06/11/2021
Willing to preach but unwilling to labor
There are *enough men who are willing to preach, but they are unwilling to be laborers:* they shun the working part. They are not willing to visit by the fireside, to take the Bible and try to teach its sacred doctrines in the family, to carry the burden of souls upon them, to weep between the porch and the altar, crying, "Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach." Joel 2:17. They are not willing to feel an interest for those who listen to their discourses, to become acquainted with the individual member of families, to put forth personal efforts for them, to pray for them and with them, to show the youth that they have a deep love for their souls, to lead them kindly, tenderly, lovingly, to the fold of Christ.
This kind of work *will drive the minister to his knees in prayer, and to his Bible, and will compel him to make God his trust, to walk by faith, sowing the seed of truth beside all waters, praying that God may water it.*
This is labor; this is the kind of work that devolves upon every minister of Christ. And the reason why some of our *ministers are almost faithless, why they are desponding and walking under a cloud, is because they do not work as faithful shepherds should, watching for souls as they that must give an account.* True watchmen are faithful shepherds. The qualification of a minister is not his brilliant talents, for this knowledge might prove his ruin. It is the entire surrender of the heart to God, to be molded and impressed as God chooses.
When Christ called His ministers He did not go to the "school of the prophets," but to fishermen. He took those men that He could bring into connection with Himself, so that He could place His mold upon them. And this is the kind of workers the Lord wants—men who are willing to sit at His feet, men who can work anywhere and do anything for the Lord, and who will not be constantly striving for the supremacy.
If you feel that the responsibility in the harvest field is too great, there are other branches of labor before you. You can do a smaller work. And if you do that smaller work with fidelity, you are fitting for greater responsibilities, and God will entrust to you larger work. Here are men who can take hold of the larger part of the work in bearing the burdens, in teaching the truth, while others are fitted for canvassing. I have thought how great a work might be done through canvassing in reaching hearts and dropping the seed of truth. Almost anyone with an intelligent mind can make his labors acceptable, and if self is hid in Jesus Christ, he can spread the knowledge of the truth of God among his neighbors and into those large cities that have never yet been entered, for Christ will work with his efforts. It is because the lay members do not do the work they ought to do that they feel so weak.
When I listened to the testimony of Brother L. R. Conradi, I could see how he was so successful. He was thoroughly in earnest in the work. He takes hold of it as though he meant to do something. It is not ability alone that gives success, although sanctified talent and ability are as polished instruments in the hands of God; it is to be thoroughly in earnest in the work. If the worker has access to the hearts of the people, the people will say, "Well, that man is in earnest; he is good at heart."
When *one was speaking in a simple, earnest manner in Market Street,* there was a man present who was on his way to South America. He attended the meeting and said, "That speaker is thoroughly in earnest, and the things uttered seem to be a reality. There must be something in what is presented." He stated to our brethren that he was about to sail for South America, and he said, "I will carry all the papers and pamphlets that you give me." Brother J. N. Loughborough furnished him with the publications. He took all we gave him. 4LtMs, Ms 5, 1883, par. 8 - 4LtMs, Ms 5, 1883, par. 14
