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"Thanks be unto God," he exclaimed, causeth us to triumph in Christ, and n the savor of His knowledge by us in ev we are unto God a sweet savor of ( that are saved, and in them that pe the custom of the day for a genera warfare to bring with him on his ret captives. On such occasions incens appointed, and as the army marche home, the fragrant odor was to th pointed to die, a savor of death, sho were nearing the time of their executi of the prisoners who had found fa captors, and whose lives were to be a savor of life, in that it showed t freedom was near.

Paul was now full of faith and that Satan was not to triumph over th in Corinth, and in words of praise he the gratitude of his heart. He ar laborers would celebrate their victory mies of Christ and the truth, by goi new zeal to extend the knowledge of Like incense the fragrance of the gos] diffused throughout the world. To thos accept Christ, the message would be a unto life; but to those who should pe belief, a savor of death unto death.

Realizing the overwhelming magnit work, Paul exclaimed, "Who is sufficier things?" Who is able to preach Christ in that His enemies shall have no just cause the messenger or the message that he be

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work of the Master. He work, realizing that he to the world a relation t sustained. He works o a nobler, higher life, eward of the overcomer. live coal from the altar, inner's only hope. Those has drawn near to God The Holy Spirit has is felt the vital, heavenly are spiritual things with him to tear down the

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ave this ministry, as we faint not; but have re of dishonesty, not walklling the word of God ation of the truth comman's conscience in the >spel be hid, it is hid to

the god of this world hem which believe not, gospel of Christ, who is ne unto them. For we ist Jesus the Lord; and Jesus' sake. For God, shine out of darkness, give the light of the 1 in the face of Jesus

with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."

The conversion of sinners and their sanctification through the truth is the strongest proof a minister can have that God has called him to the ministry. The evidence of his apostleship is written upon the hearts of those converted, and is witnessed to by their renewed lives. Christ is formed within, the hope of glory. A minister is greatly strengthened by these seals of his ministry.

To-day the ministers of Christ should have the same witness as that which the Corinthian church bore to Paul's labors. But though in this age there are many preachers, there is a great scarcity of able, holy ministers, men filled with the love that dwelt in the heart of Christ. Pride, self-confidence, love of the world, fault-finding, bitterness, envy, are the fruit borne by many who profess the religion of Christ. Their lives, in sharp contrast. to the life of the Saviour, often bear sad testimony to the character of the ministerial labor under which they were converted.

A man can have no greater honor than to be accepted by God as an able minister of the gospel. But those whom the Lord blesses with power and success in His work do not boast. They acknowledge their entire dependence on Him, realizing that of themselves they have no power. With Paul they say, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament."¡

A true minister does the work of the Master. He feels the importance of his work, realizing that he sustains to the church and to the world a relation similar to that which Christ sustained. He works untiringly to lead sinners to a nobler, higher life, that they may obtain the reward of the overcomer. His lips are touched with a live coal from the altar, and he uplifts Jesus as the sinner's only hope. Those who hear him know that he has drawn near to God

in fervent, effectual prayer. The Holy Spirit has rested upon him, his soul has felt the vital, heavenly fire, and he is able to compare spiritual things with spiritual. Power is given him to tear down the strongholds of Satan. Hearts are broken by his presentation of the love of God, and many are led to inquire, "What must I do to be saved?".

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"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Thus the apostle magnified the grace and mercy of God, shown in the sacred trust committed to him as a minister of Christ. By God's abundant mercy he and his brethren had been sustained in difficulty, affliction, and danger. They had not modeled their faith and teaching to suit the desires of their hearers, nor kept back truths essential to salvation in order to make their teaching more attractive. They had presented the truth with simplicity and clearness, praying for the conviction and conversion of souls. And they had endeavored to bring their conduct into harmony with their teaching, that the truth presented might commend itself to every man's conscience.

"We have this treasure," the apostle continued, "in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." God could have proclaimed His truth through sinless angels, but this is not His plan. He chooses human beings, men compassed with infirmity, as instruments in the working out of His designs. The priceless treasure is placed in earthen vessels. Through men His blessings are to be conveyed to the world. Through them His glory is to shine forth into the darkness of sin. In loving ministry they are to meet the sinful and the needy, and lead them to the cross. And in all their work, they are to ascribe glory, honor, and praise to Him who is above all and over all.

Referring to his own experience, Paul showed that in choosing the service of Christ he had not been prompted by selfish motives; for his pathway had been beset by trial and temptation. “We are troubled on every side," he wrote, "yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

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