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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
who turn from the light which points out their duty, will shun duty in
other things. If they blunt their consciences to avoid the cross which
they will have to take up to be in harmony with natural law, they will,
in order to shun reproach, violate the Ten Commandments. There is a
decided unwillingness with some to endure the cross and despise the
shame. Some will be laughed out of their principles. Conformity to
the world is gaining ground among God’s people, who profess to be
pilgrims and strangers, waiting and watching for the Lord’s appearing.
There are many among professed Sabbathkeepers in New York who
are more firmly wedded to worldly fashions and lusts than they are to
healthy bodies, sound minds, or sanctified hearts.
God is testing and proving individuals in New York. He has per-
mitted some to have a measure of prosperity, to develop what is in
their hearts. Pride and love of the world have separated them from
God. The principles of truth are virtually sacrificed, while they profess
to love the truth. Christians should wake up and act. Their influence is
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telling upon, and molding, the opinions and habits of others. They will
have to bear the weighty responsibility of deciding by their influence
the destiny of souls.
The Lord, by close and pointed truths for these last days, is cleaving
out a people from the world and purifying them unto Himself. Pride
and unhealthful fashions, the love of display, the love of approbation—
all must be left with the world if we would be renewed in knowledge
after the image of Him who created us. “For the grace of God that
bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the
glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who
gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and
purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
The church in-----need sifting. A thorough conversion is necessary
before they can be in working order. Selfishness, pride, envy, malice,
evil surmising, backbiting, gossiping, and tattling have been cherished
among them, until the Spirit of God has but little to do with them.
While some who profess to know God remain in their present state,
their prayers are an abomination in His sight. They do not sustain
their faith by their works, and it would have been better for some never
to have professed the truth than to have dishonored their profession