We are told in Revelation 19:10 that "the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy." This is true of the "testimony of Jesus" in all ages, whether given to the prophets of old, as recorded in the New Testament; or to His messenger for these last days, as recorded in the "Testimonies for the Church." If leaders do not speak according to this "testimony," as found in the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy, when they give counsel to the church, if they do not carry on the work of God according to the divine instruction given therein, it is evident that there is "no light in them." How careful, then, should every leader be that he does not substitute his own human words, plans, and methods for the divine instruction which has been given, and is so conveniently available for constant reference and use.
The increasing responsibilities of our denomination lay many new and added burdens upon our church and conference leadership in all lines of our work. In the earliest days of our message, there were no departments, no foreign missions, no institutions, and no extended system of overseas organizations to be maintained as there are at present. The few lines of work that were carried on then were controlled and directed by a small group of men who had very little in the way of "Testimonies" for reference. Instead, they met their problems as best they could by earnest prayer and by searching the Bible. When possible, they prayed with God's servant to whom He often graciously revealed just the knowledge needed for the step to be taken.
As our work developed and expanded, God gave detailed instruction from time to time to His servant concerning all things needful. Even professional methods and the most profound features that His people are to employ and make prominent in these last days, were revealed and explained. Nothing vital was omitted.
No leader in any line of our work need be uninformed, nor need he blunder and fail in his work. No one need lean on his own human understanding, for he may have divine counsel on every point if he so desires. Our early workers possessed a high privilege in having direct access to divine counsel on specific matters. That earlier counsel, with much added for these last days, has been preserved and is now available to our workers in the published writings of the "testimony of Jesus"—the Spirit of prophecy. We need this instruction today in our daily lives and in conducting the work, as verily as our pioneers needed it in establishing the work.
To keep our small working force of laborers and our full constituency actively supporting every interest and each line of the world work as should be done, requires wisdom that does not come alone from past experience, or spring from human sources only. It requires on the part of each leader that he be divinely and specifically led in his own particular line, and that he be informed on every other line and give his support to all. The messages in the books of the Spirit of prophecy have been given to this people for this very purpose. How do we as leaders in every line relate ourselves to the help that has been provided ? Do we daily and earnestly consult these books when need arises, or do we casually read them in our leisure time only?
Selected Library for Constant Reference
These books are much more important to us as workers in the cause of God than the reference books of the doctor and the lawyer are to them, just as our sacred work of dealing with the souls of men is more important than their work of dealing with the bodies of men and their property and civil rights. None of us would knowingly consult a doctor or a lawyer concerning matters of serious importance if we knew he did not possess or have access to authoritative books of his profession. We want no offhand judgment, but matured counsel, well-sustained by the latest and best authorities available.
Since our work deals solely with eternal interests, it surely demands of all leaders that we always speak according to the highest authority, the "testimony of Jesus." To do this, these works must be as readily available to the responsible worker at the very time they are needed, as the books of a doctor or a lawyer are available to him. A complete set of all the published writings of the Spirit of prophecy on the office desk of each conference and institutional leader in our cause is needed to make this possible. A set of books at home is not enough.. They are needed during office hours, when vital things are being considered and important decisions are being made.
Just as possession of a well-selected library of the best professional books inspires confidence in a professional man, so also does a complete set of the books containing the 'testimony of Jesus" for these times, placed on the desk of a leader and faithfully used by him, inspire confidence in the leadership of that man. Thus will it be understood by the people that he is, or is seeking to be, divinely led in the counsel he gives. No better investment could be made by our institutional boards or conference committees, than to supply each conference, mission, and institutional leader with the principal Ellen G. White books and the index to her writings.
Not only is it important that each leader who now holds responsible positions of influence have these books readily available and faithfully study them, but every worker in our rapidly increasing world work should also be turning to the Spirit of prophecy writings for unerring counsel and instruction. Each worker who does not now bear responsibilities of leadership should secure a full set of the books and prepare himself by prayerful study for his present field of labor, and for the work of leadership to which he may be called. Young men just entering the work should also prepare themselves in this way, for they may soon be in positions of trust or may become members of important committees and boards.
The real qualifications of successful leadership in this cause are spiritual, and the Spirit of prophecy books give first attention to the spiritual in all lines. Let everyone who can possibly do so secure these writings and make careful study, that he may find the divine instruction and the spiritual help needed for these last days.
