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Conference Officials
271
A Warning Against Political Entanglements
[Special Testimonies, Series A 8:17-27 (1897). (Former title, “The
general conference.”)]
December 27, 1896.
To the General Conference of 1897:
I have words to speak to our brethren who shall assemble in
conference in 1897. The present financial controversy [
See appendix.
] has been presented to me as one of Satan’s masterpieces for these
last days. There is a power moving from beneath, which is after the
working of the great enemy. I supposed our own people would step
softly, and move very guardedly, and keep themselves aloof from
all these new issues in regard to the circulating currency. This is not
of the devising of God—the changing of the circulating currency.
What will it effect? It will cause a state of things that will bring
oppression to the poor, and create great distress. It is one of the
devil’s schemes, and I thought those who believed the truth would
not be deceived in the least degree upon this matter. But within the
year 1896 matters have been presented to me which have made me
tremble for our people. I have been where I heard conversations
from those in positions of trust in our institutions, and there was
great warmth in controversy over the different positions taken. The
light given me was, This is the policy Satan has arranged to bring
distress.
Would we know how we may best please the Saviour? It is not
engaging in political speeches, either in or out of the pulpit. It is
in considering with fear and trembling every word we utter. Where
the people assemble to worship God let not a word be spoken that
shall divert the mind from the great central interest—Jesus Christ,
and Him crucified. The third angel’s message is to be our burden of
warning. The side issues are not for us to meddle with. The burden
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of the work is, Preach the word. There are those who have had an
experience in preaching and laboring for the salvation of souls for
whom Christ has given His precious life. The work is the special
enterprise to engross everyone who feeds the flock of God. It is a
time now when voices will be heard: “Hear. This is the way, walk
in this path.” But the Lord Jesus says, “Follow thou Me.” “He that