Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

saw that his position would not bear, he failed to frankly acknowledge his error, andlabor to efface the wrong impression he had made.I saw that in temporal matters Brother B was too easy and negligent. He haslacked energy, considering it a virtue to leave to the Lord that which the Lord hasleft to him. It is only in cases of great emergency that the Lord interposes for us. Wehave a work to do, burdens and responsibilities to bear, and in thus doing we obtainan experience. Brother B manifests the same character in spiritual matters as in histemporal affairs. There is a lack of zeal and earnestness to make thorough work. Allshould act with more discretion and wisdom in regard to the things of God than theymanifest in temporal things to secure an earthly possession.But while God’s people are justified in securing church property in a lawfulmanner, they should be careful to maintain their peculiar and holy character. I sawthat unconsecrated persons would take advantage of the position which the church hasrecently taken, and would overstep the bounds, carry matters to extremes, and woundthe cause of God. Some will move without wisdom or judgment, engage in lawsuitsthat might be avoided, mingle with the world, partake of its spirit, and influence othersto follow their example. One professed Christian who moves unadvisedly does muchharm to the cause of present truth. Evil takes root much more readily than good, andflourishes when good and right languish unless carefully nourished.I was pointed back, and saw that in every important move, every decision madeor point gained by God’s people, some have arisen to carry matters to extremes, andto move in an extravagant manner, which has disgusted unbelievers, distressed God’speople, and brought the cause of God into disrepute. The people whom God is leadingout in these last days, will be troubled with just such things. But much evil will beavoided if the ministers of Christ will be of one mind,212