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Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

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Practical Manifestation of Religion<br />

Anything less than active, earnest service <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Master gives <strong>the</strong> lie to<br />

our profession of faith. Only <strong>the</strong> Christianity that is revealed by earnest,<br />

practical work will make an impression upon those who are dead in<br />

trespasses and sins. Praying, humble, believing Christians, those who show<br />

by <strong>the</strong>ir actions that <strong>the</strong>ir greatest desire is to make known <strong>the</strong> saving truth<br />

which is to test all people, will ga<strong>the</strong>r a rich harvest of souls <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> Master.<br />

There is no excuse <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> faith of our churches to be so faint and feeble.<br />

"Turn you to <strong>the</strong> Stronghold, ye prisoners of hope." Zechariah 9:12. There is<br />

strength <strong>for</strong> us in Christ. He is our Advocate be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>the</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>r. He dispatches<br />

His messengers to every part of His dominion to communicate His will to<br />

His people. He walks in <strong>the</strong> midst of His churches. He desires to sanctify,<br />

elevate, and ennoble His followers. The influence of those who truly believe<br />

in Him will be a savor of life in <strong>the</strong> world. He holds <strong>the</strong> stars in His right<br />

hand, and it is His purpose to let His light shine through <strong>the</strong>se to <strong>the</strong> world.<br />

Thus He desires to prepare His people <strong>for</strong> higher service in <strong>the</strong> church above.<br />

He has given us a great work to do. Let us do it with accuracy and<br />

determination. Let us show in our lives what <strong>the</strong> truth has done <strong>for</strong> us.<br />

It has cost self-denial, self-sacrifice, indomitable energy, and much<br />

prayer, to bring up <strong>the</strong> various missionary enterprises where <strong>the</strong>y now stand.<br />

There is danger that some of those now coming upon <strong>the</strong> stage of action will<br />

rest content to be inefficient, feeling that <strong>the</strong>re is now no need of so great<br />

self-denial and diligence, such hard and disagreeable labor, as <strong>the</strong> leaders in<br />

this message experienced; that times have changed; and that since <strong>the</strong>re is<br />

now more means in <strong>the</strong> cause of God, it is not necessary <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>m to place<br />

<strong>the</strong>mselves in such trying circumstances as many were called to meet in <strong>the</strong><br />

rise of <strong>the</strong> message.<br />

But were <strong>the</strong>re <strong>the</strong> same diligence and self-sacrifice manifest at <strong>the</strong><br />

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