Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

there, so that they would not have been behind other churches. But they have almosteverything to learn. You should have borne a pointed testimony, impressing upon themthe necessity of sacrificing, and all doing a part to bear the burden of the cause. Youshould have brought them up upon systematic benevolence, leading all to act a partand exert themselves to do something to advance the cause of truth. Your indefiniteposition, and leaving matters so loose and slack in—–has had a bad influence upon thecause there. The opposition you felt and talked out in regard to organization and theadvance of God’s people, has borne fruit which can be seen in many places in northernWisconsin.If you had been a prompt, thorough laborer, keeping pace with God’s openingprovidence, the fruit now manifested would be of an altogether different character.Souls would be decided somewhere, either wholly for or against the commandmentsof God and other truths connected with the third angel’s message. They would notbe hanging on the skirts of Zion to weigh down those who would be right. But therehas not been faithfulness manifested by you. Straight and thorough work has not beenmade. You have not encouraged in the church, by a pointed application of truth, thenecessity of everyone practically, harmoniously carrying out his profession; and manyare not as willing to exert themselves to do something to advance the truth, as they areto be gratified with listening to the truth. They love the cause in word and profession,but not in deed and in truth.Your position has led many in and about—–to think less highly of the Review thanthey otherwise would have done, and they have held very lightly the truths found init. Thus the Review failed to have the influence upon them that God designed it shouldhave. And everyone has followed his own course, and done that which seemed right inhis own eyes; hence all are far upon the background, and unless there316