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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
the church and the servants of the Lord are called from God, truth, and
heaven to dwell upon darkness. Satan delights to have such things go
on; it feasts him. But these are none of the trials which are to purify the
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church and that will in the end increase the strength of God’s people.
I saw that some are withering spiritually. They have lived some
time watching to keep their brethren straight—watching for every fault
to make trouble with them. And while doing this, their minds are
not on God, nor on heaven, nor on the truth; but just where Satan
wants them—on someone else. Their souls are neglected; they seldom
see or feel their own faults, for they have had enough to do to watch
the faults of others without so much as looking to their own souls or
searching their own hearts. A person’s dress, bonnet, or apron takes
their attention. They must talk to this one or that one, and it is sufficient
to dwell upon for weeks. I saw that all the religion a few poor souls
have consists in watching the garments and acts of others, and finding
fault with them. Unless they reform, there will be no place in heaven
for them, for they would find fault with the Lord Himself.
Said the angel: “It is an individual work to be right with God.” The
work is between God and our own souls. But when persons have so
much care of others’ faults, they take no care of themselves. These
notional, faultfinding ones would often cure themselves of the habit if
they would go directly to the individual they think is wrong. It would
be so crossing that they would give up their notions rather than go. But
it is easy to let the tongue run freely about this one or that one when
the accused is not present.
Some think it is wrong to try to observe order in the worship of
God. But I have seen that it is not dangerous to observe order in the
church of God. I have seen that confusion is displeasing to the Lord,
and that there should be order in praying and also in singing. We
should not come to the house of God to pray for our families unless
deep feeling shall lead us while the Spirit of God is convicting them.
Generally, the proper place to pray for our families is at the family altar.
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When the subjects of our prayers are at a distance, the closet is the
proper place to plead with God for them. When in the house of God,
we should pray for a present blessing and should expect God to hear
and answer our prayers. Such meetings will be lively and interesting.
I saw that all should sing with the spirit and with the understanding
also. God is not pleased with jargon and discord. Right is always more