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

motives and actions.
I was shown Brother and Sister L. The love of
the world has so eaten out true godliness and
benumbed the powers of the mind that the truth
fails to have a transforming influence upon the life
and character. The love of the world has closed
their hearts to compassion and to a consideration of
the wants of others; its spirit has separated them
from God. Brother and sister, you have a work to
do to get from beneath the rubbish of the world;
you need to make earnest efforts to overcome your
love of the world, your selfishness, and your
penuriousness. These are sins which are cursing
God's people. I was pointed back to the community
in which you lived previous to your moving to —
—-. You were close and exacting in deal there,
taking advantage every time that you could well do
so. I tried to find in your lives acts of noble selfsacrifice
and benevolence, but could not, they were
so rare. Your light has shone before others in such
a manner that they have felt disgusted with you and
your faith. The truth has been reproached by your
closeness and overreaching in deal. May God help
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