(To be concluded next month.) —

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On one occasion the disciples came to Jesus with the question, «Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.» The little ones here referred to, who believe in Christ, are not those who are young in years, but little children in Christ.

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Here is a warning for those who selfishly neglect or hold in contempt their weak brethren, a warning to those who are unforgiving and exacting, judging and condemning others, and thus discouraging them.

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«The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.» Here the work of Christ is plainly presented, and it is a similar work that his followers are expected to do. It is not the saint but the sinner that needs compassion, earnest labor, persevering effort. Weak and trembling souls, those who have many defects and objectionable traits of character, are the special charge of the angels of God. «Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.» If any injustice is done to them, it is the same as if done to Jesus himself. Christ identifies his interest with that of the souls he has purchased at an infinite cost.

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Angels are ever present where they are most needed,-with those who have the hardest battles to fight, whose conflicts are with themselves, against their inclinations and hereditary tendencies, whose home surroundings are the most discouraging. Will the followers of Christ labor together with God? Will all seek for harmony, for peace, for oneness in Christ Jesus? Will any one venture to work with Satan to discourage souls who have so much to contend against? Will they, by word or deed, push them upon Satan’s battle-field? Jesus assures us that he came to our world to save those that were lost, those that were dead in trespasses and sins, those that were strangers and enemies to God. Then will the very men to whom Christ has shown mercy and forgiveness neglect or despise those whom Jesus is seeking to take home to his heart of infinite love? Christ’s work is to ransom those who have strayed from God; and he requires every member of the church to work together with him in bringing them back.

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If those who by being merciless and unforgiving place themselves on Satan’s side, would only listen and hear the reproof of the Saviour, «He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone,» would any hand be lifted? would not every mouth be stopped? These words of Jesus to the Pharisees brought their own sins to their remembrance. Self-condemned, they went out one by one.

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Brethren and sisters, if you are workers together with God, there is no excuse for your not working to help, not only those whom you fancy, but those who most need your help to correct their errors.

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Jesus thus illustrates the work that devolves upon those who claim to believe on his name: «How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.»

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Wonderful lesson of mercy, forbearance, patience, and love! Perishing souls, helpless in sin, and liable to be destroyed by the arts and snares of Satan, are cared for as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his flock. Jesus represents himself as being acquainted with his sheep. He gave his life for them. And he goes to seek them even before they seek him. There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance.

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Let ministers and people work according to God’s plan. Let them exchange their way for God’s way; then they will be zealous in encouraging and strengthening the weak, not grieving them, or causing them to stumble by a hard, unforgiving, accusing spirit.

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Brethren, we need to fall on the Rock and be broken. Then we shall have the melting, subduing love of Jesus in our hearts. We shall follow the example of Jesus and of the angels, and not be like the Pharisees, who were proud, hard-hearted, and unsympathetic. God is not willing that even the lowest and most degraded should perish. In what light, then, can you regard any neglect of those who need your help?

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Christ has laid down rules to prevent unhappy divisions, but how many in our churches have followed his directions? «If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and [tell it to every one you meet?] tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.» If the instructions which Christ has given were followed out in the spirit that every true Christian should have-if each, when aggrieved, would go to the offending member, and seek in kindness to correct the wrong by privately telling him of his fault, many a grievous trial would be averted.

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When any one comes to a minister or to men in positions of trust, with complaints about a brother or sister, let them ask the reporter, «Have you complied with the rules our Saviour has given?» and if he has failed to carry out any particular of this instruction, do not listen to a word of his complaint. Refuse to take up a report against your brother or sister in the faith. If members of the church go entirely contrary to these rules, they make themselves subjects of church discipline and should be put under the censure of the church. This matter, so plainly taught in the lessons of Christ, has been passed over with strange indifference. The church has either neglected her work entirely, or has done it with harshness and severity, wounding and bruising souls. Measures should be taken to correct this cruel spirit of criticism, of judging one another’s motives, as though Christ had revealed to men the hearts of their brethren. The neglect of doing aright, with wisdom and grace, the work that ought to have been done, has left churches weak, inefficient, and almost Christless.

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Jesus adds to the lesson these words: «Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.» This assurance, that after the rules of Christ have been followed to the letter, the decisions of the church will be ratified in heaven, gives a solemn significance to the action of the church. No hasty steps should be taken to cut off names from the church books, or to place a member under censure until the case has been investigated, and the Bible rule fully obeyed. The word of Christ shows how necessary it is for church officers to be free from prejudice and selfish motives. Human minds and hearts, unless wholly sanctified, purified, and refined from partiality and prejudice, are liable to commit grave errors, to misjudge and deal unkindly and unjustly with souls that are the purchase of the blood of Christ. But the decision of an unjust judge will be of no account in the court of heaven. It will not make an innocent man guilty, nor change his character in the least before God. As surely as men in responsible positions become lifted up in their own esteem, and act as though they were to lord it over their brethren, they will render many decisions which heaven cannot ratify.

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May God pity those who are watching, as did the Pharisees, to find something to condemn in their brethren, and who pride themselves on their wonderfully acute discernment. That which they call discernment is cold, satanic criticism, acuteness in suspecting and charging souls with evil intent who are less guilty than themselves. They are, like the enemy of God, accusers of the brethren. These souls, whatever their position or experience, need to humble themselves before God. How can they pray, «Forgive me as I forgive others»? «With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.» «He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy.» God grants no pardon to him whose penitence produces no humility, and whose faith does not work by love to purify the soul. We need to study the example of Him who was meek and lowly, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. A vindictive spirit will not be indulged by a true Christian.

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The lessons which Christ has given us are to be studied, and incorporated into our religious life every day. «When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any.» «Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.» Parents should teach their children to be patient under injuries. Teach them that wonderful precept in the Lord’s prayer, that we are to forgive others as we would be forgiven.

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When the believer, in view of all his transgressions, exercises faith in God, believes that he is pardoned, because Christ has died as his sacrifice, he will be so filled with gratitude to God that his tender sympathy will be reaching out to those who, like himself, have sinned and have need of pardon. Pride will find no place in his heart. Such faith as this will be a deathblow to a revengeful spirit.

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A view of the goodness and mercy of God will lead to repentance. There will be a desire to possess the same spirit. He who receives this spirit will have discernment to see the good there is in the character of others, and will love those who need the tender, pitying sympathy of forgiveness. He sees in Christ a sin-pardoning Saviour, and contemplates with hope and confidence the pardon written over against his sins. He wants the same work to be done for his associates also. True faith brings the soul into sympathy with God. He who possesses the spirit of Christ will never be weary of forgiving. Mrs. E. G. White. —

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«A responsibility to spread the knowledge of hygienic principles rests upon all who have enjoyed the benefits of health reform. This responsibility should be felt by every man and woman who claims to be a Seventh-day Adventist, and much more by those who are connected with our health institutions. All should realize that this is an important part of the Lord’s great work for the salvation of souls. Let it be the aim of all to be laborers together with God for the uplifting of humanity. All should be educators by precept and example. They should feel a personal responsibility to send forth fully instructed men and women, who shall exert a direct and saving influence in the homes, the communities, and the churches to which they go.»

Ye Are My Witnesses

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So widely separated from other continents by the broad waters of the Pacific is Australia, that it seems like another world. Numerous islands cluster about it, and dot the Pacific. In many of these islands missionary work has been established through the efforts of various denominations, and English-speaking people are found even in the islands where the majority of the inhabitants are little better than heathen. To these islands of the sea many publications have been carried, and these silent messengers of the truth are doing the work to which they were appointed. The Lord has stirred the hearts of his people to make the efforts that have been made, that the inhabitants of these far-away islands may know the truth, and understand the times in which we are living.

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A number of churches have been raised up in Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania, and yet the work of enlightening the people of these lands is almost at a stand-still for want of the living witness. From the light which the Lord has given me, we have no time to waste in pleasing ourselves; for now is the time to work in warning the children of men of the coming of our Lord in the clouds of heaven. Now is our day to work for these lands. Let every interest minor to this work stand aside. God calls upon those who have had the light of truth, to become a light unto others. Believers in Christ, by the present needs and privileges, you are summoned to appear, and become witnesses for your Lord. The Lord says to all who have tasted of his goodness, «Ye are my witnesses.» He bids every one who trusts in him repeat his message to the world, saying, «I, even I, am the Lord and beside me there is no Saviour.» The unbelieving world is waiting for your testimony, and I beseech you by the mercies of God to arise and meet their expectation. Darkness is covering the earth, and gross darkness the people; and amid the moral night that is settling upon the world, I beseech you who believe, to testify to those who sit in darkness that there is light, and that none need walk in darkness; for the true light now shineth.

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Satan and his evil angels, combined with wicked men, are seeking by every possible device to bear before the world a testimony against the truth of God’s word. The enmity of Satan against Christ is determined and unrelenting, and in the great controversy between good and evil, while Satan and his confederacy are bringing in their false testimony against God and his truth, in order that men may not receive the love of the truth, but believe a lie, who is burdened of soul to make plans or devise means whereby agencies may be put in operation for the advancement of truth? Will those who profess to believe the truth stand in idleness, when Satan and his hosts work with intense activity for the overthrow of the cause of truth? Will the professed followers of Christ allow him to preoccupy the field? Who will be a volunteer to witness for God in these far-off lands? Who will open the Scriptures to those who are ignorant of the words of life? Who will let his light shine out to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death?

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The Saviour has said, «He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him» He says again, «And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.» Mohammedanism has its converts in many lands, and its advocates deny the divinity of Christ. Shall this faith be propagated, and the advocates of truth fail to manifest intense zeal to overthrow the error, and teach men of the pre-existence of the only Saviour of the world? O how we need men who will search and believe the word of God, who will present Jesus to the world in his divine and human nature, declaring with power and in demonstration of the Spirit, that «there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.» O how we need believers who will now present Christ in life and character, who will hold him up before the world as the brightness of the Father’s glory, proclaiming that God is love!

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The dying world in before you, and you can find work to do anywhere in its borders; but what are you doing for the salvation of those for whom Christ has died? God in his providence has been preparing the way for the coming of the living agent to all lands, that men may hear the good news of salvation. All things are now ready, and the angels wait for the co-operation of those who believe the truth for these last days, that they may go forth, and work with the followers of Christ in drawing souls to God.

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All heaven is interested in man’s salvation, and the work may be done speedily, the kingdom of God may come, and the earth be filled with the knowledge of God as the waters cover the sea. The great desire of the heavenly intelligences is that the character of God, so long misrepresented and misinterpreted, may be rightly represented before those who have been deceived by the devices of the enemy. Satan has imputed to God his own attributes, and is it not now time that the name of Christ should be great among the heathen? God calls for those who have been enlightened to fall into line, and begin aggressive warfare on the strongholds of the evil one.

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Sabbath after Sabbath many of you hear the voice of the living preacher, but how many feel the need of bringing the truth into your practical life? How many realize that light is given you that you may reflect it upon others? There is great need that the people should be educated that they may do the part of the work that has been appointed unto them to do; but the education of church members has been neglected. If the minister would instruct his people, he might have an army to help him in diffusing the light when a crisis comes in the work. Each member of the church should do the work for which he is best adapted, and the work could be so arranged that everything would move off harmoniously, and the prosperity of a working church would be manifested in the vital interest which would spring up among those who put their energies into the cause of Christ.

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When souls are first converted to the truth, they should be instructed as to what Christ expects from them in living, whole-hearted service,-that he invites them to be laborers in his moral vineyard. However trembling may be their efforts, however imperfect their work, they should be patiently and lovingly borne with; for if they are meek and lowly in heart, the Lord can turn what appears to be defeat, into signal victory. Every soul born of the Spirit of God is to grow up into Christ, the living head. Under apprenticeship to Christ, those who profess his name are to become apt scholars, learning how to co-operate with heavenly intelligences in drawing souls to Christ. To every one the Lord has given his work.

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But instead of doing the work the Lord has appointed to be done through human agencies, many are idling away the precious moments or probation. Satan has come in to preoccupy the field, and he has filled the hands of those who should have been laborers together with God, with work that causes him to exult, because the cause of Christ is left to languish by those who profess to be the followers of Jesus. The instruction of Paul to the Ephesians is applicable to us, and we should heed the exhortation. He says, «I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation where-with ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.» «But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.» «And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.»

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From the inspired words which we have quoted, we can see that many workers are needed in the cause of God, in order that the saints may be perfected. The reason of the weakness of the church is made manifest, for these workers are lacking. No man has entered into the work of educating the members as to the duties devolving personally upon them. Men should be trained for the work of training others, that order may be found in the church, and that each one may do for the Master according to his God-given ability. It is not a matter to be deplored that those who accept the truth are differently organized and endowed; for there is work for every one, and if the people of God reach to the measure of the fullness of Christ, there must be earnest work for the individual members of the body of Christ, «that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ; from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.»

Mrs. E. G. White.