I. What does God require of the minister intellectually?
"God requires the training of the mental faculties. . . . The Lord bids us love Him with all the . . . mind. This lays upon us the obligation of developing the intellect to its fullest capacity, that with all the mind we may know and love our Creator.
"If placed under the control of His Spirit, the more thoroughly the intellect is cultivated, the more effectively it can be used in the service of God. . . .
"The Lord desires us to obtain all the education possible, with the object in view of imparting our knowledge to others. . . . We should not let slip even one opportunity of qualifying ourselves intellectually to work for God." Christ's Object Les sons, pp. 333, 334.
"Our intellect must be cultivated." Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 374, 375.
" 'There must be far more personal responsibility, far more thinking and planning, far more mental power brought into the labor put forth for the Master. This would enlarge the capacity of the mind, and give keener perceptions as to what to do and how.' " Ibid., p. 498.
"As the miner digs for the golden treasure in the earth, so earnestly, persistently, must we seek for the treasure of God's word." Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 461.
"They [ministers] must be learners." Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 440.
"Ministers of age and experience should feel it their duty ... to go forward, progressing every day, . . . and constantly gathering fresh matter to set before the people. . . . Each year they should develop ... a more thorough knowledge of Bible truth. . . .
"Men of God must be diligent in study, earnest in the acquirement of knowledge, never wasting an hour. ...
"Ministers should devote time to reading, to study. . . . They should store the mind with use ful knowledge, committing to memory portions of Scripture. ...
"Everyone should feel that there rests upon him an obligation to reach the height of intellectual greatness. . . .
"Mental culture is what we as a people need, and what we must have in order to meet the demands of the time. . . .
"Dig more earnestly till the gem of truth lies before you, plain and beautiful. . . . Do not . . . continually dwell upon this one point, concentrating upon it all the energies of the mind, . . . but take another subject, and carefully examine that." —Gospel Workers, pp. 277-280.
"Let all cultivate their physical and mental powers to the utmost of their ability, that they may work for God where His providence shall call them." Ministry of Healing, p. 149.
"Able ministers of Christ are required for the work in these last days of peril, able in word and doctrine, acquainted with the Scriptures, and understanding the reasons of our faith." Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 648.
"But it is required of us that we exercise more mental and spiritual power." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 184.
II. What are the results of a failure to study?
"Minds have been crippled and dwarfed for want of zeal and earnest, severe taxation." Gospel Workers, p. 281.
"There must be ... diligent searching of the Scriptures. God holds us responsible for all that we might be, if we would improve our talents. . . . For all knowledge that we might have gained but did not, there will be an eternal loss, even if we do not lose our souls." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 147.
"If the minister leans upon the knowledge he ac quires, and does not feel the great necessity of di vine enlightenment daily, the education gained is only a stumbling block to sinners." Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 529.
"The human mind is represented by the rich soil of a garden. Unless it shall receive proper cultivation, it will be overgrown with the weeds and briers of ignorance. The mind and heart need culture daily, and neglect will be productive of evil. . . . The mind must not remain dormant. If it is not exercised in the acquisition of knowledge, there will be a sinking into ignorance, superstition, and fancy." Ibid., vol. 4, pp. 442, 443.
III. In spite of his busy program, to what heights of intellectual attainment may the minister rise?
"Nearly every minister in the field, had he exerted his God-given energies, might not only be proficient in reading, writing, and grammar, but even in languages. . . . But there has been but little ambition to put their powers to the test to reach an elevated standard in knowledge and in religious intelligence." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 194.
"Having learned the simple rules, they [the ministers] should bend their minds to the acquisition of knowledge in connection with their labor, so that they may be 'workmen that need not be ashamed.' They can master one branch of science after another, while they are engaged in the work of preaching the truth, if they will wisely employ their time." Ibid., pp. 193, 194.
IV. Need a minister's study of other subjects hinder his spiritual growth?
"Their efforts to acquire knowledge will not in the least hinder their spiritual growth if they will study with right motives and proper aims." Ibid., p. 194.
V. Does God need men of strong intellect in His work?
"The cause of God needs men of intellect, men of thought, men well versed in the Scriptures. . . .
"The knowledge of God is the essential education, and this knowledge every true worker will make it his constant study to obtain." Gospel Workers, pp. 281-283.
"There needs to be an elevating, uplifting power, a constant growth in the knowledge of God and the truth, on the part of one who is seeking the salvation of souls." Testimonies to Ministers, p. 144.
