Special Testimonies Concerning the Work and Workers in the Pacific Press

Danger from Worldly Books

14. I have a word from the Lord for you who are handling sacred things, and yet who do not appreciate the value of eternal things, and have not spiritual discernment to understand the work that you are doing. The Spirit of God is grieved because works of a worldly character, which are calculated to charm the senses, to fill the mind with that which can be compared only to wood, hay, and stubble, are multiplied in the office of publication. These books are read with eagerness, and they contain no spiritual nutriment, whereby the soul can acquire moral strength, give no true idea of Christian life, or instruction in regard to the common duties of life. The atmosphere they breathe is one that is detrimental to solid Christian experience. Were Christ upon the earth today, he would cleanse the office of many things that are not in accordance with our high profession, as he cleansed the temple of its unholy traffic. “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Let every soul begin to cleanse his own soul temple, and thus cooperate with Christ in the work of purifying the office. PH152 34.1

15. Let not books be placed before the workers which, if they do not mislead and corrupt the mind, will still give to the mind a disrelish for the study of the Word of God, which brings to view matters of eternal interest. Let the truth of God be the subject for contemplation and meditation. The Bible is God's letter to man, in which is instruction as to how to become rich in heavenly graces, to secure for the believer the life that shall measure with the life of God. Read the Bible and regard it as the voice of God speaking directly to your soul. Then will you find inspiration, and that wisdom which is divine. There is no time for engaging in trifling, for amusement, for the gratification of selfish propensities. It is time that you were occupied with serious thoughts. And you can not dwell upon the self-denying, self-sacrificing life of the world's Redeemer, and at the same time be joking and jesting, and whiling away your time by indulging in foolishness. And yet those who have professed to be followers of Christ have been guilty of these very things. Sins of no light character have been committed by those who have been in the truth for years, who have had great light, great privileges and responsibilities. “But turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die?” Make a complete surrender of yourselves to Him who has given Himself for you, that you should not perish but have everlasting life. PH152 35.1

16. For Christ's sake cease to prostitute your powers to the service of self. Put your undivided interest into the work that has been committed to your hands. Jesus is looking upon you to see what spirit you manifest in the little things of your earthly life. You are now determining what shall be your destiny hereafter, and heaven is worth everything to you. If you accept the grace of Christ, and the gift of his righteousness, you may show by a consistent life that Jesus is all in all to you. His service is reasonable, for he has redeemed you, and every power of your being belongs to him. You need not make a failure of your Christian life, for Christ has made abundant provision that your faculties may be rightly directed, that your character may be pure and elevated and noble. PH152 36.1