The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 368

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362 TEE ACTS OF TEE APOSTLES they are to rescue men and women from impending destruction. The minister who is a co-worker with Christ will have a deep sense of the sacredness of his work, and of the toil and sacrifice required to perform it successfully. He does not study his own ease or convenience. He is forgetful of self. In his search for the lost sheep he does not realize that he himself is weary, cold, and hungry. He has but one object in view — the saving of the lost. He who serves under the blood-stained banner of Emmanuel will have that to do which will call for heroic effort and patient endurance. But the .soldier of the cross stands unshrinkingly in the forefront of the battle. As the enemy presses the attack against him, he turns to the stronghold for aid, and as he brings to the Lord the promises of the "Word, he is strengthened for the duties of the hour. He realizes his need of strength from above. The victories that he gains do not lead to self-exaltation, but cause him to lean more and more heavily on the Mighty One. Belying upon that Power, he is enabled to present the message of salvation so forcibly that it vibrates in other minds. He who teaches the word must himself live in conscious, hourly communion with God through prayer and a study of His word; for here is the source of strength. Communion with God will impart to the minister's efforts a power greater than the influence of his preaching. Of this power he must not allow himself to be deprived. "With an earnestness that cannot be denied, he must plead with God to strengthen and fortify him for duty