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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
mercy, and to save from death by His matchless love. And yet I saw
that some thought it hard to give up all. I am ashamed to hear it spoken
of, ashamed to write it.
Do you talk about self-denial? What did Christ give for us? When
you think it hard that Christ requires all, go to Calvary, and weep there
over such a thought. Behold the hands and feet of your Deliverer torn
by the cruel nails that you may be washed from sin by His own blood!
Those who feel the constraining love of God do not ask how little
may be given in order to obtain the heavenly reward; they ask not
for the lowest standard, but aim at a perfect conformity to the will of
their Redeemer. With ardent desire they yield all, and manifest zeal
proportionate to the value of the object of which they are in pursuit.
What is the object? Immortality, eternal life.
Young friends, many of you are sadly deceived. You have been
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satisfied with something short of pure and undefiled religion. I want to
arouse you. The angels of God are trying to arouse you. Oh, that the
important truths of the word of God may arouse you to a sense of your
danger, and lead you to a thorough examination of yourselves! Your
hearts are yet carnal. They are not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be. These carnal hearts must be changed, and you see such
beauty in holiness that you will pant after it as the hart panteth after
the water brooks. Then you will love God and love His law. Then
the yoke of Christ will be easy and His burden light. Although you
will have trials, yet these trials, well borne, only make the way more
precious. The immortal inheritance is for the self-denying Christian.
I saw that the Christian should not set too high a value, or depend
too much, upon a happy flight of feeling. These feelings are not always
true guides. It should be the study of every Christian to serve God
from principle, and not be ruled by feeling. By so doing, faith will
be brought into exercise, and will increase. I was shown that if the
Christian lives a humble, self-sacrificing life, peace and joy in the Lord
will be the result. But the greatest happiness experienced will be in
doing others good, in making others happy. Such happiness will be
lasting.
Many of the young have not a fixed principle to serve God. They
do not exercise faith. They sink under every cloud. They have no
power of endurance. They do not grow in grace. They appear to keep
the commandments of God. They make now and then a formal prayer