Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

The ministers who have labored in that State have not exerted a right influence.Hints and insinuations have been thrown out against Brother and Sister White, andthe managers of the work at Battle Creek, which have found a ready reception in thehearts of many, especially the credulous and faultfinding. Satan knows how to makehis attacks. He works upon minds to excite jealousy and dissatisfaction toward thoseat the head of the work. The gifts are next questioned; then, of course, they have butlittle weight, and instruction given through vision is disregarded.Ministers who have labored in Ohio have done their share of causingdissatisfaction. H has condescended to move in a low sphere, breathing out a spiritof dissatisfaction, eagerly listening to false reports, gathering them up, and virtuallysaying: “Report, ... and we will report it.” He has worked in an underhand manner,carried false reports in regard to our dress, and our influence in Ohio, and hasencouraged the idea that Brother White was speculating. He has not had the slightestunion with us. He has felt very bitter toward us. And why? Simply because I haverelated to him what the Lord had shown me in regard to his family and his loose, slackmanner of bringing them up, which has brought upon him the frown of God. He hasregarded with jealous, unreconciled feelings the part we have acted in the cause ofpresent truth.The brethren in Ohio have been encouraged to look with distrust and suspicion atthose who are in charge of the work at Battle Creek, and have stood prepared to riseagainst positions taken by them. Brother J has taken his position firmly, without regardto the body. He has imagined that evils would arise from headquarters that he mustcontend against. He placed himself in array for battle when there was no fighting to bedone. He planted himself firmly to resist something which never arose. Many of thebrethren in Ohio cherished the same feeling, placing themselves in opposition236