p. 156 | DO YOUR OWN BUSINESS by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 1, 1858

DO YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

By James White

PAUL SAYS SO IN 1 THESS. iv, 11.

In God's plan of saving men he employs different agencies. The Holy Spirit has a part to act. It reproves, it comforts. Holy angels act a part. They are ministering spirits. They watch over the saints. They take the deepest interest in the salvation of men. Joy runs through the whole heavenly host at the repentance of even one sinner. They move on the hearts of the children of men. Especially do they impress the saints with a sense of right and wrong. The Bible points out general duty, and reproves sins into which men in general are liable to fall; while the Holy Spirit and the ministration of good angels follow them in all the walks of life, to lead them in all the particulars of a holy life in the sight of God.

Ah! how often is that tender Spirit, and those pure, lovely beings who care for the saints, grieved with their worldly spirit and wayward course.

But there is another agency employed in the great work of man's salvation which we wish here to notice, which is the minister of the gospel. His duty is to preach the word, to teach faithfully the plain declarations of the word of God. He must set forth pure principles, and enforce them with the word. "Reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine." Let the doctrine of the Lord appear in every reproof, every rebuke, every exhortation.

What an exalted position is that of a minister of Jesus. While the Holy Spirit moves in silence, and pure angels hover unseen to do their work of love, to the minister is given the utterance of the word of God. Fallen man stands forth in Christ's stead and beseeches the people to be reconciled to God.

Having done his duty, the minister should leave souls to the care of good angels and the Holy Spirit, whose work it is to lead them along in all the particulars of a Christian life, and give them an experience in the things of the Lord. The minister cannot always be present with the scattered flock to instruct them in all the particulars of their duty, therefore the Lord has provided other agencies to care for the flock, after the minister has done his duty.

Ministers of Jesus, "preach the word." Point souls to the closet as the place to commune with God, and to secure the influence of the Spirit and the watchcare of good angels. Point them to the narrow path to mount Zion, and to our mighty Saviour who is able to save all who come to him, then leave them to obtain a living experience, and to form characters for heaven, while you go on your way to proclaim salvation to others. Should you enter into all the particulars of the duty of your brethren, you would be sure to get in the way of ministering angels, and take their work out of their hands. And the effect would be, that the church would look to you instead of the Lord, and they would be destitute of an experience of their own. They would depend on the judgment of feeble men, and confusion and discord would follow.

There has been a fault with some of our dear brethren. They have entered into little matters of dress, and manners, and duty, what was right and what was wrong, in things where the Scriptures do not directly bear, and have mixed this small mint and anise and cummin up with the weighty matters of the last message. This course has given license to a fault-finding spirit, and needless trials among brethren. It has called out a class which we must be allowed to designate as church-tinkers. Many honest souls are willing to do their whole duty cheerfully, but they hardly dare move for fear of a reproof from some one of these, whose business it is to watch for others' faults, and enter at once on the work of repairing what they think is wrong in their brethren. But very few can be found but what in their opinion need some tinkering to make them just right. We would say to such in the language of the Apostle, "Do your own business." Get out of the way of the work of the Lord. Humble yourselves beneath the mighty hand of God, and let other people's duties alone. What right have you to bind another's conscience. Now don't think we mean somebody else. We mean you who have been meddling with the faults of your brethren, and harping upon them continually. Break down before God, and find an humble place, then attend to your own salvation.

Some have taken advantage of the plain testimony to the Laodiceans, and have been ready to tell their brethren what they must do in order for Jesus to come in, while their own hearts have been far from God, and destitute of love. Set the example, get the door of your own unfeeling heart open, and get filled with the love of Jesus, then you will be able to help your brethren.

Some may think that these remarks are calculated to cause some to throw off restraint, and to act independent. Well, if the fear of man restrains them, if they are governed by the fear of their brethren, instead of the fear of God, it is time that a change took place. Don't be frightened. Let go of the reins. Let your brethren have a chance to look to God for their duty, and let God have a chance to do his own work.

It is proper that we state here that these remarks are designed to benefit a few "busy-bodies," by showing them their foolish course; also to benefit the brethren generally, by putting them on their guard not to be brought into bondage by them, should they persist in their work of distraction. Thank the Lord that these evils are mostly overcome among brethren in Michigan, and we hope the burden will be lifted from the oppressed in Central N. Y. and some other places.

There are those whose duty it is to watch for souls, who cannot be free from their blood unless they cry out against the sins of this age, and faithfully warn God's people to flee from idolatry, pride, covetousness, &c. But let them "Preach the word, . . . reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." Patiently, yet boldly, must they hold forth the

doctrine of the Lord, which in itself is the most powerful reproof possible, of those sins. Let the ministers of Jesus take their places in the church, do their work, leaving room for the Holy Spirit and good angels to do theirs; and let those on whom God has laid no other burden than to learn, and try to save their own souls, seek to "do their own business," and keep their places in the church of God. J. W.