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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
I saw that the young profess, but do not enjoy, the saving power of
God. They lack religion, lack salvation. And, oh, the idle, unprofitable
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words they speak! There is a faithful, fearful record kept of them, and
mortals will be judged according to the deeds done in the body. Young
friends, your deeds and your idle words are written in the book. Your
conversation has not been on eternal things, but upon this, that, and
the other—common, worldly conversation that Christians should not
engage in. It is all written in the book.
I saw that unless there is an entire change in the young, a thorough
conversion, they may despair of heaven. From what has been shown
me, there are not more than half of the young who profess religion and
the truth who have been truly converted. If they had been converted
they would bear fruit to the glory of God. Many are leaning upon a
supposed hope without a true foundation. The fountain is not cleansed,
therefore the streams proceeding from that fountain are not pure.
Cleanse the fountain, and the streams will be pure. If the heart is right,
your words, your dress, your acts, will all be right. True godliness is
lacking. I would not dishonor my Master so much as to admit that
a careless, trifling, prayerless person is a Christian. No; a Christian
has victory over his besetments, over his passions. There is a remedy
for the sin-sick soul. That remedy is in Jesus. Precious Saviour! His
grace is sufficient for the weakest; and the strongest must also have
His grace or perish.
I saw how this grace could be obtained. Go to your closet, and
there alone plead with God: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and
renew a right spirit within me.” Be in earnest, be sincere. Fervent
prayer availeth much. Jacoblike, wrestle in prayer. Agonize. Jesus,
in the garden, sweat great drops of blood; you must make an effort.
Do not leave your closet until you feel strong in God; then watch, and
just as long as you watch and pray you can keep these evil besetments
under, and the grace of God can and will appear in you.
God forbid that I should cease to warn you. Young friends, seek
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the Lord with all your heart. Come with zeal, and when you sincerely
feel that without the help of God you perish, when you pant after Him
as the hart panteth after the water brooks, then will the Lord strengthen
you speedily. Then will your peace pass all understanding. If you
expect salvation, you must pray. Take time. Be not hurried and careless
in your prayers. Beg of God to work in you a thorough reformation,