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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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206 <strong>Testimonies</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Church</strong> <strong>Vol</strong>ume 1[214][215]wrong, because <strong>the</strong>y were not left to feel <strong>the</strong> extent of <strong>the</strong>ir wrong,and humble <strong>the</strong>mselves be<strong>for</strong>e God, and let Him build <strong>the</strong>m up. Falsesympathizers have worked in direct opposition to <strong>the</strong> mind of Christand ministering angels.Ministers of Christ should arise and engage in <strong>the</strong> work of Godwith all <strong>the</strong>ir energies. God’s servants are not excused if <strong>the</strong>y shunpointed testimony. They should reprove and rebuke wrong, and notsuffer sin upon a bro<strong>the</strong>r. I must here introduce a portion of a letteraddressed to Bro<strong>the</strong>r C:“I was shown some things in regard to you. I saw that <strong>the</strong> living,pointed testimony had been crushed in <strong>the</strong> church. You have not beenin harmony with <strong>the</strong> straight testimony. You have shunned to lay yourhand decidedly upon wrong, and you have been tried with those whofelt compelled to do so. Disaffected ones have had your sympathy.This has had a tendency to make you a weak man. You have not beenin union with pointed, cutting testimony which has been sent home to<strong>the</strong> individual.“God’s servants are not excused if <strong>the</strong>y shun pointed testimony.They must reprove and rebuke wrong, and not suffer sin upon a bro<strong>the</strong>r.You have often stretched out your hands to shield persons from <strong>the</strong> censurewhich <strong>the</strong>y deserved, and <strong>the</strong> correction which <strong>the</strong> Lord designed<strong>the</strong>y should have. If <strong>the</strong>se persons fail to re<strong>for</strong>m, <strong>the</strong>ir lack is set toyour account. Instead of watching <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir danger, and warning <strong>the</strong>mof it, you have cast your influence against those who have followed<strong>the</strong> convictions of duty, and reproved and warned <strong>the</strong> erring.“These are perilous times <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> church of God, and <strong>the</strong> greatestdanger now is that of self-deception. Individuals professing to believe<strong>the</strong> truth are blind to <strong>the</strong>ir own danger and wrongs. They reach <strong>the</strong>standard of piety which has been set up by <strong>the</strong>ir friends and <strong>the</strong>mselves,<strong>the</strong>y are fellowshiped by <strong>the</strong>ir brethren, and are satisfied, while <strong>the</strong>yentirely fail to reach <strong>the</strong> gospel standard set up by our divine Lord. If<strong>the</strong>y regard iniquity in <strong>the</strong>ir hearts, <strong>the</strong> Lord will not hear <strong>the</strong>m. Butwith many it is not only regarded in <strong>the</strong> heart, but openly carried outin <strong>the</strong> life; yet in many cases <strong>the</strong> wrongdoers receive no rebuke.“I was pointed back to-----. Your feelings were wrong <strong>the</strong>re. Youshould have stood side by side with Elder D and made straight work,taken hold of and reproved individual wrongs. The burden you castupon Elder D you deserved yourself, <strong>for</strong> your lack of moral courage

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