Christ desires by the fullness of His power
so to strengthen His people that through them the whole world
shall be encircled with an atmosphere of grace. When His people
shall make a wholehearted surrender of themselves to God, this
purpose will be accomplished. The word of the Lord to those connected
with His institutions is: "Be ye clean, that bear the vessels
of the Lord." Isaiah 52:11. In all our institutions let
self-seeking give place to unselfish love and labor for souls
nigh and afar off. Then the holy oil will be emptied from the
two olive branches into the golden pipes, which will empty them
selves into the vessels prepared to receive it. Then the lives
of Christ's workers will indeed be an exposition of the truths
of His word.
The love and fear of God, the sense of
His goodness, His holiness, will
circulate through every institution. An atmosphere of love and
peace will pervade every department. Every word spoken, every
work performed, will have an influence that corresponds to the
influence of heaven. Christ will abide in humanity, and humanity
will abide in Christ. In all the work will appear, not the character
of finite man, but the character of the infinite God. The divine
influence imparted by holy angels will impress the minds brought
in contact with the workers; from these workers a fragrant influence
will go forth.
When called to enter new fields, workers
thus trained will go forth as representatives of the Saviour,
fitted for usefulness in His service, capable of imparting to
others, by precept and example, a knowledge of the truth for
this time. The goodly fabric of character wrought out through
divine power will receive light and glory from heaven, and will
stand before the world as a witness pointing to the throne of
the living God.
Then the work will move forward with solidity
and redoubled strength. To the workers in every line will be
imparted a new efficiency. The publications sent forth as God's
messengers will bear the signet of the Eternal. Rays of light
from the sanctuary above will attend the precious truths they
bear. As never before, they will have power to awaken in souls
a conviction of sin, to create a hungering and thirsting after
righteousness, to beget a lively solicitude for the things that
will never pass away. Men will learn of the reconciliation for
iniquity and of the everlasting righteousness which the Messiah
has brought in through His sacrifice. Many will be brought to
share the glorious liberty of the sons of God, and will stand
with God's people to welcome the soon coming, in power and glory,
of our Lord and Saviour.