Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Fanaticism in Wisconsin 225I was pointed back, and saw that God had not blessed his laborsfor some time past. The Lord’s hand has not been with him to buildup the church, and convert souls to the truth. His heart is not rightwith God. He has not possessed the spirit of the third angel’s message.He shut himself away from union and sympathy with God’s peoplebefore this delusion arose, and this is one reason why he was left insuch darkness. God does not leave His faithful, consecrated servantsin darkness as to the character of such a fanatical spirit, to raise no cryto warn the people. When the servants of God brought the light, andraised their voices against this delusion, he knew not the voice of theTrue Shepherd speaking through them; his jealousy and stubbornnessled him to regard it as the voice of a stranger. Shepherds of the flock,above all others, should understand the voice of the Chief Shepherd.God wants His people to be a holy and powerful people. When thespirit of holiness and perfect love abounds in the heart, working inthose who profess the name of Christ, it will be like a refining fire,consuming the dross and scattering the darkness. Whatever is of thespirit of Satan takes the attitude of defense, and quickly works out itsown destruction. But truth will triumph. [233]