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given? Why do the Testimonies continually charge us with backsliding
and with grievous sins? We love the truth; we are prospering; we are
in no need of these testimonies of warning and reproof. But let these
murmurers see their hearts and compare their lives with the practical
teachings of the Bible, let them humble their souls before God, let the
grace of God illuminate the darkness, and the scales will fall from their
eyes, and they will realize their true spiritual poverty and wretchedness.
They will feel the necessity of buying gold, which is pure faith and
love; white raiment, which is a spotless character made pure in the
blood of their dear Redeemer; and eyesalve, which is the grace of God
and which will give clear discernment of spiritual things and detect
sin. These attainments are more precious than the gold of Ophir.
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I have been shown that the greatest reason why the people of God
are now found in this state of spiritual blindness is that they will not
receive correction. Many have despised the reproofs and warnings
given them. The True Witness condemns the lukewarm condition of
the people of God, which gives Satan great power over them in this
waiting, watching time. The selfish, the proud, and the lovers of sin
are ever assailed with doubts. Satan has ability to suggest doubts and
to devise objections to the pointed testimony that God sends, and many
think it a virtue, a mark of intelligence in them, to be unbelieving and
to question and quibble. Those who desire to doubt will have plenty of
room. God does not propose to remove all occasion for unbelief. He
gives evidence, which must be carefully investigated with a humble
mind and a teachable spirit, and all should decide from the weight of
evidence.
Eternal life is of infinite value and will cost us all that we have. I
was shown that we do not place a proper estimate upon eternal things.
Everything worth possessing, even in this world, must be secured by
effort, and sometimes by most painful sacrifice. And this is merely to
obtain a perishable treasure. Shall we be less willing to endure conflict
and toil, and to make earnest efforts and great sacrifices, to obtain a
treasure which is of infinite value, and a life which will measure with
that of the Infinite? Can heaven cost us too much?
Faith and love are golden treasures, elements that are greatly want-
ing among God’s people. I have been shown that unbelief in the
testimonies of warning, encouragement, and reproof is shutting away
the light from God’s people. Unbelief is closing their eyes so that