Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Jealousy and Faultfinding 301weight of the sin of this woeful fanaticism. You have deeply regrettedit, yet do not see your own wrongs in relation to it. You censure andblame the weak, erring sheep for leading you out of the way. What isa watchman for, unless it be to watch for evil and give the warning?What is a shepherd for, unless it be to watch for every danger lestthe sheep be harmed and destroyed by wolves? What excuse could ashepherd plead for suffering the flock to stray from the true pasture,and be torn and scattered and devoured by wolves? How would anexcuse stand made by the shepherd that the sheep led him astray? Theyleft the true pasture, and led him out of the way? Such a plea wouldtell with force against that shepherd’s ability to watch over the sheep. [315]No more confidence could be placed in him as a faithful shepherd tocare for the sheep, and bring them back as they might stray from theright path.The reproach resting upon the cause in regard to Sister A restsheavily upon you. You made much of her exercises and experience.She was weak, yet could in a measure fill her place in her family andkeep her children together; but she had been from her home but a shorttime before her reason was dethroned. The backslidden state of theprofessed Sabbathkeepers in-----led you to influence Sister A to leaveher family who needed her care, and come to-----that her influencemight help the Sabbathkeepers there. An unhealthy excitement markedher course. Some of the inexperienced were deluded. The weak mindof Sister A was overtaxed, and disease fastened upon the brain. Andthe cause of God is deeply wounded and reproached on account ofthis. Brother A has been wronged; he must now suffer under a livingtrouble, and his children must be scattered. Those whose influence ledto these sad consequences, have a work to do to relieve the mind ofBrother A, and by a faithful and full acknowledgment to him of thesin of the course pursued, and the wrong done him, counteract the evilas far as possible.Had you been standing in the counsel of God, acknowledging thegifts of His Spirit as occupying their proper place in the church; hadyou been in heart and principle with the Review, established upon thestrong truths applicable for this time; had you been giving meat in dueseason to the people of God, your influence in-----and vicinity wouldhave been very different. You would have had a pointed testimony tobear in harmony with those who are leading out in this great work.