Australasian Union Conference Record
April 15, 1905
Acceptable Service
There are many urgent calls for means to open new fields. These calls must be answered; and those in the fields that have already been entered must make diligent efforts to carry forward the work entrusted to them. AUCR April 15, 1905, par. 1
Wholehearted service is required in dealing with minds. Let us remember this. Often we are tempted to criticise a man standing in a high position of responsibility because he does not do as we think he ought to do. But the one who has so many responsibilities to carry needs not the criticism of his fellow workers; he needs their encouragement, their forbearance, their patience, and their prayers. He needs the abiding presence of Christ; for it is not always that he has wise, unprejudiced men to counsel with. In the confusion of many cares and many calls for help, he may make mistakes. Amongst the scores of appeals that come for help, your case may seem to be neglected. At such times remember the heavy burdens that are laid upon the one whom you think has failed to do his duty. Remember that it may be impossible for him to grant your request. Perhaps it would be a great mistake to grant it. AUCR April 15, 1905, par. 2
We are all brethren and sisters. If Christ is by your side, filling you with His Spirit, you will appreciate the situation of the men who are loaded down with so many burdens, and will pray for them. AUCR April 15, 1905, par. 3
If our church members will walk humbly with God, with contrite hearts, they will control their own feelings, and will not permit Satan to lead them to cherish thoughts and to speak words that will wound and bruise their own souls and the souls of others. They will not hurt the influence of those whom they ought to respect. AUCR April 15, 1905, par. 4
But too often place is given to evil surmising and evil thinking. Under the influence of the suspicions that Satan has planted in the heart, very unjust things are said and done. Good and worthy actions seem to be tainted with evil. Men forget that sometimes their best intentions have been misunderstood, and that sometimes they have been as guilty as those they criticise, without discerning their danger. AUCR April 15, 1905, par. 5
Let us be kind and pitiful and courteous. Let us not give undue prominence to our feelings. It is because our feelings are allowed to occupy the first place that there are so many unhappy differences among believers. Thus Christ is greatly dishonored. Let us, then, treat one another with true courtesy and respect. Should you think that your brother has made a mistake, and needs to be corrected, follow the directions given by Christ. Tell him his fault between him and thee alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother, and have hidden a multitude of sins. AUCR April 15, 1905, par. 6
Oh, we need so much the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not in heaven; we are in the midst of the turmoil and din and strife of this earth. Let us then put on Christ, and love as brethren. You may be full of energy and running over with zeal, but remember that this is of no avail unless your zeal and energy are tempered with the meekness and lowliness of Christ. Unless you learn in His school, you will make many mistakes. He invites us, as churches and individuals, to take His yoke upon us and learn of Him. The promise is, “Ye shall find rest unto your souls.” AUCR April 15, 1905, par. 7
God has a variety of workers, and He treats all impartially. He desires us to change the past order of things. He desires us to cease our evil thinking and evil speaking, and to put away our hasty words. We are to part forever with our cruel thoughts and feelings, and love as brethren. We are no longer to act like unmanageable, undisciplined children. “As He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” Give up now and forever all wrong habits. Take yourself to task. Discipline yourself. Lift the cross and deny self. Control yourself. Then there will be an opportunity for Christ to let His mind be in you. Your words will be sweet and pure. You will give no place to the enemy by giving way to evil thinking and evil speaking,—his most successful means of keeping the church in a weak, unconverted state. AUCR April 15, 1905, par. 8
Practical Christianity we must have, or we cannot enter heaven. Hearing and preaching the gospel is not enough. We must wear the yoke of Christ. We must learn of Him to be meek and lowly. We must be doers of the Word. “If ye know these things,” Christ declares, “happy are ye if ye do them.” “Be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” AUCR April 15, 1905, par. 9
Mrs. E. G. White