It is interesting to compare this appeal to the church in
1868, with the condition of the church today. rb
“I was shown, Oct. 2, 1868, the state of God's
professed people. Many of them were in great darkness, yet seemed to be
insensible of their true condition. The sensibilities of a large number
seemed to be benumbed in regard to spiritual and eternal things, while their
minds seemed all awake to their worldly interest. Many were cherishing idols
in their hearts, and were practicing iniquity which separated God from them,
and caused them to be bodies of darkness. Yet I saw
but few standing in the light, having discernment and spirituality to
discover these stumbling-blocks and remove them out of the way.
Especially is this the case in Battle Creek. Men in
responsible places at the heart of the work are asleep. They are paralyzed by
Satan, that his plans and devices may not be discerned while he is active to
ensnare, deceive, and destroy. Those who are occupying the position of
watchmen to warn the people of danger, have given up their watch, and recline
at ease. They are unfaithful sentinels. They have remained inactive
and indolent while their wily foe has entered the fort, and works
successfully by their side to tear down what God has commanded to be built
up. They see that Satan is deceiving the inexperienced
2
and unsuspecting, yet they take it all quietly, as though they had no special
interest, as though these things did not concern them. They apprehend no
special danger. They see no cause to raise an alarm.
All to them seems to be going well, and they see no necessity of raising the
faithful, trumpet tones of warning they hear in the plain testimonies borne
showing the people their transgressions and the house of Israel their sins.
These reproofs and warnings disturb the quiet of these sleepy, ease-loving
sentinels. They are not pleased. They say in heart,
if not in words, This is all uncalled for. It is too severe, too harsh. These
men are unnecessarily disturbed and excited, and seem unwilling to give us
any quietude or rest. Ye take too much upon yourselves, seeing the
congregation is holy, every one of them. They are unwilling we should have
any comfort, peace, or happiness. It is active labor, toil, and unceasing
vigilance alone which will satisfy these unreasonable, hard-to-be suited
watchmen. Why don't they prophesy smooth things, and
cry, Peace, peace? Then everything would move on smoothly. {PH011 1.1}
These are the true feelings of a large class in
Battle Creek. Satan exults at his success in
controlling the minds of so many who profess to be Christians. He has
deceived them, benumbed their sensibilities, and planted his hellish banner
right in their midst, and they
3
are so completely deceived that they know not that it is he. The people have not erected graven images, yet their sin
is no less in the sight of God. They worship mammon. They love worldly gain.
Some will make any sacrifice of conscience to obtain their object. God's
professed people are selfish and self-caring. They love the things of this
world, and have fellowship with the works of
darkness. They have pleasure in unrighteousness. They have not
love toward God, nor love for their neighbors. They are idolaters--worse, far worse, in the sight of God,
than the heathen graven-image worshipers who have no knowledge of a better
way. {PH011 2.1}
Christ's followers are required to come out from the
world and be separate, and touch not the unclean, and they shall be sons and
daughters of the Lord. If the conditions are not
complied with on their part, they will not, cannot, realize the fulfillment
of the promise of being children of the most high God, members of the royal
family. A profession of Christianity is nothing in the sight of God;
but true, humble, willing obedience to his requirements designates them as
the children of his adoption, the recipients of his grace, the partakers of
his great salvation. Such will be peculiar, a spectacle unto the world, to
angels, and to men. Their peculiar, holy character will be discernible, and will distinctly
separate them from the world, from its affections and lust. {PH011 3.1}
I saw that but few answer to this description in
Battle Creek. Their love to God is in words, not in deed and in truth. Their
course of action, their works testify of them, that they are not children of
the light, but of darkness. Their works have been in selfishness, in
unrighteousness. Their works have not been wrought in God. Their hearts are
strangers to his renewing grace. They have not experienced the transforming
power which leads them to walk even as Christ walked. Those who are living
branches of the heavenly Vine, will partake of the sap and nourishment of the
vine. They will not be withered and fruitless branches. They will show life,
and vigor, and will flourish and bear fruit to the glory of God. They will be
careful to depart from all iniquity, and perfect holiness in the fear of God.
{PH011 4.1}
The church has departed from the light, neglected
her duties, abused her high and exalted privileges of being peculiar and holy
in character, and thereby dishonored her God, like ancient Israel. They have violated their covenant to live for God and him
only. They have joined in with the selfish and world-loving. Pride, the love
of pleasure, and sin, are cherished, and Christ has departed. His Spirit has
been quenched in the church. Satan works side by side with Professed
5
Christians; yet they are so destitute of spirituality and discernment that
they do not detect him. They have not the burden of the work. The
solemn truths they profess to believe are not a reality to them. They have
not genuine faith. Men and women will act out all the faith they in reality
possess. By their fruits ye shall know them. Not their profession, but the
fruit they bear, shows the character of the true. Many have a form of
godliness, their names are upon the church records, but they have a spotted
record in Heaven. The recording angel has written deeds. Their acts have been
faithfully written. Every selfish act, every wrong word, every unfulfilled
duty, and every secret sin, with every artful dissembling, is faithfully
chronicled in the book of records kept by the recording angel. {PH011 4.2}
Very many profess to be servants of Jesus Christ who
are none of his. They are deceiving their own souls to their own destruction.
While they profess to be servants of Jesus Christ, they are not living in
obedience to his will. Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves servants
to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; Whether of sin unto death, or
of obedience unto righteousness? Many, while professing to be servants of
Jesus Christ, are obeying another master, and working daily against the
Master of whom they profess to be servants. No
6
man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other;
or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God
and mammon. {PH011 5.1}
Earthly and selfish interests engage the mind, soul,
and strength, of God's professed followers. They are, to all intents and
purposes, servants of mammon. They have not experienced a crucifixion to the
world, with its affections and lusts. I saw that but few among the many who
profess to be Christ's followers can say in the language of the apostle,
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." I
am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth
in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the
Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." If willing obedience
and true love characterize the lives of the people of God, their light will
shine with a holy brightness to the world. {PH011
6.1}
The words of Christ, addressed to his disciples, were
designed for all who should believe on his name: "Ye are the salt of the
earth; but if the salt have lost his savor,
wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be
cast out and to be trodden under foot of men." A profession of godliness
without the living principle is as
7
utterly valueless as salt without its saving properties. An unprincipled
professed Christian is a by-word, a reproach to Christ, a dishonor
to his name. "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel,
but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let
your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in Heaven." {PH011
6.2}
The good works of God's people have a more powerful
influence than words. The beholder is attracted by their virtuous life and
unselfish acts, to desire the same righteousness which produced so good
fruit. They are charmed with that power from God
which would transform selfish human beings into the divine, and God is
honored, his name glorified. God is dishonored and his cause reproached by
his people's being in bondage to the world. They are in friendship with the
world, the enemies of God. The only hope of their salvation is a separation
from the world, and to zealously maintain their separate, holy and peculiar
character. Oh! why will not God's people comply with the conditions laid down
in the word of God? If they would do this, they would not fail to realize the
excellent blessings freely given of God to the humble and obedient. I was
amazed as I beheld the terrible darkness of most of the members of the Battle
Creek church. The blindness seemed horrifying. {PH011
7.1}
The lack of true godliness was such that they were
bodies of darkness and death, instead of being the light of the world. There
were so many professing to love God, but in works denying him. They did not
love him, serve, nor obey him. Their own selfish interests were primary.
There seemed to be an alarming lack of principle with a large share. They were
swayed by unconsecrated influence, and seemed to
have no root in themselves. I inquired what these things meant. Why was there
such a destitution of spirituality--so few who had a living experience in
religious things? I was referred to the words of the prophet, "Son of
man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the
stumbling-block of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of
at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the
Lord God: Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his
heart, and putteth the stumbling-block of his iniquity before his face, and
cometh to the prophet; I the Lord will answer him that cometh according to
the multitude of his idols; that I may take the house of Israel in their own
heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols." {PH011 8.1}
The people of God were represented to me in a
backslidden state. They have not an eye single to the glory of God. Their own
glory is prominent. They seek to glorify themselves, and yet call themselves
Christians. Holiness of heart and purity of life were the great subjects of
the teachings of Christ. In his sermon on the mount, after specifying what
they must do in order to be blest, and what they must not do, he says,
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is
perfect. Perfection, holiness --nothing short of this would give them success
in carrying out the principles he had given them. Without this holiness, the
human heart is selfish, sinful, vile, and vicious. Holiness will lead its
possessor to be fruitful, and abound in all good works. He will never become
weary in well-doing, neither look for promotion here in this world. He will
look forward to be promoted by the Majesty of Heaven when he shall exalt his
sanctified and holy ones to his throne. Then shall he say unto them,
"Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world." Then he enumerates the works of
self-denial and mercy, compassion, and righteousness, they had wrought.
Holiness of heart will produce right actions. It is the absence of holiness,
of spirituality, which has led to unrighteous acts, to envy, hatred,
jealousy, evil surmisings, and every hateful and abominable sin.
10
{PH011 8.2}
I have tried in the fear of God to set before his
people their danger and their sins; and have endeavored
to the best of my feeble powers to arouse them. I have stated startling
things, which, if they had believed, would have caused them distress and
terror, and led them to zeal in repenting of their sins and iniquities. I have stated before them that, from what was shown me,
but a small number of those now professing to believe the truth, would
eventually be saved --not because they cannot be saved, but because they will
not be saved in God's own appointed way. The way marked out by our
divine Lord was too narrow and the gate too strait to admit them with their
grasp upon the world, or while cherishing selfishness, or any corruption. All
these there was no room for, and there are but few who will consent to part
with these things, that they may pass the narrow way, and enter the strait
gate. {PH011 10.1}
The words of Christ have been plain and positive:
"Agonize to enter in at the strait gate; for many I say unto you shall
seek to enter in and shall not be able." Professed Christians are not
all so at heart. There are sinners in Zion now, as there were anciently.
Isaiah speaks of them in referring to the day of God: "The sinners in
Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall
dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting
11
burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from the holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his
eyes from seeing evil. He shall dwell on high; his defense
shall be the munitions of rocks; bread shall be given him, his waters shall be
sure." {PH011 10.2}
There are hypocrites now who will tremble when they
obtain a view of themselves. Their own vileness will terrify them in the day
of God which is soon to come upon us, when the Lord "cometh out of his
place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity." Oh!
that terror may now get hold upon them, that they may have a vivid sense of
their condition, and arouse while there is mercy and hope, confess their
sins, and humble their souls greatly before God, that he may pardon their
transgressions, and heal their backslidings. The
people of God are unready for the fearful, trying scenes before us, unready
to stand pure from evil and lust amid the perils and corruptions of this
degenerate age. They have not on the armor of righteousness, and are
unprepared to war against the prevailing sin and iniquity around them. Many
are not obeying the commandments of God; yet they profess so to do. If they
would be faithful to obey all the statutes of God, they would have a power which
would carry conviction to the hearts of the unbelieving. {PH011 11.1}
I have sought to do my duty. I have specified the
special sins of some. I was shown that the sins and errors of all in the
wisdom of God would not be revealed. All would have sufficient light; all
could see, if they desired to do so, and earnestly wished to put their sins
and errors from them, and perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord. They
could see what sins God marked and reproved in others. If these sins were
cherished by them, they should know that they were abhorred of God, and were
separated from him; and unless they earnestly and zealously set about the
work to put them away, they would be left in darkness. God is too pure to
behold iniquity. A sin marked in one is just as grievous in the sight of God
in every case. There will be no exception made by an impartial God. All who
are guilty are addressed in these individual testimonies, although their
names may not be attached to the special testimony borne; and if individuals
pass over their own sins because their names are not especially called, if
they cover their sins, they will not be prospered of God. They cannot advance
in the divine life, but will become darker and darker until the light of
Heaven will be entirely withdrawn. {PH011 12.1}
Men and women professing godliness, yet not
sanctified by the truth they profess, will
13
not change materially their course of action, which they know is hateful
before God, because they are not subjected to the trial of being reproved
individually for their sins. They see, by the testimonies of others, their
own case faithfully pictured out before them. They are cherishing the same
evil. By continuing their course of sin, they are violating their
consciences, hardening their hearts, and stiffening their necks, just the
same as if the testimony had been borne directly to them. In passing on, and
refusing to put away their sins and correct their wrongs by humble
confession, repentance, and humiliation, they choose their own way, and are
given up to the same, and are finally led captive by Satan at his will. They
may become quite bold because they are able to conceal from others their
sins, and because the judgments of God are not seen in a visible manner upon
them. They may be apparently prosperous in this world. They may deceive poor,
short-sighted mortals, and b
e regarded as patterns of piety while in their sins. God cannot be
deceived. "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed
speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do
evil. Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged,
yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear
before him. But it shall not be
14
well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a
shadow; because he feareth not before God."
Although the life of the sinner may be prolonged upon the earth, yet not in
the earth made new. He shall be of that number David mentions in his psalm:
"For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt
diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall
inherit the earth." {PH011 12.2}
Mercy and truth are promised to the humble and
penitent, and judgments are prepared for the sinful and rebellious.
"Justice and judgments are the habitation of Thy throne." A wicked
and adulterous people will not escape the wrath of God and the punishment
they have justly earned. Man has fallen, and his is a work of a lifetime, be
it longer or shorter, to recover from his fall, and regain, through Christ,
the image of the divine, which he has lost by sin and continued
transgression. God requires a thorough transformation, of soul, body and
spirit, in order to regain the estate lost through Adam. The Lord mercifully
sends rays of light to show him his true condition. If he will not walk in
the light, he manifests a pleasure in darkness. He will not come to the light
lest his deeds shall be reproved. {PH011 14.1}
The case of N. Fuller has caused me much grief and
anguish of spirit. That he should yield himself to the control of Satan to
work
15
wickedness as he has done, is terrible. I believe that God designed this case
of hypocrisy and villainy should be brought to light in the manner it has
been, to prove a warning to others. Here is a man acquainted with the Bible
teachings. He has listened to testimonies that I have borne in his presence
against the very sins he has been practicing. He has heard me speak, more
than once, decidedly in regard to the prevailing sins of this generation,
that corruption was teeming everywhere, that base passions controlled men and
women generally; that among the masses crimes of the darkest dye were
continually practiced, and they were reeking in their own corruption. The nominal churches are filled with these sins of
fornication and adultery, crime and murder, the result of base, lustful
passion, but these things are kept covered. Ministers, in high places, are
guilty, yet a cloak of godliness covers their dark deeds and they pass on
from year to year in their course of hypocrisy.
Their sins have reached unto Heaven, and the honest in heart will be
brought to the light, and come out of her. {PH011
14.2}
From the light God has given me, fornication and
adultery are estimated, by a large number of the first-day Adventists, as
sins which God winketh at. These sins are practiced
to a great extent. They do not acknowledge the claims upon them. They have
16
broken the commandments of the great Jehovah, and are zealously teaching
their hearers to do the same, declaring the law of God abolished, having no
claims upon them. In accordance with this free state of things, sin does not
appear so exceedingly sinful; for by the law is the knowledge of sin. We may
expect to find men in this company who will deceive, and lie, and give loose
reign to lustful passions. But men and women who acknowledge the ten
commandments binding, who observe the fourth commandment of the decalogue, should carry out in their lives, the
principles of all ten of the precepts given in awful grandeur from Sinai. {PH011 15.1}
The Seventh-day Adventists who profess to be looking
for, and loving, the appearing of Christ, should not follow the course of worldlings. They are no criterion for
commandment-keepers. Neither should they pattern after the first-day
Adventists, who trample under foot the law of God,
and who will not acknowledge its claims. This class should be no criterion
for them. Commandment-keeping Adventist are occupying a peculiar, exalted
position. John viewed them in holy vision, and described them. Here are they
who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus. {PH011 16.1}
The Lord made a special covenant with his ancient
Israel if they would prove faithful, "Now, therefore, if ye will obey my
voice
17
indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me
above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a
kingdom of priests, and an holy nation." He addresses his
commandment-keeping people in these last days, "But ye are a chosen
generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye
should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvelous light." "Dearly beloved, I
beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war
against the soul." {PH011 16.2}
All who profess to keep the
commandments of God are not possessing their bodies in sanctification and
honor. The most solemn message ever committed to mortals has been intrusted to this people, and they can have a powerful
influence if they will be sanctified by the truths they profess. They profess
to be standing upon the elevated platform of eternal truth, keeping all of
God's commandments; therefore, if
they indulge in sin, if they commit fornication and adultery, their crime is
of tenfold greater magnitude than the classes I have named who do not
acknowledge the law of God binding upon them. In a peculiar sense do
those who profess to keep God's law dishonor him
and reproach the truth by transgressing the law of God. {PH011 17.1}
This very sin, fornication, prevailed among
18
ancient Israel, which brought the signal manifestation of God's displeasure.
The judgments of God then followed close upon their heinous sin, and
thousands of them fell, and their polluted bodies were left in the
wilderness. "But with many of them God was not well pleased; for they
were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the
intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be
ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to
eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as
some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed
of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were
destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for
ensamples; and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the
world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest
he fall." {PH011 17.2}
Seventh-day Adventists, above all people in the world,
should be patterns of piety, holy in heart and in conversation. I related in
the presence of N. Fuller that the people whom God had chosen as his peculiar
treasure, he required to be elevated, refined, sanctified; partakers of the
divine nature,
19
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Should they
indulge in sin and iniquity who make so high a profession, their guilt would
be very great, their sin of great magnitude in his sight. He would reprove
the sins of one, that others might take warning, and fear. The warnings,
corrections, and reproofs, are not given to the erring because their lives
are more blame-worthy than professed Christians of the nominal churches, or
because their acts and example are worse than the Adventists who will not
yield obedience to the claims of God's law; but because they have great
light, and have by their profession taken their position as God's special,
chosen people, having the law of God written in their hearts. They signify
their loyalty to the God of Heaven by yielding obedience to the laws of his
government. They are God's representatives upon the earth. Any sin or
transgression in them, separates them from God, and, in a special manner, dishonors his name by giving the enemies of God's holy
law occasion to reproach his cause and his people, whom he has called "a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people," that they should show forth the praises of Him that hath called
them out of darkness into his marvelous light. {PH011 18.1}
The people who are at war with the law of the great
Jehovah, who consider it a special
20
virtue to talk, and write, and act, the most bitter and hateful things, to
show their contempt of that law, may make high and exalted profession of love
to God, and apparently have much religious zeal, as did the Jewish chief
priests and elders; yet in the day of God, found wanting will be said by the
Majesty of Heaven. By the law is the knowledge of sin. The mirror which would
discover to them the defects in their character, they are infuriated against,
because it points out their sins. Leading Adventists who have rejected the light are fired
with madness against God's holy law, as the Jewish nation were against the
Son of God. They are in a terrible deception, deceiving souls and being
deceived themselves. They will not come to the light lest their deeds should
be reproved. Such will not be taught. But the people who profess to keep the
law of God, he corrects, he reproves, he points out their sins, and lays open
their iniquity; because he wishes to separate all sin and wickedness from
them, that they may perfect holiness in his fear, and be prepared to die in
the Lord, or for translation to Heaven. God will rebuke, reprove, and correct
them, that they may be refined, sanctified, elevated, and finally exalted to
his own throne. {PH011 19.1}
Eld. Fuller has heard the
testimony borne in public, that the professed people of God were not all
holy; some were corrupt. God
21
was seeking to elevate them, but they refused to come up upon a high plane of
action. The animal passions bore sway, and the moral and intellectual were
overborne, and made servants to the corrupt passions. Those who do not
control their base passions cannot appreciate the atonement, or place right value
upon the worth of the soul. Salvation to them is not experienced nor
understood. The gratification of their animal passions is to them the highest
ambition of their lives. Nothing but purity and holiness will God accept; one
spot, one wrinkle, one defect in the character, will debar Heaven, with all
its glories and treasure, from them forever. {PH011
20.1}
Ample provisions have been made for all who
sincerely, earnestly, and thoughtfully, set about the work of perfecting
holiness in the fear of God. Power and strength, grace and glory, have been
provided through Christ, to be brought by ministering angels to the heirs of
salvation. None are so low, and corrupt, and vile, but that they can find in
Jesus, who died for them, strength, purity, and righteousness, if they will
put away their sins, stop their course of iniquity, and turn with full
purpose of heart to the living God. He is waiting to strip them of their
garments, stained and polluted by sin, and to put upon them the white, bright
robes of righteousness; and he bids them live and not die. In him they may
flourish. Their branches
22
will not wither nor be fruitless. If they abide in him, they can draw sap and
nourishment from him, be imbued with his Spirit, and walk even as he has
walked, and overcome as he has overcome, and be exalted to his own right
hand. {PH011 21.1}
Eld.
Fuller has been warned. The warnings given to others condemned him. The sins
reproved in others reproved him, and gave him sufficient light how God
regarded crimes of such a character as he was committing; yet he would not
turn from his evil course. He pursued his fearful, impious work, corrupting
the bodies and souls of his flock. Satan had strengthened the lustful
passions which this man did not subdue, and engaged them in his cause to lead
souls to death. We have no hope of his salvation. While he professed to be
keeping the law of God, he was, in a most wanton manner, violating its plain precepts.
He has given himself up to the gratification of sensual pleasure. He has sold
himself to work wickedness. What will be the wages of such a man? The
indignation and wrath of God will punish him for sin. The vengeance of God
will be aroused against those whose hellish passions have been concealed
under a ministerial cloak. While professing to be a shepherd of the flock,
he was leading the flock to certain ruin. These dreadful results are
the fruits of the carnal mind, which
23
is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be. {PH011 22.1}
I was referred to this Scripture: "Let not sin,
therefore, reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it, in the lust
thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto
sin; but yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, and
your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Professed Christians,
if there is no further light given you than that contained in this text, you
will be without excuse if you suffer yourselves to be controlled by base
passions. {PH011 23.1}
The word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most
beclouded mind, to be understood by those who have any wish to understand it.
But notwithstanding all this some of those who profess to make the word of
God their study, are found living in direct opposition to its plainest
teachings. Then to leave men and women without excuse, God has given plain
and pointed testimonies, bringing them to the word they have neglected to
follow. Yet all the light is turned from by those who serve their own lusts,
and they will not cease their course of sin, but continue to take pleasure in
unrighteousness, in the face of the threatenings
and vengeance of God against those who do such things. {PH011
23.2}
I have been long designing to speak to my sisters,
and tell them that, from what the Lord has been pleased to show me from time
to time, there is a great fault among them. They
24
are not careful to abstain from all appearance of evil. They are not all
circumspect in their deportment, as becometh women professing godliness.
Their words are not so select and well chosen as should be for women who have
received the grace of God. They are too familiar with their brethren. They
linger around them, incline towards them, and seem to choose their society.
They are highly gratified with their attention. {PH011
23.3}
From the light the Lord has given me, our sisters
should pursue a very different course. They should be more reserved, and
manifest less boldness, and encourage in themselves "shamefacedness and
sobriety." There is too much jovial talk indulged in among our brethren,
as well as our sisters, when in each other's society. There is much jesting
and joking and laughing indulged in by women professing godliness. This is
all unbecoming, and grieves the Spirit of God. These exhibitions manifest a
lack of true Christian refinement. These things indulged in do not strengthen
the soul in God, but bring great darkness, drive the pure, refined, heavenly
angels away, and bring those who engage in these wrongs down to a low level.
{PH011 24.1}
All our sisters should encourage true meekness, not
to be forward, talkative, and bold, but modest and unassuming, slow to speak.
They may cherish courteousness. To be kind, tender, pitiful, forgiving, and
humble, would be becoming and well pleasing to God. If they occupy this
position, they will not be burdened with undue attention from gentlemen
25
or their brethren. There will be felt by all that there is a sacred circle of
purity around these God-fearing women, which shields them from any
unwarrantable liberties. There is too much careless, loose, coarse, freedom
of manner by some women professing godliness, which leads to wrong and evil.
{PH011 24.2}
Those godly women who occupy their minds and hearts
in meditating upon themes which would strengthen purity of life, which would
elevate the soul to commune with God, will not be easily led astray from the
path of rectitude and virtue. They will be fortified against the sophistry of
Satan, and are prepared to withstand his seductive arts. {PH011
25.1}
The fashion of the world, the desire of the eye, and
the lust of the flesh or vain glory, are connected with the fall of the
unfortunate. That which is pleasing to the natural heart and carnal mind is
cherished. If the lust of the flesh had been rooted out of their hearts, they
would not be so weak. If our sisters would feel the necessity of purifying
their thoughts, and never suffer themselves to be careless in their
deportment, which leads to improper acts, they need not stain in the least
their purity. They would, if they view the 'matter as God has presented it to
me, bear such an abhorrence to impure acts and deeds that they would not be
found among the number who had fallen through the temptations of Satan, no
matter who the medium might be whom Satan should select. {PH011
25.2}
A preacher may be dealing in sacred, holy things,
and yet not be holy in heart. He may
26
give himself to Satan to work wickedness, and to corrupt the soul and body of
his flock. Yet if the minds of women and youth professing to love and fear
God were fortified with the Spirit of God, if they had trained their minds to
purity of thought, and educated themselves to avoid all appearance of evil,
they would be safe from any improper advances, and be secure from the
prevailing corruption around them. The Apostle Paul has written concerning himself,
"But I keep my body under, and bring it in subjection; lest that by any
means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." {PH011 25.3}
If a minister of the gospel
has not control of his baser passions, if he fails to follow the example of
the apostle, and so dishonors his profession and
faith as to even name the indulgence of sin, our sisters who profess
godliness should not for an instant flatter themselves that sin and crime
lose their sinfulness in the least because their minister dares to engage in
them. Because men who are in responsible places show themselves to be
familiar with sin, it should not lessen the guilt and enormity of the sin in
the minds of any. Sin should appear just as sinful, just as abhorrent, as they
had heretofore regarded it; and the one who indulges in sin should, in the
minds of the pure and elevated, be abhorred and withdrawn from, as they would
flee from a serpent whose sting was deadly. {PH011
26.1}
If the sisters were elevated
and possessing purity of heart, any corrupt advance, even from their
minister, would be repulsed with
27
such positiveness as would never meet with a
repetition. Minds must be terribly befogged by Satan, that can listen to the
voice of the seducer because he is a minister, and therefore break God's
plain and positive commands, and flatter themselves that they commit no sin.
Have we not the words of John: "He that saith I know Him, and keepeth
not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him"? What
saith the law? "Thou shalt not commit adultery." The fact of man's
professing to keep God's holy law, and ministering in sacred things, and
taking the advantage of the confidence his position gives him to indulge his
base passions, should, of itself, be sufficient for a woman professing
godliness, to see that, although his profession was as exalted as the
heavens, any impure proposal coming from him was Satan disguised through the
minister, as an angel of light. I cannot believe that the word of God is
abiding in the hearts of those who are so readily controlled, and yield up
their innocency and virtue upon the altar of
lustful passions. {PH011 26.2}
My sisters, avoid even the appearance of evil. In
this fast age reeking with corruption, you are not safe unless you stand
guarded. Virtue and modesty are rare. I appeal to you as followers of Jesus
Christ, making a high and exalted profession, to cherish this precious,
priceless gem, modesty. This will guard virtue. If you have any hope of being
finally exalted to join company with the pure, sinless angels, and live in an
atmosphere where there is not the least taint of sin, cherish modesty
28
and virtue. Nothing but purity, sacred purity, will abide the day of God,
stand the grand review, and be received into a pure and holy Heaven. {PH011 27.1}
The least insinuations, come from whatever source
they may, inviting you to indulge in sin, or to allow the least unwarrantable
liberty with your persons, resent as the worst of insults to your dignified
womanhood. The kiss upon your cheek, at an improper time and place, should
lead you to repel the emissary of Satan with disgust. If it is from one in
high places who is dealing in sacred things, the sin, in such a one, is of
tenfold greater magnitude, and should lead a God-fearing woman, or youth, to
recoil with horror, not only from the sin he would have you commit, but from
the hypocrisy and villainy of one whom the people respect and honor as God's
servant. He is handling sacred things, yet hiding his baseness of heart under
a ministerial cloak. Be afraid of anything like this familiarity. Be sure the
least approach to it is the evidence of a lascivious mind and a lustful eye.
If the least encouragement is given in this direction, if any of the
liberties mentioned are tolerated, no better evidence can you give that your
mind is not pure and chaste as it should be, and that sin and crime have
charms for you. You lower the standard of your dignified, virtuous womanhood,
and give unmistakable evidence that a low, brutal, common passion and lust
has been suffered to remain alive in your heart, and has never been crucified.
{PH011 28.1}
As I have been shown the dangers of, and
29
sins among, those who profess better things-- a class who are not suspected
of being in any danger from these polluting sins--I have been led to inquire,
Who, O Lord, shall stand when thou appearest? Only
those who have clean hands and pure hearts shall abide the day of his coming.
{PH011 28.2}
I feel impelled by the Spirit of the Lord to urge my
sisters who profess godliness to cherish modesty of deportment and a becoming
reserve, with shamefacedness and sobriety. The liberties taken in this age of
corruption should be no criterion for Christ's followers. These fashionable
exhibitions of familiarity should not exist among Christians fitting for
immortality. If lasciviousness, pollution, adultery, crime, and murder is the
order of the day among those who know not the truth, and who refuse to be
controlled by the principles of God's word, how important that the class
professing to be followers of Christ, closely allied to God and angels,
should show them a better and nobler way. How important that their chastity
and virtue stand in marked contrast to that of the class who are controlled
by brute passions. {PH011 29.1}
I have inquired, When will the youthful sisters act
with propriety? I know there will not be any decided change for the better
until parents feel the importance of greater carefulness in educating their
children correctly. Teach them to act with reserve and modesty. Educate them
for usefulness, to be helps, to minister to others rather than be waited
upon, and be ministered unto.
30
{PH011 29.2}
Satan has the control of the minds of the youth
generally. Your daughters are not taught self-denial and self-control. They
are petted, and their pride is fostered. They are allowed to have their own
way until they become headstrong and self-willed, and you are put to your wits'
end to know what course to pursue, to save them from ruin. Satan is leading
them on to be a proverb in the mouths of unbelievers, because of their
boldness, lack of reserve and female modesty. The young boys are likewise
left to have their own way. They have scarcely entered their teens before
they are by the side of little girls about their own age, accompanying them
home, and making love to them. And the parents are so completely in bondage
through their own indulgence and mistaken love for their children that they
dare not pursue a decided course to make a change and restrain their too-fast
children, in this fast age. {PH011 30.1}
Especially has this been the case in Battle Creek.
Parents who have sent their children from their care to attend school there,
thinking that others would do the duty that they had neglected, have made a
great mistake. There are young boys and girls in
Battle Creek standing ready to seize new-comers and introduce them to their
frivolous pleasures and sports. They profess to be Christians. They
sometimes speak in meeting,
31
and this gives them influence with strangers. Yet they have, many of them, no
experience in divine things, and their profession
makes them no better than unbelievers, because they do not live
Christian lives. They do not deny themselves, and bear the cross by
restraining their desires. Their conversation is not humble; it is not in
Heaven. {PH011 30.2}
With many young ladies the boys is the theme of
conversation, with the young men it is the girls. Out of the abundance of the
heart the mouth speaketh. They talk of those subjects upon which their minds
mostly run. The recording angel is writing the words of these professed
Christian boys and girls. How will they be confused and ashamed when they
meet it again in the day of God. There are too many children who are pious
hypocrites. The youth who have not made a profession of religion stumble over
these hypocritical ones, and are hardened against any effort that may be made
by those interested in their salvation. {PH011
31.1}
Parents, you should not send
your children to Battle Creek. There ought to be in Battle Creek a
powerful influence for good; but there is a most urgent need of fathers and
mothers in Israel who will care for souls. Many souls have come to Battle
Creek, tender in spirit, susceptible of the influences of the Spirit of God,
yet no one has had a burden of labor for these souls, and when they
32
leave the place, they can in truth say, No man careth for my soul. Selfish
interest has been primary. Individual effort and responsibility are not felt.
Souls are thrown into the arms of the church, in the providence of God, who
are left to be made a prey by the devourer of souls. Oh! what will be the
account that these indolent, slothful, indifferent ones will have to render
in the reckoning day? {PH011 31.2}
There ought to be picked men at the heart of the
work, who can be relied upon in every emergency to keep the fort--men who are
unselfish, abounding in generosity and all good works, whose lives are hid in
God, and who consider the better life of more value than food and clothing.
"Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?"
Faithful sentinels God calls for right at the heart of the work, who will
love souls for whom Christ died, who will bear the burden for perishing
souls, looking forward to that recompense of reward which will be theirs when
they enter into the joy of their Lord, and behold souls saved through their
instrumentality, to live as long as God shall live, and be happy, eternally
happy, in his glorious kingdom. Oh! that we could arouse fathers and mothers
to have a sense of their duty. Oh! that they would feel deeply the weight of
responsibility resting upon them. Then they might forestall the enemy, and
33
gain precious victories for Jesus. Parents are not clear in this matter. They
should investigate their lives closely, analyze their thoughts and motives,
and see if they have been circumspect in their course of action. They should
closely watch, to see if their example in conversation and deportment has
been such as they would wish their children to imitate. Have purity and
virtue shine out in your words and acts before your children. {PH011 32.1}
I have been shown families where the husband and
father has not preserved that reserve, that dignified, godlike manhood which
a follower of Jesus Christ should. He has failed in his kind, tender,
courteous acts due to his wife, whom he has promised before God and angels to
love and respect and honor while they both shall live. The girl employed to
do the work has been free and somewhat forward in her attentions to dress his
hair and be affectionately attentive, and he is pleased, foolishly pleased.
He is not as demonstrative in his attention and love as he once was to his
wife. Be sure Satan is at work here. Respect your hired help, treat them
kindly, considerately, but go no farther. Let your deportment be such that
there will be no advances to familiarity from your help. If you have words of
kindness and acts of courtesy to give, it is always safe to give them to your
wife. It will be a great blessing to her, and will bring happiness to her
34
heart which will be reflected back upon you again. Also, I have been shown
that the wife has let her sympathies and interest and affection go out to
other men. They may be members of the family, whom she makes confidants,
relating her troubles and, perhaps, her private family matters, to them. She
shows a preference for their society. {PH011 33.1}
This is all wrong. Satan is at the bottom of it; and
unless you are alarmed, and stop just where you are, he will lead you to
ruin. You cannot observe too great caution, and encourage too much reserve in
this matter. If you have tender, loving words and kindly attentions to
bestow, let it be given him you have promised before God and angels to love,
honor, and respect, while you both shall live. Oh! how many lives are made
bitter by the walls' being broken down which enclose every family, calculated
to preserve its purity and sanctity. A third person is frequently taken into
the confidence of the wife, and her private family matters are laid open
before the special friend. This is the device of Satan to estrange the hearts
of the husband and wife. Oh! that this would cease. What a world of trouble
would be saved! Lock the faults of one another within your own hearts. Tell
your troubles alone to God. He can give you right counsel and sure
consolation, which will be pure, having no bitterness in it.
35
{PH011 34.1}
I am acquainted with a number of cases where the
women have thought their marriage a misfortune. They have read novels until their
imaginations have become diseased, and they live in a world of their own
creating. They think themselves women of sensitive minds, of superior,
refined organizations. They think themselves great sufferers, martyrs,
because they imagine their husbands are not so refined, possessing such
superior qualities that they can appreciate their own supposed virtue and
refined organizations. These women have talked of this, and thought upon it,
until they are nearly maniacs upon this subject. They imagine their worth is
superior to other mortals, and it is not agreeable to their fine
sensibilities to associate with common humanity. These women are making
themselves fools; and their husbands are in danger of being drawn in to think
that they possess a superior order of minds. {PH011
35.1}
From what the Lord has shown me, the women of this
class have had their imaginations perverted by novel-reading, day-dreaming,
and castle-building--living in an imaginary world. They do not bring their
ideas down to the common, useful duties of life. They do not take up the
life-burdens which lie in their path, and seek to make a happy, cheerful home
for their husbands. They lean their whole weight upon them without so much as
bearing their own burden. They expect others
36
to anticipate their wants, and do for them, while they are at liberty to find
fault and to question as they please. These women have a love-sick
sentimentalism, constantly thinking they are not appreciated; that their
husbands do not give them all that attention they deserve. They imagine
themselves martyrs. {PH011 35.2}
The truth of the matter is this, if they would show
themselves useful, their value might be appreciated; but when they pursue a
course to constantly draw upon others for sympathy and attention, while they
feel under no obligation to give the same in return, passing along reserved,
cold, and unapproachable, bearing no burden for others or feeling for their
woes, there can be but little in their lives precious and valuable. These
women have educated themselves to think and act as though it has been a great
condescension in them to marry the men they have; and therefore that their
fine organizations would never be fully appreciated. They have viewed things
all wrong. They are unworthy of their husbands. They are a constant tax upon
their care and patience, when at the same time, they might be helps, lifting
the burdens of life with their husbands, instead of dreaming over unreal life
found in novels and love romances. May the Lord pity the men who are bound to
such useless
37
machines, fit only to be waited upon, to eat, dress, and breathe. {PH011 36.1}
These women who suppose they possess such sensitive,
refined organizations make very useless wives and mothers. It is frequently
the case that the affections will be withdrawn from their husbands, who are
useful, practical men; and they will show much attention for other men, and
will with their love-sick sentimentalism draw upon the sympathies of others,
tell them their trials, their troubles, their aspirations to do some high and
elevated work, and reveal the fact that their married life is a
disappointment, a hindrance to their doing the work they have anticipated
they might do. {PH011 37.1}
Oh! what wretchedness exists in families that might
be happy. These women are a curse to themselves, and a curse to their
husbands. In supposing themselves to be angels, they make themselves fools,
and are nothing but heavy burdens. They leave the common duties of life,
right in their path, which the Lord has left for them to do, and are restless
and complaining, always looking for an easy, more exalted, and more agreeable
work to do. Those supposing themselves to be angels are found human after
all. They are fretful, peevish, dissatisfied, jealous of their husbands
because the larger portion of their time is not spent in waiting upon them.
They complain of being neglected when their husbands
38
are doing the very work they ought to do. Satan finds easy access to this
class. They have no real love for any one but
themselves. Yet Satan tells them that if such a one were their husband, they
would be happy indeed. They are easy victims to the device of Satan, being
readily led to dishonor their own husbands and to
transgress the law of God. {PH011 37.2}
I would say to women of this description, You can
make your own happiness or destroy it. You can make your position happy or
unbearable. The course you pursue will create happiness or misery for
yourself. Have these never thought that their husbands must tire of them in their
uselessness, in their peevishness, in their fault-finding, in their
passionate fits of weeping, while imagining their case so pitiful? Their
irritable, peevish disposition is indeed weaning the affections of their
husbands from them, and they drive them to seek for sympathy, and peace, and
comfort elsewhere than at home. A poisonous atmosphere is in their dwelling,
and home is anything but a place of rest, of peace, of happiness, to them.
The husband is subject to Satan's temptation, and his affections are placed
on forbidden objects, and he is lured on to crime, and finally lost. {PH011 38.1}
Great is the work and mission of women, especially
those who are wives and mothers. They can be a blessing to all around them.
39
They can have a powerful influence for good if they will let their light so
shine that others may be led to glorify our Heavenly Father. Women may have a
transforming influence if they will only consent to yield their way and their
will to God, and let him control their mind, affections, and being. They can
have an influence which will tend to refine and elevate those with whom they
associate. But this class are generally unconscious of the power they possess.
They exert an unconscious influence. It seems to work out naturally from a
sanctified life, a renewed heart. It is the fruit that grows naturally upon
the good tree of divine planting. Self is forgotten and immerged in the life
of Christ. To be rich in good works comes as naturally as their breath. They
live to do others good, and yet are ready to say, We are unprofitable
servants. {PH011 38.2}
God has assigned woman her mission, and if she, in
her humble way, to the best of her ability, makes a heaven of her home,
faithfully and lovingly performing her home-duties to her husband and
children, continually seeking to let a holy light shine from her useful,
pure, and virtuous life to brighten all around her, she is doing the work
left her of the Master, and will hear from his divine lips, "Well done,
good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." These
women who are doing what their hands find to
40
do with ready willingness, and with cheerfulness of spirit aiding their
husbands to bear their burdens, and training their children for God, are
missionaries in the highest sense. They are engaged in an important branch of
the great work to be done on earth to prepare mortals for a higher life; and
they will receive their reward. Children are to be trained for Heaven, and
fitted to shine in the courts of the Lord's kingdom. When parents have a true
sense of the important, responsible work God has left for them to do,
especially mothers, they will not be so much engaged in the business which
concerns their neighbors, with which they have
nothing to do. They will not engage in the fashionable gossip from house to
house, dwelling upon the faults, wrongs and inconsistencies of their neighbors. They will feel so great a burden of care for
their own children that they can find no time to take up a reproach against
their neighbor. Gossipers and news-carriers are a terrible curse to neighborhoods and churches. Two-thirds of all the church
trials arise from this source. {PH011 39.1}
God requires all to do the duties of today with
faithfulness. This is much neglected by the larger share of professed
Christians. Especially is present duty lost sight of by the class I have
mentioned, who imagine that they are of a finer order of beings than their
fellow-mortals around them. The fact of
41
their minds' turning in this channel, is proof that they are of inferior
order, narrow, conceited, and selfish. They feel high above the lowly and
humble poor. Such, Jesus says he has called. They are forever trying to
secure position, to gain applause, to obtain credit for doing a work that
others cannot do, some great work. But it disturbs the fine grain of their
refined organism to associate with the humble, the unfortunate. They mistake
the reason altogether. The reason they shun any of these duties not so
agreeable, is because of their supreme selfishness. Dear self is the center
of all their actions and motives. {PH011 40.1}
I was pointed to the Majesty of Heaven. He whom
angels worshiped, he who was rich in honor, splendor,
and glory, came to the earth, and when he found himself in fashion as a man,
he did not plead his refined nature as an excuse to hold himself aloof from
the unfortunate. He was found in his work among the afflicted, the poor,
distressed, and needy ones. Christ was the embodiment of refinement and
purity. His was an exalted life and character, yet he was found in his labor,
not among men of high-sounding titles, not among the most honorable of this
world, but with the despised and needy. "I came," says the divine
Teacher, "to save that which was lost." Yes, the Majesty of Heaven
was ever found working to help those
42
who most needed help. May the example of Christ put to shame the excuses of
that class who are so attracted to their poor self that they consider it
beneath their refined taste and their high calling to help the most helpless.
Such have taken a position higher than their Lord, and in the end will be
astonished to find themselves lower than the lowliest of that class their
refined, sensitive natures were shocked to mingle with and work for. True, it
may not always be agreeable or pleasant to unite with the Master and be
co-workers with him in helping the very class who stand most in need of help.
But this is the work Christ humbled himself to do. Is the servant greater
than his Lord? He has given the example, and enjoins upon us to copy it. It
may be disagreeable, yet duty demands that just such a work be performed.
There has been a serious lack in Battle Creek; a few of a certain class have
run together, gossiped together, associated almost wholly together, and
neglected their neighbors and society around them.
They have felt no interest to become acquainted with the people around them,
with the purpose of removing the prejudice from their minds and enlightening
them in regard to the truth. How far have they let their light shine before
men, that they seeing their good works may glorify our Father who art in
Heaven? They have put their light under a
43
bushel, and hid it in their own houses. They have not felt that their neighbors and the society around them had claims upon
them, and they have not feared that they would rise in the Judgment and
condemn them for their neglect of showing them the way of salvation. {PH011 41.1}
I was shown that, with the exception of a few of the
most congenial, they have held themselves aloof from all. Those of like faith
may go to the place, but there is not a sense of individual responsibility to
make these visitors at home. At the great heart of the work they expect to
find warmth of reception in that degree according with the character of the
work. Hundreds have called there with high hopes, only to be disappointed and
chagrined, with their confidence shaken in Battle Creek. Many have stumbled
to perdition over the neglect and decided coldness they have met in Battle
Creek. I saw that God was displeased at the lack of hospitality and
courteousness that characterized the people living there. There are many who
would not begrudge the food these would eat, but they are unwilling to be
discommoded, to be put to any inconvenience. The same ones would have a
select few, and circle around these, to the neglect of others. {PH011 43.1}
Souls have stumbled over the love of fashion and the
display of pride seen at Battle Creek, the lack of humility, simplicity and
44
true godliness. The blood of souls is upon the members of the church at
Battle Creek. Many have gone to Battle Creek with ardent hopes, simple in
faith and their service to God, and after remaining awhile, have returned
home infidels. Some have felt neglected because they could not dress so well
as others in the church, and, after a short tarry, have lost their
simplicity. They became inoculated with the prevailing pride and the pest of
fashion, and carry the influence they received at Battle Creek to their homes
to let their darkness fall upon others. A poison has been circulated through
the body, which has come from Battle Creek. Souls have languished right in
their midst, and given up the truth, and there has been no one of sufficient
strength and godliness to guide their straying feet, or strengthen their feeble
faith. {PH011 43.2}
There are needed faithful and picked men at Battle
Creek. Those who have not had an experience in bearing burdens, and do not
wish to have that experience, should not, on any account, live there. Men are
wanted who will watch for souls as they that must give an account. Fathers
and mothers in Israel are wanted at this important post. Let the selfish and
self-caring, the stingy, covetous souls find a location where their miserable
traits of character will not be so conspicuous. The more isolated such ones
are, the better for the cause of God.
45
{PH011 44.1}
I appeal to the people of God, not only in Battle
Creek, but wherever they may be found, Awake to your duty. Take it to heart
that we are really living amid the perils of the last days. I hope the
horrible, startling revelation in regard to N. Fuller will awaken you,
fathers and mothers, to see the necessity of thorough work being done in your
houses, among yourselves and your children, that not one of you may be so
deluded by Satan as to regard sin as this poor, much-to-be-pitied man has
done. Those who have participated with him in crime would never have been
left to be deceived and ruined had they possessed a high sense of virtue and
purity, and had they cherished a constant and lively horror of sin and
iniquity. While living under and proclaiming the most solemn message ever
borne to mortals, presenting the law of God as a test of character and as the
seal of the living God, they are transgressing its holy precepts. The
consciences of those who do this are terribly hardened. They have become
seared by resisting the influences of the Spirit of God, until they can use
sacred truth as a cloak to hide the deformity of their corrupted souls. This
man has been terribly deluded by Satan. He has been serving vicious passions
while professing to be consecrated to the work of God, ministering in sacred
things. He has considered himself in health while there was no soundness
46
in him. He is a mass of corruption. {PH011 45.1}
I have felt deeply as I have seen the powerful
influence animal passions have had in controlling men and women of no
ordinary intelligence and ability. They are capable of engaging in a good
work, of exerting a powerful influence, were they not enslaved by base
passions. My confidence in humanity has been terribly shaken. I have been shown that persons of apparently good
deportment, not taking unwarrantable liberties with the other sex, were
guilty of practicing secret vice nearly every day of their lives. This
terrible sin has not even been refrained from while most solemn meetings have
been in session. They have listened to the most solemn, impressive discourses
upon the Judgment, which seemed to bring them before the tribunal of God,
causing them to fear and quake, yet an hour would hardly elapse before they
have been engaged in their favorite, bewitching sin, polluting their own
bodies. They were such slaves to this awful crime that they seemed devoid of
power to control their passions. We have labored for some earnestly;
we have entreated, we have wept and prayed over them, yet we have known that right
amid all our earnest effort and distress the force of sinful habit has
obtained the mastery. These sins would be committed. The consciences of some
of the guilty, through severe attacks of sickness, or being powerfully
47
convicted, have been aroused, and have so scourged them, that it has led to
confession of these things, with deep humiliation. Others are alike guilty.
They have practiced this sin nearly their whole lifetime, and in their
broken-down constitutions, and, with their sieve-like memories, are reaping
the result of this pernicious habit, yet are too proud to confess. They are
secretive, and have not shown compunctions of conscience for this great sin
and wickedness. My confidence in the Christian experience of such is very
small. They seem to be insensible to the influence of the Spirit of God. The
sacred and common are alike to them. The common practice of a vice so
degrading as the polluting of their own bodies has not led to bitter tears
and heartfelt repentance. They feel that their sin is
against themselves alone. Here they mistake. Are they diseased in body or
mind, others are made to feel--others suffer. Mistakes are made. The memory
is deficient. The imagination is at fault; and there is a deficiency
everywhere which seriously affects those with whom they live, and who
associate with them. These feel mortification and regret because these
things are known by another. {PH011 46.1}
I have mentioned these cases to illustrate the power
of this soul-and-body-destroying vice. The entire mind is given up to low
passion. The moral and intellectual are over-borne by the baser powers. The body is
48
enervated; the brain is weakened. The material there deposited to nourish the
system is squandered. The drain upon the system is great. The fine nerves of
the brain, by being excited to unnatural action, become benumbed and in a
measure paralyzed. The moral and intellectual are weakening, while the animal
passions are strengthening, and being more largely developed by exercise. The
appetite for unhealthful food clamors
for indulgence. It is impossible to arouse the moral sensibilities of those
persons who are addicted to the habit of self-abuse, to appreciate eternal
things. You cannot lead such to delight in spiritual exercises. Impure
thought seize and control the imagination, and fascinate the mind, and next
follows an almost uncontrollable desire for the performance of impure
actions. If the mind were educated to contemplate elevating subjects, the
imagination trained to reflect upon pure and holy things, it would be
fortified against this terrible, debasing, soul-and-body-destroying indulgence.
It would, by training, become accustomed to linger upon the high, the
heavenly, the pure, and the sacred, and could not be attracted to this base,
corrupt, and vile, indulgence. {PH011 47.1}
What can we say of those who are living right in the
blazing light of truth, yet daily practicing and following in a course of sin
and crime. Forbidden, exciting pleasures have a charm for them, and hold and
control
49
their entire being. Such take pleasure in unrighteousness and iniquity, and
must perish outside of the city of God, with every abominable thing. {PH011 48.1}
What is the cause of this wonderful, marked
indifference to the eternal interest. It is the indulgence of sin, while the
light which condemns sin is shining upon them. Sin is reproved, yet they will
not be corrected. They continue daily to practice their iniquity. God
reproves, but they harden their hearts against the warnings. They do not face
right about. I have written testimonies for individuals. I have stood upon my
feet at Battle Creek, when burdened and nearly fainting, and presented the
true condition of the people professing to keep the commandments of God. I
have felt the power of God upon me in great measure, while speaking, warning,
and entreating. Yet I know of but one or two who have been reproved that have
faced right about. The rest pass on nearly as before. Especially has this
been the case in the Office. But very little effort has been made to meet the
mind of God by a thorough reformation, and setting things right by
restitution. {PH011 49.1}
The frown of God has not been removed from the
church in Battle Creek. Men have been reproved for various sins. Some have
been tyrants in their families, yet they have been too proud, willful, and self-confident, to change their course of
action. They have
50
so large an amount of self-esteem that they consider their judgment even as
the judgment of God. They are in the greatest delusion in the very things
where they consider themselves wise. Many have been reproved, but have not
reformed. Such will not receive the light, and will be left to follow their
own ways, and to imagine them correct, until their true conditions will be
revealed to them when there is no more any sacrifice for sin. When our
Advocate has ceased his pleadings for erring humanity, then their weakness
and shame will be apparent to all. {PH011 49.2}
I have sought to arouse parents to their duty, yet
they sleep on. Your children are practicing secret vice, and they deceive
you. You have such implicit confidence in them, that you think them too good
and innocent to be capable of secretly practicing iniquity. Parents fondle
and pet their children, and indulge them in pride, but do not restrain them
with firmness and decision. They are so much afraid of their willful, stubborn spirits, that they fear to come in
contact with them; but the sin of negligence, which was marked against Eli,
will be their sin. The exhortation of Peter is of the highest value to all
who are striving for immortality. Those of like precious faith are addressed:
{PH011 50.1}
"Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus
Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the
51
righteousness of God and our Saviour Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied
unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as
his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and
godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and
virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises; that
by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust. And besides this, giving all
diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to
knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience,
godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye
shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off,
and hath forgotten that he w
as purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give
diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things,
ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you
abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ." {PH011 50.2}
We are in a world where light and knowledge abound;
yet many claiming to be of
52
like precious faith are willingly ignorant. Light is all around them; yet
they do not appropriate it to themselves. Parents do not see the necessity of
informing themselves, obtaining knowledge, and putting that knowledge to a
practical use in their married life. If they followed out the exhortation of
the apostle, and lived upon the plan of addition, they would not be
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many do not understand
the work of sanctification. It is a progressive work. It is not attained to
in an hour or a day, and then maintained without any special effort on their
part. They seem to think they have attained to it when they have only learned
the first lessons in addition. {PH011 51.1}
Many parents do not obtain the knowledge that they
should in the married life. They are not guarded lest Satan take advantage of
them, and control their minds and their lives. They do not see that God
requires them to control their married lives from any excesses. But very few
feel it to be a religious duty to govern their passions. They have united
themselves in marriage to the object of their choice, and therefore reason
that marriage sanctifies the indulgence of the baser passions. Even men and
women professing godliness give loose rein to their lustful passions, and
have no thought that God holds them accountable for the
53
expenditure of vital energy, which weakens their hold on life and enervates
the entire system. {PH011 52.1}
The marriage covenant covers sins of the darkest
hue. Men and women professing godliness debase their own bodies through the
indulgence of the corrupt passions, which lowers them beneath the brute
creation. They abuse the powers God has given them to be preserved in
sanctification and honor. Health and life are sacrificed upon the altar of
base passion. The higher, nobler powers are brought into subjection to the
animal propensities. Those who thus sin are not acquainted with the result of
their course. Could all see the amount of suffering they bring upon
themselves by their own wrong and sinful indulgences, they would be alarmed.
Some, at least, would shun the course of sin which brings such dreaded wages.
A miserable existence is entailed upon so large a class that death to them
would be preferable to life; and many do die prematurely, their lives
sacrificed in the inglorious work of excessive indulgence of the animal
passions. Because they are married, they think the
y commit no sin. {PH011 53.1}
Men and women, you will one day learn what is lust,
and the result of its gratification. Passion may be found of just as base a
quality in the marriage relation as outside of it. The apostle Paul exhorts
husbands to love
54
their wives "even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for
it." "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that
loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it,
even as the Lord the church." It is not pure love which actuates a man
to make his wife an instrument to administer to his lust. It is the animal
passions which clamor for indulgence. How few men
show their love in the manner specified by the apostle: "Even as Christ
also loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might [not pollute
it, but] sanctify and cleanse it," "that it should be holy and
without blemish." This is the quality of love in the married relation
which God recognizes as holy. Love is a pure and holy principle. Lustful
passion will not admit of restraint, and will not be dictated or controlled
by reason. It is blind to consequences. It will not reason from cause to
effect. Many women are suffering from great d
ebility, and with settled disease, brought
upon them because the laws of their being were not regarded. Nature's laws
were trampled upon. The brain nerve-power is squandered by men and women
because called into unnatural action to gratify base passions, and this
hideous monster, base, low passion, assumes the delicate name of love. {PH011 53.2}
Many professed Christians passed before me, who seemed
destitute of moral restraint. They were more animal than divine. They were,
in fact, about all animal. Men of this
55
type degrade the wife they have promised to nourish and cherish. She is made
by him an instrument to minister to the gratification of his low, lustful
propensities. Very many women submit to become slaves to lustful passion.
They do not possess their bodies in sanctification and honor. The wife does
not retain the dignity and self-respect she possessed previous to marriage.
This holy institution should have preserved and increased her womanly respect
and holy dignity. Her chaste, dignified, godlike womanhood, has been consumed
upon the altar of base passions. This has been sacrificed to please her
husband. She soon loses respect for her husband, who does not regard the laws
to which the brute creation yields obedience. The married life becomes a
galling yoke; for love dies out, and, frequently, distrust, jealousy, and
hate, take the place of love. {PH011 54.1}
No man can truly love his
wife who will patiently submit to become his slave, and minister to his
degraded passions. She loses, in her passive submission, the value she once
possessed in his eyes. He sees her dragged down from everything elevating, to
a low level; and soon he suspicions that she will, may be, as tamely submit
to be degraded by another as by himself. He doubts her constancy and purity,
tires of her, and seeks new objects which will arouse and intensify his
hellish passions. The law of God is not regarded. These men are worse than
brutes. They are demons in human form. The
56
elevating, ennobling principles of true, sanctified love they are
unacquainted with. {PH011 55.1}
The wife becomes jealous of the husband. She
suspects that he will just as readily pay his addresses to another as to her,
if opportunity should offer. She sees that he is not controlled by conscience,
nor the fear of God. All these sanctified barriers are broken down by lustful
passions. All that is godlike in the husband is made the servant of low,
brutish lust. {PH011 56.1}
The world is filled with men and women of this
order; and neat, tasty, yea, expensive, houses contain a hell within.
Imagine, if you can, what the offspring of such parents must be. Will not the
children sink lower in the scale than their parents have done? The parents
have given the stamp of character to their children. Children that are born
of these parents inherit qualities of mind from them which are of a low and
base order. Satan nourishes anything tending to corruption. The matter now to
be settled is, shall the wife feel bound to yield implicitly to the demands
of her husband when she sees that nothing but base passions control him, and
when her reason and knowledge are convinced that she does it to the injury of
her body, which God has enjoined upon her to possess in sanctification and
honor, to preserve a living sacrifice to God? {PH011
56.2}
It is not true, holy love which leads the
57
wife to gratify the animal propensities of her husband at the expense of
health and life. If she possesses true love and wisdom, she will seek to
divert the mind of her husband from the gratification of lustful passions, to
high and spiritual themes, dwelling upon interesting spiritual subjects. It
may be necessary to humbly and affectionately urge, even at the risk of his
displeasure, that she cannot debase her body by yielding to sexual excess.
She should, in a tender, kind manner, remind him that God has the first and
highest claim upon her entire being, which claim she cannot disregard, for she
will be held accountable in the great day of God. "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." "Ye
are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men." {PH011 56.3}
Woman can do much if she will, through her judicious
influence, by elevating her affections, and in sanctification and honor
preserving her refined, womanly dignity. In thus doing, she can save her
husband and herself, thus performing a double work, and fulfilling her high
mission, sanctifying her husband by her influence. In this delicate,
difficult matter to manage, much wisdom and patience are necessary, as well
as moral courage
58
and fortitude. Strength and grace can be found in prayer. Sincere love is to
be the ruling principle of the heart. Love to God and love to your husband
alone can be the right ground of action. {PH011
57.1}
Let the woman decide that it is the husband's
prerogative to have full control of her body, and to mold her mind to suit
his in every respect, and run in the same channel of his own, and she yields
her individuality. Her identity is lost, submerged in her husband. She is a
mere machine for his will to move and control, a creature of his will and
pleasure. He thinks for her, decides for her, and acts for her. She dishonors God in this passive position. She has a
responsibility before God which it is her duty to preserve. {PH011 58.1}
When the wife yields her body and mind to the
control of her husband, being passive to his will in all things, sacrificing
her conscience, her dignity, and even her identity, she loses the opportunity
of exerting that mighty influence for good which she should possess, to
elevate her husband. She could soften his stern nature, and her sanctifying
influence could be exerted in a manner to refine, purify, and lead him to
strive earnestly to govern his passions, and be more spiritually minded, that
they might be partakers together of the divine nature, having escaped the
corruption that is in the world through lust. The power of influence can be
great to
59
lead the mind to high and noble themes, above the low, sensual indulgences
which the heart unrenewed by grace naturally seeks
for. If the wife feels that she must, in order to please her husband, come
down to his standard, when animal passions is the principal basis of his
love, controlling his actions, she displeases God; for she fails to exert a
sanctifying influence upon her husband. If she feels that she must submit to
the animal passions of her husband without a word of remonstrance, she does
not understand her duty to him, nor to her God. Sexual excess will
effectually destroy a love for devotional exercises, will take from the brain
the substance needed to nourish the system, and will most effectually exhaust
the vitality. No woman should aid her husband in this work of
self-destruction. She will not do it if she is enlightened, and truly loves
her husband. {PH011 58.2}
The more animal passions are indulged and exercised,
the stronger do they become, and the more violent will be their clamors for indulgence. Let God-fearing men and women
awake to their duty. Many professing Christianity are suffering with
paralysis of nerve and brain because of their intemperance in this direction.
Rottenness is in the bones and marrow of many who are regarded as good men,
who pray and weep, and who stand in high places, but whose polluted carcasses
60
will never pass the portals of the heavenly city. {PH011
59.1}
Oh! that I could make all understand their
obligations to God to preserve the mental and physical organism in the best
condition to render perfect service to God. {PH011
60.1}
Let the Christian wife refrain, both in word and
act, from exciting the animal passions of her husband. Many have no strength
at all to waste in this direction. They have already, from their youth up,
weakened their brains, and sapped their constitutions, by the gratification
of their animal passions. Self-denial and temperance should be the watch-word
in married life; then, when children are born to parents, they will not be so
liable to have the moral and intellectual organs weak, and the animal,
strong. Vice in children is almost universal. It there not a cause? Who have
given them the stamp of character? May the Lord open the eyes of all to see
that they are standing in slippery places. {PH011
60.2}
From the picture that has been presented before me,
of the corruption of men and women professing godliness, I have feared that I
should lose confidence in humanity altogether. I have seen that a fearful
stupor is upon nearly all. It is almost impossible to arouse the very ones
who should be awakened, so as to have any just sense of the power Satan holds
over minds. They are
61
not aware of the corruption teeming all around them. Satan has blinded their
minds, and lulled them to carnal security. The failures in our efforts to
bring minds up to understand the great dangers that beset souls, have
sometimes led me to fear that I had exaggerated ideas of the depravity of the
human heart. But when facts are brought to us of the sad deformity of one who
has dared to minister in sacred things while corrupt at heart, and whose
sin-stained hands have profaned the vessels of the Lord, I am sure I have not
drawn the picture any too strong. {PH011 60.3}
I have been bearing a very strong testimony, both in
writing and in speaking, hoping to awaken God's people to understand that
they had fallen upon perilous times. I have felt sick at heart at the
indifference manifested by those who ought to be awake and guarded, and who
should understand the workings of Satan. I have seen that Satan is leading
the minds of even those who profess the truth to indulge in the terrible sin
of fornication. The mind of a man or woman does not come down in a moment
from purity and holiness to depravity, corruption, and crime. It takes time
to transform the human to the divine, or to degrade those formed in the image
of God, to brutes or to the satanic. By beholding, we become changed. Man,
formed in the image of his Maker, can so educate his mind that sin which he
once
62
loathed, will become pleasant to him. As he ceases to watch and pray, he
ceases to guard the citadel, the heart, and engages in sin and crime. The
mind is debased, and it is impossible to elevate it from corruption while it
is being educated to enslave the moral and intellectual powers, and bring
them in subjection to grosser passions. It is constant war against the carnal
mind, aided by the refining influence of the grace of God, which will attract
it upward, and habituate it to meditate upon pure and holy things. {PH011 61.1}
The body is not kept under by professed
Sabbath-keepers. Some embrace the Sabbath who have ever possessed depraved
minds; and when they embraced the truth, they did not feel the necessity of
turning square about, and changing their whole course of action. Whereas they
had been years following the inclinations of an unregenerated
heart, and had been swayed by the corrupt passions of their carnal natures,
which had defaced the image of God in them, and defiled everything they
touched, their entire future life would be all too short, at the longest, to
climb Peter's ladder of Christian perfection, preparatory to their entering
into the kingdom of God. There are not many who feel that in professing the
truth they cannot be saved by the profession they make, unless they become
sanctified through the truth in answer to the prayer of our divine Lord to
63
his Father: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." {PH011 62.1}
Men and women who profess to be disciples of Christ,
keeping all the commandments of God, will have to feel in their daily lives
the true spirit of agonizing to enter into the strait gate. The agonizing
ones are the only ones who will urge their passage through the narrow way and
strait gate that lead to life eternal, to fullness of joy and pleasures
forevermore. Those who merely seek to enter in will never be able. The entire
Christian life of many will be spent in no greater effort than that of
seeking, and their only reward will be an utter impossibility of their
entering into that strait gate. {PH011 63.1}
I have been surprised to see how many families are
blinded by Satan, and have no sense of his workings, his wiles, and
deceptions, practiced in their very midst. Parents seem to be stupefied by
the paralyzing influence of Satan, and yet think they are all right. I have
been shown that Satan engages in the work of debasing the minds of those who
unite in marriage, that he may stamp his own hateful image upon their
children. Because they have entered into the marriage relation, he deceives
them, and leads them to pervert the marriage institution, which is sacred.
Many think that because of the marriage relation, they may permit themselves
to be controlled by animal
64
passions. They are led on by Satan. He is well pleased with the low level
their minds take; for he has much to gain in this direction. He knows that if
he can excite the baser passions, and keep them in the ascendency, he has
nothing to be troubled about in their Christian experience; for the moral and
intellectual will be subordinate while the animal will predominate and keep
in the ascendency, and by exercise these baser passions will be strengthened
and the nobler qualities of the mind become weaker and weaker. {PH011 63.2}
He can mold their posterity much more readily than
he could their parents; for he can so control the minds of the parents that
through them he may give his own stamp of character to their children. Many
children are born with the animal passions largely in the ascendency, while
the moral faculties are but feebly developed. These children need the most
careful culture, to bring out, strengthen, and develop, the moral and
intellectual, and have these take the lead. But the workings of Satan are not
perceived. His wiles are not understood. Children are not trained for God.
Their moral and religious education is neglected. The animal passions are
being constantly strengthened, while the moral faculties are becoming
enfeebled. {PH011 64.1}
Children begin to practice self-pollution
65
even in their infancy; and as they increase in years, the lustful passions
grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength. Their minds are
not at rest. Girls desire the society of boys; and boys, that of the girls.
Their deportment is not reserved and modest. They are bold and forward,
taking indecent liberties. Their corrupt habits of self-abuse have debased
their minds, and tainted their souls. Vile thoughts, novel-reading, vile
books, and love-stories, excite their imagination, and just suit their
depraved minds. They do not love work. They complain of fatigue when engaged
in labor. Their backs ache. Their heads ache. Is there not sufficient cause?
Are they fatigued because of their labor? No, no! Yet their parents indulge
these children in their complaints, and release them from labor and
responsibility. This is the very worst thing they can do for them. They are
removing almost the only barrier to Satan's having free access to their
weakened minds. Useful lab
or would be a safeguard in some measure from his decided control of
them. {PH011 64.2}
We have some knowledge of the manner of Satan's
workings, and how well he succeeds in it. In Battle Creek parents are asleep.
From what has been shown me, Satan has paralyzed their minds. They are slow
to suspect that their own children can be wrong and sinful.
66
{PH011 65.1}
Some of these children profess to be Christians, and
parents sleep on, feeling no danger while the minds and bodies of their
children are becoming wrecked. Some parents do not even take care to keep
their children with them when in the house of God. Young girls have attended meetings
and taken their seat, it may be, with their parents, but more frequently back
in the congregation. They have been in the habit of making an excuse to leave
the house. Boys understand this, and go out before or after the exit of the
girls, and then, as the meeting closes, they accompany these girls home.
Parents are none the wiser for this. Again, excuses are made to walk, and
boys and girls assemble in some out-of-the-way place, resort to the fair
grounds, or some other secluded place, and there play, and have a regular,
high time, with no experienced eye upon them to caution them. They imitate
men and women of advanced age. {PH011 66.1}
This is a fast age, little boys and girls commence
paying attentions to one another, when they should both be in the nursery,
taking lessons in modesty of deportment. What does this common mixing up do?
Does it increase chastity in the youth who thus gather together? No, indeed!
it increases the first lustful passions in the youth, and they are crazed by
the devil, and only give
67
themselves up to their vile practices after such meetings. {PH011 66.2}
Parents are asleep. They don't know that Satan has
planted his hellish banner right in their households. What, I was led to
inquire, will become of the youth in this corrupt age? I say parents are
asleep. The children are infatuated with a love-sick sentimentalism, and the
truth has no power to correct the wrong. What can be done to stay the tide of
evil? Parents can do much if they will. If a young girl just entering her
teens is accosted with familiarity by a boy of her own age, or older, she
should be taught to so resent this, that no such advances will ever be
repeated. When a girl's company is frequently sought for by boys or young
men, something is wrong. That young girl needs a mother to show her her place, or to restrain her, and teach her what belongs
to a girl of her age. {PH011 67.1}
The corrupting doctrine which has prevailed, that,
as viewed from a health stand-point, the sexes must mingle together, has done
its mischievous work. When parents and guardians manifest one tithe of the
shrewdness, which Satan possesses, then can this associating of sexes be more
harmless. As it is, Satan is most successful in his efforts to bewitch the
minds of the youth; and the mingling of boys and girls only increases the
evil twenty-fold. Let boys and girls be kept employed
68
in useful labor. If they are tired, they will have less inclination to
corrupt their own bodies. There is nothing to be hoped for in the case of the
young, unless there is an entire change in the minds of those older. Vice is
stamped upon the features of boys and girls, and yet what is being done to
stay the progress of this evil? Young boys and men are allowed and encouraged
to take liberties by immodest advances of girls and young women. May God
arouse fathers and mothers to work earnestly to change this terrible state of
things, is my prayer.
69
{PH011 67.2}
I have been looking over the testimonies given for
the Sabbath-keeping people, especially those at B. C. I am astonished at the
mercy of God and his care for his people in B. C., in giving them the many
admonitions and warnings, pointing out their dangers, presenting before them
the exalted position he would have them occupy. If they would keep themselves
in his love, and separate from the world, he would make his especial
blessings to rest upon them, and his light to shine around about them. Their
influence for good might be felt in every part of the gospel field, in every
branch of the work. If they failed to meet the mind of God, if they continued
to have so little sense of the exalted character of the work as they had in
the past, their influence and example would prove a terrible curse, they
would harm, and only harm. The blood of precious souls would be found upon
their garments. {PH011 69.1}
Testimonies of warning have been repeated. I
inquire, Who have heeded them? Who have been zealous in repenting of their
sins and idolatry, and been earnestly pressing forward toward the mark for
the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus? Who have shown the
inward work of God, leading to self-denial and humble self-sacrifice? Who
that have been warned, have so separated themselves from the world, from its
affections and lusts, that they have shown a daily
70
growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
Whom do we find among the active ones, that feel any burden for the church?
Who do we see God especially using, working by them, and through them, to
elevate the standard, and to bring the church up to it, that they may prove
the Lord and see if he will not pour them out a blessing. {PH011 69.2}
I have waited anxiously and hoped that God would put
his spirit upon some and use them as instruments of righteousness to awaken
and set in order his church. But I have looked in vain. "Hope deferred
maketh the heart sick." Notwithstanding all the labor bestowed in years
past up to the last June Conference, the church has been steadily and
perceptibly retrograding. They have not advanced. They have been uniting more
and more with the world in spirit and influence, until the line of demarkation between them and the world is scarcely
discernible. They do not bear the image of the heavenly, the impress of the
divine. I have about despaired as I have seen, year after year, a greater
departure from that simplicity which God has shown me should characterize the
life of his followers. There has been less and less interest in, and devotion
to, the cause of God. I ask, Wherein have they regarded the warnings given?
Wherein have they heeded the instructions they have received? The
y profess confidence in the testimonies.
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Wherein have they sought to live according to the light given in them? {PH011 70.1}
I have been looking over the testimonies borne, the
warnings given those connected with the Review Office, who profess confidence
in them. Who have carried out the instructions which they admit the Lord has
given them? At the very time the most pointed testimonies were borne, the
very wrongs reproved were entered into more fully. Satan seemed to stand at
the helm and to have the guidance himself, and carried things to suit his own
ideas. The church, in like manner, have not regarded the light given. The
church have professed to believe the testimonies, but have not heeded them.
Their own ways seem right in their own eyes. They have, some of them, rent
their garments but the heart has not been rent. Rather than to break their
hearts before God and in their confessions open their hearts and meet the
point, they walk all around it, and do not touch the plague spot. They
justify self, justify the course of wrong, and shield and build up
themselves. They will not fall on the
rock, fearing they will break if they do. This is precisely what the
Lord designs shall be done with them. Then he can, with his holy hand (if
they will permit him), build them up and mold them as clay is molded in the
hands of the potter. {PH011 71.1}
I was shown, one year ago last June, the responsible
and important position those
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employed at the Office occupied. Brn. Smith,
Aldrich, Walker, Amadon, and Gage, had the most to
do in molding everything in connection with the
Office, and in connection with the church. They could, if consecrated to God,
glorify him in the Office and in the church. Their light could so shine that
others by seeing their good works, would glorify our Father in heaven; or
they could so conduct themselves as to encourage self-love, selfish interest,
love of the world, and a relish for its exciting pleasures. {PH011 71.2}
I saw that great changes must be wrought in the
hearts and lives of these men before God can work in them by his power, in
the salvation of others. They must be renewed after the image of God in
righteousness and true holiness. The love of the world, the love of self, and
every ambition of life calculated to exalt self, will be changed by the grace
of God, and employed in the special work of saving souls for whom Christ
died. Humility will take the place of pride; and haughty self-esteem will be
exchanged for meekness. Every power of the heart will be turned into
disinterested love for all mankind. Satan, I saw, would arouse himself when
they in earnest commence the work of reformation in themselves. He knows that
these men, if consecrated to God, could prove the strength of his promises,
and realize a power working with them that the adversary
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shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. They would realize the life of God
in the soul. {PH011 72.1}
In Battle Creek, especially, should the power of God
be felt. Here is the great heart of the work. Every pulsation is felt all
through the entire body. If the heart is sound, it would impart health and
vigor. If the heart is unsound, if the heart itself is paralyzed, how can its
motions be vigorous, and a healthful current be sent through the entire
body--through every branch of the work? The spiritual respirations of the
heart and lungs of the cause must be deep and full. The life of God must
sustain the heart, and through it vitalize the body, until it comes to the
full measure of the stature of Christ. {PH011 73.1}
I saw that none of these men had force of brain or
muscle, so that they could do their duty in the Office as God required it to
be done, and yet have a separate interest outside of the Office; that none of
these should, while engaged in labor in the Office, introduce business in
that Office of their own, not connected especially with the publication of
the truth; that all merchandise should be abolished; and that when these men
devoted that strength of brain and muscle which a devotion to the work would
call forth from them, they would not have a reserve of strength to
successfully carry forward any other enterprise. The Office has been made
common by men taking up time in doing
74
business with those employed exclusively for the sacred work of God. {PH011 73.2}
I saw that it was impossible to serve God and
mammon. The exalted character of the work has never been understood. The eye
of the understanding has been closed. The love of the world, self-will and
stubbornness, have hidden from them the sacred, holy character of the
work--the high standard God calls them to come up to. Selfish interests are
consulted. The love of the work, the deep interest in the work of God, have
not existed. {PH011 74.1}
I have borne a plain testimony. I have felt a burden
of the work, a burden of soul that I never expect to feel again for the
church at Battle Creek. God has let his Spirit drop upon me right in their
midst. I have exhorted the youth. My spirit was stirred within me as I saw by
their course of action how little they understood of true Christian religion.
Professing Christ, yet in their works denying him; given up to pride, vanity,
love of pleasure, love of self, idolaters in the sight of God. The
intercourse of some with the world was such as to justify the sinner in his unbelief.
There was not seen in their lives the grace of the Spirit of God. They did
not possess moral courage and spiritual energy. They lured on souls to death.
Souls have gone down into the grave who might have had a fitness for Heaven,
had all those who professed Christ
75
walked even as he walked. Professors of godliness have taken souls who were
not as favorably situated as themselves to form a
good religious character, and have, through their example and influence,
linked their hands with the world, and by their course of action have said,
The pleasures of the world are harmless; you can love God, and love self, and
the world. You can profess Christ and yet live as the world live, love what
the world love. Their example has said, You may lay aside your religious
principles when not convenient to retain them. {PH011
74.2}
While I was talking in this manner, I fell in your
midst under the influence of the Holy Spirit. God then showed me your
condition. And who have made a thorough change after this? Who turned square
about? I have yet to learn that there was any decided change with those in
the Office, or in the church. Bro. Aldrich and Walker engaged deeper than
ever in worldly speculation. I have seen an unwillingness to come to the
light, I have seen that many in Battle Creek, both old and young, choose
darkness rather than light. They will not deny self. Battle Creek is a very
important post, and faithful sentinels are needed to guard it with
unremitting vigilance. The two institutions, the Publishing Association and
the Health Institute, are in their midst. {PH011
75.1}
In the fear of God I have given my testimony in
regard to the health reform. It was
76
more difficult to make headway upon this subject in B. C. among the
Sabbath-keeping people, than in any other place. We battled on, and what have
we gained? Pride of dress, pride of heart, love of show, love to gratify the
appetite, have led to a disregard of the light the Lord permitted to shine
upon them. They would not come to the light. They did not desire the light.
Any light which would show them that if they would enjoy health they must
deny the taste, was not acceptable. {PH011 75.2}
I do not speak of these as a whole. A few have been
true to their principles. Some acknowledged the light, and, for a time,
walked in it, but they were not steadfast. Is it possible that Christ's followers
are unwilling to restrict their appetites to articles of food which are
healthful? Some of those who have had the most light, those standing at the
very head of the work, have not been true to the principles of health reform.
As we have traveled we have seen men and women injuring their health by an
improper diet. We have spoken to them kindly in regard to their duty, but we
would be met: I thought you had decided you could not live without meat,
butter, and cheese; for if I am rightly informed your people in B. C. eat
flesh-meats. Your responsible men in the Office are not reformers. They eat
meat, butter, cheese and rich pie and cake. Others will excuse their
indulgence of appetite
77
by referring to B. C. Said one, On such a celebration, the Institute tables
were not set with food recommended in the Reformer. There was a great variety
of food which I have known themselves to condemn, and I have seen your most
zealous church members, especially the females, looking over the table
greedily for some article of food prepared richer than another. They seem to
fear that they shall not obtain the most desirable position to obtain the
very best dishes served up. We certainly saw their indulgence of appetite,
which in us you condemn. {PH011 76.1}
Again, "Sr. White, if you knew one-half of the
doings at Battle Creek, you would not blame us, for we really do not know
what to think, or what course to pursue. We heard you ate meat, butter, and
cheese. All these things you had condemned we heard were upon your table
again." I told them I had not swerved from my principles of health
reform. Butter was not placed upon my table for my family, neither for
visitors. Meat was not brought into my house or placed upon my table.
"Well," said my informer, "did you not know that on
Thanksgiving many of the brethren were seen on that day walking to their
homes carrying their turkeys." At another place where I thought to
introduce the subject of health reform and the necessity of a healthful diet
upon their table, I was met with, "They are far below
78
us in health reform at B. C. There was a lot of old diseased sheep carried
into market, slain from a flock that had, without doubt, the sheep-rot, and
some of your best brethren lighted upon their carcasses as flies upon
molasses. They could get these carcasses of sheep for a mere trifle, and they
improved the chance." {PH011 77.1}
One family in particular needed all the benefits
they could receive by the reform in diet. Yet these very ones were completely
backslidden. Meat and butter were used quite freely, spices were not entirely
discarded. This family could have received great benefit from a nourishing,
well-regulated diet. The head of the family needed a plain, nutritious diet.
His habits were sedentary, and his blood moved sluggishly through the system.
The benefit of healthful exercise he could not have like others, and,
therefore, his food should be of a right quality and quantity. There had not
been in this family the right management in regard to diet. There had been
irregularity. There should have been a specified time for each meal, and the
food should have been prepared free from grease in a simple form; but pains
should have been taken to have it nutritious, healthful, and inviting. There
has been in this family, as also in many families, a special parade made for
visitors, many dishes prepared and frequently made too rich; so that those
seated at the table
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would be tempted to eat to excess. Then in the absence of company there was a
great reaction, a falling off in the preparations brought on the table. The
diet was spare, and lacked nourishment. It was considered not so much matter
"just for ourselves." The meals were frequently picked up, and the
regular time for eating not regarded. Every member of the family was injured
by such management. It is a sin for any of our sisters to make such
preparations as mentioned, for visitors, and wrong their own families by a
spare diet which will fail to nourish the system. {PH011
78.1}
The brother spoken of felt a lack in his system. He was
not nourished. He thought meat would give him strength that he needed. Had he
been suitably cared for, his table spread with food at the right time, of a
nourishing quality, all the demands of nature would have been abundantly
supplied. The butter and meat stimulate. These have injured the stomach and
perverted the taste. The sensitive nerves of the brain have been benumbed,
and the animal appetite strengthened at the expense of the moral and
intellectual. Their higher powers, which should control, have been growing
weaker; so that eternal things have not been discerned. Paralysis has
benumbed the spiritual and devotional. Satan has triumphed to see how easily
he can succeed in coming in through the appetite, and controlling men and
women of intelligence,
80
calculated by the Creator to do a good and great work. {PH011
79.1}
The case referred to above is not an isolated one.
If it were, I would not introduce it here. When Satan takes possession of the
mind, how soon the light and instruction that the Lord has graciously given,
fade away, and have no force! How many excuses are framed, how many
necessities made, which have no existence, to bear them up in their course of
wrong, in setting aside the light and trampling it under foot! I wish to
speak with assurance, that the greatest objection to health reform is, this
people do not live it out, and they will gravely say they cannot live the
health reform and preserve their strength. {PH011
80.1}
We find in every such instance a good reason why
they cannot live out the health reform. They do not live it out, and have
never followed it strictly, therefore cannot be benefited by it. Some fall
into the error, that because they leave meat they have no need to supply its
place with the best of fruits and vegetables, prepared in their most natural
state, free from grease and spices. If they will only skillfully
arrange the bounties the Creator has surrounded them with, and with a clear
conscience parents and children unitedly engage in
the work, they would enjoy simple food, and would then be able to speak
understandingly of health reform. {PH011 80.2}
Those who have not been converted to
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health reform, that have never fully adopted it, are not judges of its
benefits. Those who digress occasionally to gratify the taste in eating a
fattened turkey, or of other flesh-meats, pervert their appetites, and are
not the ones to judge of the benefits of the system of health reform. They
are controlled by taste, not by principle. {PH011
80.3}
I have a well-set table on all occasions. I make no
change for visitors, whether believers or unbelievers. I never intend to be
surprised by an unreadiness to have set at my table
from one to half a dozen extra who may chance to come in. I have enough
simple, healthful food ready to satisfy hunger and nourish the system. If any
want more than this they are at liberty to find it elsewhere. No butter or
flesh-meats of any kind come on my table. Cake is seldom found on my table. I
generally have an ample supply of fruits, good bread and vegetables. Our
table is always well patronized, and all who partake of the food do well, and
improve upon it. All sit down with no epicurean appetite, and eat with a
relish the bounties supplied by our Creator. {PH011
81.1}
I have seen that the disregard of health reform has
brought the church into darkness and under condemnation where it is almost
impossible to arouse them to a sense of the exalted character of the work of
God. At the very heart of the work, where the most thorough instruction has
been given,
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we find that we have the least influence, and the Health Institute has the
fewest reliable ones to sustain the system. But they have chosen darkness
rather than light. The gratification of appetite has overcome the moral and
intellectual. Taste has been indulged at the expense of a clear conscience, a
clear brain, and spiritual strength. {PH011 81.2}
A wonderful indifference has been manifested upon
this important subject, by those right at the heart of the work. The lack of
stability in regard to the principles of health reform, is a true index of
their character and their spiritual strength. They are deficient in
thoroughness in their Christian experience. Their conscience is not regarded.
The basis or cause of every right action existing and operating in the
renewed heart secures obedience without external or selfish motives. The
Spirit of truth and a good conscience are sufficient to inspire and regulate
the motives and conduct of those who learn of Christ and are like him. Those
who have not strength of religious principles in themselves have been easily
swayed, by the example of others, in a wrong direction. Those who have never
learned their duty from God, and acquainted themselves with his purposes
concerning them, are not reliable in times of severe conflict with the powers
of darkness. The external and pres
ent appearances will sway them. Worldly men
are governed by worldly principles. They can appreciate no
83
other. Christians should not be governed by the same principles worldly men
are. They should not seek to strengthen themselves in the performance of duty
by any other consideration than a love to obey every requirement of God as
found in his word, and dictated by an enlightened conscience. {PH011 82.1}
In the renewed heart there will be a fixed principle
to obey the will of God because there is a love for what is just, and good,
and holy. There will not be a hesitating, a conferring with the taste, or
studying of convenience, or moving in a certain course because others have
done so. Every one should live for themselves. The
minds of all who are renewed by grace will be an open medium, continually
receiving light, grace, and truth, from above, and transmitting it to others.
Their works are fruitful and have their fruit unto holiness, and the end is
everlasting life. {PH011 83.1}
In so important a place as B.C., there should be
picked men to keep the fort, who have stood in responsible positions, and
have walked with God and learned their duty of him. There are many who are
without root. They will be swayed by unsanctified influences and be led from
devotion and from God. It is natural to follow the inclinations of the carnal
heart. B. C. is filled up with just such persons as these. All such will have
abundant opportunity to manifest that they are not the children of God. There
84
are but few who have the genuine work of grace wrought in the heart, and who
have obtained an experience for themselves. How few can God employ and use in
his service! {PH011 83.2}
There are but few in B. C. who have an experimental
knowledge of the sanctifying influence of the truths they profess. Their
obedience and devotion has not been in accordance with their light and
privileges. They have no real sense of the obligation resting upon them, to
walk as children of the light, and not as children of darkness. If the light
had been given Sodom and Gomorrah that has been given to the church at B. C.,
they would have repented of their sins in sackcloth and ashes, and would have
escaped the signal wrath of God. It will be more tolerable for Sodom and
Gomorrah in the day of Judgment than for those in B. C. who have been
privileged with the clear light, and who have had a vast amount of labor and
have not profited by it. They have neglected the great salvation God in mercy
was willing to bestow. They were so blinded by the devil, they verily thought
they were rich and in the favor of God, when the True Witness declares them
to be wretched, miserable, p
oor, and blind, and naked.” {PH011 84.1}
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