Chapter 18—An Appeal to D. M. Canright
[
Appeared in Notebook Leaflets, The Church, No. 8
.]
Battle Creek
October 15, 1880
Elder D M. Canright,
[
Other communications to D. M. Canright may be found in the
following
:
Testimonies for the Church 3:304-329
, August 12, 1873, To a Young
Minister and His Wife;
Testimonies for the Church 3:516-520
, about
1886, Suitable Reading for Children;
Testimonies for the Church
3:571-573
, An Impressive Dream;
Testimonies for the Church
3:621-628
, April 20, 1887, A Letter.]
Dear Brother,
I was made sad to hear of your decision, but I have had reason to
expect it. It is a time when God is testing and proving His people.
Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Only those will stand
whose souls are riveted to the eternal Rock. Those who lean to their
own understanding, those who are not constantly abiding in Christ,
will be subject to just such changes as this. If your faith has been
grounded in man, we may then expect just such results.
But if you have decided to cut all connection with us as a people,
I have one request to make, for your own sake as well as for Christ’s
sake: keep away from our people, do not visit them and talk your
doubts and darkness among them. Satan is full of exultant joy that you
have stepped from beneath the banner of Jesus Christ, and stand under
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his banner. He sees in you one he can make a valuable agent to build
up his kingdom. You are taking the very course I expected you would
take if you yielded to temptation.
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