28
Selected Messages Book 2
But we had a still worse element to meet in a class who claimed
that they were sanctified, that they could not sin, that they were sealed
and holy, and that all their impressions and notions were the mind of
God. Conscientious souls were deceived by the pretended piety of
these fanatics. Satan had worked artfully to have these deluded ones
accept the Sabbath, as through their influence, while professing to
believe one part of the truth, he could crowd upon the people a great
many errors. He could also use them to good advantage to disgust
unbelievers, who pointed to these inconsistent, unreasonable ones as
representatives of Seventh-day Adventists. This class urged upon the
people human tests and manufactured crosses, which Christ had not
given them to bear.
They claimed to heal the sick and to work miracles. They had
a satanic, bewitching power; yet they were over-bearing, dictatorial,
and cruelly oppressive. The Lord used us as instruments to rebuke
these fanatics, and to open the eyes of His faithful people to the true
character of their work. Peace and joy came into the hearts of those
who broke away from this deception of Satan, and they glorified God
as they saw His unerring wisdom in setting before them the light
of truth and its precious fruits in contrast with satanic heresies and
delusions. The truth shone in contrast with these deceptions like clear
[28]
gold amid the rubbish of earth.—
The Review and Herald, November
20, 1883
.
Marring the Sacredness of the Work
I am charged to keep ever before our people—ministers of the
gospel, and all who claim to be giving the light of truth to the world—
the danger of marring the sacredness of God’s work by allowing the
mind to consent to a cheap interpretation of the way that God desires
His work to be done. I have had special instruction given me regarding
bringing human plans and devisings into the work of making known
to the world the truth for this time.
Again and again in past years I have been bidden to speak in protest
against the fanciful and forbidden schemes that have been presented
by one and another. My message has ever been, Preach the Word in
simplicity and all humility; present clear, unadulterated truth to the
people. Open no door to fanatical movements, for the influence of