Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Chapter 108—Be Not Deceived[629][630]It is the work of Satan to deceive God’s people and lead them fromthe right course. He will leave no means untried; he will come uponthem where they are least guarded; hence the importance of fortifyingevery point. The Battle Creek church did not mean to turn againstus, they are as good a church as lives; but there is much at stake atBattle Creek, and Satan will bring all his artillery against them if by sodoing he can hinder the work. We deeply sympathize with this churchin their present humbled condition and would say: Let not a spirit oftriumph arise in any heart. God will heal all the wrongs of this dearpeople and yet make them a mighty defense of His truth if they walkhumbly and watch and guard every point against the attacks of Satan.This people are kept continually under the fire of the enemy. No otherchurch would probably stand it as well, therefore look with a pityingeye toward your brethren at Battle Creek and pray God to help themin keeping the fort.When my husband was inactive, and I was kept at home on hisaccount, Satan was pleased, and no one was pressed by him to castupon us such trials as are mentioned in the foregoing pages. But whenwe started out, December 19, 1866, he saw that there was a prospectof our doing something in the cause of Christ to the injury of hiscause and that some of his deceptions upon the flock of God wouldbe exposed. He therefore felt called upon to do something to hinderus. And in no way could he so effectually do this as to lead our oldfriends at Battle Creek to withdraw their sympathy and cast burdensupon us. He took advantage of every unfavorable circumstance anddrove matters as by steam power.But, thank God, he did not stop us nor fully crush us. Thank Godthat we still live and that He has returned graciously to bless His erring,but now repenting, confessing people. Brethren, let us love them themore and pray for them the more now that God manifests His greatlove to them.578