Those who engage in this work should first
give themselves unreservedly to God. They should place themselves
where they can learn of Christ and follow His example. He has
invited them: "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of
Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest
unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
Matthew 11: 28-30. Angels are commissioned to go forth with those
who take up this work in true humility.
We are to pray without ceasing, and we
are to live our prayers. Faith will greatly increase by exercise.
Let those who are canvassing for Christ's Object Lessons learn
the lessons taught in the book for which they are working. Learn
of Christ. Have faith in His power to help
and save you. Faith is the very lifeblood of the soul. Its presence
gives warmth, health, consistency, and sound judgment. Its vitality
and vigor exert a powerful though unconscious influence. The
life of Christ in the soul is as a well of water springing up
unto everlasting life. It leads to a constant cultivation of
the heavenly graces and to a kindly submission in all things
to the Lord.
I speak to the workers, young and old, who
are handling our books, and especially to those who are canvassing
for the book that is now doing its errand of mercy: Exemplify
in the life the lessons given by Christ in His Sermon on the
Mount. This will make a deeper impression and have a more lasting
influence upon minds than will the sermons given from the pulpit.
You may not be able to speak eloquently to those you desire to
help; but if you speak modestly, hiding self in Christ, your
words will be dictated by the Holy Spirit; and Christ, with whom
you are co-operating, will impress the heart.
Exercise that faith which works by love
and sanctifies the soul. Let none now make the Lord ashamed of
them because of their unbelief. Sloth and despondency accomplish
nothing. Entanglements in secular business are sometimes permitted
by God in order to stir the sluggish faculties to more earnest
action that He may honor faith by the bestowal of rich blessings.
This is a means of advancing His work. Looking unto Jesus, not
only as our Example, but as the Author and Finisher of our faith,
let us go forward, having confidence that He will supply strength
for every duty.
Much painstaking effort will be required
of those who have the burden of this work; for right instruction
must be given, that a sense of the importance of the work may
be kept before the workers, and that all may cherish the spirit
of self-denial and sacrifice exemplified in the life of our Redeemer.
Christ made sacrifices at every step, sacrifices
that none of His followers can ever make. In all the self-denial
required of us in this work; amid all the unpleasant things that
occur, we are to consider that we are yoked up with Christ, partakers
of His spirit of kindness, forbearance, and self-abnegation.
This spirit will open the way before us and give us success because
Christ is our recommendation to the people.