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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

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of Christ greater riches than <strong>the</strong> treasures of Egypt; <strong>for</strong> he had respect unto <strong>the</strong>recompense of reward. He showed that this is one of many instances where <strong>the</strong>reproach of Christ was esteemed above worldly riches and honor, high-sounding titles,a prospective crown, and <strong>the</strong> glory of a kingdom. The eye of faith was fixed upon <strong>the</strong>glorious future, and <strong>the</strong> recompense of <strong>the</strong> reward was regarded of such value as tocause <strong>the</strong> richest things which earth can offer to appear valueless. The children of Godendured mockings, scourgings, bonds, and imprisonments; <strong>the</strong>y were stoned, sawnasunder, tempted, wandering about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, afflicted,tormented, and, sustained by hope and faith, <strong>the</strong>y could call <strong>the</strong>se light afflictions; <strong>the</strong>future, <strong>the</strong> eternal life, appeared of so great value that <strong>the</strong>y accounted <strong>the</strong>ir sufferingssmall in comparison with <strong>the</strong> recompense of <strong>the</strong> reward.“Bro<strong>the</strong>r Andrews related an instance of a faithful Christian about to suffermartyrdom <strong>for</strong> his faith. A bro<strong>the</strong>r Christian had been conversing with him in regard to<strong>the</strong> power of <strong>the</strong> Christian hope—if it would be strong enough to sustain him while hisflesh should be consuming with fire. He asked this Christian, about to suffer, to givehim a signal if <strong>the</strong> Christian faith and hope were stronger than <strong>the</strong> raging, consumingfire. He expected his turn to come next, and this would <strong>for</strong>tify him <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> fire. The<strong>for</strong>mer promised that <strong>the</strong> signal should be given. He was brought to <strong>the</strong> stake amid <strong>the</strong>taunts and jeers of <strong>the</strong> idle and curious crowd assembled to witness <strong>the</strong> burning of thisChristian. The fagots were brought and <strong>the</strong> fire kindled, and <strong>the</strong> bro<strong>the</strong>r Christian fixedhis eyes upon <strong>the</strong> suffering, dying martyr, feeling that much depended upon <strong>the</strong> signal.The fire burned, and burned. The flesh was blackened; but <strong>the</strong> signal came not. Hiseye was not taken <strong>for</strong> a moment from <strong>the</strong> painful sight. The arms were already crisped.There was no appearance of life. All thought that <strong>the</strong> fire had done its work, and thatno life remained; when, lo! amid <strong>the</strong> flames, up went both arms toward heaven. The657

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