他们不在上帝面前悔改认罪，跌在那磐石上并且跌碎，他们的罪就会留在记录册上指控他们。在审判的时候，可怕的历史会被展示在世人面前——尚未承认、尚未涂抹的种种罪恶的历史!但愿这些可怜的人能意识到自己正在为上帝忿怒的大日积累忿怒!那时人的行为和心思意念都要显明。我的弟兄姐妹，我告诉你们，你们需要在上帝面前谦卑己心。“要止住作恶，”但不止于此，还要“学习行善”(赛1:16,17)。你们只有结出果子来归荣耀给上帝，才能荣耀上帝。{SpTA01a 4.2}
传道人们：为了基督的缘故，务请替自己开始这项工作吧。你们因不圣洁的生活，已经把绊脚石放在你们自己的孩子和不信的人面前。你们中有些人凭冲动、情欲和偏见行事，给上帝带来了受到污染的不纯供物。务要为基督的缘故，靠着基督的恩典，开始净化心灵脱离道德污秽的个人之工，藉此来洁净全营。讲台上夸夸其谈，过度张扬，哗众取宠的传道人，正在将上帝的儿子重钉十字架，明明地羞辱祂。要彻底悔改，相信我们的救主耶稣基督，警醒守望，不住祷告，殷勤查考圣经。上帝要我们对我们可用却没有用的才干负责。我们接受审判，将按照我们应做却没有做，能做却没有做的事情，因为我们没有用自己的种种能力来荣耀上帝。凡我们本可获得却没有获得的知识，都将成为永远的损失，即便我们没有丧失我们的灵命。我们所有的感化力都属于上帝。我们所获得的一切都要用来荣耀祂。主托付给我们的所有财产都要放在上帝的坛上，归还给祂。我们正在规划自己的命运。愿上帝帮助我们为永恒而作聪明的人。{SpTA01a 5.1}
我的弟兄们，我们正生活在世界历史上一个极严肃的时期。我们根本没有时间犯罪。继续犯罪是危险的。但从某种特殊的意义来说，目前的景况确实如此。我们现在正处在永恒世界的边缘，比以前任何时候都与今世与来世有着更严肃的关系了。现今但愿人人都省察己心，恳求公义的日头以明亮的光辉驱除一切属灵的黑暗，洁净一切的污秽。“我们若认自己的罪，上帝是信实的，是公义的，必要赦免我们的罪，洗净我们一切的不义”(约壹1:9)。藉着信而不管感觉如何，我们救恩的创始者、我们信心的成终者耶稣，要用祂宝贵的恩典，加强我们的道德力，使罪人可以“向罪看自己是死的，向上帝在基督耶稣里，却看自己是活的”(罗6:11)。单纯的信心，加上基督的爱在人心里，把信徒与上帝联合起来。当信徒作为基督的忠心士兵辛劳作战的时候，便是与忠心的全宇宙心心相印。服役的天使在他周围协同作战，所以他能大胆地说：“主是帮助我的，”“耶和华是我的力量，是我的盾牌。”我是不会被制胜的。“你们得救是本乎恩，也因着信，这并不是出于自己，乃是上帝所赐的”(来13:6;诗28:7;弗2:8)。{SpTA01a 6.1}
上帝无穷的智慧和能力为我们施展。天军确实在为我们战斗。他们总是满怀关注之心，看顾着用救主宝血买来的人。他们从基督的牺牲，看出人灵魂的价值。不是半心半意，而是全心全意站在上帝一边，总是安全的。正是这种半心半意，漠不关心，漫不经心的做法，使你的心灵与你力量的源头耶稣隔绝。但愿你的祷告是：“从我这里拿去一切吧!让我失去财产，失去世上的尊荣，失去一切，只求祢与我同在。”把保守你心灵的事，交托给掌管宇宙天地的上帝是保险的。{SpTA01a 6.2}
我从事传道的弟兄们愿意谨慎工作，听从使徒保罗对提多的告诫吗?他说：“又劝少年人要谨守。你自己凡事要显出善行的榜样，在教训上要正直端庄，言语纯全，无可指责，叫那反对的人，既无处可说我们的不是，便自觉羞愧”(多2:6-8;另请阅读11-15节)。{SpTA01a 7.1}
我蒙指示，我们所有区会的传道人都有忽视研究圣经、寻求真理的状况。他们的心智若是受过适当的训练，并存储了基督宝贵的教训，就能在任何时候、任何紧急情况下，都从知识的宝库中提取新旧的东西，供养上帝的教会，按时分粮给每一个人了。如果基督常住在人的心里，祂就会成为活水的泉源，“直涌到永生。” {SpTA01a 7.2}
我把所看到的真实情况告诉你们，希望你们能藉着训练有素，坚持不懈的努力，使许许多多的人认识真理。结局已近!基督将从祂的宝座上站起来，穿上复仇的衣服。有谁为此作好准备了呢?谁的名字被记在羔羊的生命册上了呢?只有那些无论羔羊往哪里去，他们都跟随的人，名字才被记在羔羊的生命册上。你们错误的想法，令人反感的性格，都必须放弃。你们必须穿上基督之义的衣服。教会多么缺乏信心与爱心啊!天上的买卖人劝勉你们说：“我劝你向我买火炼的金子，叫你富足;又买白衣穿上;……又买眼药擦你的眼睛，使你能看见”(启3:18)。上帝不许在我们各区会传道的人像愚拙的童女那样，有灯，却没有使灯点亮的恩典之油。我们需要更多经常祈祷的传道人，——对人的灵魂负有严肃负担的人——有生发仁爱并且洁净心灵之信心的人。没有信心是不可能得上帝的喜悦的。在我们的各教会中，信心是多么的不完全啊!我们为什么不相信主必照祂所说的去做呢? {SpTA01a 7.3}
我们是上帝的仆人。祂已经赐给我们每个人才干，既有天生的也有属灵的。作为上帝的儿女，我们应该不断争取住到天国住宅的资格，就是基督告诉祂的门徒说祂要去为他们预备的住处。凡持住基督之义的人，都可以在基督耶稣里成为完全的人。我们从一个高尚的立场上寻求效法基督的榜样，就会长成祂的形状，越来越优雅高尚。{SpTA01a 8.1}
救主祈祷说：“求祢用真理使他们成圣;祢的道就是真理”(约17:17)。凡受真理造就的人必成为行道的人。他们必是殷勤读经的人，怀着热切的愿望查考圣经，好明白上帝的旨意，聪明地遵行祂旨意。{SpTA01a 8.2}
我们各区会的传道人需要谨慎地行在上帝面前。他们在传道服务中，在看守人的灵魂好像必须交账的人时，在寻求拯救犯错的人时，非常需要使徒的指教：“要存谦卑的心”(彼前3:8)。你可能忠于原则，公正、诚实、虔诚;但你必须培养内心真正的温柔、仁慈及谦恭与之相结合。如果一个人犯错了，就要对他更加仁慈。如果你不谦恭，你就可能把他驱离基督。要让你所说的每一句话，甚至你的语调，都表现出你关心同情处在危险中的人。如果你对他们苛刻，非难，不耐烦，你就是在做仇敌的工作。你在给他们打开一扇试探之门，撒但就会在他们面前把你描绘成一个不认识主耶稣的人。他们就会自以为是，觉得自己比你更好。这样，你还怎么争取犯错的人呢?他们能够识别表现在言语和品格上的真正虔诚。如果你要教导悔改、信心和谦卑，就必须在你自己的心里有耶稣的爱。你所相信的真理能圣化心灵，塑造整个的人，不仅改变人的言语和行为，而且要降卑骄傲的心，净化心灵之殿的一切污秽。{SpTA01a 8.3}
符合圣经的信仰十分少见，甚至在传道人中也是如此。那些自称是天上大君的儿女和王室成员的人在言语和精神上所表现的粗鲁、苛刻和不近人情，令我我日夜忧伤。对那些不特别幸运的人表现的这样的刚硬之心，这种缺乏同情心，这种苛刻无情，这在天上的册子上被登记为大罪。许多人谈论真理，他们在传讲真理的理论，可是耶稣熔化人心的爱却没有在他们的品格上成为一种积极活泼的因素。{SpTA01a 9.1}
这是一个几乎普遍背道的时代。那些声称持有先进真理的人，既然没有出示证据，证明他们的品格和工作与上帝的真理是和谐一致的，就误导了众教会。凡自称是上帝儿女的人，尤其是那些自称是为主所派的使者，带着生命之道要拯救丧亡之人的人，都要在言语、行为和品格上表达上帝的良善、仁慈、怜悯、柔和、慈爱。圣经吩咐他们要在品格上去除一切粗糙不平之处，并嫁接到活葡萄树基督身上。他们应该结出与葡萄树同样品质的果子。只有这样，枝子才能成为那宝贵葡萄树的真代表。{SpTA01a 9.2}
基督来到我们的世界，要在当时盛行的错谬与迷信的幽暗中把父表明出来。基督的门徒要在他们每日的生活中代表祂。这样，来自天上的真光就会以清晰稳定的光线照在世界;这样所表现出来的品格与那些不以上帝的道为自己的向导与标准的人完全不同。在遮盖大地的黑暗和遮盖万民的幽暗中，必须保存一种认识上帝的知识。一代过去，一代又来，基督纯正的品格一直为那些声称相信祂和上帝之道的人所误表。人们养成了刚硬的心。爱心仁慈和真实的谦恭已经迅速地在传道人和教会中消失了。上帝的宇宙对此能怎么想呢?那些声称是基督代表的人表现了撒但的特征，就是心地刚硬。这种特征使撒但不适宜住在天庭，留他在那儿不安全。那些认识真理却关闭心门抵制其圣化能力的人，也必如此。“上帝乐意用人所当作愚拙的道理，拯救那些信的人”(林前1:21)。基督的仆人们不仅要成为器皿，藉着传讲耶稣引人悔改，而且要继续不断地守望关心，藉着言传身教将主和救主耶稣基督摆在人们面前。他们要让自己成圣，好使他们的听众也成为圣洁。这样，大家都会在敬虔上有长进，恩上加恩，直到上帝的使者可以把每个人在基督耶稣里完美地呈现在上帝面前。那时，传道的职分就必显出其真实神圣的特征了。{SpTA01a 10.1}
然而传道工作的标准已被大大降低了。真圣所的执事基督也在世人面前受到了误表。上帝随时准备接受人们作祂的同工，并且要使他们成为世上的光，成为祂藉以惠赐亮光启迪人心的媒介。如果传达信息的人们没有基督住在心中，如果他们不真诚，——有一些人确是这样，——愿主在为时太晚之前唤醒他们脱离欺骗。上帝希望人们心地温和，富于同情，并相爱如弟兄。耶稣正等着他们开门，好让祂进来，在他们心中倾注祂温暖的慈爱、良善和祂温柔的同情，使工人在与人接触时把救主向世人显明出来。{SpTA01a 11.1}
传道人太多扮演批评者的角色，在论争中显示自己的才能和锋芒。一个安息日又一个安息日过去了，基督的恩典很少在听众的心中留下印象。传道的事工就这样被视为次要的了。但全天庭都在为罪人的得救而工作。当人间最可怜的人，像那个浪子一样，带着悔改的心来到天父面前时，在天军中就有喜乐。在天上有温暖、谦恭和爱。但愿传道人们到上帝面前祈祷，承认他们的罪，并以孩子般的单纯祈求他们所需要的祝福。要恳求得到温暖的基督之爱，然后将它带入你的讲道中。不要让人有机会走开，说你所相信的道理使你不适合对受苦的人表同情——说你有一个没有爱的信仰。圣灵的运行会烧掉自私的渣滓，并且显明一种经过火炼的爱，一种使人富足的爱。凡拥有这些财富的人乃是与祂心心相印的，祂爱了我们，为救赎我们舍了自己的性命。 保罗对哥林多信徒说：“我们有这宝贝放在瓦器里，要显明这莫大的能力是出于上帝，不是出于我们”(林后4:7)。基督教导祂的门徒说：“离了我，你们就不能做什么”(约15:5)。保罗希望传道人和信徒明白，福音为什么交托软弱犯错之人，是为了不让人接受唯独属于上帝的尊荣，好使上帝得到全部的的荣耀。使者不可庆幸自己，将成功的尊荣归给自己，甚至分割上帝的尊荣，好像他是靠自己的能力完成这工作似的。教义的精心推理和论证不大容易使听众感觉到自己的需要和危险。简明扼要的论述，发自一颗被基督的爱所软化并充满同情的心，会像一粒芥菜种一样。基督自己曾把祂所说的神圣真理比作芥菜种。祂将祂灵的生命活力注入人心，要使真理的种子发芽生长并且结实。{SpTA01a 11.2}
我的弟兄们愿意留心不将任何荣耀归给人吗?他们愿意承认那在人心运行作工的是基督，而不是他们自己吗?我传道的弟兄们愿意在暗暗地祷告中独自恳求上帝的临格和上帝的能力吗?你们在体验基督对于你们的意义之前，不要擅自讲下一堂课。有了因信基督的义而成为圣洁的心，你们才能传讲基督，在听众面前高举复活的救主。有了被耶稣的爱征服并熔化的心，你们才能说：“看哪，上帝的羔羊，除去世人罪孽的”(约1:29)。现在人们忽略了怀着谦卑的心亲自阅读和查考圣经，这是很可悲的。不要接受人对圣经的解释，无论他的立场如何，而要转向圣经，亲自查考真理。撒玛利亚人听了耶稣说话之后说：“现在我们信，不是因为你的话，是我们亲自听见了，知道这真是基督，世界的救主”(约4:42)。圣经里有真理的宝库。要深挖矿井，你就会获得最有价值的知识。许多人在查考圣经方面已经变得懒散，难逃疏忽之罪了。他们既缺乏圣经的知识，也缺乏上帝的灵。我们从约翰的《启示录》中读到，有些人按名是活的，其实是死的。在我们这班人中，有许多自称是活着的，实际上是死的。我的弟兄们，如果没有圣灵作为一种重要的原则激励着你们，如果你们不顺应祂的激励，依赖祂的影响，凭着上帝的力量作工，上帝指示我传给你们的信息就是：“你们正处在对你们心灵致命的欺骗之中。你们必须悔改，先接受亮光，然后才能发光。要置身于公义日头的明亮光辉之下。”这样，你们就能和以赛亚一起说：“兴起，发光!因为你的光已经来到!耶和华的荣耀发现照耀你”(赛60:1)。你们必须培养信心和爱心。“耶和华的膀臂并非缩短不能拯救，耳朵并非发沉不能听见”(赛59:1)。要寻求耶和华。不要半途而废，直到你们认识基督是你们的救主。{SpTA01a 12.1}
我的弟兄们，希望你们记住，圣经的信仰决不摧毁人的同情心。需要教导并实践真基督徒的谦恭，将之贯彻到你们与弟兄及世人的一切交往之中。在我们各家之中，需要有比现在更多的爱与谦恭。当我们传道的弟兄们每日就饮于基督的精神时，他们就会成为真正谦恭有礼的人，也不会认为温厚慈怜就是软弱，因为这是基督福音的一个原则。基督的教训软化并征服人心。真理接到心里，会在里面掀起一场革新。那些爱耶稣的人会爱祂为之死的人。根植于心的真理会显明耶稣的爱及其改变人心的能力。任何苛刻、尖酸、批评、盛气凌人都不是出于基督的，而是出于撒但的。冷淡、无情、缺乏温柔的同情心，正像酵母一样在以色列的营中蔓延着。如果这些罪恶获得许可而增强，像过去几年那样，我们的教会就会处于一种悲惨的景况之中。每一位真理的教师在自己的品格中都需要基督化的原则。凡正在培养基督教美德的人都不会有不悦、责骂和轻蔑的表情，而会感到自己必须与上帝的性情有份，从上天取之不尽的恩典之源得到补充，否则自己的心中就会失去人的温情。为了基督的缘故，我们必须爱人。人出于天性很容易爱少数自己最喜欢的人，对这少数人偏心;但基督吩咐我们要彼此相爱，像祂爱我们一样。“从上头来的智慧，先是清洁，后是和平，温良柔顺，满有怜悯，多结善果，没有偏见，没有假冒。并且使人和平的，是用和平所栽种的义果”(雅3:17,18)。{SpTA01a 13.1}
你们有一项重大严肃的工作要做，好为主预备道路。你们需要天上的膏油，而且你们可以得着它。“向来你们没有奉我的名求什么，如今你们求，就必得着，叫你们的喜乐可以满足”(约16:24)。当一个人凭着信心看到那曾被杀的羔羊作为地上教会的代求者在父面前恳求时，谁还能懒散轻佻，谁还能参与轻浮庸俗的谈话呢?让我们凭着信心仰望那围绕着宝座的虹吧，在其后是已承认之罪的云彩。那应许之虹对每一位谦卑、痛悔、信靠的人都是一个保证，保证他的生命是与基督合一的，而且基督是与上帝合一的。上帝的忿怒不会落在一个在祂里面寻求庇护的人身上。上帝已亲自宣布说：“我一见这血，就越过你们去。”“虹必现在云彩中，我看见，就要记念我与地上各样有血肉的活物所立的永约”(出12:13;创9:16)。基督以无限的爱爱了世界。祂献出祂宝贵的生命。祂乃是父的独生子。祂从死里复活了，并且在上帝的右边为我们代求。这位耶稣乃是我们的救主。祂带着得了荣耀的人性，有着永不止息的爱。祂嘱咐我们要彼此相爱，像祂爱了我们一样。我们愿意培养这种爱吗?我们愿意像耶稣吗?{SpTA01a 14.1}
怀爱伦
1890年8月20日于密歇根州佩托斯基
Dear Brethren,I cannot express to you my burden and distress of mind as the true condition of the cause has been presented before me. There are men working in the capacity of teachers of the truth, who need to learn their first lessons in the school of Christ. The converting power of God must come upon the hearts of the ministers, or they should seek some other calling. If Christ’s ambassadors realize the solemnity of presenting the truth to the people, they will be sober, thoughtful men, workers together with God. If they have a true sense of the commission which Christ gave to his disciples, they will with reverence open the word of God, and listen for instruction from the Lord, asking for wisdom from Heaven, that as they stand between the living and the dead, they may realize that they must render an account to God for the work coming forth from their hands.{SpTA01a 1.1}[1]
What can the minister do without Jesus?—Verily, nothing. Then if he is a frivolous, joking man, he is not prepared to perform the duty laid upon him by the Lord. “Without me,” says Christ, “ye can do nothing,” The flippant words that fall from his lips, the trifling anecdotes, the words spoken to create a laugh, are all condemned by the word of God, and are entirely out of place in the sacred desk.{SpTA01a 1.2}[2] I tell you plainly, brethren, unless the ministers are converted, our churches will be sickly and ready to die. God’s power alone can change the human heart and imbue it with the love of Christ. God’s power alone can correct and subdue the passions and sanctify the affections. All who minister, must humble their proud hearts, submit their will to the will of God, and hide their life with Christ in God.{SpTA01a 1.3}[3]
What is the object of the ministry? Is it to mix the comical with the religious? The theater is the place for such exhibitions. If Christ is formed within, if the truth with its sanctifying power is brought into the inner sanctuary of the soul, you will not have jolly men, neither will you have sour, cross, crabbed men, to teach the precious lessons of Christ to perishing souls.{SpTA01a 2.1}[4]
Our ministers need a transformation of character. They should feel that if their works are not wrought in God, if they are left to their own imperfect efforts, they are of all men the most miserable. Christ will be with every minister who, although he may not have attained to perfection of character, is seeking most earnestly to become Christ-like. Such a minister will pray. He will weep between the porch and the altar, crying in soul-anguish for the Lord’s presence to be with him; else he cannot stand before the people, with all heaven looking upon him, and the angel’s pen taking note of his words, his deportment, and his spirit.{SpTA01a 2.2}[5]
O that men would fear the Lord! O that they would love the Lord! O that the messengers of God would feel the burden of perishing souls! Then they would not merely speechify; but they would have the power of God vitalizing their souls, and their hearts would glow with the fire of God’s love. Out of weakness they would become strong; for they would be doers of the word. They would hear the voice of Jesus: “Lo: I am with you alway.” Jesus would be their teacher; and the word they minister would be quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, and a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Just in proportion?as the speaker appreciates the divine presence, and honors and trusts the power of God, is he acknowledged as a laborer together with God. Just in this proportion does he become mighty through God.{SpTA01a 2.3}[6]
There needs to be an elevating, uplifting power, a constant growth in the knowledge of God and the truth, on the part of one who is seeking the salvation of souls. If the minister utters words drawn from the living oracles of God; if he believes in and expects the co-operation of Christ, whose servant he is; if he hides self and exalts Jesus, the world’s Redeemer; his words will reach the hearts of his hearers, and his work will bear the divine credentials. The Holy Spirit must be the living agency to convince of sin. The divine agent presents to the speaker the benefits of the sacrifice made upon the cross; and as the truth is brought in contact with the souls present, Christ wins them to himself, and works to transform their nature. He is ready to help our infirmities, to teach, to lead, to inspire us with ideas that are of heavenly birth.{SpTA01a 3.1}[7]
How little can men do in the work of saving souls, and yet how much through Christ, if they are imbued with his spirit! The human teacher cannot read the hearts of his hearers, but Jesus dispenses the grace that every soul needs. He understands the capabilities of man, his weakness, and his strength. The Lord is working on the human heart; and a minister can be to the souls who are listening to his words, a savor of death unto death, turning them away from Christ; or, if he is consecrated, devotional, distrustful of self, but looking unto Jesus, he may be a savor of life unto life to souls who are ready under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, and in whose hearts the Lord is preparing the way for the messages which he has given to the human agent. Thus the heart of the unbeliever is touched, and it responds to the message of truth. “Ye are laborers?together with God.” The convictions implanted in the heart, and the enlightenment of the understanding by the entrance of the word, work in perfect harmony. The truth brought before the mind, has power to arouse the dormant energies of the soul. The Spirit of God working in the heart, co-operates with the working of God through his human instrumentalities. When ministers realize the necessity of thorough reformation in themselves, when they feel that they must reach a higher standard, their influence upon the churches will be uplifting and refining.{SpTA01a 3.2}[8]
There are sinners in the ministry. They are not agonizing to enter in at the strait gate. God does not work with them, for he cannot endure the presence of sin. It is the thing that his soul hates. Even the angels that stood about his throne, whom he loved, but who kept not their first estate of loyalty, God cast out of heaven with their rebel leader. Holiness is the foundation of God’s throne; sin is the opposite of holiness; sin crucified the Son of God. If men could see how hateful sin is, they would not tolerate it, nor educate themselves in it. They would reform in life and character. Secret faults would be overcome. If you are to be saints in heaven, you must first be saints upon the earth.{SpTA01a 4.1}[9]
There is great need that our brethren overcome secret faults. The displeasure of God, like a cloud, hangs over many of them. The churches are weak. Selfishness, uncharitableness, covetousness, envy, evil-surmising, falsehood, theft, robbery, sensuality, licentiousness, and adultery, stand registered against some who claim to believe the solemn, sacred truth for this time. How can these accursed things be cleansed out of the camp, when men who claim to be Christians are practicing them constantly? They are somewhat careful of their ways before men, but they are an offense to God. His pure eyes see, a witness records, all their sins, both open and secret; and unless they repent, and confess their sins before God, unless they fall on the Rock and are broken, their sins will remain charged against them in the books of record. O, fearful histories will be opened to the world at the judgment,—histories of sins never confessed, of sins not blotted out! O that these poor souls might see that they are heaping up wrath against the day of wrath! Then the thoughts of the heart, as well as the actions, will be revealed. I tell you, my brethren and sisters, there is need of humbling your souls before God. “Cease to do evil;” but do not stop here: “Learn to do well.” You can glorify God only by bearing fruit to his glory.{SpTA01a 4.2}[10]
Ministers, for Christ’s sake, begin the work for yourselves. By your unsanctified lives you have laid stumbling-blocks before your own children and before unbelievers. Some of you move by impulse, act from passion and prejudice, and bring impure, tainted offerings to God. For Christ’s sake cleanse the camp by beginning through the grace of Christ, the personal work of purifying the soul from moral defilement. A jovial minister in the pulpit, or one who is stretching beyond his measure to win praise, is a spectacle that crucifies the Son of God afresh, and puts him to open shame. There must be thorough repentance, faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ, vigilant watchfulness, unceasing prayer, and diligent searching of the Scriptures. God holds us responsible for all that we might be, if we would improve our talents. We shall be judged according to what we ought to have been, but were not; what we might have done, but did not accomplish, because we did not use our powers to glorify God. For all knowledge that we might have gained but did not, there will be an eternal loss, even if we do not lose our souls. All our influence belongs to God. All that we acquire is to be used to his glory. All the property that the Lord has intrusted?to us is to be held on the altar of God, to be turned to him again. We are working out our own destiny. May God help us all to be wise for eternity.{SpTA01a 5.1}[11]
My brethren, we are living in a most solemn period of this earth’s history. There is never time to sin; it is always perilous to continue in transgression; but in a special sense is this true at the present time. We are now upon the very borders of the eternal world, and stand in a more solemn relation to time and to eternity than ever before. Now let every person search his own heart, and plead for the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness to expel all spiritual darkness, and cleanse from defilement. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Through faith, irrespective of feeling, Jesus, the author of our salvation, the finisher of our faith, will, by his precious grace, strengthen the moral powers, and the sinner may reckon himself “to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ.” Simple faith, with the love of Christ in the soul, unites the believer to God. While toiling in battle as a faithful soldier of Christ, he has the sympathy of the whole loyal universe. The ministering angels are round about him to aid in the conflict, so that he may boldly say, “The Lord is my helper,” “the Lord is my strength and my shield:” I shall not be overcome. “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”{SpTA01a 6.1}[12]
The infinite wisdom and power of God are exerted in our behalf. The heavenly host are surely fighting our battles for us. They are always looking with intense interest upon the souls purchased by the Saviour’s blood. They see, through the sacrifice of Christ, the value of the human soul. It is always safe to be on the Lord’s side, not half-heartedly, but wholly. It is this half-hearted, indifferent, careless work that separates your?souls from Jesus, the source of your strength. Let this be your prayer, “Take everything from me, let me lose property, worldly honor, everything, but let thy presence be with me.” It is safe to commit the keeping of the soul to God, who reigns over all heaven and earth.{SpTA01a 6.2}[13]
Will my ministering brethren see that they work circumspectly, that they heed the charge of the apostle Paul to Titus, “Young men likewise exhort to be sober-minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you”??Titus 2:6-8; read also?verses 11-15.{SpTA01a 7.1}[14]
It was shown to me that on the part of the ministers in all our Conferences, there is a neglect to study the Scriptures, to search for the truth. If their minds were properly disciplined, and were stored with the precious lessons of Christ, then at any time and in any emergency, they could draw from the treasure-house of knowledge things both new and old, to feed the church of God, giving to every man his portion of meat in due season. If Christ is abiding in the soul, he will be as a living fountain, “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.”{SpTA01a 7.2}[15]
I tell you the things which I have seen, and which are true, that by well-directed, persevering effort there might be many, very many, more souls brought to a knowledge of the truth. O, the end is near! Who is ready for Christ to rise from his throne to put on the garments of vengeance? Whose names are registered in the Lamb’s book of life? The names of those only will be there who follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. Your erroneous ideas, your objectional phases of character, must be given up, and you must be clothed with the garments of Christ’s righteousness.Faith and love,—how?destitute are the churches of these! The heavenly Merchantman counsels you, “Buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, ... and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” God forbid that those who are preaching in our Conferences should be like the foolish virgins, having lamps, but destitute of the oil of grace which makes the lamp burn and give forth light. O! we want more praying ministers,—men who carry a solemn weight of souls,—men who have a faith that works by love and purifies the soul. Without faith it is impossible to please God. How imperfect is faith in our churches! Why do we not believe that the Lord will do just as he says he will?{SpTA01a 7.3}[16]
We are God’s servants, and to each of us he has given talents, both natural and spiritual. As children of God, we should be constantly gaining in fitness for the heavenly mansions which Christ told his disciples he was going away to prepare for them. He who lays hold upon the righteousness of Christ may become a perfect man in Christ Jesus. Working from a high stand-point, seeking to follow the example of Christ, we shall grow up into his likeness, possessing more and more refinement.{SpTA01a 8.1}[17]
The Saviour prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Those who are disciplined by the truth will be doers of the word; they will be diligent Bible readers, searching the Scriptures with an earnest desire to understand the will of God, and to do his will intelligently.{SpTA01a 8.2}[18]
The ministers in our Conferences need to walk carefully before God. The apostle’s injunction, “Be courteous,” is greatly needed in their ministering, in watching for souls as those who must give account, in seeking to save the erring. You may be true to principle, you may be just, honest, and religious; but with it all you must cultivate true tenderness of heart, kindness,and courtesy. If a person is in error, be the more kind to him; if you are not courteous, you may drive him away from Christ. Let every word you speak, even the tones of your voice, express your interest in, and sympathy for, the souls that are in peril. If you are harsh, denunciatory, and impatient with them, you are doing the work of the enemy. You are opening a door of temptation to them, and Satan will represent you to them as one who knows not the Lord Jesus. They will think their own way is right, and that they are better than you. How, then, can you win the erring? They can recognize genuine piety, expressed in words and character. If you would teach repentance, faith, and humility, you must have the love of Jesus in your own hearts. The truth you believe, is able to sanctify the soul and to fashion and mold the whole man; not only to change his words and deportment, but to abase pride, and purify the soul temple from all defilement.{SpTA01a 8.3}[19]
Bible religion is very scarce, even among ministers. I mourn day and night for the coarseness, the harshness, the unkindness in words and spirit, that is manifested by those who claim to be children of the heavenly King, members of the royal family. Such hardness of heart, such a want of sympathy, such harshness, is shown to those who are not special favorites; and it is registered in the books of heaven as a great sin. Many talk of the truth, they preach the theory of the truth, when the melting love of Jesus has not become a living, active element in their character.{SpTA01a 9.1}[20]
This is an age of almost universal apostasy; and those who claim to hold advanced truth mislead the churches when they do not give evidence that their character and works harmonize with the divine truth. The goodness, the mercy, the compassion, the tenderness, the lovingkindness of God are to be expressed in the words, deportment, and character of all who claim to be children of God, especially in those who claim to be messengers sent by the Lord Jesus with the word of life, to save the perishing. They are enjoined by the Bible to put away all that is harsh and coarse and rough in their character, and to be grafted into Christ, the living vine. They should bear the same quality of fruit that the vine bears. Thus only can the branch be a true representation of the preciousness of the vine.{SpTA01a 9.2}[21]
Christ came to our world to reveal the Father amid the gross darkness of error and superstition which then prevailed. The disciples of Christ are to represent him in their every-day life, and thus the true light from heaven will shine forth in clear, steady rays to the world; thus a character is revealed entirely different from that which is seen in those who do not make the word of God their guide and standard. A knowledge of God must be preserved amid the darkness that covers the world and the gross darkness that envelops the people. Age after age the pure character of Christ has been misrepresented by those who claimed to be believers in him and in the word of God. Hardness of heart has been cultivated. Love and kindness and true courtesy have been fast disappearing from ministers and churches. What can the universe of God think of this? Those who claim to be representatives of Christ show rather the hardness of heart which is characteristic of Satan, which made him unfit for heaven, unsafe to be there. And just so it will be with those who know the truth, and yet close the door of the heart against its sanctifying power. “It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” The servants of Christ are not only to be instruments through the preaching of Jesus, to lead men to repentance, but they are to continue their watchcare and interest by keeping before the people, by precept and example, the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. They are to sanctify themselves, that their hearers also?may be sanctified. Thus all will grow in godliness, going on from grace to grace, until the ambassador for God can present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Then the ministerial office will be seen in its true, sacred character.{SpTA01a 10.1}[22]
But the standard of the ministry has been greatly lowered, and the minister of the true sanctuary is misrepresented before the world. God is ready to accept men as his co-laborers, and to make them the light of the world, agents through whom he can graciously infuse light into the understanding. If the men who bear the message have not Christ abiding in them, if they are not true,—and some are not,—may the Lord awaken them from their deception before it shall be too late. God wants men to be tender-hearted, compassionate, and to love as brethren. Jesus is waiting for them to open the door, that he may come in and infuse into their hearts the warmth of his love, his goodness, his tender compassion; that the worker may in all his connection with humanity reveal the Saviour to the world.{SpTA01a 11.1}[23]
Ministers too often act the part of critics, showing their aptness and sharpness in controversy. Sabbath after Sabbath passes away, and scarcely an impression of the grace of Christ is made upon the hearts and minds of the hearers. Thus the ministry comes to be regarded as unimportant. All heaven is working for the salvation of sinners; and when the poorest of the human family comes with repentance to his Father, as did the prodigal son, there is joy among the heavenly host. There is warmth and courtesy and love in heaven. Let ministers go before God in prayer, confessing their sins, and with all the simplicity of a little child ask for the blessings that they need. Plead for the warmth of Christ’s love, and then bring it into your discourses; and let no one have occasion to go away and say that the doctrines you believe unfit you for expressing?sympathy with suffering humanity—that you have a loveless religion. The operations of the Holy Spirit will burn away the dross of selfishness, and reveal a love which is tried in the fire, a love that maketh rich. He who has these riches is in close sympathy with Him who so loved us that he gave his life for our redemption. Paul, when speaking to the Corinthians, says, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” This is what Christ taught his disciples: “Without me, ye can do nothing.” Paul would impress upon the minds of the ministers and people the reason why the gospel was committed to weak and erring men,—that man might not receive the honor due to God only, but that God might receive all the glory. The ambassador is not to congratulate himself, and take to himself the honor of success, or even to divide the honor with God, as if by his own power he had accomplished the work. Elaborate reasoning or argumentative demonstrations of doctrines seldom impress upon the hearer the sense of his need and his peril. Simple, brief statements, from a heart made soft and sympathetic by the love of Christ, will be as the grain of mustard seed, to which Christ himself likened his utterances of divine truth. He throws into the soul the vital energy of his spirit, to make the seed of truth germinate and bear fruit.{SpTA01a 11.2}[24]
Will my brethren take heed that no glory is given to men? Will they acknowledge that Christ does the work upon the human heart, and not they themselves? Will my ministering brethren plead with God alone in secret prayer for his presence and his power? Dare not to preach another discourse until you know, by your own experience, what Christ is to you. With hearts made holy through faith in the righteousness of Christ, you can preach Christ, you can lift up the risen Saviour before your hearers; with hearts subdued and melted with the love of Jesus you can say, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” There is a sad neglect of reading the Bible and searching it with humble hearts for yourselves. Take no man’s explanation of Scripture, whatever his position, but go to the Bible and search for the truth yourselves. After hearing Jesus, the Samaritans said, “Now we believe, not because of thy saying; for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.” There is the mine of truth. Sink the shaft deep, and you will possess that knowledge which is of highest value to you. Many have become lazy and criminally neglectful in regard to the searching of the Scriptures, and they are as destitute of the Spirit of God as of the knowledge of his word. We read in the Revelation made to John, of some who had a name to live while they were dead. Yes, there are many such among us as a people, many who claim to be alive, while they are dead. My brethren, unless the Holy Spirit is actuating you as a vital principle, unless you are obeying its prompting, depending on its influences, laboring in the strength of God, my message to you from God is, “You are under a delusion which may prove fatal to your souls. You must be converted. You must receive light before you can give light. Place yourselves under the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness.” Then you can say with Isaiah, “Arise, shine: for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.” You must cultivate faith and love. “The Lord’s arm is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Seek the Lord. Rest not until you know that Christ is your Saviour.{SpTA01a 12.1}[25]
I wish you, my brethren, to bear in mind that Bible religion never destroys human sympathy. True Christian courtesy needs to be taught and acted, to be carried?into all your intercourse with your brethren and with worldlings. There is need of far more love and courtesy in our families than is now revealed. When our ministering brethren shall drink in the Spirit of Christ daily, they will be truly courteous, and will not consider it weakness to be tender-hearted and pitiful, for this is one of the principles of the gospel of Christ. Christ’s teaching softened and subdued the soul. The truth received into the heart will work a renovation in the soul. Those who love Jesus will love the souls for whom he died. The truth planted in the heart will reveal the love of Jesus and its transforming power. Anything harsh, sour, critical, domineering, is not of Christ, but proceeds from Satan. Coldness, heartlessness, want of tender sympathy are leavening the camp of Israel. If these evils are permitted to strengthen as they have done for some years in the past, our churches will be in a deplorable condition. Every teacher of the truth needs the Christ-like principle in his character. There will be no frowns, no scolding, no expressions of contempt, on the part of any man who is cultivating the graces of Christianity. He feels that he must be a partaker of the divine nature, and he must be replenished from the exhaustless fountain of heavenly grace, else he will lose the milk of human kindness out of his soul. We must love men for Christ’s sake. It is easy for the natural heart to love a few favorites, and to be partial to these special few; but Christ bids us love one another as he has loved us. “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”{SpTA01a 13.1}[26]
You have a serious, solemn work to do to prepare the way of the Lord. You need the heavenly unction, and you may have it. “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father?in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” Who can be trifling, who can engage in frivolous, common talk, while by faith he sees the Lamb that was slain pleading before the Father as the intercessor of the church upon earth. By faith let us look upon the rainbow round about the throne, the cloud of sins confessed behind it. The rainbow of promise is an assurance to every humble, contrite, believing soul, that his life is one with Christ, and that Christ is one with God. The wrath of God will not fall upon one soul that seeks refuge in him. God himself has declared, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” “The bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant.” It is Christ that loves the world with a love that is infinite. He gave his precious life. He was the only begotten of the Father. He is risen again from the dead, and is at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. That same Jesus, with his humanity glorified, with no cessation of his love, is our Saviour. He has enjoined upon us to love one another as he has loved us. Will we then cultivate this love? Shall we be like Jesus?{SpTA01a 14.1}[27]
---Ellen G. White---Petoskey, Mich.,August 20, 1890.[28]
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