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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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Chapter 71—Wrong Use of <strong>the</strong> VisionsI have been shown that some, especially in Iowa, make <strong>the</strong> visionsa rule by which to measure all, and have taken a course which myhusband and myself have never pursued. Some are unacquainted withme and my labors, and <strong>the</strong>y are very skeptical of anything bearing<strong>the</strong> name of visions. This is all natural, and can be overcome onlyby experience. If persons are not settled in regard to <strong>the</strong> visions, <strong>the</strong>yshould not be crowded off. The course to pursue with such may befound in Testimony No. 8, pp. 328, 329, which I hope will be read byall. Ministers should have compassion of some, making a difference;o<strong>the</strong>rs save with fear, pulling <strong>the</strong>m out of <strong>the</strong> fire. God’s ministersshould have wisdom to give to everyone his portion of meat and tomake that difference with different persons which <strong>the</strong>ir cases require.The course pursued with some in Iowa who are unacquainted with mehas not been careful and consistent. Those who were, comparatively,strangers to <strong>the</strong> visions have been dealt with in <strong>the</strong> same manner asthose who have had much light and experience in <strong>the</strong> visions. Somehave been required to endorse <strong>the</strong> visions when <strong>the</strong>y could not conscientiouslydo so, and in this way some honest souls have been drivento take positions against <strong>the</strong> visions and against <strong>the</strong> body which <strong>the</strong>ynever would have taken had <strong>the</strong>ir cases been managed with discretionand mercy.Some of our brethren have had long experience in <strong>the</strong> truth andhave <strong>for</strong> years been acquainted with me and with <strong>the</strong> influence of <strong>the</strong>visions. They have tested <strong>the</strong> truthfulness of <strong>the</strong>se testimonies andasserted <strong>the</strong>ir belief in <strong>the</strong>m. They have felt <strong>the</strong> powerful influence of<strong>the</strong> Spirit of God resting upon <strong>the</strong>m to witness to <strong>the</strong> truthfulness of <strong>the</strong>visions. If such, when reproved through vision, rise up against <strong>the</strong>m,and work secretly to injure our influence, <strong>the</strong>y should be faithfully dealt [383]with, <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir influence is endangering those who lack experience.Ministers of present truth, while <strong>the</strong>y bear a pointed testimony,reproving individual wrongs and seeking to tear away <strong>the</strong> idols from<strong>the</strong> camp of Israel, should manifest <strong>for</strong>bearance. They should preach359

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