Testimony for the Church — No. 4

“Love One Another”

The following view was given me at Ulysses, Penn., July 6th, 1857. It relates to things as they have existed in Roosevelt, N. Y., and Oswego Co. in particular, also to other places in that State. T04 13.1

I have seen that there have been so many church trials among the brethren in the State of New York, that God has not had the least to do with, that the Church have lost their strength, and they know not how to regain it. The love for one another has been gone, and a fault-finding, accusing spirit, has prevailed. It has been considered a virtue to hunt up everything about one another that looked wrong, and make it appear full as bad as it really was. The bowels of compassion that yearn in love and pity toward brethren, has not existed. The religion of some has consisted in fault-finding, picking at everything bearing the appearance of wrong, until the noble feelings of the soul are withered. The mind should be elevated to dwell upon eternal scenes, heaven, its treasures, its glories, and should take sweet and holy satisfaction in the truths of the Bible. They should love to feed upon the precious promises that God's word affords, draw comfort from it, and the mind should be lifted above trifles to weighty, eternal things. T04 13.2

But oh, how differently has the mind been employed! Picking at straws! Church meetings as they have been held, have been a living curse to many in New York. These manufactured trials have given full liberty to evil surmising. Jealousy has been fed. Hatred has existed, but they knew it not. A wrong idea has been in the minds of some, to reprove without love, hold others to their idea of what is right, and spare not, but bear down with crushing weight. T04 14.1

I saw that many in New York have had so much care for their brethren, to keep them straight, that they have neglected their own hearts. They are so fearful that their brethren will not be zealous and repent, that they forget that they have wrongs that must be righted. With their own hearts unsanctified, they try to right their brethren. Now the only way the brethren and sisters in New York can rise, is to attend to their own individual cases, and each set his own heart in order. And if sin is plain upon a brother, breathe it not to another, but with love for the brother's soul, with a heart full of compassion, with bowels of mercies, tell him the wrong, then leave it upon the brother and the Lord. You have discharged your duty. You are not to pass sentence. T04 14.2

You have made it too light an affair to reign up a brother, condemn and hold under condemnation. There has been a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. If all set their own hearts in order, when they meet together their testimony would be ready, and come from a full soul; and the people around that believe not the truth would be moved. The manifestation of the Spirit of God would tell to their hearts that you are the children of God. Our love for each other should be visible to all. It will tell. It will have influence. T04 14.3

I saw that the church in New York might rise. Individually take hold of the work in earnest, be zealous and repent; and after all wrongs are righted that you have knowledge of, then believe that God accepts you. Go not mourning, but take God at his word. Seek him diligently, and believe that he receives you. A part of the work is to believe. He is faithful who has promised. Climb up by faith. T04 15.1

I saw in New York the brethren can arise as well as in other places; and they can drink in the salvation of God. They can move understandingly, and all have an experience for themselves in this message of the true Witness to the Laodiceans. The Church feel that they are down, but know not how to rise. The intentions of some may be very good; they may confess; yet, I saw, that they were watched with suspicion, they were made an offender for a word, until they have no liberty, no salvation. They dare not act out the simple feelings of the heart, because they are watched. It is God's pleasure that his people should fear him, and have confidence before each other. T04 15.2

I saw that many have taken advantage of what God has shown in regard to the sins and wrongs of others. They have taken the extreme meaning of what has been shown in vision; and then have pressed it, until it has had the tendency to weaken the faith of many in what God has shown, and also to discourage and dishearten the Church. T04 15.3

I was shown that with tender compassion should brother deal with brother. Delicately should he deal with feelings. And, I saw, that it is the most important work that ever yet was done, and the nicest point to touch the wrongs of another. With the deepest humility should a brother do this, considering his own weakness, lest he should also be tempted. T04 16.1

I have seen the great sacrifice Jesus made to redeem man. He did not consider his own life too dear to sacrifice. Said Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Do you feel, when a brother errs, that you could give your life to save him? If you feel thus, you can approach him, and affect his heart. You are just the one to visit that brother, but it is a lamentable fact, that many who profess to be brethren, are not willing to sacrifice any of their opinions, or their judgment for to save a brother. There is but little love for one another. A selfish spirit has been manifested. T04 16.2

Discouragement has come upon the Church. They have been loving the world, loving their farms, their cattle, &c. Now Jesus calls them to cut loose, to lay up treasure in heaven, to buy gold, white raiment, and eye salve. Precious treasures are these. They will obtain for the possessor an entrance into the kingdom of God. T04 16.3

The people of God must move understandingly. They should not be satisfied until every known sin is confessed; then it is their privilege, and duty, to believe that Jesus accepts them. They must not wait for others to press through the darkness and obtain the victory for them to enjoy. Such enjoyment will last only till the meeting closes. But there must be serving of God from principle, instead of feeling. Morning and night obtain the victory for yourselves, in your own family. Let not your daily labor keep you from this. Take time to pray, and believe as you pray that God hears you. Have faith mixed with your prayers. You may not feel the immediate answer at all times, then it is that faith is tried. You are proved to see whether you will trust in God, whether you have living, abiding faith. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” Walk the narrow plank of faith. Trust all on the promises of God. Trust God in darkness. That is the time to have faith. But you often let feeling govern you. You look for worthiness in yourselves, when you do not feel comforted by the Spirit of God, and despair because you cannot find it. You do not trust enough in Jesus, precious Jesus. You do not make his worthiness to be all, all. The very best you can do will not merit the favor of God. It is Jesus’ worthiness that will save you, his blood will cleanse you. But you have efforts to make. You must do what you can on your part. Be zealous and repent, then believe. T04 16.4

Confound not faith and feeling together. They are distinct. Faith is ours to exercise. This faith we must keep in exercise. Believe, believe. Let your faith take hold of the blessing, and it is yours by faith. Your feelings have nothing to do with this faith. When faith brings the blessing to your heart, then you rejoice in the blessing. It is no more faith, but feeling. T04 17.1

The people of God in New York must steadily arise, and come out from the darkness, and let their light shine. They are standing right in the way of the work of God. They must let the Message of the Third Angel do its work upon their hearts. God is dishonored by your long, faithless prayers. Look away from the unworthiness of self, and exalt Jesus. Talk of faith, of light, and heaven, and you will have light, faith and love, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. T04 18.1

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