Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

204 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[212]they should trust the Lord to overrule these things for them, that Satantake no advantage of God’s remnant people. It is Satan’s time to work.A stormy future is before us; and the church should be awake to makean advance move that they may stand securely against his plans. It istime that something was done. God is not pleased to have His peopleleave the matters of the church at loose ends, and suffer the enemy tohave the whole advantage and control affairs as best pleases him.I was shown the wrong stand taken by Brother B in the Review inregard to organization, and the distracting influence he exerted. He didnot sufficiently weigh the matter. His articles were perfectly calculatedto have a scattering influence, to lead minds to wrong conclusions, andto encourage many in their slack ideas of managing matters relatingto the cause of God. Those who do not feel the weight of this causeupon them do not feel the necessity of anything being done to establishchurch order. Those who have long borne the burden look to thefuture and weigh matters. They are convinced that steps must be takento place the matters of the church in a more secure position, whereSatan cannot come in and take advantage. Brother B’s articles causedthose who fear order to look with suspicion upon the suggestions ofthose who by the special providence of God move out in the importantmatters of the church. And when he saw that his position would notbear, he failed to frankly acknowledge his error, and labor to effacethe wrong impression he had made.I saw that in temporal matters Brother B was too easy and negligent.He has lacked energy, considering it a virtue to leave to the Lord thatwhich the Lord has left to him. It is only in cases of great emergencythat the Lord interposes for us. We have a work to do, burdens andresponsibilities to bear, and in thus doing we obtain an experience.Brother B manifests the same character in spiritual matters as in histemporal affairs. There is a lack of zeal and earnestness to makethorough work. All should act with more discretion and wisdom inregard to the things of God than they manifest in temporal things tosecure an earthly possession.But while God’s people are justified in securing church property ina lawful manner, they should be careful to maintain their peculiar andholy character. I saw that unconsecrated persons would take advantageof the position which the church has recently taken, and would overstepthe bounds, carry matters to extremes, and wound the cause of God.