Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Jealousy and Faultfinding 307great thing, and the important truths of God’s word were of but littleconsequence, “if the heart was only right.” And poor souls were leftwithout an anchor, to be carried about by feeling, and Satan came inand controlled minds and gave impressions and feelings to suit himself.Reason and judgment were despised, and the cause of God was cruellyreproached.The fanaticism into which you have fallen should lead you andothers to investigate before deciding in regard to this appearanceof consecration. Appearance is not positive evidence of Christiancharacter. You and others are afraid of receiving a little more censurethan is due you, and you look with earnestness upon a seeming erroror wrong in others, or a neglect from them, and feel injured. You aretoo exacting. You have been wrong and have deceived yourself. Ifothers have misjudged you in some things, it is no more than might beexpected, considering the circumstances. You should, with the deepestsorrow and humility, mourn your sad departure from the right, whichhas given occasion for a variety of feelings and views and expressionsin regard to you; and if in every particular you do not consider themcorrect, you must let them pass, and lay not censure upon others. Youmust confess your faults without censuring any other one, and ceasecomplaining that your brethren have neglected you. They have givenyou more attention than you deserved, considering the position youhave for years occupied. If you could see these things as God regards [323]them, you would ever despise the complaints you make, and wouldhumble yourself under the hand of God. “Behold, to obey is betterthan sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is asthe sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”* * * * *