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Signs of the Times, Book 1 - Ellen G. White

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Leader repeated <strong>the</strong> same lesson as he taught <strong>the</strong>m, how to treat <strong>the</strong> erring.<br />

One man's testimony was not to acquit or to condemn. One man's views and<br />

opinions were not to settle disputed questions. In all <strong>the</strong>se matters, two or<br />

more were to be associated, and toge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>y were to bear <strong>the</strong> responsibility<br />

in <strong>the</strong> case. God has made it <strong>the</strong> duty <strong>of</strong> his servants to be subject one to<br />

ano<strong>the</strong>r. No one man's judgment is to control in any important matter.<br />

Mutual consideration and respect imparts proper dignity to <strong>the</strong> ministry, and<br />

unites <strong>the</strong> servants <strong>of</strong> God in close bonds <strong>of</strong> love and harmony. While <strong>the</strong>y<br />

should depend upon God for strength and wisdom, ministers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> gospel<br />

should confer toge<strong>the</strong>r in all matters requiring deliberation. "That by <strong>the</strong><br />

mouth <strong>of</strong> two or three witnesses every word may be established."<br />

The laws instituted by God for <strong>the</strong> prevention and punishment <strong>of</strong> crime<br />

were marked by strict and impartial justice. But <strong>the</strong> sinfulness <strong>of</strong> man<br />

perverts <strong>the</strong> wisest laws, both human and divine. It is because men in<br />

authority can be bribed to excuse sin, and let <strong>the</strong> guilty pass unpunished that<br />

justice has fallen in <strong>the</strong> streets, and equity cannot enter. These evils are<br />

causing <strong>the</strong> earth to become as corrupt as in <strong>the</strong> days <strong>of</strong> Noah. The most<br />

terrible crimes are becoming so common as hardly to awaken a feeling <strong>of</strong><br />

horror. Our own nation is guilty before God <strong>of</strong> permitting <strong>the</strong> most atrocious<br />

crimes to pass unheeded. The accumulating weight <strong>of</strong> unpunished sin is<br />

sinking <strong>the</strong> nation to destruction. The wrongs <strong>the</strong>y do not condemn and<br />

punish are making this people <strong>the</strong> subjects <strong>of</strong> God's retributive justice.<br />

Licentiousness, robbery, and murder, continually on <strong>the</strong> increase, are<br />

deluging our world, and preparing it to receive <strong>the</strong> unmingled wrath <strong>of</strong> God.<br />

The injunctions <strong>of</strong> God to <strong>the</strong> Hebrews should cause us to be filled with<br />

horror at <strong>the</strong> thought <strong>of</strong> even unintentionally destroying a human life. But<br />

when man is put to death by his fellow-man, to serve some selfish purpose,--<br />

as Naboth was slain that Ahab might obtain <strong>the</strong> coveted vineyard,--what<br />

honor [horror], what anguish, should be felt by those who make and execute<br />

<strong>the</strong> laws! How zealous should be <strong>the</strong>ir efforts to ascertain <strong>the</strong> facts, and <strong>the</strong>n<br />

892

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