An
1882 Appeal by Ellen White
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An Appeal
By Ellen G. White,
Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, page 217
[THIS
APPEAL WAS WRITTEN AT
HEALDSBURG, CALIFORNIA, MAY 30, 1882, TO BE
READ AT THE CAMP MEETINGS. IT PRESENTS WARNINGS AND
INSTRUCTION WHICH THE WRITER, BEING ABSENT IN PERSON, FELT URGED TO GIVE TO THE
CHURCH. FOR THE BENEFIT OF THOSE WHO WERE NOT PRESENT AT THOSE MEETINGS, AND
ALSO FOR ALL WHO MAY DESIRE TO PRESERVE IT IN PERMANENT FORM, IT IS INSERTED HERE.]
I am filled with sadness when I think of our
condition as a people. The Lord has
not closed heaven to us, but our own
course of continual backsliding has separated us from God. Pride, covetousness, and love of the world have lived in the heart
without fear of banishment or condemnation. Grievous and presumptuous sins have dwelt among us. And yet the general
opinion is that the church is flourishing
and that peace and spiritual prosperity are in all her borders. {5T 217.1}
The church
has turned back from following Christ her Leader and is steadily retreating
toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished at their want of
spiritual power. Doubt, and even disbelief
of the testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches
everywhere. Satan would have it thus. Ministers who
preach self instead of Christ would have it thus. The testimonies are unread
and unappreciated. God has spoken to you.
Light has been shining from His word and from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and disregarded. The result is apparent in the lack of purity and
devotion and earnest faith among us. {5T 217.2}
Let each put the question to his
own heart: "How have we fallen into this state of spiritual
feebleness and dissension? Have we not brought upon ourselves the frown of God
because our actions do not correspond with our faith? Have we not been seeking the friendship and applause of the world rather
than the presence of Christ and a deeper knowledge of His will?Examine your own hearts, judge your own course. Consider what associates you
are choosing. Do you seek the company of the wise, or are you willing to choose
worldly associates, companions who fear (reverence) not God and obey not the
gospel? {5T 217.3}
Are your recreations such as to impart moral
and spiritual vigor? Will they lead to purity of thought and action? Impurity
is today widespread, even among the professed followers of Christ. Passion is unrestrained; the animal propensities are gaining strength by
indulgence, while the moral powers are constantly becoming weaker. Many are
eagerly participating in worldly, demoralizing amusements which God's word
forbids. Thus they sever their connection with God and rank themselves with the
pleasure lovers of the world. The sins
that destroyed the antediluvians and the cities of the plain exist today--not
merely in heathen lands, not only among popular professors of Christianity, but
with some who profess to be looking for the coming of the Son of man. If God
should present these sins before you as they appear in His sight, you would be
filled with shame and terror. {5T 218.1}
And what has
caused this alarming condition? Many have accepted the theory of the truth who have had no true conversion. I know whereof I speak. There are few who feel true
sorrow for sin, who have deep, pungent convictions of
the depravity of the unregenerate nature. The heart of stone is not exchanged
for a heart of flesh. Few are willing to fall upon the Rock and be broken. {5T 218.2}
No matter who you are
or what your life has been, you can be saved only in God's appointed way. You
must repent; you must fall helpless on the Rock, Christ Jesus. You must feel
your need of a physician and of the one only remedy for sin, the blood of
Christ. This remedy can be secured only by repentance toward God and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Here the
work is yet to be begun by many who profess to be Christians and even to be
ministers of Christ. Like the Pharisees of old many of you feel no need of a
Saviour. You are self-sufficient, self-exalted. Said Christ:
"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
The blood of Christ will avail for none but those who feel their need of its
cleansing power. {5T 218.3}
What surpassing love and condescension, that
when we had no claim upon divine mercy, Christ was willing to undertake our
redemption! But our great Physician requires of every soul unquestioning
submission. We are never to prescribe for our own case. Christ must have the
entire management of will and action. {5T 219.1}
Many are not sensible of their condition and
their danger; and there is much in the nature and manner of Christ's work
averse to every worldly principle and opposed to the pride of the human heart.
Jesus requires us to trust ourselves wholly to His hands and confide in His
love and wisdom. {5T 219.2}
We may flatter ourselves, as did Nicodemus, that our moral character has been correct and we
need not humble ourselves before God like the common sinner. But we must be
content to enter into life in the very same way as the chief of sinners. We
must renounce our own righteousness and plead for the righteousness of Christ
to be imputed to us. We must
depend wholly upon Christ for our strength. Self must die. We must acknowledge
that all we have is from the exceeding riches of divine grace. Let this be the
language of our hearts: "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy
name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake." {5T 219.3}
Genuine faith is followed by love, and love by obedience. All the powers
and passions of the converted man are brought under the control of Christ. His
Spirit is a renewing power, transforming to the divine image all who will
receive it. It makes me sad to say that this experience is
understood by but few who profess the truth. Very many follow on in their own
ways and indulge their sinful desires and yet profess to be disciples
of Christ. They have never submitted their hearts to God. Like the foolish virgins they have neglected to obtain the oil of grace
in their vessels with their lamps. I tell you, my brethren,
that a large number who profess to believe and even to teach the truth
are under the bondage of sin. Base passions defile the mind and corrupt the
soul. Some who are in the vilest iniquity have borrowed the livery of heaven, that they may serve Satan more effectively. {5T 219.4}
"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit
sin." He feels that he is the purchase of the blood of Christ and bound by
the most solemn vows to glorify God in his body and in his spirit, which are
God's. The love of sin and the love of self are subdued in him. He daily asks: "What shall I render unto the Lord for all His
benefits toward me?" "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" The true Christian will never complain that the yoke of Christ is
galling to the neck. He accounts the service of Jesus as the truest freedom.
The law of God is his delight. Instead of seeking to bring down the divine
commands, to accord with his deficiencies, he is constantly striving to rise to
the level of their perfection. {5T 220.1}
Such an experience must be ours if we would be
prepared to stand in the day of God. Now, while probation lingers, while
mercy's voice is still heard, is the time for us to put away our sins. While
moral darkness covers the earth like a funeral pall, the light of God's
standard-bearers must shine the more brightly, showing the contrast between
heaven's light and Satan's darkness. {5T 220.2}
God has made
ample provision that we may stand perfect in His grace, wanting in nothing,
waiting for the appearing of our Lord. Are you ready? Have you the wedding
garment on? That garment will never cover deceit, impurity, corruption, or
hypocrisy. The eye of God is upon you. It is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart. We may conceal our sins from the eyes of men, but we can
hide nothing from our Maker. {5T 220.3}
God spared not His own Son, but delivered Him
to death for our offenses and raised Him again for our justification. Through
Christ we may present our petitions at the throne of grace. Through Him,
unworthy as we are, we may obtain all spiritual blessings. Do we come to Him,
that we may have life? {5T 221.1}
How shall we know for ourselves God's goodness
and His love? The psalmist tells us--not, hear and know, read and know, or
believe and know; but--"Taste
and see that the Lord is good." Instead of relying upon the word of
another, taste for yourself. {5T 221.2}
Experience is knowledge derived from
experiment. Experimental religion is what is needed now. "Taste
and see that the Lord is good." Some--yes, a large number--have a
theoretical knowledge of religious truth, but have never felt the renewing
power of divine grace upon their own hearts. These persons are ever slow to heed the testimonies of warning,
reproof, and instruction indited by the Holy Spirit. They believe in the wrath of God, but put forth no earnest efforts to
escape it. They believe in heaven, but make no sacrifice to obtain it. They
believe in the value of the soul and that erelong its redemption ceaseth forever. Yet they neglect the most precious
opportunities to make their peace with God. {5T 221.3}
They may read the Bible, but its threatenings do not alarm or its promises win them. They
approve things that are excellent, yet they follow the way in which God has
forbidden them to go. They know a refuge, but do not avail themselves of it.
They know a remedy for sin, but do not use it. They know the right, but have no
relish for it. All their knowledge will but increase their condemnation. They
have never tasted and learned by experience that the Lord is good. {5T 221.4}
To become a disciple of Christ is to deny self
and follow Jesus through evil as well as good report. Few are doing this now.
Many prophesy falsely, and the people love to have it so; but what will be done
in the end thereof? What will be the decision when their work, with all its
results, shall be brought in review before God? {5T 222.1}
The Christian life is a
warfare. The apostle Paul speaks of wrestling against principalities and
powers as he fought the good fight of faith. Again, he declares: "Ye have
not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin." Ah, no. Today sin is cherished and excused. The sharp sword of the
Spirit, the word of God, does not cut to the soul. Has religion changed? Has
Satan's enmity to God abated? A religious
life once presented difficulties and demanded self-denial. All is made very
easy now. And why is this? The professed
people of God have compromised with the power of darkness. {5T 222.2}
There must be a revival of the strait testimony.
The path to heaven is no smoother now than in the days of our Saviour. All our sins must be put away. Every
darling indulgence that hinders our religious life must be cut off. The right
eye or the right hand must be sacrificed if it cause
us to offend. Are we willing to renounce our own wisdom and to receive the
kingdom of heaven as a little child? Are we willing to part with
self-righteousness? Are we willing to give up our chosen worldly associates?
Are we willing to sacrifice the approbation of men? The prize of eternal life
is of infinite value. Will we put
forth efforts and make sacrifices proportionate to the worth of the object to
be attained? {5T 222.3}
Every association we form, however limited, exerts some influence upon us. The extent to which we yield to that influence will be determined by
the degree of intimacy, the constancy of the intercourse, and our love and
veneration for the one with whom we associate. Thus by acquaintance and association with Christ we may become like Him,
the one faultless Example. {5T 222.4}
Communion
with Christ--how unspeakably precious! Such communion it is our privilege to enjoy if we will seek it, if we
will make any sacrifice to secure it. When the
early disciples heard the words of Christ, they felt their need of Him. They
sought, they found, they followed Him. They were with Him in the house, at the
table, in the closet, in the field. They were with Him as pupils with a
teacher, daily receiving from His lips lessons of holy truth. They looked to Him
as servants to their master, to learn their duty. They served Him cheerfully,
gladly. They followed Him, as soldiers follow their commander, fighting the
good fight of faith. "And they that are with Him are called, and chosen,
and faithful." {5T 223.1}
"He that saith he abideth in Him ought
himself also so to walk, even as He walked." "Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of His."
This conformity to Jesus will not be unobserved by the world. It is a subject
of notice and comment. The Christian may not be conscious of the great change;
for the more closely he resembles Christ in character the more humble will be
his opinion of himself; but it will be seen and felt by all around him. Those who have had the deepest experience in the things of God are the
farthest removed from pride or self-exaltation. They have the humblest thoughts
of self, and the most exalted conceptions of the glory and excellence of
Christ. They feel that the lowest place in His service is too honorable for them. {5T 223.2}
Moses did not know that his face shone with a brightness painful and terrifying to those who had not,
like himself, communed with God. Paul had a very humble opinion of his own
advancement in the Christian life. He says: "Not as though I had already
attained, either were already perfect." He speaks of himself as the
"chief" of sinners. Yet Paul had been highly honored of the Lord. He had been taken in holy vision to the third heaven and had there received revelations of divine glory which he could
not be permitted to make known. {5T 223.3}
John the Baptist was pronounced by our Saviour
the greatest of prophets. Yet what a contrast between the
language of this man of God and that of many who profess to be ministers of the
cross. When asked if he was the Christ, John declares himself unworthy
even to unloose his Master's sandals. When his disciples came with the
complaint that the attention of the people was turned to the new Teacher, John
reminded them that he himself had claimed to be only the forerunner of the
Promised One. To Christ, as the bridegroom, belongs the first place in the
affections of His people. "The friend of the bridegroom, which standeth
and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I
must decrease. He that cometh from above is above all." "He that hath
received His testimony hath set to his seal that God is true." {5T 224.1}
It is such workers that are needed in the cause
of God today. The self-sufficient, the envious and jealous, the critical and
faultfinding, can well be spared from His sacred work. They should not be
tolerated in the ministry, even though they may apparently have accomplished
some good. God is not straitened for men or means. He calls for workers who are
true and faithful, pure and holy; for those who have felt their need of the
atoning blood of Christ and the sanctifying grace of His Spirit. {5T 224.2}
My brethren, God is grieved with your envying
and jealousies, your bitterness and dissension. In all these things you are
yielding obedience to Satan and not to Christ. When we see men firm in
principle, fearless in duty, zealous in the cause of God, yet humble and lowly,
gentle and tender, patient toward all, ready to forgive, manifesting love for
souls for whom Christ died, we do not need to inquire: Are they Christians?
They give unmistakable evidence that they have been with Jesus and learned of
Him. When men reveal the opposite traits, when they are
proud, vain, frivolous, worldly-minded, avaricious, unkind, censorious, we need
not be told with whom they are associating, who is their most intimate friend. They
may not believe in witchcraft; but, notwithstanding this, they are holding communion
with an evil spirit. {5T 224.3}
To this class I would say: "Glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good
fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of
righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace." {5T 225.1}
When the Pharisees and Sadducees flocked to the
baptism of John, that fearless preacher of righteousness addressed them:
"O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." These men were
actuated by unworthy motives in coming to John. They were men of poisonous
principles and corrupt practices. Yet they had no sense of their true
condition. Filled with pride and ambition, they would not hesitate at any means
to exalt themselves and strengthen their influence with the people. They came
to receive baptism at the hand of John that they might better carry out these
designs. {5T 225.2}
John read their motives, and met them with the
searching inquiry: "Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to
come?" Had they heard the voice of God speaking to their hearts they would
have given evidence of the fact by bringing forth fruit meet for repentance. No
such fruit was seen. They had heard the warning as merely the voice of man.
They were charmed with the power and boldness with
which John spoke, but the Spirit of God did not send conviction to their hearts
and as the sure result bring forth fruit unto eternal life. They gave no
evidence of a change of heart. Without the transforming power of the Holy
Spirit, John would have them understand that no outward ceremony could benefit
them. {5T 225.3}
The reproof of the prophet is applicable to
many in our day. They cannot gainsay the clear and convincing arguments that
sustain the truth, but they accept it more as the result of human reasoning
than of divine revelation. They have no true sense of their condition as
sinners, they manifest no real brokenness of heart; but, like the Pharisees,
they feel that it is a great condescension for them to accept the truth. {5T
226.1}
None are further from the kingdom of heaven
than self-righteous formalists, filled with pride at their own attainments,
while they are wholly destitute of the spirit of Christ; while envy, jealousy,
or love of praise and popularity controls them. They belong to the same class
that John addressed as a generation of vipers, children of the wicked one. Such
persons are among us, unseen, unsuspected. They serve the cause of Satan more
effectively than the vilest profligate; for the latter does not disguise his
true character; he appears what he is. {5T 226.2}
God requires fruit meet for repentance. Without
such fruit our profession of faith is of no value. The Lord is able to raise up true believers
among those who have never heard His name. "Think not to say within
yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say
unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto
Abraham." {5T 226.3}
God is not
dependent upon men who are unconverted in heart and life. He will never favor any man who practices iniquity. "And now also
the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into
the fire." {5T 226.4}
Those who laud and flatter
the minister, while they neglect the works of righteousness, give unmistakable
evidence that they are converted to the minister and not to God. We
inquire: "Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Was it
the voice of the Holy Spirit or merely the voice of man which you heard in the
message sent from God? The fruit borne will testify to the character of the
tree. {5T 227.1}
No outward forms can make us clean; no
ordinance, administered by the saintliest of men, can take the place of the
baptism of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of God must do its work upon the heart.
All who have not experienced its regenerating power are chaff among the wheat.
Our Lord has His fan in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor. In
the coming day He will discern "between him that serveth God and him that
serveth Him not." {5T 227.2}
The spirit of Christ will be revealed in all
who are born of God. Strife and contention cannot arise among those who are controlled by His
Spirit. "Be ye clean, that bear
the vessels of the Lord." The church will rarely take a higher stand than
is taken by her ministers. We need a converted ministry and a converted people.
Shepherds who watch for souls as they that must give account will lead the
flock on in paths of peace and holiness. Their success in this work will be in
proportion to their own growth in grace and knowledge of the truth. When the
teachers are sanctified, soul, body, and spirit, they can impress upon the
people the importance of such sanctification. {5T 227.3}
To talk of religious things in a casual way, to
pray for spiritual blessings without real soul hunger and living faith, avails
little. The wondering crowd that pressed close about Christ realized no vital
power from the contact. But when the poor, suffering woman, in her great need,
put forth her hand and touched the hem of Jesus' garment, she felt the healing
virtue. Hers was the touch of faith. Christ recognized that touch, and He
determined there to give a lesson for all His followers to the close of time.
He knew that virtue had gone out of Him, and turning about in the throng He
said: "Who touched My clothes?" Surprised at
such a question His disciples answered: "Thou seest the multitude
thronging Thee, and sayest thou, Who touched Me?"
{5T 227.4}
Jesus fixed His eyes upon her who had done
this. She was filled with fear. Great joy was hers, but had she overstepped her
duty? Knowing what was done in her, she came trembling and fell at His feet and
told Him all the truth. Christ did not reproach her. He gently said: "Go
in peace, and be whole of thy plague." {5T 228.1}
Here was distinguished the casual contact from
the touch of faith. Prayer and preaching,
without the exercise of living faith in God, will be in vain. But the touch of
faith opens to us the divine treasure house of power and wisdom; and thus,
through instruments of clay, God accomplishes the wonders of His grace. {5T 228.2}
This living
faith is our great need today. We must know that Jesus is indeed ours, that His spirit is purifying and refining our hearts. If the ministers of Christ had genuine faith, with meekness and love,
what a work they might accomplish! What fruit would be seen to the glory of
God! {5T 228.3}
What can I say to you, my brethren,
that shall arouse you from your carnal security? I have been shown your
perils. There are both believers and unbelievers in the church. Christ
represents these two classes in His parable of the vine and its branches. He
exhorts His followers: "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye
abide in Me. I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He
that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do
nothing." {5T 228.4}
There is a wide difference between a pretended
union and a real connection with Christ by faith. A profession of the truth
places men in the church, but this does not prove that they have a vital
connection with the living Vine. A rule is given by which the true disciple may
be distinguished from those who claim to follow Christ but have not faith in
Him. The one class are fruit bearing, the other,
fruitless. The one are often subjected to the pruning knife of God that they may
bring forth more fruit; the other, as withered branches, are erelong to be
severed from the living Vine. {5T 228.5}
I am deeply solicitous that our people should
preserve the living testimony among them, and that the church should be kept
pure from the unbelieving element. Can we conceive of a closer, more intimate
relation to Christ than is set forth in the words: "I am the Vine, ye are
the branches"? The fibers of the branch are almost identical with those of
the vine. The communication of life, strength, and fruitfulness from the trunk
to the branches is unobstructed and constant. The root sends its nourishment
through the branch. Such is the true believer's relation to Christ. He abides
in Christ and draws his nourishment from Him. {5T 229.1}
This spiritual relation can be established only
by the exercise of personal faith. This faith must express on our part supreme
preference, perfect reliance, entire consecration. Our
will must be wholly yielded to the divine will, our feelings, desires, interests,
and honor identified with the prosperity of Christ's kingdom and the honor of
His cause, we constantly receiving grace from Him, and Christ accepting
gratitude from us. {5T 229.2}
When this
intimacy of connection and communion is formed, our sins are laid upon Christ;
His righteousness is imputed to us. He was made
sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. We have
access to God through Him; we are accepted in the Beloved. Whoever by word of deed injures a believer thereby wounds Jesus. Whoever gives a cup of cold water to a disciple because he is a child
of God will be regarded by Christ as giving to Him. {5T 229.3}
It was when Christ was about to take leave of
His disciples that He gave them the beautiful emblem of His relation to
believers. He had been presenting before them the close union with Himself by
which they could maintain spiritual life when His visible presence was
withdrawn. To impress it upon their minds He gave them the vine as its most striking and appropriate symbol. {5T 230.1}
The Jews had always regarded the vine as the
most noble of plants and a type of all that was powerful, excellent, and
fruitful. "The vine," our Lord would seem to say, "which you prize so highly, is a symbol. I am the reality: I
am the True Vine. As a nation you prize the vine; as sinners you should prize Me above all things earthly. The branch cannot live separated from the vine; no more can you live unless you are
abiding in Me." {5T 230.2}
All Christ's followers have as deep an interest
in this lesson as had the disciples who listened to His words. In the apostasy,
man alienated himself from God. The separation is wide and fearful; but Christ
has made provision again to connect us with Himself.
The power of evil is so identified with human nature that no man can overcome
except by union with Christ. Through this union we receive moral and spiritual
power. If we have the spirit of Christ we shall bring forth the fruit of
righteousness, fruit that will honor and bless men, and glorify God. {5T 230.3}
The Father is the vinedresser. He skillfully
and mercifully prunes every fruit-bearing branch. Those who share Christ's
suffering and reproach now will share His glory hereafter. He "is not
ashamed to call them brethren." His angels minister to them. His second
appearing will be as the Son of man, thus even in His glory identifying Himself
with humanity. To those who have united themselves to Him, He declares:
"Though a mother may forget her child, 'yet will not I forget thee.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My
hands.' Thou art continually before Me." {5T
230.4}
Oh, what amazing privileges are proffered us!
{5T 231.1}
Will we put forth most earnest efforts to form this
alliance with Christ, through which alone these blessings are attained? Will we
break off our sins by righteousness and our iniquities by turning unto the
Lord? Skepticism and infidelity are widespread. Christ asked the question:
"When the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?" We
must cherish a living, active faith. The permanence of our faith is the
condition of our union. {5T 231.2}
A union with Christ by living faith is
enduring; every other union must perish. Christ first chose us, paying an
infinite price for our redemption; and the true believer chooses Christ as
first and last and best in everything. But this union costs us something. It is
a union of utter dependence, to be entered into by a proud being. All who form
this union must feel their need of the atoning blood of Christ. They must have
a change of heart. They must submit their own will to the will of God. There
will be a struggle with outward and internal obstacles. There must be a painful
work of detachment as well as a work of attachment. Pride, selfishness, vanity,
worldliness--sin in all its forms--must be overcome if we would enter into a
union with Christ. The reason why many find the Christian life so deplorably
hard, why they are so fickle, so variable, is that they try to attach
themselves to Christ without first detaching themselves from these cherished
idols. {5T 231.3}
After the union with Christ has been formed, it
can be preserved only by earnest prayer and untiring effort. We must resist, we
must deny, we must conquer self. Through the grace of Christ, by courage, by
faith, by watchfulness, we may gain the victory. {5T 231.4}
Believers become one in Christ, but one branch
cannot be sustained by another. The nourishment must be obtained through the
vital connection with the vine. We must feel our utter dependence on Christ. We
must live by faith on the Son of God. That is the meaning of the injunction:
"Abide in Me." The life we live in the flesh
is not to the will of men, not to please our Lord's enemies, but to serve and
honor Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. A mere assent to this union,
while the affections are not detached from the world, its pleasures and its
dissipations, only emboldens the heart in disobedience. {5T 231.5}
As a people we are sadly destitute of faith and
love. Our efforts are altogether too feeble for the time of peril in which we
live. The pride and self-indulgence, the impiety and iniquity, by which we are surrounded have an influence upon us. Few realize the importance
of shunning, so far as possible, all associations unfriendly to religious life.
In choosing their surroundings, few make their spiritual prosperity the first
consideration. {5T 232.1}
Parents flock with their families to the cities
because they fancy it easier to obtain a livelihood there than in the country.
The children, having nothing to do when not in school, obtain a street
education. From evil associates they acquire habits of vice and dissipation.
The parents see all this; but it will require a sacrifice to correct their
error, and they stay where they are until Satan gains full control of their
children. Better sacrifice any and every worldly
consideration than to imperil the precious souls committed to your care. They
will be assailed by temptations, and should be taught to meet them; but it is
your duty to cut off every influence, to break up every habit, to sunder every
tie, that keeps you from the most free, open, and hearty committal of
yourselves and your family to God. {5T 232.2}
Instead of the crowded city seek some retired
situation where your children will be, so far as possible, shielded from
temptation, and there train and educate them for usefulness. The prophet
Ezekiel thus enumerates the causes that led to Sodom's sin and destruction:
"Pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her
daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy." All
who would escape the doom of Sodom must shun the course that brought God's judgments
upon that wicked city. {5T 232.3}
My brethren, you are disregarding the most
sacred claims of God by your neglect to consecrate yourselves and your children
to Him. Many of you are reposing in false security, absorbed in selfish
interests, and attracted by earthly treasures. You fear
no evil. Danger seems a great way off. You will be deceived, deluded, to your
eternal ruin unless you arouse and with penitence and deep humiliation return
unto the Lord. {5T 233.1}
Again and again has the voice from heaven
addressed you. Will you obey this voice? Will you heed
the counsel of the True Witness to seek the gold tried in the fire, the white
raiment, and the eyesalve? The gold is faith and love, the white raiment is the
righteousness of Christ, the eyesalve is that spiritual discernment which will
enable you to see the wiles of Satan and shun them, to detect sin and abhor it,
to see truth and obey it. {5T 233.2}
The deadly lethargy of the world is paralyzing
your senses. Sin no longer appears repulsive because you are blinded by Satan.
The judgments of God are soon to be poured out upon the earth. "Escape for
thy life" is the warning from the angels of God. Other voices are heard
saying: "Do not become excited; there is no cause for special alarm."
Those who are at ease in Zion cry "Peace and safety," while heaven
declares that swift destruction is about to come upon the transgressor. The
young, the frivolous, the pleasure loving, consider these warnings as idle
tales and turn from them with a jest. Parents are inclined to think their
children about right in the matter, and all sleep on at ease. Thus it was at
the destruction of the old world and when Sodom and Gomorrah were consumed by
fire. On the night prior to their destruction the cities of the plain rioted in
pleasure. Lot was derided for his fears and warnings. But it was these scoffers
that perished in the flames. That very night the door of mercy was forever
closed to the wicked, careless inhabitants of Sodom. {5T 233.3}
It is God who holds in His hands the destiny of
souls. He will not always be mocked; He will not always be trifled with.
Already His judgments are in the land. Fierce and awful tempests leave
destruction and death in their wake. The devouring fire lays low the desolate
forest and the crowded city. Storm and shipwreck await those who journey upon
the deep. Accident and calamity threaten all who travel upon the land. Hurricanes, earthquakes, sword and famine, follow in quick
succession. Yet the hearts of men are hardened. They recognize not the
warning voice of God. They will not flee to the only refuge from the gathering
storm. {5T 234.1}
Many who have been placed upon the walls of
Zion, to watch with eagle eye for the approach of danger and lift the voice of
warning, are themselves asleep. The very ones who should be most active and
vigilant in this hour of peril are neglecting their duty and bringing upon
themselves the blood of souls. {5T 234.2}
My brethren, beware of the evil heart of
unbelief. The word of God is plain and close in its restrictions; it interferes
with your selfish indulgence; therefore you do not obey it. The testimonies
of His Spirit call your attention to the Scriptures, point out your defects of
character, and rebuke your sins; therefore you do not heed them. And to justify your carnal, ease-loving course you begin to doubt
whether the testimonies are from God. If you would obey their teachings
you would be assured of their divine origin. Remember, your unbelief does not affect their truthfulness. If they are
from God they will stand. Those who
seek to lessen the faith of God's people in these testimonies, which
have been in the church for the last thirty-six years, are fighting against
God. It is not the instrument whom you slight and insult, but God, who has
spoken to you in these warnings and reproofs. {5T 234.3}
In the instruction given by our Saviour to His
disciples are words of admonition especially applicable to us: "Take heed
to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you
unawares." Watch, pray, work--this is the true life of faith. "Pray
always;" that is, be ever in the spirit of prayer, and then you will be in
readiness for your Lord's coming. {5T 235.1}
The watchmen
are responsible for the condition of the people. While you open the door to pride, envy, doubt, and other sins, there
will be strife, hatred, and every evil work. Jesus, the meek and lowly One,
asks an entrance as your guest; but you are afraid to bid Him enter. He has
spoken to us in both the Old and the New Testament; He is speaking to us still
by His Spirit and His providences. His instructions are designed to make men
true to God and true to themselves. {5T 235.2}
Jesus took upon Himself man's nature, that He
might leave a pattern for humanity, complete, perfect. He proposes to make us
like Himself, true in every purpose, feeling, and thought--true in heart, soul,
and life. This is Christianity. Our fallen nature must be purified, ennobled,
consecrated by obedience to the truth. Christian faith will never harmonize
with worldly principles; Christian integrity is opposed to all deception and
pretense. The man who cherishes the most of Christ's love in
the soul, who reflects the Saviour's image most perfectly, is in the sight of
God the truest, most noble, most honorable man upon the earth. {5T 235.3}
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