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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
conversation was just like that of the gay, thoughtless ones around
them; but they would occasionally point with great satisfaction to the
letters on their garments, calling for the others to have the same upon
theirs. They were in the broad way, yet they professed to be of the
number who were traveling the narrow way. Those around them would
say: “There is no distinction between us. We are alike; we dress, and
talk, and act alike.”
Then I was pointed back to the years 1843 and 1844. There was
a spirit of consecration then that there is not now. What has come
over the professed peculiar people of God? I saw the conformity to
the world, the unwillingness to suffer for the truth’s sake. I saw a
great lack of submission to the will of God. I was pointed back to the
children of Israel after they left Egypt. God in mercy called them out
from the Egyptians, that they might worship Him without hindrance
or restraint. He wrought for them in the way by miracles, He proved
and tried them by bringing them into strait places. After the wonderful
dealings of God with them, and their deliverance so many times, they
murmured when tried or proved by Him. Their language was: “Would
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to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt.”
They lusted for the leeks and onions there.
I saw that many who profess to believe the truth for these last days
think it strange that the children of Israel murmured as they journeyed;
that after the wonderful dealings of God with them, they should be
so ungrateful as to forget what He had done for them. Said the angel:
“Ye have done worse than they.” I saw that God has given His servants
the truth so clear, so plain, that it cannot be resisted. Wherever they
go, they have certain victory. Their enemies cannot get round the
convincing truth. Light has been shed so clear that the servants of God
can stand up anywhere and let truth, clear and connected, bear away the
victory. This great blessing has not been prized, or even realized. If any
trial arises, some begin to look back and think they have a hard time.
Some of the professed servants of God do not know what purifying
trials are. They sometimes make trials for themselves, imagine trials,
and are so easily discouraged, so easily hurt, self-dignity is so quick
to feel, that they injure themselves, injure others, and injure the cause.
Satan magnifies their trials and puts thoughts into their minds that if
given way to, will destroy their influence and usefulness.