Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

566 Testimonies for the Church Volume 1[615][616]painful and agonizing it would be to be without the forgiveness ofGod, and that he might understand the scripture: “If ye forgive notmen their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”I saw that if God should be as exacting as we are, and should deal withus as we deal with one another, we might all be thrown into a state ofhopeless despair.I was shown that God had suffered this affliction to come upon usto teach us much that we could not otherwise have learned in so short atime. It was His will that we should go to-----, for our experience couldnot have been thorough without it. He would have us see, and morefully understand, that it is impossible for those who obey the truthand are keeping His commandments, to live up to their convictionsof duty and unite with the leaders at-----; so far as serving God isconcerned, their principles can unite no better than oil and water. Itis only those of the purest principles and the greatest independenceof mind, who think and act for themselves, having the fear of Godbefore them and trusting in Him, who can safely remain any length oftime in-----. Those who are not thus qualified should not be advised togo to that institution, for their minds will become bewildered by thesmooth words of its conductors and poisoned by their sophistry, whichoriginates with Satan.Their influence and teachings in regard to the service of God and areligious life are in direct opposition to the teachings of our Saviourand His disciples. By precept and example they lower the standardof piety and say that they need not sorrow for their sins or separatefrom the world in order to be followers of Christ, but can mingle withthe world and participate in its pleasures. These leaders would notencourage their adherents to imitate the life of Christ in prayerfulness,sobriety, and dependence upon God. Persons of conscientious mindsand firm trust in God cannot receive one half as much benefit at-----asthose can who have confidence in the religious principles of the leadersof that institution. The former have to stand braced against much oftheir teachings, so far as religious principles are concerned, siftingeverything they hear lest they should be deceived and Satan obtainadvantage over them.I saw that, as far as disease and its treatment is concerned,-----isthe best health institution in the United States. Yet the leaders thereare but men, and their judgment is not always correct. The leading