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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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Appendix 653“The question naturally arises, if <strong>the</strong> visions are given to correct<strong>the</strong> erring, why did she not sooner see <strong>the</strong> error of <strong>the</strong> six o’clocktime? I have ever been thankful that God corrected <strong>the</strong> error in Hisown good time, and did not suffer an unhappy division to exist amongus upon this point. But, dear reader, <strong>the</strong> work of <strong>the</strong> Lord upon thispoint is in perfect harmony with his manifestations to us on o<strong>the</strong>rs,and in harmony with <strong>the</strong> correct position upon spiritual gifts. It doesnot appear to be <strong>the</strong> desire of <strong>the</strong> Lord to teach His people by <strong>the</strong> giftsof <strong>the</strong> Spirit on <strong>the</strong> Bible questions until His servants have diligentlysearched His word. When this was done upon <strong>the</strong> subject of <strong>the</strong> timeto commence <strong>the</strong> Sabbath, and most were established, and some werein danger of being out of harmony with <strong>the</strong> body on this subject, <strong>the</strong>n, [714]yes, <strong>the</strong>n, was <strong>the</strong> very time <strong>for</strong> God to magnify His goodness in <strong>the</strong>manifestation of <strong>the</strong> gift of His Spirit in <strong>the</strong> accomplishment of itsproper work.”—The Review and Herald, February 25, 1868.Pages 116, 117, 122, 123, “The Messenger Party”—In <strong>the</strong> summerof 1854 <strong>the</strong>re appeared among <strong>the</strong> Sabbathkeeping Adventists <strong>the</strong>first disaffection, or apostasy. Two men who had been preaching <strong>the</strong>message were reproved through <strong>the</strong> spirit of prophecy <strong>for</strong> a harsh,censorious spirit, <strong>for</strong> avarice, and <strong>for</strong> extravagance in <strong>the</strong> use of meansplaced in <strong>the</strong>ir hands. Becoming embittered instead of repentant, <strong>the</strong>yjoined with a few o<strong>the</strong>rs in unjust recrimination against Elder and Mrs.White and o<strong>the</strong>r leaders, making false charges against <strong>the</strong>m. Althoughcontinuing to advocate <strong>the</strong> Sabbath truth, <strong>the</strong>y began <strong>the</strong> publicationof a slanderous sheet which <strong>the</strong>y called <strong>the</strong> Messenger of Truth.They were joined by elders Stephenson and Hall of Wisconsin.These men had been first-day Adventist preachers, who professed toaccept <strong>the</strong> truths of <strong>the</strong> third angel’s message, but who continued tohold doctrines regarding <strong>the</strong> Age-to-Come. According to this <strong>the</strong>ory<strong>the</strong>re was to be, during <strong>the</strong> millennium, a “second chance” <strong>for</strong> salvation.They agreed, however, to preach <strong>the</strong> message, without advocatingthis question, if <strong>the</strong> Review would not publish articles against it. However,as indicated in <strong>the</strong> text, <strong>the</strong>y did not keep <strong>the</strong>ir promise and weresoon opposing <strong>the</strong> Review and its supporters.The course of <strong>the</strong>se “opposers of <strong>the</strong> truth” was soon run. BothStephenson and Hall lost <strong>the</strong>ir reason. The Messenger of Truth ceasedpublication in 1857, and early in 1858 Elder White reported regarding<strong>the</strong> party: “Not one of <strong>the</strong> eighteen messengers of which <strong>the</strong>y once

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