Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Chapter 48—The Cause in Ohio[235]Since our visit to Ohio in the spring of 1858, H has done whathe could to exert an influence against us; and where he thought hecould affect individuals, he has done so by circulating reports to stirup wrong feelings. When we visited Ohio in the spring of 1858, amessage was given me in regard to him and his family. This testimonywas given to him. But very few persons knew that I had a message forhim. He rose in rebellion against it, and, like some others who havebeen reproved, took the position that persons had prejudiced my mindagainst his family, when the vision pointed out the same faults in themthat I had repeatedly seen for ten years. He said that he believed thevisions, but that I was influenced by others in writing them.What a conclusion! The Lord has a special work to performthrough one of the acknowledged gifts, but suffers the message givento be adulterated before it reaches the person whom He wishes to correct!Of what use are the visions if persons regard them in this light?They put their own construction upon them, and feel at liberty to rejectthat portion which does not agree with their feelings. H knows thatevery word of the vision given for him in Ohio was correct. And whenhe could keep the message from the church no longer (for it was calledfor, and read at the _____ Conference last fall), he acknowledged it alltrue. But he has kept up a blind warfare against that which he knew tobe correct.He has not ruled well his own house, and for the last ten years hasbeen reproved for this. The frown of God has been upon him becausehe did not restrain his children. These children have been corrupt anda proverb of reproach, and have exerted a corrupting influence wherethey have lived. Every time they have been presented before me, I havebeen carried back to Eli, and shown the wickedness of his ungodlysons and the judgment which followed from God. I have been shownthat the family of H has disgusted unbelievers, and brought a reproachupon the cause of present truth. The message given me in the springof 1858 for Ohio, especially-----, was not received by many. It cut too228