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The Church and the World United
After this I saw Satan consulting with his angels and considering
what they had gained. True, they had, through fear of death, kept
some timid souls from embracing the truth; but many, even of the
most timid, had received the truth, and thereupon their fears and
timidity immediately left them. As these witnessed the death of their
brethren and beheld their firmness and patience, they knew that God
and angels assisted them to endure such sufferings, and they grew
bold and fearless. And when called to yield their own lives, they
maintained their faith with such patience and firmness as caused
even their murderers to tremble. Satan and his angels decided that
there was a more successful way to destroy souls, one that would be
more certain in the end. Although Christians were made to suffer,
their steadfastness, and the bright hope that cheered them, caused
the weakest to grow strong and enabled them to approach the rack
and the flames undaunted. They imitated the noble bearing of Christ
when before His murderers, and by their constancy and the glory
of God which rested upon them, they convinced many others of the
truth.
Satan therefore decided that he must come in a milder form.
He had already corrupted the doctrines of the Bible, and traditions
which were to ruin millions were taking deep root. Restraining his
hate, he decided not to urge on his subjects to such bitter persecution,
but lead the church to contend for various traditions, instead of for
the faith once delivered to the saints. As he prevailed on the church
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to receive favors and honors from the world, under the pretense of
receiving benefits, she began to lose favor with God. Shunning to
declare the straight truths which shut out the lovers of pleasure and
friends of the world, she gradually lost her power.
The church is not now the separate and peculiar people she was
when the fires of persecution were kindled against her. How is the
gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! I saw that
if the church had always retained her peculiar, holy character, the
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