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

The Lord would have done a great and good
work in this vicinity last spring had all felt the need
of this work and come up to the help of the Lord.
There was not unity of action. All did not feel the
necessity of the work and engage in it heartily.
There was not a surrendering of all to God. You
were shown me as being troubled and perplexed, a
mist of darkness gathering over you. You were
questioning and were not in a position to receive
strength yourselves nor to impart it to others. It is a
solemn, fearful time. There is no time now for
cherishing idols, no place for concord with Belial
or for friendship with the world. Those whom God
accepts and sanctifies to Himself are called to be
diligent and faithful in His service, being set apart
and devoted to Him. It is not a form of godliness,
nor a name upon the church records, that
constitutes "a living stone" in the spiritual building.
It is being renewed in knowledge and true holiness,
being crucified to the world and made alive in
Christ, that unites the soul to God. The followers of
Christ have one leading object in view, one great
work: the salvation of their fellow men. Every
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