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Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

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Adventists. Satan triumphs to see <strong>the</strong> vine of God's<br />

planting ei<strong>the</strong>r entirely uprooted or left to languish.<br />

It is not <strong>the</strong> purpose of God that His people should<br />

cluster toge<strong>the</strong>r and concentrate <strong>the</strong>ir influence in a<br />

special locality.<br />

The ef<strong>for</strong>ts of <strong>the</strong> Brethren D to encourage<br />

brethren to move to <strong>the</strong>ir place were made in good<br />

faith, yet not according to <strong>the</strong> mind of God. God's<br />

ways are not as our ways. He seeth not as man<br />

seeth. Their object was good; but, in so doing, <strong>the</strong><br />

purposes of God in regard to <strong>the</strong> salvation of souls<br />

could not be carried out.<br />

God designs that His people shall be <strong>the</strong> light<br />

of <strong>the</strong> world, <strong>the</strong> salt of <strong>the</strong> earth. The plan of<br />

ga<strong>the</strong>ring toge<strong>the</strong>r in large numbers, to compose a<br />

large church, has contracted <strong>the</strong>ir influence, and<br />

narrowed down <strong>the</strong>ir sphere of usefulness, and is<br />

literally putting <strong>the</strong>ir light under a bushel. It is<br />

God's design that <strong>the</strong> knowledge of <strong>the</strong> truth should<br />

come to all, that none may remain in darkness,<br />

ignorant of its principles; but that all should be<br />

tested upon it and decide <strong>for</strong> or against it, that all<br />

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