Chapter 20—The “Messenger” Party
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See Appendix.
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When at Oswego, New York, June, 1855, I was shown that God’s
people have been weighed down with clogs; that there have been
Achans in the camp. The work of God has progressed but little, and
many of His servants have been discouraged because the truth has
taken no more effect in New York, and there have been no more added
to the church. The Messenger party has arisen, and we shall suffer
some from their lying tongues and misrepresentations, yet we should
bear it all patiently; for they will not injure the cause of God, now they
have left us, as much as they would have injured it by their influence
had they remained with us.
God’s frown has been brought upon the church on account of
individuals with corrupt hearts being in it. They have wanted to be
foremost, when neither God nor their brethren placed them there.
Selfishness and exaltation have marked their course. A place is now
open for all such where they can go and find pasture with those of
their kind. And we should praise God that in mercy He has rid the
church of them. God has given many of these persons up to their
own ways to be filled with their own doings. An excitement and
sympathy now leads them, which will deceive some; but every honest
one will be enlightened as to the true state of this company, and will
remain with God’s peculiar people, hold fast the truth, and follow in
the humble path, unaffected by the influence of those who have been
given up of God to their own ways, to be filled with their own doings.
I saw that God had given these persons opportunity to reform, He had
enlightened them as to their love for self and their other sins; but they
would not heed it. They would not be reformed, and He mercifully
relieved the church of them. The truth will take effect if the servants
of God and the church will devote themselves to Him and His cause.
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I saw that the people of God must arouse and put on the armor.
Christ is coming, and the great work of the last message of mercy is
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