Canvassing for Christ’s Object Lessons

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There are, in the divine providence, particular periods when we must arise in response to the call of God, and make use of our means, our time, our intellect, our whole being, body, soul, and spirit, in fulfilling His requirements to the utmost of our ability. The present is such a time as this. The cause of God is at stake. His institutions are in peril, and, because of the terrible burden of debt under which they are struggling, the work is hindered on every side. Just now, in our great necessity, God has made a way through the difficulty, and invites us to co-operate with Him in accomplishing His purpose. It is His plan that the book, Christ’s Object Lessons , be given for the relief of our schools, and He calls upon all who love the truth to do their part in placing this book before the world. In this He is testing His people and His institutions, to see if they will work together and be of one mind in self-denial and self-sacrifice.

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We must become men and women of God’s opportunity, for great responsibilities and possibilities are within the reach of all who have enlisted under Christ’s banner for life service. It is the design of God that we should all glorify Him by using every capability as His, regarding His service as the chief end of our existence. He desires us to work to the utmost of our knowledge and power to carry out the purpose for which he has given us life. A decided work is to be done just now to accomplish God’s plan. Just now every stroke should tell for the Master in the work of selling Christ’s Object Lessons . God desires His people to be vitalized for the work as they have never been before, both for their own good and for the upbuilding of His cause. The work that He calls them to do He will make a blessing to them. Their hearts will be more tender, their thoughts more spiritual, their service more Christlike; for ministering angels will be round about them. Those who do not feel the necessity of doing this work promptly, thoroughly, and earnestly, but who express unbelief and criticism, will lose the peace and joy that come from carrying out the purposes of God.

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Let all think soberly; for it is a solemn thing to live. Our lives are not our own; we are kept by the power of God, and Jesus desires to live His life in us, perfecting our characters. The present is an opportunity which God’s people cannot afford to lose. God calls us to action, that our educational institutions may be freed from debt. Let God’s plan be worked out after His own order. Let the very most be made of this, the Lord’s opportunity. Let the ministers of our churches and the presidents of our conferences awaken. Let every church arouse and do to the very utmost of its power. Let every family and every individual consecrate themselves to God, putting the leaven of evil out of their hearts, out of their homes, and out of the church. Let children act a part. Let all work together. Just now let not the opportunity be lost. Let us do our best at this time to render to God our offerings, to carry out His specified will, and thus make this an occasion for witnessing for Him and His truth in a world of darkness. Let all make this an opportunity to place themselves where they will be sure to receive the answer to their prayers; for Christ says, «If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.» Mrs. E. G. White. —