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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
their whole souls stirred to wrestle with God and say: “I will not
let Thee go, except Thou bless me.” But I saw that hearts have been
overcharged with the cares of this life, and that God and His word have
been neglected.
I saw that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle,
than for a rich man to enter the kingdom. “Lay not up for yourselves
treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves
do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will
your heart be also.”
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I saw that when the truth is presented, it should be in the power
and Spirit. Bring the people to the point to decide. Show them the
importance of the truth—it is life or death. With becoming zeal, pull
souls out of the fire. But, oh, the blighting influence that has been cast
by men professing to be waiting for their Lord, and yet possessing
large and attractive lands! The farms have preached louder, yes, much
louder, than words can, that this world is their home. The evil day is
put off. Peace and safety reign. Oh, the withering, blighting influence!
God hates such worldly-mindedness. “Cut loose, cut loose,” were the
words of the angel.
I was shown that all should have an eye single to the glory of
God. Those who have possessions have been too willing to excuse
themselves on account of wife and children. But I saw that God would
not be trifled with. When He speaks, He must be obeyed. If wife or
children stand in the way and hold back, they should say as Jesus said
to Peter: “Get thee behind Me, Satan.” Why tempt ye me to withhold
from God what justly belongs to Him, and ruin my own soul? Have
an eye single to the glory of God.
I saw that many would have to learn what it is to be a Christian—
that it is not in name; but it is having the mind of Christ, submitting
to the will of God in all things. Especially will the young who have
never known what privations or hardships are, who have a set will,
and do not bend that will to the glory of God, have a great work to
do. They go along very smoothly until their will is crossed, and then
they have no control over themselves. They have not the will of God
before them. They do not study how they can best glorify God, or
advance His cause, or do good to others. But it is self, self, how can it