The Church: Its Organization, Order and Discipline

Satan’s Council

Satan was displeased to see the cause flourish as order was being established, so he called a council of his angels to devise a plan to hinder the work. Of this we read: “I saw that Satan bade his angels lay their snares especially for those who are looking for Christ’s second appearing, and keeping all the commandments of God.... Said he, ‘the sect of Sabbath-keepers we hate; they are continually working against us, and taking from us our subjects to keep the hated law of God. Go, make the possessors of lands and money drunk with cares. If you can make them place their affections upon these things, we shall have them yet. They may profess what they please, only make them care more for money than for the success of Christ’s kingdom or the spread of the truths we hate. Present the world before them in the most attractive light, that they may love and idolize it. We must keep in our ranks all the means of which we can gain control. The more means the followers of Christ devote to his service, the more will they injure our kingdom by getting our subjects.... Present every plausible excuse to those who have means, lest they hand it out. Control the money matters if you can, and drive their ministers to want and distress. This will weaken their courage and zeal. Battle every inch of the ground. Make covetousness and love of earthly treasures the ruling traits of their character.’”-Spiritual Gifts 1:128, 129. COOD 105.2

This Testimony explained to us some things that hitherto seemed strange,-why the zeal and liberality of our people from 1853 to 1855, should drop to such a low ebb in 1856 and 1857 that even many in the ministry were being driven to hand labor for their own support, was a question hard to solve. COOD 106.1