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Counsels Often Repeated Regarding the Relationship of Brethren in a United, Organized Christian Church

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Counsels Often Repeated Regarding the Relationship of Brethren in a United, Organized Christian Church

Ellen G. White

"Elmshaven" Office, St. Helena, California · 1933

FOREWORD

As the church of God approaches the climax of its long struggle with sin and degeneracy; as it nears the end of the great controversy between the servants of Christ and the servants of the arch-enemy, there is an ever increasing intensity on the part of unseen agencies, both of light and of darkness.
The advance of the church into the heart of heathenism enrages the leaders of the hosts of darkness, and challenges them to put forth ever increasing efforts to withstand the advance of the armies of Prince Emmanuel.
In order to weaken the church of Christ and delay its onward advance, the hosts of the evil one seek more and more earnestly to create among church members disagreements and disorganized, independent action; and to cause undue self-confidence on the part of conference and church officials.
At such a time and such a crisis as the present, it is encouraging to know that God has foreseen our difficulties, and that He has given us messages of encouragement, of warning, and of instruction suited to the necessities of the hour.
During the last year the workers at the “Elmshaven” Office have been engaged in a restudy of the letters and manuscripts left on file by Mrs. Ellen G. White and have indexed them more fully. In so doing, they have found many precious assurances of God’s guiding hand in the closing work and of His love and care for His remnant church. They have also found much precious instruction which heretofore has been sent to only a few individual workers, but which they believe should now be placed in the hands of apostolic men, who can use it judiciously.
Repeated and pointed messages of instruction regarding the relationships that should exist between themselves and their fellow-workers were given during the years to men in positions of responsibility. While general principles that should govern these relationships have been published, yet there are in some of the letters addressed to leading men many specific counsels and cautions that, for obvious reasons, it was not deemed wise to prepare for general circulation. Some of these are included in the following compilation, and we believe they will be cherished by those who have succeeded in office the men to whom they were addressed.
The unity and confidence that must be found in the rank and file of the church membership, also the solicitude, the tenderness, and the largeness of heart that should be manifested by officers and leaders, are clearly set forth in the following extracts from the testimonies found in letters to conference and church officers and to members of our churches.
Other choice instruction has been included that may be helpful in counseling with individuals here and there who are tempted in a spirit of unsanctified independence to enter into questionable enterprises without seeking the counsel and cooperation of their brethren.
In a few cases, for the purpose of strengthening the presentation, paragraphs have been used from the published books, but the greater part of the matter here presented, is selected from letters, manuscripts, and periodical articles not available to our workers.
For convenience in the consideration of the time and circumstances when certain instruction was given, the earlier instruction has been presented in the first division, and similar instruction given mostly after the reorganization of 1901, has been compiled for part two. The source, indicating the letter or manuscript from which the passages are taken is given in each case at the close of the quotation. In most cases, the year of writing is indicated by the last unit in the source reference.
W. C. White.

THE SPIRIT IN THE ATMOSPHERE

The world is filled with strife for supremacy. The spirit of pulling away from fellow-laborers, the spirit of disorganization, is in the very air we breathe. By some, all efforts to establish order are regarded as dangerous, as a restriction of personal liberty. 9T 257
Spiritual despotism is in the very atmosphere, which is impregnated with the subtilty of Satan’s oppression. This despotism becomes more and more pronounced as we near the close of this earth’s history. — MS-25-1899

A SPECIAL CHARGE

I was charged not to neglect or pass by those who were being wronged. I was especially charged to protest against any arbitrary or overbearing action toward the ministers of the gospel by those having official authority. Disagreeable though the duty may be, I am to reprove the oppressor, and plead for justice. I am to present the necessity of maintaining justice and equity in all our institutions. -- MS-63-1906

PRESS TOGETHER! UNIFY!

The Lord would have us as believers combine our strength. . . . Unify, unify. It is Satan who seeks to divide. Christ works to unify. . . Press together. Let every difference be adjusted. Press together, Press together. — Let. 141, 1905.

SECTION I

THE CHURCH AND ITS FOUNDATION

THE CHURCH THE BELOVED OF GOD

God is leading out a people. He has a chosen people, a church, on the earth whom He has made the depositories of His law. He has committed to them sacred trust and eternal truth to be given to the world. He would reprove, and correct them. The message to the Laodiceans is applicable to Seventh-day Adventists, who have had great light, and have not walked in the light. It is those who have made great profession; but have not kept in step with their Leader, that will be spued out of His mouth unless they repent. The message to pronounce the church Babylon and call the people of God out of her, does not come from any heavenly messenger, or any human agent inspired by the Spirit of God.
The true Witness says, “I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.” Rev. 3:18–21.
Jesus is coming in, to give the individual members of the church the richest blessings, if they will open the door to Him. He does not once call them Babylon, nor ask them to come out, but He says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten” (with messages of reproof and warning). These reproofs I am not ignorant of. I have given warnings because the Spirit of the Lord has constrained me to do so, and have uttered reproofs because the Lord has given me words of reproof. I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God which has been given me for the church. I will say in the fear and love of God, I know the Lord has thoughts of love and mercy to restore and heal them of all their backslidings. He has a work for this church to do. They are not to be pronounced Babylon; but to be as the salt of the earth, the light of the world. They are to be the living messengers to proclaim a living message in these last days. . . .
Again, I say the Lord hath not spoken by any messenger who calls the only church in the world that keeps the commandments of God, Babylon. True, there is chaff with the wheat; but first gather the chaff and bind it into bundles to burn it, but gather the wheat into the garner. I know that the Lord loves His church. It is not to be disorganized, or broken up into independent atoms. There is not the least consistency in this; there is not the least evidence that such a thing will be. Those who shall heed this false message, and try to leaven others will be deceived, and prepared to receive advanced delusions, and they will come to naught. There is, in some of the members of the church, pride, self-sufficiency, stubborn unbelief, and a refusing to yield their ideas although evidence may be piled upon evidence which makes this message to the Laodicean church applicable. But that will not blot out the church that it will not exist. Let both tares and wheat grow together until the harvest. Then it is the angels that do the work of separation. . . .
Let the believers heed the voice the angel said to the church, Press together. In unity is your strength. Love as brethren, be pitiful,be courteous, God hath a church, and Christ hath declared, “The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matt. 16:18. -- Lot. -16-1895.

THE AUTHORITY OF THE CHURCH

The world’s Redeemer has invested great power with His church. He states the rules to be applied in cases of trial with its members. After He has given explicit directions as to the course to be pursued, He says, “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever (in church discipline) ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Thus even the heavenly authority ratifies the discipline of the church in regard to its members, when the Bible rule has been followed.
The word of God does not give license for one man to set up his judgment in opposition to the judgment of the church, neither is he allowed to urge his opinions against the opinions of the church. If there were no church discipline and government, the church would go to fragments; it could not hold together as a body. There have ever been individuals of independent minds, who have claimed that they were right, that God had especially taught, impressed, and led them. Each has a theory of his own, views peculiar to himself, and each claims that his views are in accordance with the word of God. Each one has a different theory and faith, yet each claims special light from God. These draw away from the body, and each one is a separate church of himself. All these cannot be right, yet they all claim to be led of the Lord. The word of inspiration is not yea and nay, but yea and amen in Christ Jesus. - 3T 428-9

THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH

God is leading out a people to stand in perfect unity upon the platform of eternal truth. Christ gave Himself to the world “that He might purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” This refining process is designed to purge the church from all unrighteousness and the spirit of discord and contention, that they may build up instead of tearing down, and concentrate their energies on the great work before them. God designs that His people should all come into the unity of faith. . . .
Many do not realize the sacredness of church relationship, and are loth to submit to restraint and discipline. Their course of action shows that they exalt their own judgment above that of the united church; and they are not careful to guard themselves, lest they encourage a spirit of opposition to its voice.
Those who hold responsible positions in the church may have faults in common with other people, and may err in their decisions; but notwithstanding this, the church of Christ on earth has given to them an authority that cannot be lightly esteemed. Christ, after His resurrection, delegated power unto His church, saying, “Whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained.” . . .
Unbelief suggests that individual independence increases our importance, that it is weak to yield our own ideas of what is right and proper to the verdict of the church. But to yield to such feelings and views is unsafe, and will bring us to anarchy and confusion. Christ saw that unity and Christian fellowship were necessary to the cause of God, therefore He enjoined it upon His disciples. And the history of Christianity from that time until now proves conclusively that in union only is there strength. Let individual judgment submit to the authority of the church. 4T 17-19.

GOD HAS AN ORGANIZED BODY

Beware of those who arise that have a great burden to denounce the church. The chosen ones who are standing and breasting the storm of opposition from the world, and are uplifting the down-trodden commandments of God, to exalt them as holy and honorable, are indeed the light of the world. How dare mortal man pass his judgment upon them, and call the church a harlot, Babylon, a den of thieves, a cage of every unclean and hateful bird! . . . .
It seems almost impossible that any one who had a genuine experience in the faith, should suggest such erroneous applications of Scripture, as applicable to God’s commandment-keeping people. Supposing this spurious message is the one every one must hear for this time, “Come out of her, my people.” Where shall we go to, where shall we find the purity, goodness and holiness where we shall be secure? Where is the fold where no wolves will enter?
I tell you, my brethren, the Lord has an organized body through whom He will work. There may be more than a score of Judas’s among them, there may be a rash Peter who will under circumstances of trial deny his Lord. There may be persons represented by John whom Jesus loved, but he may have a zeal that would destroy men’s lives by calling down from heaven fire upon them to revenge an insult to Christ and the truth. But the great Teacher seeks to give lessons of instruction to correct these existing evils. He is doing the same today with His church. He is pointing out their dangers. He is presenting before them the Laodicean message. . . .
In the place of turning the weapons of warfare within our own ranks, let them be turned against the enemies of God and the truth. Echo the prayer of Christ with your whole heart: “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.” . . .
The Bible sets before us a model church. They are to be in unity with each other and with God. When believers are united to Christ the living vine, the result is that they are one with Christ, full of sympathy andtenderness and love.

Opportunities in the Church

When any are drawing apart from the organized body of God’s commandment-keeping people, they begin to weigh the church in their human scales and begin to pronounce judgment against them. Then you may know that God is not leading them. They are on the wrong track. . . .
There are opportunities and privileges to help in the church those who are ready to die, and inspire the church with zeal but not to tear the church to pieces. There are plenty of opportunities in the church to walk in Christ’s lines. If the heart is full of zeal to press on to a deeper sanctification and holiness, work in that line in all humbleness and devotedness. The church needs freshness and the inspiration of men who breathe in the very atmosphere of heaven, to vitalize the church, notwithstanding the tares are among the wheat. - MS-21-1893

ORGANIZATION TILL THE END

As we near the final crisis, instead of feeling that there is less need of order and harmony of action, we should be more systematic than heretofore. All our work should be conducted according to well-defined plans.
I am receiving light from the Lord that there should be wise generalship at this time more than at any former period of our history. — Let-27a-1892

SECTION II

THE VALUE OF CONCERTED ACTION

IV. UNION THERE IS STRENGTH

The greatest work is before us. The peril which threatens our usefulness, and which will prove our ruin if not seen and overcome, is selfishness, placing a higher estimate upon our plans, our opinions, and our labors, and moving independently of our brethren. “Counsel together,” have been the words repeated by the angels again and again.
Satan may move through one man’s mind to warp things out of their proper channel. He may succeed with two who view things in a similar light, but with several minds enlisted there is greater safety against his wiles. Every plan will be more liable to be viewed from all sides, every advance will be more carefully studied, so that no enterprise will be so likely to be entered upon which will bring confusion and perplexity and defeat to the work in which we are engaged. In union there is strength; in division there is weakness and defeat.—MS-3-1880

COUNSEL TOGETHER, YET SEEK HIGHER COUNSEL

Of yourselves you have not wisdom to bear responsibilities. At every step of the way you must seek counsel of God and of your brethren who have had experience, and who are true to the interests of His cause. It is your privilege to do this, and you should feel it such. Some of you do not feel right when anything you do is called in question. But this is wrong. All the workers in __________ need counsel from those who are governed by the truth.
One man’s mind, one man’s judgment, is not to be a controlling power. . . . “Counsel together, counsel together,” has been repeated to me by the heavenly angels for the past forty-five years. At the same time you must constantly feel the need of higher counsel. Do not fail to seek wisdom from God. Unless you do go to God for wisdom, and understand for yourselves the way of the Lord, you will not be able to understand things clearly. You must have the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit to give you clear views of Jesus and His love. — Let.-34-1891

SELF RESTRAINT NECESSARY

An army could do nothing successfully if its different parts did not work in concert. Should each soldier act without reference to the others, the army would soon become disorganized. Instead of gathering strength for concentrated action, it would be wasted in desultory, meaningless efforts. A limited number united under one head, all obeying orders, will accomplish more than ten times the number if they are drawing apart, disconnected, and expending their strength on many things at the same time. Whatever good qualities a man may have, he cannot be a good soldier if he acts independent of brotherly counsel. Occasionally good may be done, but often the result is of little value, and frequently the end shows more mischief than good. They make a show of doing something, attract attention, and flash out brightly, then they are gone. All must pull in one direction in order to render efficient service to the cause. . . .
God requires of his soldiers concerted action; and in order to have this in the church, self-restraint is essential. They must learn to forego their own wishes and preferences for the good of others. — Let. 116-1886.

UNION WITH BRETHREN WHO TRY US

All who believe the great truths for this time, if sanctified through the truth, will wear the yoke of Christ. They will lift the burdens of responsibility. A spirit to act independently and alone must not be cherished. If they do this, in the place of the Lord’s people being in perfect harmony, of one mind, one purpose, and consecrated to one great object, they will waste their capabilities, and their efforts will be fruitless.
Some may say that they love the Lord, but that they cannot love their brother as they should. The brother may have ways that are very trying; he may do things that are unwise; but if his brethren who have had longer experience and a more even, well-balanced judgment shall refuse to connect with the one who grieves and tries their souls, they reveal that they are not followers of Christ. They reveal that they do not follow the example of Him who clothed His divinity with humanity, that by laying aside His glory and His kingly honor, He might reach humanity. - MS-56-1898

UNITY, WITH DIVERSE DISPOSITIONS

You have not all the same stamp of character, and each will be inclined to think that the work must be moulded according to his own ideas and views. Unconsciously to yourselves, this spirit will be cherished, and you will seek to introduce methods of your own. The workers should first obtain the grace of Christ, so they will be enabled to sink self out of sight; then there will be unity, even among a diversity of dispositions. . . .
Each worker is to use his God-given ability to the utmost for the upbuilding of Christ’s kingdom on the earth. We each have an individuality in manner and bearing, and this is as it should be; but this need not prevent our working together in perfect harmony. . . .
Be sure to pray and counsel together before laying your plans, and then, in the Spirit of Christ, push the work unitedly. If one of your number decides that he cannot cooperate with his brethren, and has no desire to work because of differences of opinion, the course to be pursued is without a question. Humble yourselves before God and resort to prayer, for you cannot and must not attempt to work at variance.
From any one who persists in stubbornness and self-will, God will remove His Spirit, and another will wear the crown that was for him. God accepts only those who will learn of Christ, those who study His word, learning lessons of meekness and lowliness of heart, lessons of obedience, willingness to do his work in God’s way, not their finite way. . . .
Love of self, pride and self-sufficiency lie at the foundation of the greatest trials and discords that have ever existed in the religious world. Again and again the angel has said to me, “Press together, press together, be of one mind, of one judgment.” Christ is the Leader, and you are brethren; follow Him. Walk in the light as He is in the light. Those who walk in the footsteps of Christ shall not walk in darkness, but those who draw apart in unsanctified independence cannot have God’s presence and blessing in the work. . . .
Workers can easily place themselves where divine love and power and wisdom cannot reach them, where they cannot have help in counsel, in difficulties and trials, because they would not understand and rightly appropriate heaven’s rich treasure. They would glorify themselves, and think their own ways perfect, and become established in self-righteousness. — Lett.-4-1890

INDEPENDENT EXPERIMENTS

In the work of the laborers there should be a counseling together. No one is to strike out on his own independent judgment, and work according to his own mind, unless he has a treasury of his own from which to draw. Our heavenly Father careth for His children, and His grace is sufficient in every time of need. But if we consider ourselves sufficient to manage the work of God, and depend for success on our own individual wisdom to plan and execute, we may expect defeats and losses; for they will surely come.
I have been shown that the management of the work must not be trusted to inexperienced hands. Those who have not had breadth of experience are not the ones to take large responsibilities, although they may think themselves qualified to do so. Their brethren may see defects where they themselves see only perfection. Too much is at stake now to allow any great risks to be run in investing means from the Lord’s treasury. If any one wishes to try experiments, let him sustain himself from his own funds, so that if losses occur he alone will be the loser. — R. & H. Dec. 8, 1885.

SECTION III

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY TO BE ENCOURAGED

EARLY COUNSEL TO J. N. ANDREWS

One man’s mind and one man’s judgment should not be woven through the entire work. You have been engrossed in study and books, and have not duly considered [that] the one great and important part of your work was to allow and teach others to work with you. Lay upon them the burdens and care of very many things you have done yourself which have been extra draughts upon your precious strength that have used up your vitality, so that you had not the strength to devote to duties far more important. — Let.—2-1883

PRESERVING A MORAL INDEPENDENCE

Let every man stand in God, not to be bought, not to be sold, but to reveal a Christian fortitude. Serve no man through fear of what that man can do that is disagreeable. Christians you can not be if you depend on another man’s conscience. Christ died to give moral independence, freedom to exercise their God-given ability. His servants are to be circumscribed by no man or counsel of men unless they have decided evidence that the man or counsel of men are worked by the Holy Spirit.
God has given us all that we possess. It all belongs to Him, and we are not to sit at the footstool of any man to obey his orders; for God has made us free moral agents. He requires us to preserve our moral independence and not be bound about by any man. Our consciences are to be controlled byno power on earth. The Holy Spirit will work upon minds if we will hearken to its faintest whispers. It is the voice of your Advocate in the heavenly courts. . . . — Let., 4, 1896

“FORBID HIM NOT”

Some of our leading men are inclined to indulge the spirit manifested by the apostle John when he said, “Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.” Organization and discipline are essential, but there is now very great danger of a departure from the simplicity of the gospel of Christ. What we need is less dependence upon mere form and ceremony, and far more of the power of true godliness. If their life and character are exemplary, let all work who will, in any capacity. Although they may not conform exactly to your methods, not a word should be spoken to condemn or discourage them.
When the Pharisees desired Jesus to silence the children, who sung His praise, the Saviour said, “If these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” Prophecy must be fulfilled. So in these days, the work must be done. There are many departments of labor; let every one act a part as best he can. The man with one talent is not to bury that in the earth. God has given to every man his work, according to his ability. Those to whom larger trusts and capabilities have been committed, should not endeavor to silence others who are less able or experienced. Men with one talent may reach a class that those with two or five talents cannot approach.
Great and small alike are chosen vessels to bear the water of life to thirsting souls. Let not those who preach the word lay their hands upon the humblest worker, and say, “You must labor in this channel, or not work at all.” Hands off, brethren. Let every one work in his own sphere,with his own armor on, doing whatever he can do in his humble way. Strengthen his hands in the work. This is no time for Pharisaism to control. Let God work through whom He will. The message must go. — 5T 461-2

INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY

When a laborer is set in a certain portion of the Lord’s vineyard his work is given him as a faithful laborer together with God to work that vineyard. He is not to wait to be told at every point by human minds what he must do, but plan his work to labor wherever he is needed. God has given you brain power to use. The wants of the believers and the necessities of unbelievers are to be carefully studied and your labors are to meet their necessities. You are to inquire of God and not of any living man what you shall do. You are a servant of the living God, and not a servant of any man. You cannot do the work of God intelligently and be the shadow of another man’s thoughts and directions. You are under God.
When a minister is appointed to a certain work, he is not to consider that he must ask the president of the Conference how many days he shall labor in a certain locality, but he must seek wisdom from One who has appointed him his work, One who promised to give wisdom and unerring judgment, who giveth liberally and upbraideth not. He must carefully consider every part of the vineyard apportioned to him, and discern by the grace given what he shall do, and what he shall not do. Circumstances will arise, which, if carefully studied, with humility and faith, seeking wisdom of God, will make you a wise and successful laborer. . . .
Bear in mind that no living man can tell the precise work, or bound the work of a man who is in God’s service. No one can prescribe the days, the weeks that one should remain in a certain locality before pushing on to another place. Circumstances must shape the labors of the minister of God, and if he seeks God, he will understand that his work embraces every partof the Lord’s vineyard, both that which is nigh and that which is afar off. The laborer is not to confine his work to a specified measurement. He must have no circumscribed limits, but extend his labors wherever necessity demands. God is his co-laborer; he should seek wisdom and counsel of Him at every step, and not depend upon human counsel.
The work has been greatly hindered in many fields because the laborers ask counsel from those who are not working in the field, and who see not and feel not the demand, and therefore cannot understand the situation as well as the one who is on the ground. . . .
Let no man become another man’s shadow. The promise is, “Ask of God,” and if you present the divine credentials, He will hear your petition. Asking counsel from men too largely robs one of that experience he can and ever should obtain for himself from God. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of some other man? No; “let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5.
I point you to Jesus. Stand forth in moral power in God. You are doing service, not for man, but for God, who is to bless you. As we consult one with another and compare ideas, all our propositions are to be fully considered, frankly discussed, and acted upon; but one man is only a part of the great whole, and he is not to be mind and judgment for the whole body of believers. Our great weakness is in placing men where God should be, to be looked up to and confided in. What are these men? Only bruised reeds unless they put their confidence and trust just where it is your privilege to put your trust and dependence. Why is the caution given, “Trust not in man, neither make flesh your arm?” For the very reason that men have failed in a time when it was necessary for them to be entirely shut in with God, walking with fear and trembling before Him, true as the compass to the pole. — Let. — 8- 1895.

INDIVIDUAL JUDGMENT TO BE ENCOURAGED

I have been shown that there is one practice which those in responsible places should avoid; for it is detrimental to the work of God. Men in position should not lord it over God’s heritage, and command everything around them. Too many have marked out a prescribed line which they wish others to follow in the work. Workers have tried to do this with blind faith, without exercising their own judgment upon the matter which they had in hand. If those who were placed as directors were not present, they have followed their implicit directions just the same. But in the name of Christ, I would entreat you to stop this work. Give men a chance to exercise their individual judgment. Men who follow the leading of another, and are willing that another should think for them, are unfit to be intrusted with responsibility. Our leading men are remiss in this matter. God has not given to special ones all the brain power there is in the world.
Men in responsible positions should credit others with some sense, with some ability of judgment and foresight, and look upon them as capable of doing the work committed to their hands. Our leading brethren have made a great mistake in marking out all the directions that the workers should follow, and this has resulted in deficiency, in a lack of a caretaking spirit in the worker, because they have relied upon others to do all their planning, and have themselves taken no responsibility . . .
Leading men should place responsibilities upon others, and allow them to plan and devise and execute, so that they may obtain an experience. Give them a word of counsel when necessary, but do not take away the work because you think the brethren are making mistakes. May God pity the cause when one man’s mind and one man’s plan is followed without question. God would not be honored should such a state of things, exist. All our workersmust have room to exercise their own judgment and discretion. God has given men talents which He means that they should use. He has given them minds, and He means that they should become thinkers, and do their own thinking, and planning, rather than depend upon others to think for them. . . .

Effects of Constantly Following Others

There are men who today might be men of breadth of thought, might be wise men, men to be depended upon, who are not such, because they have been educated to follow another man’s plan. They have allowed others to tell them precisely what to do, and they have become dwarfed in intellect. Their minds are narrow, and they can not comprehend the needs of the work. They are simply machines to be moved by another man’s thought. Now do not think that these men who do follow out your ideas are the only ones that can be trusted. You have sometimes thought that because they do your will to the letter, they were the only ones in whom you could place dependence. If anyone exercised his own judgment, and differed with you, you have disconnected from him as one that could not be trusted.
Take your hands off the work, and do not hold it fast in your grasp. You are not the only man whom God will use. Give the Lord room to use the talents He has entrusted to men, in order that the cause may grow. Give the Lord a chance to use men’s minds. We are losing much by our narrow ideas and plans. Do not stand in the way of the advancement of the work, but let the Lord work by whom He will. Educate, encourage young men to think and act, to devise and plan, in order that we may have a multitude of counselors. October 28, 1885. — T.M. 301-5

EMERGENCIES IN THE MISSION FIELDS

In foreign fields especially, the work cannot be accomplished, except by well-considered plans. While you should endeavor to labor in harmony with the instructions of those at the head of the work, many unforeseen circumstances will arise for which they could make no provision. There must be something ventured, some risks run, by those on the field of battle. There will be crises in which prompt action is necessary. The workers should not in every movement feel that they should wait to receive directions from headquarters, but after counseling together, with earnest prayer, they should do the best they can under the circumstances.
Wherever in the work of reform we can unite with others, in the countries to which we go, it is advisable to do this; but there are some things we shall have to carry forward by ourselves. While we should adapt ourselves to others wherever this is practicable and consistent, there are many things in which the laborers must work in their own way. Hence the greater necessity for union among themselves. — G.W. (Ed. 1892) pp. 305, 6

DIVINE GUIDANCE ASSURED

It is as much the privilege of every individual member of the church to know from the word God’s will in regard to his course of action as it is for the president of the Conference or for any other men in office of trust.The Lord would be sought unto by all who would be instructed and enlightened and worked by the Holy Spirit. God is ready to commune with His people. . .
Every individual must seek by earnest prayer to know the word of God for himself, and then to do it. Only in day by day putting his trust in God, and not in the arm of flesh, will any soul obtain the experience essential to answer the prayer of Christ, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3. . . .
Live as in the presence of God. “Come unto Me” is the invitation of Christ. By this He does not mean that you shall go to a far country to inquire of the president of the Conference what your duty is. He would have you rejoice and praise Him every day for the privilege granted to you in the words of Christ: “Come unto Me all ye that labor, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. . . .
You need not go to the next town or to the ends of the earth to learn what course you shall pursue. Trust in God as your present Helper, who will overrule all things as One who knows best. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5. . . .
The Lord would have every one come to Him as their Refuge for counsel and for comfort, and for hope, in all their anxieties. To Him you may tell all your griefs. You will never be told, “I cannot help you. Such an one in authority has placed your case before me in such a light that I can do nothing for you.” To Him all your griefs are worthy of consideration. You may have His help under every difficulty. You may, I may, the weakest one in all the ranks of believers may trust in a loving, pitiful, faithful High Priest, who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. . . .
When every soul is dependent upon Jesus Christ our Elder Brother for mercy and forgiveness of sins, why should one member of the human familyexalt himself above another? Why should he feel at liberty to take upon himself prerogatives that his position does not give him? Why should he order about and seek to control his fellow-men and tell what this one should do, and that one should do. These very ones have been required of God to come directly to Him and ask for the wisdom they need, and the promise is “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. — MS-15-1897

SECTION IV

THE CORRECT ATTITUDE OF WORKERS TOWARD ONE ANOTHER

Continue reading: TO COUNSEL AS EQUALS