But John oftentimes recounted this experience in connection with his subsequent labors in behalf of the kingdom. Nevertheless, many times did the apostles take offense at those who made bold to teach in the Master's name. To them it always seemed inappropriate that those who had never sat at Jesus' feet should dare to teach in his name.
This man whom John forbade to teach and work in Jesus' name did not heed the apostle's injunction. He went right on with his efforts and raised up a considerable company of believers at Kanata before going on into Mesopotamia. This man, Aden, had been led to believe in Jesus through the testimony of the demented man whom Jesus healed near Kheresa, and who so confidently believed that the supposed evil spirits which the Master cast out of him entered the herd of swine and rushed them headlong over the cliff to their destruction.
At Edrei, where Thomas and his associates labored, Jesus spent a day and a night and, in the course of the evening's discussion, gave expression to the principles which should guide those who preach truth, and which should activate all who teach the gospel of the kingdom. Summarized and restated in modern phraseology, Jesus taught:
Always respect the personality of man. Never should a righteous cause be
promoted by force; spiritual victories can be won only by spiritual power. This
injunction against the employment of material influences refers to psychic force
as well as to physical force. Overpowering arguments and mental superiority are
not to be employed to coerce men and women into the kingdom. Man's mind is
not to be crushed by the mere weight of logic or overawed by shrewd eloquence.
While emotion as a factor in human decisions cannot be wholly eliminated, it
should not be directly appealed to in the teachings of those who would advance
the cause of the kingdom. Make your appeals directly to the divine spirit that
dwells within the minds of men. Do not appeal to fear, pity, or mere sentiment.
In appealing to men, be fair; exercise self-control and exhibit due restraint;
show proper respect for the personalities of your pupils. Remember that I have
said: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, and if any man will open, I will
come in."
In bringing men into the kingdom, do not lessen or destroy their self-respect. While overmuch self-respect may destroy proper humility and end in pride, conceit, and arrogance, the loss of self-respect often ends in paralysis of the will. It is the purpose of this gospel to restore self-respect to those who have lost it and to restrain it in those who have it. Make not the mistake of only condemning the wrongs in the lives of your pupils; remember also to accord generous recognition for the most praiseworthy things in their lives. Forget not that I will stop at nothing to restore self-respect to those who have lost it, and who really desire to regain it.
Take care that you do not wound the self-respect of timid and fearful souls. Do not indulge in sarcasm at the expense of my simple-minded brethren. Be not cynical with my fear-ridden children. Idleness is destructive of self-respect; therefore, admonish your brethren ever to keep busy at their chosen tasks, and put forth every effort to secure work for those who find themselves without employment.
