Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

140 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[145][146]the church and the servants of the Lord are called from God, truth, andheaven to dwell upon darkness. Satan delights to have such things goon; it feasts him. But these are none of the trials which are to purify thechurch and that will in the end increase the strength of God’s people.I saw that some are withering spiritually. They have lived sometime watching to keep their brethren straight—watching for every faultto make trouble with them. And while doing this, their minds arenot on God, nor on heaven, nor on the truth; but just where Satanwants them—on someone else. Their souls are neglected; they seldomsee or feel their own faults, for they have had enough to do to watchthe faults of others without so much as looking to their own souls orsearching their own hearts. A person’s dress, bonnet, or apron takestheir attention. They must talk to this one or that one, and it is sufficientto dwell upon for weeks. I saw that all the religion a few poor soulshave consists in watching the garments and acts of others, and findingfault with them. Unless they reform, there will be no place in heavenfor them, for they would find fault with the Lord Himself.Said the angel: “It is an individual work to be right with God.” Thework is between God and our own souls. But when persons have somuch care of others’ faults, they take no care of themselves. Thesenotional, faultfinding ones would often cure themselves of the habit ifthey would go directly to the individual they think is wrong. It wouldbe so crossing that they would give up their notions rather than go. Butit is easy to let the tongue run freely about this one or that one whenthe accused is not present.Some think it is wrong to try to observe order in the worship ofGod. But I have seen that it is not dangerous to observe order in thechurch of God. I have seen that confusion is displeasing to the Lord,and that there should be order in praying and also in singing. Weshould not come to the house of God to pray for our families unlessdeep feeling shall lead us while the Spirit of God is convicting them.Generally, the proper place to pray for our families is at the family altar.When the subjects of our prayers are at a distance, the closet is theproper place to plead with God for them. When in the house of God,we should pray for a present blessing and should expect God to hearand answer our prayers. Such meetings will be lively and interesting.I saw that all should sing with the spirit and with the understandingalso. God is not pleased with jargon and discord. Right is always more