Positive Versus Negative

Ministers must both encourage the obedient and warn the disobedient—Would that every minister might realize the sacredness of his office and the holiness of his work, and show the courage that Elijah showed. As divinely appointed messengers, ministers are in a position of awful responsibility. They are to reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering. In Christ's stead they are to labor as stewards of the mysteries of Heaven, encouraging the obedient, and warning the disobedient.—The Review and Herald, September 11, 1913.PaM 195.1