p. 147 | God's Ministers by Henry F. Phelps

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 5, 1867

God's Ministers.

By Henry F. Phelps

God has many ministers to perform his will; “ministers that do his pleasure;” “ministers a flame of fire;” “ministers of Christ.” There are also ministers of Satan: “and no marvel: for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed into ministers of righteousness.

May God bless his ministers; for such have to contend against these demons of darkness, who are ministers of Satan. And they often come with the most plausible manners, in the form of men, claiming to be true shepherds, loving God and his truth. But oh! how soon they show to whom they belong. Present to them the third angel's message with its kindred truths, and they very soon show that if they are ministers, they are not of that class to whom God has intrusted the work of saving souls.

Many are the trials that God's ministers have to endure. Let no one imagine that they who are called to preach the gospel have an easy time. No, far from it. Think you it is no trial to them to leave their families, and all the comforts of home, the society of their companions and children, the delights of the fireside, everything, almost, that serves to alleviate the burdens of their life? Think you it is easy! Can they give up these without a struggle? We might think so, if they left these to seek the pleasures of the world; but no, they meet discouragements upon every hand. A cold shoulder is everywhere turned against them. The scoffs of the multitude, and the sneers of the fashionable professor. They face the cold, blasting winds and storms of a northern climate, and the scorching sun of midsummer, traveling often on foot through snow and rain, mud and mire, wading the waters of a swollen stream on a December day, sleeping in cold, open houses, where the wind and frost are sure to find their resting place. These are a few of the things they have to endure. It is no fancy picture; but a reality. They have endured these things to preach the truth to you; and now are gone to carry it to others. Oh! pray for them, stay up their hands. They need your aid; and God will hear and answer. And those who have means, have something to do beside praying. They need your money. It will cost something to have this truth carried to all who would delight in it. And you who have little means, think not that praying is your whole duty. No, you can stay up their hands, by your example, by living out these truths in your families and before the world. You have a great work. Then do it. We all have something to perform in this last great work. Praying will do no good if we stop there. We must help to answer our own prayers. If we pray for the message and cause to rise, we must rise ourselves. Then let us be up and doing. But again I say, Remember God's ministers, and may God bless them, and give them strength for their day.

HENRY F. PHELPS.

Pine Island, Minn.