14:18Luke 14:18

Jesus told the parable of the supper while a guest at a feast, and the first bidden guest answered the ready invitation with a weak and foolish excuse to go look at ground he had already bought, showing a mind absorbed in his purchase rather than any real necessity.ST May 4, 1915+4 The supper pictures the blessings of eternal life with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prepared at the infinite cost of the Son of God's own life for all who will receive it.Lt 89, 1898, par. 6–9+4 The land itself was not sinful, but the fault was making an ordinary possession and temporal business more important than the invitation, so that blessings from God became barriers between the guests and their Redeemer.Ms 24, 1891, par. 38–41+4 Those who with one consent made such excuses insulted the host and lost their place, for none of the men first bidden shall taste of the supper.Ms 149, 1898, par. 1–2+4 Because they refused, the call went to others in the streets and lanes and highways and hedges that the house might be filled, and that final urgent bidding is the last gospel message to be carried to all who have not yet heard it.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+4

The first excuse was no real necessity, for the ground had already been bought, and the wish to go and see it showed a mind absorbed in the purchase, putting worldly interest ahead of the promised invitation and meeting generosity with indifference.ST May 4, 1915+1 The bidden did not flatly refuse but with one consent offered frivolous excuses because other things absorbed their attention.Lt 54, 1898, par. 8–10+2 To answer, I pray thee have me excused, insulted the master of the house who had shown great condescension in his gracious invitation, made him angry, and cost those bidden their place so that none should taste of his supper.Lt 54, 1898, par. 8–10+2

The plea to inspect newly bought ground was weak, flimsy and foolish, showing deficiency of good judgment, since the land should have been seen before the bargain was made.Lt 7, 1869, par. 3–5 The saying belongs to Jesus' parable of the great supper, spoken while He was Himself a guest at a feast.Lt 142, 1895, par. 1–2+2 It was given as a lesson fitted to the needs of His hearers, presented to the scribes and Pharisees as well as to His disciples.Ms 75, 1895, par. 1+1 By it He taught by example how to conduct table talk in company with the religious and the irreligious at public gatherings, taking control of conversation so that every word held attention as a savor of life.Ms 19, 1899, par. 10–13

The first call went to the higher classes, the chosen people, the Jews, to whom God had sent all His servants the prophets daily since their fathers came out of Egypt, yet they did not hear.Ms 18, 1899, par. 1–4+1 Wholly intent on securing worldly gain in buying and selling, planting and building, and trusting their own wisdom as if oracles, they with one consent refused and asked to be excused, not feeling sufficient respect for the master to answer and turning back without seeking or inquiring of Him.Ms 18, 1899, par. 1–4 They wrongly treated the invitation of mercy as theirs alone, and in rejecting it the invitation was to go also to people they despised.COL 219.1

The priests and elders had professed eager, anxious expectancy for the promised Messiah and the call to the supper, proclaiming everywhere the great events when the King of the Jews should conquer enemies and set up His kingdom.ST Feb 10, 1898 They applied to His first advent the prophecies relating to His second coming, and when He came they knew Him not and refused to go in.ST Feb 10, 1898 They claimed to be obeying the law of God, which is holy and just and good, while by exacting requirements making it impossible for anyone to keep, and themselves constantly disobeying it with only false obedience.ST Feb 10, 1898

The feast is the blessings of eternal life, pictured as sitting down to a meal with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.Lt 19a, 1895, par. 1–2+2 The banquet Christ has prepared is heaven itself, repose from the din and confusion of earth, the peace and happiness and joy He longs to bestow.Lt 19a, 1895, par. 1–2+2 That invitation is the call to the marriage supper of the Lamb, and those who accept it may attend while those who make light of it are shut out.Lt 19a, 1895, par. 1–2+2

The supper was made ready at great cost to Himself, even at infinite cost, the cost of the life of the Son of God.Lt 89, 1898, par. 6–9+4 It is the free yet costly provision of the love of Christ and the love of God for the fallen race, set forth plain and simple so it can be impressed on the mind.Lt 89, 1898, par. 6–9+4 It stands prepared for everyone willing to be His guest, and all who are willing are bidden to come.Lt 89, 1898, par. 6–9+4

The word is Come, for all things are now ready, a lifelong invitation reaching into eternity.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+4 It is open to all who will receive it, to all classes, without exception or limitation, even to those who had not before heard the truth.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+4

Merely accepting gospel privileges is not enough, for only those who truly receive Christ and yield themselves to God will be chosen to share it.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+3 They must strip off self with its inherited and cultivated traits that dishonor God, and put on the righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment, a pure character shaped by obedience.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+4 Like a tower builder who has counted the cost they lay the foundation aright, and without that robe they are unready and speechless when the Bridegroom comes to enter into the marriage.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+3

The heavenly banquet is the abundant gospel privileges offered through Christ, His righteousness, justification by faith, God's promises, access to the Father, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and assurance of eternal life.Ms 29, 1898, par. 16–18 Those given greater light, as the Jews were, are thereby tested and accountable to accept and practice the truth and to invite others, with rejection bringing accountability.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+2

The land itself is not sinful, and marriage itself is not a fault; the fault lies in treating a minor matter and ordinary responsibilities, possessions and property as more important than service for Christ and the invitation to the great supper, making newly bought land and the need to inspect it an excuse for not responding.Ms 24, 1891, par. 38–41+2
The excuse shows temporal concerns taking priority over the gospel invitation and eternal things, with attention to possessions, personal business, newly acquired land, riches and pleasures mattering more than eternity.Ms 29, 1898, par. 1–3+3
Blessings received from God in this way become barriers between people and their Creator and Redeemer, and the excuses show contempt for the invitation of mercy and neglect of spiritual things and promised glory.COL 223.2–225.1+2

Ordinary earthly concerns — a newly bought piece of land to inspect, attention to possessions and business, feasting on worldly pleasures — are made into excuses to reject Christ's call and miss the ready spiritual feast of God's kingdom.Ms 11b, 1894, par. 16–18+4
Those absorbed in worldly and selfish interests in this way refuse to hear and follow God's Word, slight the invitation, dishonor the Lord, and turn away losing the opportunity He desired to give them.Ms 69a, 1896, par. 42–44+2
The ground excuse means putting farm work, business interests and favor with neighbors above obedience, saying neighbors will think me foolish and ridicule, I must not displease them, I must attend to my farm, I must work on the Sabbath and hire men to work on the Sabbath, I cannot keep God's commandments and stay in harmony with those who do not love God with the whole heart but selfishly serve their own interests.Ms 9, 1898, par. 39–41

Jesus tests those brought to knowledge of present truth by the invitation to follow Him to the supper prepared at great cost to Himself, watching what characters they develop and whether selfish interests will be counted of greater value than eternal riches.RH Aug 25, 1874+2
Farms, cattle, home interests, worldly possessions, business cares and accumulation of money look more important than heavenly treasure, obedience to the heavenly command to come, and Christian benevolence to help the poor and advance His cause.RH Aug 25, 1874+2
The very blessings God gave to prove whether they will render to God the things that are God's are grasped as their own earthly treasure to be cared for and not neglected, and are made the excuse for disobedience and lack of benevolence, saying No, Lord, I cannot follow Thee.RH Aug 25, 1874+1
By this refusal hearts become as unimpressible as the beaten highway, overgrown with thorns and cares of this life, closing the door to the heavenly messenger while opening to worldly burdens, so He knocks in vain.RH Aug 25, 1874+1

The excuse represents the claim that business leaves no time to serve God or seek truth in Scripture and prayer, valuing worldly enterprises above grace and truth.Ms 46, 1896, par. 3–4
When church members hear God's word and then one goes to his farm and another to his merchandise, absorbing interest in this life declares eternal things secondary.Ms 46, 1896, par. 3–4+1
The excuses reveal living in harmony with the ways and customs of the world, united with those who enjoy its pleasures and seek what gratifies pride and ambition, in confederacy with the disobedient who make excuse for living in sin and sustain one another in unrighteousness.Ms 75, 1895, par. 3
Coming to the feast therefore requires an experience like crucifixion, in which the world is crucified to the believer and the believer to the world, breaking the old harmony and changing the current of thought and aims of life, as demanded in hating father and mother and wife and children and brethren and sisters and one's own life and bearing the cross to be Christ's disciple.Ms 75, 1895, par. 3

The verse means choosing ease and the pleasures of this life, pleasant homes and society of family and friends, and letting others do the work of warning the world, instead of working to save souls though Christ gave Himself to save them.4T 75.4+2
It also expresses the attitude of professed Christians who grow weary of self-denial and duty and prefer an easier, less disciplined life, turning like Israel toward Egypt till religion looks dark and the world desirable.ST Oct 21, 1880
Their conformity to the world in conversation, dress and conduct reveals departure from duty and lack of love for Christ, and those who grasp even a little of what Jesus did in pitying, suffering and dying for them, rising again, and now pleading as High Priest and Advocate, feel responsible to be earnest and self-sacrificing rather than follow that example.ST Aug 5, 1875+1
Excuse-making means unwillingness to see peril and to make candid investigation of Scripture, closing the eyes against evidence; the first refusal makes the second easier until men show hatred for the principles of Christ's character as the Jews did.Ms 23, 1900, par. 15

Those first invited did not respect the master enough to accept, but turned from the Lord and did not seek or inquire for Him, being intent on worldly gain.RH May 8, 1900
The trifling excuses reveal that people do not recognize their relation to God, that they were bought with a price, or that obedience and whole-hearted service are required, and that many do not recognize the blessing of Jesus' call.Ms 29, 1898, par. 4
The purchased field represents a competing interest, cherished idols and personal projects, that closes the heart to Christ and keeps the person from the ready blessing offered.Lt 70, 1893, par. 18–21
The excuses about ground and merchandise mean saying there is no danger, tomorrow shall be as today and more abundant, and farms, merchandise and things of this life must be attended to lest worldly interests be lost and poverty and want come.Ms 8, 1874, par. 11
This forgets that He who cares for sparrows and clothes the lilies cares for the humble trusting soul, guides and directs all ready to do His will, and bestows what His children need, while those who through patience and perseverance overcome and make ready receive a never-fading crown, a robe of righteousness, and entrance into God's beautiful city.Ms 8, 1874, par. 11

Those who were bidden and refused with the ground excuse are shut out from the feast and shall not taste of the supper, losing their place and the glory offered to them while the invitation passes to others.Ms 149, 1898, par. 1–2+4 The land is made more than the invitation, earthly interest and present convenience are put first, and ordinary concerns are turned into reasons for unbelief when light and the ready call have come.Ms 12, 1895, par. 22–24+3 The call to come in is still carried forward, not by forcing the intellect but through the Holy Spirit working with human agents.Ms 12, 1895, par. 22–24

Refusal will be met in judgment, when all are judged by what stands written in the books and by their deeds.Ms 29, 1898, par. 1–3 No excuse for disobedience will stand then, and business, family, or social claims will not excuse disobedience before God, particularly breaking of the fourth commandment.Ms 29, 1898, par. 1–3+1

Excuse-making and feasting on the pleasures of this world leave the bidden without the wedding garment, the robe of righteousness, and unready when the Bridegroom comes to enter the marriage and the Master's house.Ms 8, 1874, par. 9–10+1 Rejection leaves them outside when the door is shut, and seeking entrance too late brings loss.Lt 7, 1869, par. 6–7 Slothful, half-hearted preparation for everlasting life and self-justifying delay are not enough, and those who stay unready may lead others to stay unready with them.Ms 8, 1874, par. 9–10+1

The land plea is weak, flimsy, and foolish, showing lack of judgment, since the ground should have been seen before the bargain was made.Lt 7, 1869, par. 3–5 It stands for the earthly business and interests framed to avoid earnestly securing the pure white wedding garment, which is the righteousness of Christ and readiness for the marriage.Lt 7, 1869, par. 3–5 To continue in such excuses is to turn from proclaimed pardon and salvation and to remain unready when probation closes and the door shuts, with the cry for entrance unregarded.15MR 222.3+1 After probation closes there is no second invitation to the heavenly feast.15MR 222.3

The householder's slighted invitation is met with indifference rather than open scorn, yet because the honor offered was slighted none of the men first bidden shall taste the supper, though the feast is still furnished with guests.COL 307.2–308.1 This differs from the king's invitation, whose rejection with scorn, murder of the servants, and despising of authority brings destruction of the murderers and burning of their city; the householder's slighted invitation brings exclusion from his presence and his table.COL 307.2–308.1

Those who boast of piety yet resist the invitation of mercy will be cast out, while publicans and sinners who receive Christ may enter the kingdom before them, and the call goes out to bring others in so the house may be filled.Lt 20, 1893, par. 10–12 To refuse the marriage supper of the Lamb by living for self rather than God is to reject the water of life, to refuse God's claims, to be counted with unbelievers, and to remain unfit to serve Him or live in His presence.Ms 81, 1898, par. 38 So rejecting Christ left the Jewish nation without peace with God and exposed to its enemies, while many who were convicted still hesitated to accept Him for fear of the hatred of the scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees.Ms 197, 1898, par. 12–13

When the first bidden refuse with one consent, the invitation does not fail but passes to other classes who have not heard the truth, to the poor and the maimed and the halt and the blind in the streets and lanes, and then to those in the highways and hedges, that the house may be filled.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+2 The supper is the marriage supper of the Lamb, a lifelong invitation extending into eternity and open to all classes without limit, and those who make light of it are shut out while those who accept may attend.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4+1 Only those who truly receive Christ and yield themselves to God will be chosen to share it, clothed in Christ's righteousness in a pure character shaped by obedience.Ms 6, 1897, par. 1–4

That order sets forth the special gospel call to be given near the close of earth's history, which goes first to a highly favored people and is rejected with excuses.Ms 81, 1899, par. 14 After that rejection the next call goes to the poorer class — the poor, the halt, the maimed, the blind — who are not exalted by ambitious projects and may come if they accept.Ms 81, 1899, par. 14 When there is still room a final call goes to the byways to seek the most degraded and helpless and compel them to come in that the house may be filled.Ms 81, 1899, par. 14

The same pattern appears where the invitation, Come, for all things are now ready, is to be given in large cities such as New York, where those first expected to respond answer with excuses about ground and oxen and marriage.Lt 132, 1901, par. 4–6 Their refusal sends the call onward to the streets and lanes and then to the highways and hedges, yet even there wealthy men holding the Lord's money will still be moved by the Spirit to open doors for the truth and to use their entrusted means to prepare the way of the Lord.Lt 132, 1901, par. 4–6 So the Jews, then rejecting the invitation of mercy which they had wrongly treated as theirs alone, caused it to go also to people they despised, to the Gentiles.COL 219.1 Though they began to make excuses, the blessing of truth must still be set before the Jewish people to give them opportunity to heed, for God had sent them all His servants the prophets daily since their fathers came out of Egypt, and had they heeded the call that meant so much to them they could have united with the messengers in giving the invitation.Ms 18, 1899, par. 8

The excuse of the newly bought field stands as a warning to those who evade the call to carry truth and help save souls, losing the opportunity offered to them.Lt 77, 1893, par. 48–52 It applies to church members who decline the work needed to build up the church, for faithful earnest effort does not plead to be excused.Lt 5, 1877, par. 9–10 It applies to those who answer missionary labor by asking to be excused, including self-supporting laymen needed in fields such as Australia who must grasp the seriousness of being missionaries.Lt 34, 1892, par. 15+1 Those who claim present truth yet refuse that labor prove they are not vitalized by the Spirit, doing not one fiftieth of what is possible when there should be a hundred missionaries where there is one, and each needs heart work and vital connection with God in communion with the highest source of activity, since no good work can be done by the human agent alone.CH 551.1

It warns not to decline chances to speak the word of life, to influence others for Christ, or to serve God, because a neglected opportunity to share with someone in need may never return.Ms 70, 1896, par. 38–39+1 To ask to be excused by doing the work half-heartedly and carelessly reveals thousands wanting to unite with Christ heavenward without denying self, wanting to serve Christ and self together.ST Jul 9, 1902 Such followers are not called for and the cause has no need of them, for the call is for whole-hearted, fearless, thoroughly converted disciples ready to do and dare and follow wherever He leads.ST Jul 9, 1902 Repeated excuses for missing worship can likewise hide a heart not inclined toward religious things.5T 425.3

A husband's refusal to accept truth is no excuse for his wife to refuse the invitation, for she has individual responsibility to follow light and cannot hand her soul's responsibility to her husband, and turning away to please spouse or family brings serious spiritual loss and eternal consequences.Ms 59, 1895, par. 63–65 Nor must the invitation to salvation be refused because children oppose it or family peace may be disturbed, since opposition and division in a household can be unavoidable when obeying God.Ms 75, 1895, par. 9–10 The excuse also marks self-sufficient people who reject the call and will not receive light, and those who decline heavenly blessings feeling no need of them, rejecting offered light and knowledge though eternal interests are at stake.Ms 22, 1889, par. 60–63+1

Love of ease and selfish indulgence lead to neglected duty and misused entrusted opportunities and abilities, with failure to practice received truth bringing accountability for unfaithful service.Lt 5, 1897, par. 7–10+1 Thousands who ought to give the testing message hide talents in the earth and make no use of power to draw souls to the spread table, proving unfaithful slothful servants whom God will call to account, while faithful voices feel responsibility and work by every means to compel men to come in.Lt 89, 1898, par. 12–13 The invitation is a privilege for hearers of mercy that must not be neglected, and those who put the world first and let it come between them and their Maker cannot expect a place at the great supper, but must give whole service and have the pure garment of character joined with divinity.Ms 59, 1895, par. 60–62+1 Saying have me excused warns against refusing duty in supporting mission work such as city missions, for those who use such an excuse risk being excused from service for time and eternity.5T 369.2

As those bidden made excuses instead of accepting, so children in Egypt who dismissed parents' plea to obey God's directions for the Passover and stay inside the blood-marked house would not have been spared from judgment on the firstborn, just as Hebrew firstborn would not have been spared if the household ignored God's command.15MR 224.3–225.2+1 Ordinary concerns like the farm become an excuse to turn from warning and its call for response, leaving indifference like that in Noah's day when warning of coming judgment was dismissed.ST Feb 16, 1882 By contrast, receiving precious truth gladly and without excuse is accepting the invitation, as when Faulkhead heeded the call and came to the feast prepared for him.RH Apr 3, 1900+1 The excuse belongs to the final call now being given, making it a warning against neglecting that urgent invitation.Lt 11, 1899, par. 4 Refusing the invitation neglects obligations to God and duty to advance His work, and worldly wealth can hinder character development and salvation, so those responsible for others must faithfully warn, reprove, encourage, and point them to Christ.Lt 21, 1899, par. 2

The final urgent order to compel them to come in is the work of the last message, for the last invitation to the gospel feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb, is the message of Christ's soon coming to be carried to places and people who have not yet heard it, and young men are called to sound it to the world where thousands of places have not yet heard and many who should proclaim it have not yet proclaimed it.LS 366.1+2 The invitation to the banquet of truth is to be carried to rich and poor alike and must reach the higher classes, and it is not to be withheld from worldly, wealthy people to whom goods have been entrusted.GW 350.1+4 They are not to be passed by as hopeless but are to be urged with persevering, determined effort that compels them to come in, in the highways as well as the byways, for Christ has prepared His supper and made every preparation to seat them at His bountiful repast and to serve them Himself, and many souls will come to the knowledge of the truth if earnest effort is put forth to save them.GW 350.1+2 The call to bring people in is not to force intellect but to let the light of truth and of Christ's words shine clearly and draw them to Christ, taking the invitation to people of every social rank without allowing barriers or prejudice to keep them from hearing it, since all things are ready and those who refuse will not share in the supper.Ms 12, 1895, par. 22–24+2

The parable is a model for humble workers calling people to the ready feast in personal soul-saving work, and missionaries should carry that bidding to cities, towns, and neglected places, going out to invite rather than remaining idle or held back.PMMEP 19.2+2 It specifies work for churches in every locality to invite people to come in so the Lord's house may be full, and to notice and help those nearby who need care for their souls.6T 294.1–2+3 When those first invited will not come, messengers must bring the message to them where they are, including through house-to-house work and ministry in the highways and byways, putting hearts into proclaiming the truth to those who know it not and opening the Scriptures to people in retired places of the country.Lt 164, 1899, par. 18+1 Those who do this work are assured that ministering angels will give them grace and power and efficiency, and that the Spirit will go before them to impress hearts to respond, and this calls for thorough and much more extensive work in great centers, such as wicked San Francisco which must be thoroughly worked.Ms 65, 1908, par. 2+1

People of every class in the Southern field should have been called to the feast with mercy and warning, white people and colored people, even those terribly degraded.7T 222.1+1 The Christian churches of America as appointed agencies were to give this invitation faithfully and unselfishly by planting memorials for God all through the Southern field, churches, sanitariums, and schools, and their neglect left the field in degradation and darkness, which bears testimony against them and leaves them guilty before God.Lt 193, 1901, par. 6 God prepared a supper whose last call is now to be given, and that work was given to the church in Battle Creek and through America, requiring a much higher standard in spiritual advancement, awaking out of sleep, and going without the camp to work for souls ready to perish.8T 71.2+4 That work was long neglected, and medical missionaries are now doing it and giving this last call, while refusing that medical-missionary work is refusing the call.8T 71.2+4

Sanitariums are one of the means for bringing that truth with Bible influence and the third angel's message to all parts of the world to the highways and byways, so that all must hear the invitation, including those who know it not and those enslaved by intemperate habits destroying soul and body, and as unbelievers are brought under its influence angels impress their hearts and many are won to Christ to learn a better way of living.1MR 226.3–4 The call to the supper Christ prepared is to be given now through the canvassing work, which is evangelistic in nature and gives a warning that is greatly needed, so it is the best opportunity to invite people.Ms 113, 1901, par. 13–16 It must be taken up at this time with earnestness and consecration, willingly and unselfishly, with no time to lose, and those who do it will be greatly blessed.Ms 113, 1901, par. 13–16 The call is to be given with decided earnestness as God's people proclaim essential testing truths together in the last days, for the parable is a lesson reaching to the close of probation whose meaning must not be misapplied to support distorting theories.15MR 14.3–5+2

Making excuse means showing indifference to Jesus' command for the last call, which requires active work to save those who will believe and to reach the lowest sinners, and it means standing afar off from workers, criticizing and drawing away instead of helping, and ignoring saving efforts because they gather both good and bad.8T 72.2+2 Indifference or refusal to join Christ's work of reaching the lost runs against that call.8T 72.2+1 It is the work of all Christ's followers to call attention to the provisions made accessible to all, the costly, free provision of the love of Christ and the love of God for the fallen race made plain and simple so it can be impressed on the mind, revealing Christ and not self, clothed with His mind and constrained by His love, armored in Him and manifesting deep, earnest, unquenchable love in life and character.Lt 89, 1898, par. 6–9 Workers must lift up Jesus as altogether lovely and spread His unsearchable riches in abundance, not putting difficult or controversial theories first, because those will not lead men to the supper prepared for them.Lt 89, 1898, par. 6–9

Luke 14:16-24 is a message for God's people calling for heart work and reformation of character that gives close connection with God and makes a deep impression on minds.2MR 259.3–260.4+1 The gospel feast is the invitation to receive spiritual food and the bread of life, the precious seed of truth and words of comfort with practical care for physical wants, to be carried to those without Christ and hope — strangers, outcasts, the morally weak, the poor, disabled, lost, and deeply degraded.Ms 143, 1898, par. 21+4 Their excuses must not leave them out but they must be brought in with loving, patient effort, coming freely and clothed with Christ's righteousness, while watchmen urge all to serve and those with means to support needs including medical missions in new fields.Ms 143, 1898, par. 21+2 The gospel invitation is to be carried widely so guests may be gathered, bringing mercy that convicts and converts people of every class, and if influential people receive truth they can help spread it rapidly and bring many to salvation.Ms 7, 1900, par. 1+1 The Lord calls His people to come themselves to the banquet of truth and then to go into highways and hedges and compel souls to come in by presenting Christ's great offering in simplicity and love as He told His disciples.Lt 177, 1903, par. 8

In the setting of the final gospel invitation the verse belongs to the call to bring the invitation to those who have not yet heard it.Ms 3, 1899, par. 43–44 Refusing Jesus leaves spiritual needs unmet, which only the Bread of Life meets, and a refuser can also use influence to keep others from accepting through contempt for the good God offers.Ms 184, 1898, par. 50–51 Reaching those perishing in sin, rather than serving only those who already know truth, is specified as Christ's work, including through medical missionary work.Lt 55, 1897, par. 16–19