How Shall They Preach?

But on the other hand, how deplorable it is when a man professes to be sent of God to preach the gospel of good tidings whose feet are besmeared with the corruptions and pollutions of the world, so that people can see that he is only feigning and using the ministry as a cloak to hide his malicious life, and he is all the time trying to stir up strife among the children of God, and would gladly destroy one for whom Christ died, to add to his own popularity, and seeking to raise himself up by pulling down some poor meek and lowly one whom Jesus has sent out to preach the glad tidings and good news to God's people and to save them from the false and delusive doctrines of the world. Such men are contemptible, and have done more to hinder the cause of our people than the enemies on the outside of the fold. And I often fear that our dear people are not clear of such men. Their feet are not beautiful to me, neither is their preaching good tidings to me, and I feel that the time is near when we will have to have a house cleaning, and cast our strength to those humble one's who are struggling in reality under the burden of the ministry, and suffering from the jealousies and persecutions of these trouble makers, who are only striving for the mastery. Therefore, my brother, and all my brethren who may read this, I feel that the time has come when we should beard the lion in his den, and fight valiantly as good soldiers of Jesus, that we may save our people from the hands of designing men, who have shown by their manner of life that they have no love for the cause of God, but are striving to exalt themselves to the highest positions possible, that they may be looked up to as the leaders of parties, and that their names may go down in history.

Brethren, buckle on your swords and strap on your guns, --the battle is on. Let us not yield the field to those jealous, egotistical, filthy-footed, would-be leaders, who would destroy the peace and love that has so long been ours to enjoy. Good bless His downtrodden children, and give them hearts to pray and labor for peace throughout our beloved Zion, is the prayer of your poor old servant.

T.S.D.

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