Testimony for the Church — No. 26

Epistle Number Three.

Dear Brother and Sister C——: I will now try to write what has been presented before me in regard to you, for I feel that it is time for this church to get their hearts in order and make diligent work for eternity. You both have the truth and want to obey it, but you are inexperienced. I was shown that you would be placed in circumstances where you would be tried and tested, and traits of character would be revealed which you were not aware that you possessed. T26 72.2

Many who have never been placed in positions of trial, appear to be excellent Christians, their lives faultless, but God sees that they have traits of character that must be revealed to them before they can perceive and correct them. T26 73.1

Simeon under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost prophesied. He said unto Mary in reference to Jesus, “Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel, and for a sign that shall be spoken against; yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul also that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” In the providence of God, we are placed in different positions to call into exercise qualities of mind calculated to develop character under a variety of circumstances. “Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” T26 73.2

Professed Christians may live unexceptionable lives as far as outward appearance is concerned, but when a change of circumstances throws them into entirely different positions, strong points of character are discovered, which would have remained hidden had their surroundings remained the same. T26 73.3

I was shown that you have selfish traits which you have need to strictly guard against. You will be in danger of regarding your prosperity and your convenience irrespective of the prosperity of others. You do not possess that spirit of self-denial that resembles the great Example. You should cultivate benevolence which will bring you more in harmony with the spirit of Christ in his disinterested benevolence. T26 73.4

You need more human sympathy. This is a quality of our natures which God has given us to render us charitable and kind to those with whom we are brought in contact. We find it in men and women whose hearts are not in unison with Christ, and it is a sad sight indeed when his professed followers lack this great essential of Christianity. They do not copy the Pattern, and it is impossible for them to reflect the image of Jesus in their lives and deportment. T26 74.1

When human sympathy is blended with love and benevolence, and sanctified by the spirit of Jesus, it is an element which can be productive of great good. Those who cultivate benevolence are not only doing a good work for others, and blessing those who receive the good action, but they are benefiting themselves by opening their hearts to the benign influence of true benevolence. Every ray of light shed upon others will be reflected upon our own hearts. Every kind and sympathizing word spoken to the sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed, and every gift to supply the necessity of our fellow-beings, given or done with an eye to God's glory, will result in blessings to the giver. Those who are thus working are obeying a law of Heaven and will receive the approval of God. T26 74.2

The pleasure of doing good to others imparts a glow to the feelings which flashes through the nerves, quickens the circulation of the blood, and induces mental and physical health. Jesus knew the influence of benevolence upon the heart and life of the benefactor. He sought to impress upon the minds of his disciples the benefits to be derived from the exercise of this virtue. T26 75.1

He says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” He illustrates the spirit of cheerful benevolence, which should be exercised towards friends, neighbors, and strangers, by the parable of the man who journeyed from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, “which stripped him of his raiment and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” The Priest and Levite, notwithstanding their exalted professions of piety, had not their hearts stirred with pitying tenderness for the sufferer. A Samaritan who made no such lofty pretensions to righteousness, passed that way, and when he saw the stranger's need, he did not regard him with mere idle curiosity, but he saw a human being in distress, and his compassion was excited. He immediately “went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” And on the morrow he left him in the charge of the host with an assurance that he would pay all charges on his return. Christ asks, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him who fell among the thieves? And he said, he that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, go, and do thou likewise.” T26 75.2

Here Jesus wished to give his disciples a lesson in the moral obligations binding upon man to his fellow-man. And whoever neglects to carry out these principles, illustrated by this lesson, are not commandment keepers, but, like the Levite, they break the law of God that they pretend to revere, while there are those who, like the Samaritan, make no pretensions to exalted piety, yet have a high sense of the moral obligation due their fellow-men, and whose charity and kindness is far greater than some who profess great love to God but fail in good works toward his creatures. T26 76.1

Those are truly loving their neighbor as themselves, who realize their responsibilities and the claims that suffering Humanity has upon them, and carry out the principles of God's law in their daily lives. “And behold a certain lawyer stood up and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” Christ here shows the lawyer that the true fruits of piety are to love God with all the heart and our neighbor as ourselves. “This do,” said he, not merely believe but do, “and thou shalt live.” It is not alone the professed belief in the binding claims of God's law, that makes the Christian, but also the carrying out of that law. T26 76.2

In the parable Christ exalts the Samaritan above the Priest and Levite who were great sticklers for the letter of the law in the Ten Commandments. The one obeyed the spirit of these commandments, while the other was content to profess an exalted faith in them; but what is faith without works? T26 77.1

When the advocates of the law of God plant their feet firmly upon its principles, showing that they are not merely loyal in name but loyal at heart, carrying out in their daily lives the spirit of God's commandments, and exercising true benevolence to man, then will they have moral power to move the world. It is impossible for those who profess allegiance to the law of God, to correctly represent the principles of that sacred decalogue while slighting its holy injunctions to love our neighbor as ourselves. T26 77.2

The most eloquent sermon that can be preached upon the law of the ten commandments, is to do them. Obedience should be made a personal duty. Negligence of this duty is flagrant sin. God lays us under obligations not only to secure Heaven ourselves, but to feel it a binding duty to show others the way, and, through our care and disinterested love, to lead towards Christ those who come within the sphere of our influence. T26 77.3

The singular absence of principle that characterizes the lives of many professed Christians, is alarming. Their disregard of God's law disheartens those who recognize its sacred claims, and operates to turn those from the truth who would otherwise accept it. T26 78.1

It is necessary for a proper knowledge of ourselves, to look into the mirror and there discover our own defects, and avail ourselves of the blood of Christ, the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, where we may wash our robes of character and remove the stains of sin. Many refuse to see their errors and correct them, they do not want a true knowledge of themselves. T26 78.2

If we would reach a high attainment in moral and spiritual excellence, we must live for it. We are under personal obligation to society to do this, in order to exert an influence continually in favor of God's law. We should let our light shine so that all may see that the influence of the sacred gospel is upon our hearts and lives, that we walk in obedience to its commands and violate none of its principles. We are accountable to the world, in a great degree, for the souls of those around us. Our words and deeds are constantly telling for or against Christ and the law of God, which he came upon earth to vindicate. Let the world see that we are not selfishly narrowed up to our own exclusive interests and our religious joys, but that we are liberal, and desire them to share our blessings and privileges, through the sanctification of the truth. T26 78.3

Let them see that the religion which we profess does not close up nor freeze over the avenues to the soul, making us unsympathizing and exacting. Let all who profess to have found Christ, minister as he did to the benefit of man, cherishing a spirit of wise benevolence. We should then see many souls following the light that shines from our precept and example. T26 79.1

We should all cultivate an amiable disposition and subject ourselves to the control of conscience. The spirit of the truth makes better men and women of those who receive it in their hearts. It works like leaven till the entire being is brought into conformity to its principles. It opens the heart that has been frozen by avarice; it opens the hand that has ever been closed to human suffering; and charity and kindness are seen as its fruits. T26 79.2

God requires that all of us should be self-sacrificing workers. Every part of the truth has a practical application to our daily lives. Blessed are they that hear the word of the Lord and keep it. Hearing is not enough, we must act, we must do. It is in the doing of the commandments that there is great reward. Those who give practical demonstrations of their benevolence by their sympathy and compassionate acts towards the poor the suffering and the unfortunate, not only relieve the sufferers, but contribute largely to their own happiness, and are in the way of securing health of soul and body. Isaiah has plainly described the work that God will accept and bless his people in doing. T26 79.3

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him? and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily; and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rearward. Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity, and if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon-day; and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” T26 80.1

The sympathy which exists between the mind and the body is very great. When one is affected the other responds to that affection. The condition of the mind has much to do with the health of the physical system. If the mind is free and happy, under a consciousness of right-doing and a sense of satisfaction in causing happiness to others, it will create a cheerfulness that will react upon the whole system, causing a freer circulation of the blood and a toning up of the entire body. The blessing of God is a healer, and those who are abundant in benefiting others, will realize that wondrous blessing in their hearts and lives. T26 80.2

If your thoughts dear Bro. and Sr., were more directed in the channel of caring for others, your own souls would be more blessed. You both have too little human sympathy. You do not bring your feelings to the necessity of others. You hold yourselves too rigid and unsympathizing. You have become stern, exacting, and overbearing. You are in danger of making yourselves a conscience for others. You have your own ideas of Christian duties and propriety and you would gauge others by those ideas; this is overreaching the bounds of right. T26 81.1

Other people have opinions and marked traits of character which cannot be assimilated to your peculiar views. You also have defects and faults as well as your brethren and sisters, and it is well to remember this when a difference arises. Your wrongdoing is just as grievous to them as theirs is to you, and you should be as lenient to them as you desire that they should be to you. You both need greater love and sympathy for others, like unto the tenderness of Jesus. T26 81.2

In your own house you should exercise kindness, speaking gently to your child, treating him affectionately, refraining to reprove him for every little error, lest he become hardened by continual fault-finding. T26 82.1

You should cultivate the charity and long-suffering of Christ. You frequently counteract the good you have done by a watchful suspicious spirit in regard to the motives and conduct of others. You are cherishing a feeling that is chilling in its influence, that repulses but does not attract and win. You must be willing to become as yielding and forbearing in your disposition as you desire others to be. Selfish love of your own opinions and your own ways will, in a great measure, destroy your power to do the good you are desirous of doing. T26 82.2

Sister C——, you have too much of the spirit of ruling. You are very sensitive; if your will is crossed you feel very much injured; self rises in arms for you have not a meek and teachable spirit. You will need to watch closely upon this point; in short, you need a thorough conversion before your influence can be what it should be. The spirit you manifest will make you miserable if you continue to cherish it. You will see the mistakes of others and be so eager to correct them that you will overlook your own faults and you will have hard work to remove the mote from your brother's eye while there is a beam obstructing your own vision. T26 82.3

God does not wish you to make your conscience a criterion for others. You have a duty to perform which is to make yourself cheerful and to cultivate unselfishness in your feelings until it will be your greatest pleasure to make all around you happy. T26 83.1

Both of you need to soften your hearts and be imbued with the spirit of Christ, that you may, while living in an atmosphere of cheerfulness and benevolence, help those about you to be healthy and happy also. You have imagined that cheerfulness was not in accordance with the religion of Christ. This is a mistake. We may have true Christian dignity and at the same time be cheerful and pleasant in our deportment. Cheerfulness without levity is one of the Christian graces. You should guard against taking narrow views of religion or you will limit your influence and become an unfaithful steward of God. T26 83.2

Forbear reprimanding and censuring. You are not adapted to reprove. Your words would only wound and sadden, not cure and reform. You should overcome the habit of picking at little things you think amiss. Be broad, be generous and charitable in your judgment of people and things. Open your hearts to the light. Remember that Duty has a twin-sister which is Love; these united can accomplish almost everything, but separated, neither is capable of good. T26 83.3

It is right that you should both cherish integrity and be true to your sense of right. The straight path of duty should be yours from choice. The love of property, the love of pleasure and friendship, should never influence you to sacrifice one principle of right. You should be firm in the dictates of an enlightened conscience and your convictions of duty, but you should guard against bigotry and prejudice. Do not run into a Pharisaical spirit. T26 84.1

You are now sowing seed in the great field of life. That which you now sow you will one day reap. Every thought of your mind, every emotion of your soul, every word of your tongue, every act you perform, is seed that will bear fruit for good or evil. The reaping time is not far distant. All our works are passing in review before God. All our actions and the motives which prompted them, are to be open for the inspection of angels and of God. T26 84.2

You should come into harmony, as much as possible, with your brethren and sisters. You should surrender yourselves to God and leave off your sternness and your disposition to find fault. You should yield your own spirit and take in its place the spirit of the dear Saviour. Reach up and grasp his hand that the touch may electrify you and charge you with the sweet properties of his own matchless character. You may open your hearts to his love and let his power transform you and his grace be your strength. Then will you have a powerful influence for good. Your moral strength will be equal to the closest test of character. Your integrity will be pure and sanctified. Then will your light break forth as the morning. T26 84.3

You both need to come more in sympathy with other minds. Christ is our example; he identified himself with suffering humanity; he made the necessities of others a consideration of his own. When his brethren suffered, he suffered with them. Any slight or neglect of his disciples is as done to Christ himself. Thus he says, “I was a hungered, and ye gave me no meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink.” T26 85.1

Dear brother and sister, you should seek for more harmonious characters. The absence of one essential qualification may render the actions of the rest almost inefficient. The principles you profess should be carried into every thought, word, and act. Self should be crucified and the entire being made subordinate to the Lord. T26 85.2

The church is greatly deficient in love and humanity. Some preserve a cold and chilling reserve and iron dignity that repels those who are brought within its influence. This spirit is contagious; it creates an atmosphere that is withering to good impulses and good resolves; it chokes the natural current of human sympathy, cordiality and love; under its influence people become constrained, and their social and generous attributes are destroyed for want of exercise. Not only is the spiritual health affected, but the physical health suffers by this unnatural depression. The gloom and chill of this unsocial atmosphere is reflected upon the countenance. The faces of those who are benevolent and sympathetic, will shine with the luster of true goodness, while those who do not cherish kindly thoughts and unselfish motives, express in their faces the sentiments cherished in their hearts. T26 85.3

Sister C——, your feelings toward your sister are not exactly as God would have them. She needed sisterly affection from you and less dictating and fault-finding. Your course with her has caused a depression of spirit and anxiety of mind injurious to her health. Be careful lest you oppress and discourage your own sister. You cannot bear anything from her, and you resent anything she says that has the appearance of crossing your track. T26 86.1

Your sister has a positive temperament. She has a work to do for herself in this respect. She should be more yielding, but you must not expect to exert a beneficial influence over her while you are so exacting, and lacking in love and sympathy towards one who bears to you the close relations of a sister, and is also united with you in the faith. You have both erred. You have both given room to the enemy, and self has had much to do with your feelings and actions in regard to each other. T26 86.2

Sister C——, you have an inclination to dictate to your husband, your sister, and all those around you. Your sister has suffered in her mind very much, but this she could have borne had she surrendered herself to God and trusted in him. But God is displeased with your course towards her. It is unnatural and all wrong. She is no more unyielding in her disposition than you are in yours. When two such positive temperaments come in contact with each other, it is very bad for both. You should both of you be converted anew and transformed into the divine likeness. You would better err, if you err at all, on the side of mercy and forbearance than that of intolerance. T26 86.3

Mild measures, soft answers, and pleasant words, are much better fitted to reform and save, than severity and harshness. A little too much unkindness may place persons beyond your reach, while a conciliatory spirit would be the means of binding them to you, and you might then establish them in the right way. You should be actuated by a forgiving spirit also, and give due credit to every good purpose and action of those around you. Speak words of commendation to your husband, your child, your sister, and all with whom you are associated. Continual censure blights and darkens the life of any one. T26 87.1

Do not reproach the Christian religion by jealousy and intolerance towards others. This will but poorly recommend your belief to them. No one has ever been reclaimed from a wrong position by censure and reproach, but many have thus been driven from the truth, and steeled their hearts against conviction. A tender spirit, a gentle and winning deportment, may save the erring and hide a multitude of sins. God requires us to have that charity that suffereth long and is kind. T26 87.2

The religion of Christ does not require us to lose our identity of character, but merely to adapt ourselves, in some measure, to the feelings and ways of other; for many people may be brought together in a unity of religious faith, whose opinions, habits and tastes in temporal matters are not in harmony, but, with the love of Christ glowing in their bosoms, looking forward to the same Heaven as their eternal home, they may have the sweetest and most intelligent communion together, and a unity the most wonderful. T26 88.1

There are scarcely two whose experience is alike in every particular. The trials of one may not be the trials of another, and our hearts should be ever open to kindly sympathy and all aglow with the love Jesus had for all his brethren. T26 88.2

Conquer your disposition to be exacting with your son, lest too frequent reproof make your presence disagreeable to him, and your counsels hateful. Bind him to your heart, not by foolish indulgence, but by the silken cords of love. You can be firm yet kind. Christ must be your helper. Love will be the means of drawing other hearts to yours, and your influence may establish them in the good and right way. T26 88.3

I have warned you against a spirit of censure, and I would again caution you in regard to that fault. Christ sometimes reproved with severity, and in some cases it may be necessary for us to do so; but we should consider that while Christ knew the exact condition of the ones he rebuked, and just the amount of reproof they could bear, and what was necessary to correct their course of wrong, he also knew just how to pity the erring, comfort the unfortunate, and encourage the weak. He knew just how to keep souls from despondency, and to inspire them with hope, because he was acquainted with the exact motives and peculiar trials of every mind. He could not make a mistake. T26 89.1

But we may misjudge motives, we may be deceived by appearances, we may think we are doing right to reprove wrong, and go too far, censure too severely, wound where we wished to heal; or we may exercise sympathy unwisely, and counteract, in our ignorance, reproof that is merited and timely. Our judgment may be wrong, but Jesus was too wise to err. He reproved with pity, and loved those he rebuked with a divine love. T26 89.2

The Lord requires us to be submissive to his will, subdued by his spirit, and sanctified to his service. Selfishness must be put away, and we must overcome every defect in our characters as Christ overcame. In order to accomplish this work we must die daily to self. Said Paul, “I die daily.” He had a new conversion every day, an advance step toward Heaven. To gain daily victories in the divine life is the only course that God approves. T26 89.3

The Lord is gracious, of tender pity, and plenteous in mercy. He knows our needs and weaknesses, and he will help our infirmities if we only trust in him and believe that he will bless us and do great things for us. T26 90.1

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