Manuscript Releases, vol. 19 [Nos. 1360-1419]

The Men in Positions of Trust in Our Institutions

Battle Creek, Michigan,

January 30, 1891.

My days now are filled with weariness and painful weakness. 19MR 254.2

Dr. Kellogg visited me today, and we considered some important questions in connection with my case and regard to the general interests of the cause. Many things need to be corrected in our institutions. Oh, that there might be manifested a greater spirit of consecration and devotion to the work! The Lord Jesus Christ should be abiding in the hearts of all the men to whom has been entrusted the management of these important instrumentalities. 19MR 254.3

But some of these who are appointed to stand in positions of trust soon begin to feel that they have no time to devote to religious services. They absent themselves from meetings, and, as it were, lay off their spiritual garments. They do not assemble as active workers in the cause of God, and by association with one another in meetings for prayer and praise, come near to the worshipers above, around the throne of God. They do not keep their lamps trimmed and burning, and consequently they reflect but feebly the light and glory of God. 19MR 254.4

To a large number, the Sabbath is merely a cessation of physical labor, not a sweet foretaste of the Sabbath above. Religion has degenerated into a form. The Lord is dishonored. The spiritual temperature runs very low. Many have a name to live, and are dead. The message to the Laodicean church is applicable to all the church members today who are in a lukewarm condition spiritually. 19MR 255.1

In order to save our souls, shall we place the Lord under the necessity of taking away the snares that endanger us? Is this the way for us to be triumphant overcomers? There is a more excellent way for us, as Christ's soldiers, to overcome. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” 19MR 255.2

What influence for good can unconsecrated managers have on those over whom they are placed? The heads of departments in our publishing house should be men who love and fear God, men who increase in knowledge as they learn of Christ, the Source of all knowledge. Unless those in responsible positions daily and hourly consecrate themselves to God, they are not safe men; for otherwise they may accept Satan's suggestions as from God, and thus unfit themselves to distinguish with spiritually-anointed eyes the pure from the corrupt, the sacred from the common. Better, far better, to be stripped of all our possessions, and to be poor, than to fall short of attaining eternal life. 19MR 255.3

Those who are self-seeking will not be blessed. But when men accept positions in the office, a place that God has appointed to be a great center of light and wisdom and purity, there is much need that they should often engage in earnest prayer; for there is much work to be done. They should not neglect spiritual and eternal things; for thus they would be separating themselves from the Source of all light and strength. If they undertake to do their work intelligently, realizing that it is God's work, the language of their hearts will be, “Lord, to whom shall we go but unto Thee? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” 19MR 255.4

Men may advise—and their advice may be good—but Jesus alone can be unto us wisdom, sanctification, and righteousness. The more that business perplexities press upon the soul, the greater is the need of every worker's availing himself of the privileges and opportunities God offers for obtaining spiritual strength. 19MR 256.1

The managers in our institutions should be earnest men of prayer, men who possess self-control, and who cling to Jesus, enjoying His perpetual presence. This is their privilege. Their joy may be constantly full. By precept and by example they should be training themselves and educating others for the society of the pure and holy intelligences. Such men are God's noblemen. Such men, like Daniel, practice strict temperance in all things. They are not only men of business, but men of prayer, having power to prevail with God. Such men are missionaries in the highest sense of the term. They gather about them those who bring holy angels into the midst of the workers, and not influences that taint the very atmosphere they breathe. 19MR 256.2

The men placed in positions of trust in the office cannot bear the manifold responsibilities and perform the necessary duties from day to day, unless they seek God as constantly and as earnestly as did Daniel, who, next to the king, stood in the highest position in the court of Babylon. To those who ask in faith, the Lord will grant wisdom to do His work acceptably. 19MR 256.3

Those who are connected with the Lord's cause should bear their responsibilities in the fear and love of God, looking constantly to Jesus, and all the time doing their work with an eye single to His glory, enquiring at every step, “Is this the way of the Lord?” Then their devotion will steadily increase, and they will constantly grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Shall anyone pursue a course that would provoke the Lord to cut away from him the objects that interpose between God and His service? 19MR 256.4

By beholding Christ we become changed. If the mind dwells upon temporal things constantly, these things become all-absorbing, affecting the character, so that God's glory is lost sight of and forgotten. The opportunities that are within reach for them to become conversant with heavenly things, are overlooked. Spiritual life dies. The Lord says of these workers, “They are joined to their idols. Let them alone.” 19MR 257.1

Those who are placed in positions of responsibility should empty their hearts of all selfishness, and seek to learn in humility and childlike simplicity what the will of the Lord is concerning them. If they fail of placing their trust wholly in God, little by little they find themselves developing an irreligious mold of character, and cherishing wrong tendencies that are rapidly gaining in strength. Their spiritual condition seriously affects their work. 19MR 257.2

It is necessary for men constantly to seek God with all their hearts, in order that they may perform their duties aright. But devotion to right principles has come to be regarded by many as being somewhat “old-fashioned” and unnecessary. It seems that a new order of things has been coming in, and that the time has passed when men in responsibility should realize that without Christ they can do nothing. By many, Christ is not thought to be a necessity. 19MR 257.3

“By their fruits ye shall know them.” The fruit of the past few years is testifying to the character of the work of unconsecrated men in God's service. Everything in our publishing house that savors of worldly policy, worldly customs, worldly plans, will prove a snare. The high and holy character that should always be maintained in our institutions is never to be lowered to meet the minds of human beings. 19MR 257.4

God desires those who are connected with any branch of His work, to be associated closely with Himself. None need feel that they are too busy to pray, too full of business cares to spend an occasional fifteen minutes to seek counsel from God. My brethren, make God your entire dependence. When you do otherwise, then it is time for a halt to be called. Stop right where you are, and change the order of things. Pray first, before taking up the work of the day. Do not go through a dry form of words. Be polite, inviting the heavenly Guest to come in and take possession, and to control every worker. In sincerity, in soul-hunger, cry after God. Wrestle with the heavenly agencies until you have the victory. Put your whole being into the Lord's hands, soul, body, and spirit, and resolve to be His living, consecrated agency, moved by His will, controlled by His mind, infused by His Spirit. Then the eyes of your understanding will be anointed with heavenly eyesalve. Then you will see heavenly things clearly. Like Moses, you will catch glimpses of the Holy One of Israel. 19MR 258.1

The impress of God's character is to be upon the workers throughout every department. If they seek for heavenly wisdom, God's promise is sure. He will grant wisdom in answer to sincere prayer. My brethren, strive most earnestly to examine every motive that leads to action. Put no confidence in your own finite judgment. Constantly look unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of your faith. In Him is completeness; with His cooperation you can do God's work acceptably. Apart from Him, you can do nothing after Heaven's order. Here human wisdom always reveals its deficiency. While those who refuse to cooperate with Christ may flatter themselves that everything is in order, they will soon learn that without Christ's aid there is always incompleteness and imperfection. In the office you need the hand of Christ set more decidedly to the work in every department. You need to be under the supervision of Him whose power is invincible. 19MR 258.2

Christ seldom attempted to prove that truth is truth. He illustrated truth in all its bearings, and then left His hearers free to accept or reject it, as they might choose. He did not force anyone to believe. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructed the people in practical godliness, distinctly outlining their duty. He spoke in such a manner as to commend truth to the conscience. The power manifested by the disciples was revealed in the clearness and earnestness with which they expressed the truth. 19MR 259.1

In Christ's teaching there is no long, farfetched, complicated reasoning. He comes right to the point. In His ministry He read every heart as an open book, and from the inexhaustible store of His treasure-house He drew things both new and old to illustrate and enforce His teachings. He touched the heart and awakened the sympathies. 19MR 259.2

What could He have presented more pathetic than the parable of the prodigal son returning to his father's home? What scene could He have portrayed that is more touching than the story of the father who, seeing his son afar off, ran to meet him, and rejoiced that he who had been thought dead was indeed alive? And who could have taught truth with more tact than did Jesus at the house of Simon? Simon admitted that Christ must love most him whom He forgave most. Oh, wonderful, wonderful Teacher! 19MR 259.3

God calls upon those who are handling sacred things to remember Nadab and Abihu, who disregarded His command to use only the sacred fire in His service. Through indulgence of appetite, their minds were confused, and they handled the common fire instead of the sacred. I testify in the name of the Lord God of Israel, that His sacred work is not to be defiled by workers who mingle common fire with their service in business lines. My brethren, if you heed this entreaty, if you bring permanently into your work the pure, holy principles of heaven, then the great power of God will be your wisdom. 19MR 259.4