44
Selected Messages Book 2
period of the world’s history we must exercise the greatest of care in
this respect.
Some of the phases of experience through which you are passing
endanger not only your own souls but the souls of many others, because
you appeal to the precious words of Christ as recorded in the Scriptures,
and to the Testimonies, to vouch for the genuineness of your message.
[46]
In supposing that the precious Word, which is verity and truth, and the
Testimonies that the Lord has given for His people, are your authority,
you are deceived. You are moved by wrong impulses, and are bracing
up yourselves with declarations that mislead. You attempt to make
the truth of God sustain false sentiments and incorrect actions that are
inconsistent and fanatical. This makes tenfold, yes, twentyfold harder
the work of the church in acquainting the people with the truths of the
third angel’s message.—
Letter 358a, 1908
.
A Message to the Churches in California
To Our Brethren in California,
Last night instruction was given me for our people. I seemed to
be in a meeting where representations were being made of the strange
work of Brother L and wife. I was instructed that it was a work similar
to that which was carried on in _____, in the State of Maine, and in
various other places after the passing of the time in 1844. I was bidden
to speak decidedly against this fanatical work.
I was shown that it was not the Spirit of the Lord that was inspiring
Brother and Sister L, but the same spirit of fanaticism that is ever
seeking entrance into the remnant church. Their application of Scrip-
ture of their peculiar exercises is Scripture misapplied. The work of
declaring persons possessed of the devil, and then praying with them
and pretending to cast out the evil spirits, is fanaticism which will
bring into disrepute any church which sanctions such work.
I was shown that we must give no encouragement to these demon-
strations, but must guard the people with a decided testimony against
that which would bring a stain upon the name of Seventh-day Adven-
tists, and destroy the confidence of the people in the message of truth
which they must bear to the world. The Lord has done a great work
for His people in placing them on vantage ground. It is the duty of the
church to cherish its influence. Precious are the words, “Search the