Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Removal to Michigan 95live with the people of God. They despised reproof, and would notbe corrected. They had an opportunity to know that theirs was anunrighteous warfare. They had time to repent of their wrongs; but selfwas too dear to die. They nourished it, and it grew strong, and theyseparated from the trusting people of God, whom He is purifying untoHimself. We all have reason to thank God that a way has been openedto save the church; for the wrath of God must have come upon us ifthese corrupt pretenders had remained with us. [100]“Every honest soul that may be deceived by these disaffected ones,will have the true light in regard to them, if every angel from heavenhas to visit them, to enlighten their minds. We have nothing to fearin this matter. As we near the judgment, all will manifest their truecharacter, and it will be made plain to what company they belong. Thesieve is moving. Let us not say: Stay Thy hand, O God. The churchmust be purged, and it will be. God reigns; let the people praise Him.I have not the most distant thought of sinking down. I mean to be rightand do right. The judgment is to set, the books are to be opened, andwe are to be judged according to our deeds. All the falsehoods thatmay be framed against me will not make me any worse, nor any betterunless they have a tendency to drive me nearer my Redeemer.”From the time we moved to Battle Creek, the Lord began to turn ourcaptivity. We found sympathizing friends in Michigan, who were readyto share our burdens and supply our wants. Old, tried friends in centralNew York and New England, especially in Vermont, sympathized withus in our afflictions, and were ready to assist us in time of distress.At the Conference at Battle Creek in November, 1856, God wroughtfor us. The minds of His servants were exercised as to the gifts of thechurch. If God’s frown had been brought upon His people because thegifts had been slighted and neglected, there was a pleasing prospectthat His smiles would again be upon us, that He would graciouslyrevive the gifts, and they would live in the church to encourage thefainting soul, and to correct and reprove the erring. New life was givento the cause, and success attended the labors of our preachers.The publications were called for, and proved to be just what thecause demanded. The Messenger of Truth soon went down, and thediscordant spirits who had spoken through it were scattered. Myhusband was enabled to pay all his debts. His cough ceased, the pain [101]and soreness left his lungs and throat, and he was gradually restored to