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Testimonies for the Church, Volume 8 - Ellen G. White

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given in Battle Creek. Has Christ not loaded down<br />

His church with benefits and blessings? Has He not<br />

sent His servants with messages of pardon and<br />

righteousness, to be freely given to all who will<br />

receive <strong>the</strong>m?<br />

Jerusalem is a representation of what <strong>the</strong><br />

church will be if it refuses to walk in <strong>the</strong> light that<br />

God has given. Jerusalem was favored of God as<br />

<strong>the</strong> depositary of sacred trusts. But her people<br />

perverted <strong>the</strong> truth, and despised all entreaties and<br />

warnings. They would not respect His counsels.<br />

The temple courts were polluted with merchandise<br />

and robbery. Selfishness and love of mammon,<br />

envy and strife, were cherished. Everyone sought<br />

<strong>for</strong> gain from his quarter. Christ turned from <strong>the</strong>m,<br />

saying: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem," how can I give<br />

<strong>the</strong>e up? "How often would I have ga<strong>the</strong>red thy<br />

children toge<strong>the</strong>r, even as a hen ga<strong>the</strong>reth her<br />

chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"<br />

(Mat<strong>the</strong>w 23:37)<br />

So Christ sorrows and weeps over our<br />

churches, over our institutions of learning, that<br />

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