Testimony for the Church — No. 17

Moral Pollution

I have been shown that we live amid the perils of the last days. Because iniquity abounds, the love of many waxes cold. The word many refers to the professed followers of Jesus Christ. They are affected by the prevailing iniquity, and they backslide from God. But it is not necessary that the followers of Christ should be affected by the prevailing iniquity. The cause of this declension is, that they do not stand clear from this iniquity. The fact that their love to God is waxing cold because iniquity abounds, shows that they are, in some sense, partakers in this iniquity, or it would not affect their love for God, and their zeal and fervor in his cause. T17 184.2

A terrible picture has been presented before me, of the condition of the world. Immorality abounds everywhere. Licentiousness is the special sin of this age. Never did vice lift its deformed head with such boldness as now. The people seem to be benumbed, and the lovers of virtue, and true goodness, are nearly discouraged by its boldness, strength, and prevalence. The iniquity which abounds, is not merely confined to the unbeliever and scoffer. Would that this were the case; but it is not. Many men and women who profess the religion of Jesus Christ, are guilty. Even some who profess to be looking for the appearing of Jesus Christ, are no more prepared for that event than Satan himself. They are not cleansing themselves from all pollution. They have so long served their lust that it is natural for their thoughts to be impure, and their imaginations corrupt. It is as impossible to turn the course of the Niagara river, and send its waters pouring up the falls, as to change their minds to dwell upon pure and holy things. T17 185.1

Youth and children of both sexes, engage in moral pollution, and practice this disgusting, soul-and-body-destroying vice. Many professed Christians are so benumbed by the practice of this terrible vice, that you cannot arouse their moral sensibilities to understand that it is sin, and its sure results, if continued, will be utter shipwreck of body and mind. Man, the noblest being upon the earth, formed in the image of God, transforms himself into a beast! He makes himself gross and corrupt. Every Christian will have to learn to restrain his passions, and be controlled by principle. Unless he does this, he is unworthy of the Christian name. T17 185.2

Some who make a high profession, do not understand the sin of self-abuse, and its sure results. Long-established habit has blinded their understanding. They do not sense the exceeding sinfulness of this degrading sin, which is enervating the system, and destroying their brain nerve power. Moral principle is exceedingly weak, when it conflicts with established habit. The solemn messages from Heaven cannot forcibly impress the heart that is not fortified against the indulgence of this soul-and-body-destroying vice. The sensitive nerves of the brain have lost their healthy tone by morbid excitation to gratify an unnatural desire for sensual indulgence. The electric power of the brain nerves communicates with the entire system. The brain nerves are the only medium through which Heaven can communicate to man, and affect his inmost life. Whatever injures or disturbs the circulation of the electric currents in the nervous system, lessens the strength of the vital powers, and the result is a deadening of the sensibilities of the mind. In consideration of these facts, how important that ministers, and people who profess godliness, should stand forth clear and untainted from this soul-debasing vice. T17 186.1

My soul has been bowed down with anguish as I have been shown the weak condition of God's professed people. Iniquity abounds, and the love of many waxes cold. There are but few professed Christians who regard this matter in the right light, and hold proper government over themselves when public opinion and custom do not condemn them. How few restrain their passions because they feel under moral obligation to do so, and because the fear of God is before their eyes. The higher faculties of man are enslaved by appetite and corrupt passions. Some will acknowledge the evil of sinful indulgences, yet will excuse themselves by saying they cannot overcome their passions. T17 186.2

This is a terrible admission for any person who names Christ, that they cannot control a loathsome, low habit, which is enervating soul and body. “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” Why is this weakness? It is because the animal propensities have been indulged, and strengthened by exercise, until they have gained the ascendency over the higher powers. Men and women lack principle. They are dying spiritually, because they have pampered the natural appetites, by indulgence, so long. Their power of self-government seems gone. The lower passions of their nature have taken the reins, and that which should be the governing power has become the menial servant of corrupted passion. The soul is held in lowest bondage. Sensuality has quenched the desire for holiness, and withered spiritual prosperity. T17 187.1

My soul mourns for the youth who are forming characters in this degenerate age. I also tremble for their parents; for I have been shown that as a general thing they do not understand their obligations to train up their children in the way they should go. Custom and fashion are consulted, and the children soon learn to be swayed by these, and are corrupted; while their indulgent parents are themselves benumbed, and asleep to their danger. But very few of the youth are free from corrupt habits. They are excused from physical exercise to a great degree. The parents fear they will overwork, and therefore bear burdens themselves which their children should bear. Overwork is bad; but the result of indolence is more to be dreaded. Idleness leads to the indulgence of corrupt habits. Industry does not weary and exhaust one-fifth part as much as the pernicious habit of self-abuse. If simple, well-regulated labor exhausts your children, be assured, parents, there is a cause, aside from their labor, which is enervating their systems, and producing a sense of constant weariness. Give your children physical labor, which will call into exercise the nerves and muscles. The weariness attending such labor will lessen their inclination to indulge in vicious habits. Idleness is a curse. It produces licentious habits. T17 187.2

Many cases have been presented before me, and I have been let into their inner lives. My soul has been sick and disgusted with the rotten-heartedness of human beings who profess godliness, and talk of translation to Heaven. I have asked myself frequently, whom can I trust? Who is free from iniquity? T17 188.1

My husband and myself attended a meeting in ——. Our sympathies were enlisted for a brother who was a great sufferer with the phthisic. He was pale and emaciated. He requested the prayers of the people of God. He said that his family were sick, and that he had lost a child. He spoke, with feeling, of his bereavement. He said that he had been waiting for some time to see Bro. and Sr. White. He had believed that if they would pray for him, he would be healed. After the meeting closed, the brethren called our attention to the case. They said that the church was assisting them. His wife was sick, and his child had died. The brethren had met at his house, and united in praying for the afflicted family. We were much worn, and had the burden of labor upon us during the meeting, and wished to be excused. T17 188.2

I had resolved not to engage in prayer for any one, unless the Spirit of the Lord should dictate in the matter. I had been shown that there was so much iniquity abounding, even among professed Sabbath-keepers, that I did not wish to unite in prayer for those of whose history I had no knowledge. I stated my reason. I was assured by brethren that, as far as they knew, he was a worthy brother. I conversed a few words with the one who had solicited our prayers that he might be healed. I could not feel free. He wept. Said he had waited for us to come, and felt assured that if we would pray for him he would be restored to health. We told him we were unacquainted with his life; that we had rather those who knew him would pray for him. He importuned us so earnestly that we decided to consider his case, and present it before the Lord that night; and if the way seemed all clear, we would comply with his request. That night we bowed before God and presented his case before him. We entreated that we might know the will of God concerning him. All we desired was that God might be glorified. Would the Lord have us pray for this afflicted man? We left the burden with the Lord, and retired to rest. In a dream the case of that brother was clearly presented. His course from his childhood up was shown, and if we should pray, the Lord would not hear us; for he regarded iniquity in his heart. The next morning the brother came for us to pray for him. We took him aside, and told him we were sorry to be compelled to refuse his request. I related my dream, which he acknowledged was true. He had practiced self-abuse from his boyhood up. He had continued the practice during his married life. He said he would try to break himself of this sin. This man had a long-established habit to overcome. He was in the middle age of life. His moral principles were so weak when brought in conflict with long-established indulgence, that they were overcome. The animal had gained the ascendency over the higher nature. I asked him in regard to health reform. He could not live it, he said. His wife would throw graham flour out of doors, if it was brought into the house. This man had been helped by the church. Prayer also, had been offered in their behalf. Their child had died, and the wife was sick, and the husband and father would leave his case upon us, for us to bring before a pure and holy God, that he might work a miracle for him and make him well. The moral sensibilities of this man were benumbed. T17 189.1

When the young adopt vile practices while the spirit is tender, they will never obtain force to develop, fully and correctly, physical, intellectual, and moral character. Here was a man debasing himself daily, and yet, dares to venture into the presence of God, and ask an increase of strength which he has vilely squandered, and which if granted, he will consume upon his lust. What forbearance has God! If he should deal with man according to his corrupt ways before him, who could live in his sight? What if we had been less cautious, and carried the case of this man before God while he was practicing iniquity, would the Lord have heard? would he have answered? “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight; thou hatest all workers of iniquity, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” T17 190.1

This is not a solitary case. Even the marriage relation was not sufficient to preserve this man from the corrupt habits of his youth. I wish I could be convinced that such cases as the one I have presented are rare; but I know they are frequent. Children born to parents who are controlled by corrupt passions, are worthless. T17 191.1

What can be expected of such children, but that they will sink lower in the scale than their parents? What can be expected of the rising generation? Thousands are devoid of principle. These very ones are transmitting to their offspring their own miserable, corrupt passions. What a legacy! Thousands drag out their unprincipled lives, tainting their associates, and perpetuating their debased passions, by transmitting them to their children. They take the responsibility of giving to them the stamp of their characters. T17 191.2

I come again to Christians. If all who profess to obey the law of God were free from iniquity, my soul would be relieved; but they are not. Even some who profess to keep all the commandments of God are guilty of the sin of adultery. What can I say to arouse the benumbed sensibilities? Moral principle strictly carried out, becomes the only safeguard of the soul. If ever there was a time when the diet should be of the most simple kind, it is now. Meat should not be placed before our children. Its influence is to excite and increase the force of the lower passions, and has a tendency to deaden the moral or higher powers. Grains and fruits prepared free from grease, and in as natural a condition as possible, should be the food for the tables of all who claim to be preparing for translation to Heaven. The less feverish the diet, the more easily can the passions be controlled. The gratification of taste should not be consulted irrespective of physical, intellectual, or moral health. T17 191.3

Indulgence of the baser passions will lead very many to shut their eyes to the light; for they fear they shall see sins which they are unwilling to forsake. All may see if they will. If they choose darkness rather than light, their criminality will be none the less. Why do not men and women read, and become intelligent upon these things, which so decidedly affect their physical, intellectual, and moral strength? God has given you a habitation to care for, and preserve in the best condition for his service and glory. Your bodies are not your own. “What! Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” T17 192.1