Testimony for the Church — No. 20

Epistle Number Five

I was shown the case of Bro. ——, that he had been standing for some time resisting the truth. His sin was not because he did not receive that which he sincerely believed to be error, but because he did not investigate diligently, and have a knowledge of what he was opposing. He took it for granted that Sabbath-keeping Adventists, as a body, were in error. This view was in harmony with his feelings, and he did not see the necessity of finding out for himself by diligently searching the Scriptures with earnest prayer. Had Bro. —— pursued this course, he might now have been far in advance of his present position. He has been too slow to receive evidence, and neglectful in searching the Scriptures, to see if these things were so. Paul did not consider those worthy of commendation who resisted his teachings as long as they could, until compelled by overwhelming evidence to decide in favor of the doctrine he taught, which he had received of God. T20 175.2

Paul and Silas left Thessalonica, where they had labored in the synagogue of the Jews with some success; but to the great dissatisfaction of the unbelieving Jews, who created a disturbance, and made a great uproar against Paul and Silas. These devoted apostles were obliged to leave under the cover of night, and go to Berea, where they were gladly welcomed. They speak in commendation of the Bereans thus: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed.” Bro. —— has failed to see the vital importance of the question. He did not feel the burden pressing him to diligent search, independent of any man, to find out what is truth. He has thought too much of Eld. ——, and has not felt the necessity of learning of One who is meek and lowly of heart. He has not been teachable, but self-confident. Our Saviour has no words of commendation for those who are slow of heart to believe in these last days, any more than he had for a doubting Thomas, who boasted that he would not believe upon the evidence the disciples rehearsed, which they credited, that Christ had indeed risen and appeared to them. Said Thomas, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Christ granted Thomas the evidence he had declared he must have; but he reprovingly said to him, “Be not faithless, but believing.” Thomas acknowledged himself convinced. Jesus said unto him, “Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” T20 176.1

Bro. ——'s position made him a weak man. He remained for quite a length of time warring against nearly everything but the Sabbath; fellowshipping commandment-breakers, he still being claimed by the Adventists who were in bitter opposition to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment. He was in no condition to help them, because he was in a state of indecision himself. His influence has rather confirmed many in their unbelief. T20 177.1

With all the help, evidences, and encouragement, Bro. —— has had, his standing back has displeased the Lord, while it has strengthened the hands of those who were fighting against God by their opposition to the truth. T20 178.1

Bro. —— might now be a strong man, possessing influence with God's people in Maine, esteemed highly in love for his works’ sake. Bro. —— would be inclined to the idea that his backwardness was a special virtue, rather than a sin which he must repent of. He has been very slow to learn the lessons God has designed to teach him. He has not been an apt scholar, having a growth and an experience in present truth, which would qualify him to bear that weight of responsibility he might now bear, had he diligently improved all the light given. I was shown a time when Bro. —— began to make an effort to subdue himself, and restrain his appetite; then he could the more easily be patient. He had been easily excited, passionate, irritable, depressed in spirit, and his eating and drinking had very much to do in keeping him in this state, where the lower organs bore sway and predominated over the higher powers of the mind. Temperance would do much for Bro. ——; and more physical exercise and labor is necessary for his health. As Bro. —— made efforts to control himself, he began to grow, but did not receive that blessing in his efforts to improve that he would have done had these efforts been made at an earlier period. T20 178.2

Instead of gathering with Christ into the truth, he too long drew back, would not advance, and stood directly in the way of the advancement of others, and so scattered abroad. His influence has stood directly in the way of the progress of the work which God sent his servants to do. T20 179.1

Bro. ——'s ideas of order and organization have been in direct opposition to God's plan of order. God has order in Heaven to be imitated by those upon earth who are heirs of salvation. The nearer mortals attain to the order and arrangement of Heaven, the more closely are they brought into that acceptable state before God which will make them subjects of the heavenly kingdom, and give them that fitness for translation from earth to Heaven which Enoch possessed preparatory to his translation. T20 179.2

Bro. —— should be guarded. There is a lack of order in his organization. His being has not been in harmony with that restraint, that care and diligence, necessary in order to preserve harmony and union of action. T20 180.1

His education for years in his religious experience has been a great detriment to his dear children, and especially to God's people. T20 180.2

The obligations Heaven has imposed upon a father, and especially upon a minister, he has not realized. A man who has but a feeble sense of his responsibility as a father, to encourage and enforce order, discipline, and obedience, will fail as a minister and as a shepherd of the flock. The same lack which characterizes his management at home in his family will be seen in a more public capacity in the church of God. Wrongs will exist uncorrected, because of the unpleasant results which attend reproof and earnest appeals. T20 180.3

Bro. ——'s family need a great reform. God is not pleased with their present state of disorder, having their own way and following their own course of action. This condition of things in his family is destined to counteract his influence where he is known. It also has the effect to discourage those who have a will to help him in the support of his family. This lack is an injury to the cause. Bro. —— does not restrain his children. God is not pleased with their disorderly, boisterous ways—their unrefined deportment. All this is the result of, or the curse which follows, the unabridged liberty which Adventists have claimed was their blessed privilege to enjoy. Bro. and Sr. —— have desired the salvation of their children; but I saw that God would not work a miracle in the conversion of their children while there were duties resting upon the parents, of which they have but little sense. God has left a work for these parents to do, which they have thrown back upon God to do for them. T20 180.4

When Bro. and Sr. —— feel the burden they ought to feel for their children, they will unite their efforts to establish order, discipline, and wholesome restraint, in their family. Bro. ——, you have been slothful in bearing the burdens which every father should bear in the family; and as the result, very heavy has been the burden which has been left for the mother to bear. You have been too willing, Bro. ——, to excuse yourself from care and burdens at home and abroad. T20 181.1

When, in the fear of God, with solemnity of mind in view of the Judgment, he resolutely takes the burden Heaven has designed he should, and when he has done all that he can on his part, then can he offer the understanding prayer, with the Spirit, and in faith, for God to do that work for his children which is beyond the power of man to perform. There has been a lack of judiciously using means. Wise judgment has not influenced him as much as the voices and desires of his children. He does not place the estimate that he should upon means in his hands, and expend it cautiously for the most needful articles, the very things he must have for comfort and health. The entire family need to improve in this respect. Many things are needed in his family for convenience and comfort. The lack of appreciating order and system in the family arrangement, leads to destructiveness and working to great disadvantage. All members of the family should realize that a responsibility rests upon them individually to do their part in adding to the comfort, order, and good regulations, in the family arrangement. One should not work against another. Each should unitedly engage in the good work of encouraging each other, exercising gentleness, forbearance, and patience, speaking in low, calm tones, shunning confusion, each doing their utmost to lighten the burdens of the mother. Things should no longer be left at loose ends, all excusing themselves from duty, leaving for another to do that which they can and should do themselves. These things may be trifles; but when all are put together, they make great disorder, and bring down the frown of God. It is the neglect of the littles, the trifles, which poisons life's happiness. A faithful performance of the littles, composes the sum of happiness to be realized in this life. He that is faithful in little, is faithful also in much. He that is unfaithful or unjust in small matters, will be in greater matters. All in the family arrangement should understand just the part they are expected to act in union with the family. All should understand that it is required of them to bear their share of life's burdens, from the child six years old and upward. T20 181.2

There are important lessons for these children to learn; and they can learn them better now than at a later period. God will work for these dear children in union with the efforts their parents make in a wise direction, and will bring them to become learners in the school of Christ. Jesus would have these children separate from the vanities of the world, leave the pleasures of sin, and choose the path of humble obedience. If they will now heed the gracious invitation and accept Jesus as their Saviour, he will cleanse them from their sins, and impart grace and strength to them, if they follow on to know the Lord. T20 183.1

Dear Bro. ——, your lessons, learned amid the distracting influences which have existed in Maine, have been exceedingly injurious to your family. You have not been as circumspect as God requires you to be in your conversation. You have not dwelt upon the truth in your family, diligently teaching the principles of the truth and the commandments of God unto your children, when you rise up, and when you sit down; when you go out, and when you come in. You have not appreciated your work as a father, or as a minister. There has not been that zealous performance of duty to your children. T20 183.2

In regard to family prayer, time has not been devoted to this duty, and you have not required the presence of the entire members of your household. The meaning of husband is house-band. All members of the family center in the father. He is the lawmaker, illustrating in his own manly bearing, sterner virtues, energy, integrity, honesty, patience, courage, diligence, and practical usefulness. The father is, in one sense, the priest of the household, laying upon the altar of God the morning and evening sacrifice. The wife and children should be encouraged to unite in this offering, and also engage in the song of praise to God. The father should, as priest of the household, confess, morning and evening, to God, the sins committed by himself and his children through the day, which have come to his knowledge, and also those sins which are secret, which God's eye alone has taken cognizance of. This rule of action, zealously carried out on the part of the father, when he is present, and the mother when the father is absent, will result in blessings to the family. T20 184.1

The reason why the youth of the present age are not more religiously inclined, is because of the defect in their education. It is not true love which is exercised toward children, to permit in them the indulgence of passion, or permit disobedience of your laws to go unpunished. As the twig is bent the tree is inclined. You love your ease too well. You are not painstaking enough. Constant effort is required; constant watchfulness, and earnest, fervent prayer; keeping the mind in a praying mood, uplifted to God; “not slothful in business; fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” You have failed in your family to appreciate the sacredness of the Sabbath, and to teach it to your children, and enjoin upon them its sacredness, and the importance of keeping it according to the commandment. Your sensibilities are not clear and ready to discern the high standard we must reach in order to be commandment-keepers. God will assist you in your efforts, when you earnestly take hold of the work. You should possess perfect control over yourself; then you can have better success in controlling your children when they are unruly. A great work is before you to repair past neglects. You are not required to perform it in your own strength. Ministering angels will aid you in this work. No throwing up of the work, or laying aside the burden. You should lay hold of it with a will, and repair your long neglect. You must have higher views of God's claims upon you in regard to his holy day. Everything that can, possibly, should be done on the six days which God has given to you. You should not rob God of one hour of holy time. Great blessings are promised to those who place a high estimate upon the Sabbath, and realize the obligations resting upon them in regard to its observance, “If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, [from trampling upon it, setting it at naught,] from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and shalt honor him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words; then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” T20 185.1

When the Sabbath is brought to us, we should, from its commencement, place a guard upon ourselves, upon our acts and our words, lest we rob God by appropriating that time which is strictly the Lord's, to our own use. We should not do, ourselves, or suffer our children to do, any manner of our own work for a livelihood, or that which could have been done on the six days. Friday is the day of preparation. Time can then be devoted to thinking, and doing, and conversing upon, things necessary in preparing for the Sabbath. Nothing should be left unsaid or undone, to be said or done upon the Sabbath, which will, in the sight of Heaven, be regarded as a violation of the holy Sabbath. God requires that we shall not only refrain from physical labor upon the Sabbath, but the mind must be disciplined to dwell upon sacred themes. The fourth commandment is virtually transgressed by conversing upon worldly things, or engaging in light and trifling conversation. Talking upon everything or anything which may come into the mind, is speaking our own words. Every deviation from right brings into bondage and condemnation. T20 186.1

Bro. ——, you should discipline yourself to discern the sacredness of the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and labor to raise the standard in your family, and among God's people wherever you have, by example, lowered it. You should counteract the influence you have cast in this respect, by a change of words and actions. T20 187.1

You have often forgotten, and have spoken your own words upon God's sanctified day. You have frequently failed to “remember the Sabbath-day to keep it holy.” You have been unguarded, and have, upon the Sabbath, joined with the unconsecrated in conversation upon the common topics of the day, such as gains and losses, stocks, crops, and provisions. In this, your example injures your influence. You should reform. T20 187.2

Those who are not fully converted to the truth, frequently let their minds freely run upon worldly business, although they may rest from physical toil upon the Sabbath, and their tongues speak out what is in their minds, hence these words concerning cattle, crops, losses, and gains. All this is Sabbath breaking. If the mind is running upon worldly matters, the tongue will reveal it; for, out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. T20 188.1

The example of ministers especially, in this respect, should be circumspect. And they should conscientiously restrict themselves upon the Sabbath to conversation upon religious themes, present truth, present duty, the Christian's hopes and fears, trials, conflicts, and afflictions, overcoming at last, and the reward to be received. T20 188.2

Ministers of Jesus should stand as reprovers to those who fail to remember the Sabbath to keep it holy. They should solemnly and kindly reprove those who engage in worldly conversation upon the Sabbath, and at the same time claim to be Sabbath-keepers. They should encourage devotion to God upon his holy day. T20 188.3

None should feel at liberty to spend sanctified time in an unprofitable manner. It is displeasing to God for Sabbath-keepers to sleep during much of the Sabbath. They dishonor their Creator in doing this; and, by their example, say that the six days are too precious for them to spend in resting. They must make money, although it be by robbing themselves of needed sleep, which they make up by sleeping away holy time. They then excuse themselves by saying, The Sabbath was given for a day of rest. I will not deprive myself of rest to attend meeting; for I need rest. T20 189.1

Such make a wrong use of the sanctified day. They should, upon that day especially, interest their families in its observance, and should gather with the few or with the many, as the case may be. They should devote their time and energies in spiritual exercises, that the divine influence resting upon the Sabbath may attend them through the week. Of all the days in the week, none are as favorable for devotional thoughts and feelings as the Sabbath. All Heaven was represented to me as beholding and watching those upon the Sabbath who acknowledge the claims of the fourth commandment upon them, and were observing the Sabbath. Angels were marking their interest in, and high regard for, this divine institution of God. Those who sanctified the Lord God in their hearts, by a strictly devotional frame of mind, and sought to improve the sacred hours in keeping the Sabbath to the best of their ability, to honor God by calling the Sabbath a delight, these the angels were specially blessing with light and health, and special strength was given them. But on the other hand, those who failed to appreciate the sacredness of God's sanctified day, the angels were turning from them, removing their light and their strength. I saw them overshadowed with a cloud, desponding, and frequently sad. They felt a lack of the Spirit of God. T20 189.2

Dear Bro ——, you should be circumspect in your conversation at all times. Has God called you to be a representative of Jesus Christ upon earth, in Christ's stead beseeching sinners to be reconciled to God? This is a solemn, exalted work. Bro. ——, your work is but just begun when you cease speaking in the desk. You are not released from responsibilities when out of meeting. You are to be a living epistle, known and read of all men. You should maintain your consecration to the work of saving souls out of meeting. Ease is not to be consulted. Pleasure is not to be thought of. The salvation of souls is the all-important theme. For this work, the minister of the gospel of Christ is called. He must maintain good works out of meeting, and adorn his profession by his godly conversation and circumspect deportment. You have frequently, after your pulpit labor, around the fireside, in the company you are with, counteracted your efforts in the pulpit, by your unconsecrated conversation. You must live out what you preach to others as their duty, and take upon yourself, as you never yet have done, the burden of the work, the weight of responsibility, which should rest upon every minister of Christ. Confirm the labor bestowed in the desk by following it up in private effort. Judicious conversation upon present truth should be engaged in, candidly ascertaining the state of mind of those present, and in the fear of God, making a practical application of important truth to the cases of those with whom you associate. You have failed to be instant in season, out of season, to reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine. As a watchman upon the walls of Zion, constant watchfulness is necessary. Your vigilance must not abate. Educate yourself to be able to appeal to families around the fireside. You can accomplish even more in this direction than by your pulpit labors alone. T20 190.1

Watch for souls as one that must give an account. Give no occasion for unbelievers to charge you with remissness in this duty, by neglecting to appeal to them personally. Talk with them faithfully, and beseech them to yield to the truth. “For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; to the one, we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other, the savor of life unto life.” As the apostle views the magnitude of the work, and the weighty responsibilities resting upon the minister, he exclaims, “And who is sufficient for these things?” “For we are not as many which corrupt the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, speak we in Christ.” Those who corrupt the word, handing out wheat and chaff, or anything that they may deem gospel, while they oppose the commandments of God, cannot appreciate the feelings of the apostle while he trembled under the weight of the solemn work, and the responsibility resting upon him as a minister of Christ, having the destiny of souls, for whom Christ died, resting upon him. T20 191.1

In the estimation of self-made ministers, it will take but a small pattern to fill the bill, and make a minister. The apostle had a high estimate of the qualifications necessary to make a minister. The deportment of a minister while in the desk, should be circumspect, not careless. He should not be negligent of his attitude. He should have refinement and order, in the highest sense, God requires of those who accept so responsible a work, to receive the words from his mouth and speak them to the people, warning and reproving, correcting and comforting, as the case may require. God's representatives upon earth should be in daily communion with him. Their words should be select, their speech sound. The haphazard words frequently used by ministers who preach not the gospel in sincerity should be forever discarded. T20 192.1

I was shown, Bro. ——, that you had been naturally irritable, easily provoked, lacking patience, and forbearance. If your course was questioned, or you urged to take your position upon the truth, you have felt too much that you would not be hurried. You would not move a step because others desired you to. You would take your time. Should your hearers pursue the same course, you would consider them blame worthy. If all should do as you have done, God's people would require a temporal millennium in which to make the needed preparations for the Judgment. God has mercifully borne with your backwardness. It will not answer for others to follow your example; for you are now weak, and deficient where you might be strong and well qualified for the work. T20 193.1

Bro. ——could effect but little for you. He erred in especially interesting himself for those who thought they should become teachers. His labors were unwisely directed. Had he not touched the case of a minister in Maine, and had he labored in new fields where there had been no Adventists, many would have been brought to the knowledge of the truth. Bro. —— has been advancing slowly, and occupying a position more pleasing to God in regard to patience, forbearance, and endurance; and yet there is a much greater work to be done for him before he can make a successful minister in the cause, and advance the work of God. T20 193.2

You refused, Bro. ——, to be helped by Bro. ——. He zealously interested himself in your case. Time and strength was devoted to you; and matters were shaped for your special benefit, to remove your prejudice and win you to accept the truth, until your indolence and unbelief exhausted the patience of Bro. ——. Then the character of his labor changed, and he pressed you to come to a decision and move out upon the light and evidence you had received. This earnest effort on his part, you termed crowding and jamming you; your mulish temperament was manifested. You rose up against this dealing and rejected the efforts he made to help you. Here you injured yourself and disheartened Bro. —— Your course displeased God; your feelings toward Bro. —— were not Christian. You gloried in your resistance of his efforts in your behalf. The Lord blessed the labors of Bro. ——, in raising up a people in the State of Maine. This labor was hard and trying, and you did your share in making it so. You have not realized how hard you was making the work for those whom God had sent to present the truth to the people. They were exhausting their energies to bring the people to the point of decision in regard to the truth, while you and others of the ministers stood directly in their way. God was working through his ministers to draw to the truth; and Satan was working through you and other ministers to discourage and counteract their labor. The very men professing to be watchmen who, if they had stood in the counsel of God, would have first received the word of warning and given it to the people, were among the last to accept the truth. The people were in advance of their teachers. They received the warning even before the watchmen, because the watchmen were unfaithful and were sleeping at their post. T20 194.1

Bro. ——, you should have had feelings of brotherly sympathy and love for Bro. ——; for he deserved this from you rather than one word of censure. You should severely censure your own course, because you was found fighting against God. But you have amused yourself and others at the expense of Bro. ——, by relating his efforts for you, and your resistance of his labors, and have enjoyed a hearty laugh over the matter. T20 195.1

It becomes every minister of Jesus Christ to use sound speech, which cannot be condemned. I was shown that a solemn work is to be accomplished for the ministers of Christ. This cannot be done without effort on their part. They must feel that they have a work to do in their own cases, which no other one can do for them. They must seek to gain the qualifications necessary, in order to make able ministers of Jesus Christ, that in the day of God they may stand acquitted, free from the blood of souls, having done all their duty in the fear of God. As their reward the faithful under shepherds will hear from the chief Shepherd, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” He will then place the crown of glory upon their heads, and bid them enter into the joy of their Lord. What is that joy? It is beholding with him the redeemed saints, seeing with Christ the travail for souls, the self-denial, the self-sacrifice, the giving up of ease, of worldly gain, every earthly inducement, and choosing the reproach, the suffering, the self-abasement, the wearing labor, the anguish of spirit, as men oppose the counsel of God against their own souls, the chastening of the soul before God, the weeping between the porch and the altar, and the becoming a spectacle unto the world, to angels, and to men. All this is then ended, and the fruits of the laborers are seen, as souls are saved through their efforts in Christ. The ministers who have been co-workers with Christ enter with him into the joy of their Lord, and are satisfied. T20 196.1

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Ministers are too forgetful of the Author of their salvation. They think they endure much, when they bear and suffer but little. God will work for ministers if they will let him work for them. If they feel that they are all right, and do not need a thorough conversion, and will not see themselves and come up to the measurement of God, he can do better without their labors than with them. T20 197.1

God requires ministers to fill the bill, to show themselves approved unto God, workmen that needeth not to be ashamed. If they refuse this strict discipline, God will release them, and select men who will not rest until they are thoroughly furnished unto all good works. T20 197.2

Our hearts are naturally sinful, and slothful in the service of Christ; and we need to be guarded constantly, or we shall fail to endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ; and we shall not feel the necessity of aiming vigorous blows against besetting sins, but will readily yield to the suggestions of Satan, and raise a standard for ourselves, rather than accept the pure and elevated standard God has raised for us. T20 198.1

I saw that the Sabbath-keeping ministers of Maine have failed to become Bible students. They have not felt the necessity of a diligent study of the word of God themselves, that they might be thoroughly furnished unto all good works; neither have they felt the necessity of urging the close searching of the Scriptures upon their hearers. If there had not been one Seventh-day Adventist minister in Maine to oppose the counsel of God, all that has been accomplished might have been done with one-half the effort that has been made; and the people might have been brought into order from their distracted, confused state, and now have been strong enough to stand against opposing influences. Many places which have not yet been entered might have been visited, and successful labor bestowed, which would have brought many to a knowledge of the truth. T20 198.2

Much of the labor which has been spent in Maine has been for Seventh-day Adventist ministers to bring them into a right position. It has required hard labor to counteract their influence while they were opposing the counsel of God against their own souls, and standing in the way of sinners. They would not enter in themselves, and them that would, they hindered by precept and example. There has been a mistake in following into fields where there were Adventists who do not as a general thing feel any necessity of being helped. They think themselves in a good condition, and able to teach others. The laborers are few, and their labor must be spent to the best possible advantage. Much more can be done in the State of Maine, as a general thing, where there is not one Adventist. New fields should be entered, and the time that has hitherto been spent in wearing labor for Adventists who have no wish to learn, should be devoted to new fields, going out into the highways and hedges, and working for the conversion of unbelievers. If Adventists will hear, and come, let them come. Leave the way open for them to come if they choose. T20 199.1

E. G. W.