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

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members in <strong>the</strong> church who had erred greatly in not<br />

going in search of <strong>the</strong> lost sheep. And I was never<br />

more disappointed in <strong>the</strong> manner in which <strong>the</strong>se<br />

testimonies were received. When those who had<br />

been greatly in fault were reproved by most<br />

pointed testimonies, read to <strong>the</strong>m publicly, <strong>the</strong>y<br />

received <strong>the</strong>m, and confessed with tears. But some<br />

of those in <strong>the</strong> church, who claimed to be <strong>the</strong> fast<br />

friends of <strong>the</strong> cause and <strong>the</strong> <strong>Testimonies</strong>, could<br />

hardly think it possible that <strong>the</strong>y had been as wrong<br />

as <strong>the</strong> testimonies declared <strong>the</strong>m to be. When told<br />

that <strong>the</strong>y were self-caring, shut up to <strong>the</strong>mselves<br />

and families; that <strong>the</strong>y had failed to care <strong>for</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs,<br />

had been exclusive, and had left precious souls to<br />

perish; that <strong>the</strong>y were in danger of being<br />

overbearing and self-righteous, <strong>the</strong>y were brought<br />

into a state of great agitation and trial.<br />

But this experience was just what <strong>the</strong>y needed<br />

to teach <strong>the</strong>m <strong>for</strong>bearance toward o<strong>the</strong>rs in a<br />

similar state of trial. There are many who feel sure<br />

that <strong>the</strong>y will have no trial respecting <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>Testimonies</strong>, and continue to feel so till <strong>the</strong>y are<br />

tested. They think it strange that any can doubt.<br />

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