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Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

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Chapter 20—The “Messenger” Party[See Appendix.]When at Oswego, New York, June, 1855, I was shown that God’speople have been weighed down with clogs; that <strong>the</strong>re have beenAchans in <strong>the</strong> camp. The work of God has progressed but little, andmany of His servants have been discouraged because <strong>the</strong> truth hastaken no more effect in New York, and <strong>the</strong>re have been no more addedto <strong>the</strong> church. The Messenger party has arisen, and we shall suffersome from <strong>the</strong>ir lying tongues and misrepresentations, yet we shouldbear it all patiently; <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>y will not injure <strong>the</strong> cause of God, now <strong>the</strong>yhave left us, as much as <strong>the</strong>y would have injured it by <strong>the</strong>ir influencehad <strong>the</strong>y remained with us.God’s frown has been brought upon <strong>the</strong> church on account ofindividuals with corrupt hearts being in it. They have wanted to be<strong>for</strong>emost, when nei<strong>the</strong>r God nor <strong>the</strong>ir brethren placed <strong>the</strong>m <strong>the</strong>re.Selfishness and exaltation have marked <strong>the</strong>ir course. A place is nowopen <strong>for</strong> all such where <strong>the</strong>y can go and find pasture with those of<strong>the</strong>ir kind. And we should praise God that in mercy He has rid <strong>the</strong>church of <strong>the</strong>m. God has given many of <strong>the</strong>se persons up to <strong>the</strong>irown ways to be filled with <strong>the</strong>ir own doings. An excitement andsympathy now leads <strong>the</strong>m, which will deceive some; but every honestone will be enlightened as to <strong>the</strong> true state of this company, and willremain with God’s peculiar people, hold fast <strong>the</strong> truth, and follow in<strong>the</strong> humble path, unaffected by <strong>the</strong> influence of those who have beengiven up of God to <strong>the</strong>ir own ways, to be filled with <strong>the</strong>ir own doings.I saw that God had given <strong>the</strong>se persons opportunity to re<strong>for</strong>m, He hadenlightened <strong>the</strong>m as to <strong>the</strong>ir love <strong>for</strong> self and <strong>the</strong>ir o<strong>the</strong>r sins; but <strong>the</strong>ywould not heed it. They would not be re<strong>for</strong>med, and He mercifullyrelieved <strong>the</strong> church of <strong>the</strong>m. The truth will take effect if <strong>the</strong> servantsof God and <strong>the</strong> church will devote <strong>the</strong>mselves to Him and His cause. [123]I saw that <strong>the</strong> people of God must arouse and put on <strong>the</strong> armor.Christ is coming, and <strong>the</strong> great work of <strong>the</strong> last message of mercy is117

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