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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
they should trust the Lord to overrule these things for them, that Satan
take no advantage of God’s remnant people. It is Satan’s time to work.
A stormy future is before us; and the church should be awake to make
an advance move that they may stand securely against his plans. It is
time that something was done. God is not pleased to have His people
leave the matters of the church at loose ends, and suffer the enemy to
have the whole advantage and control affairs as best pleases him.
I was shown the wrong stand taken by Brother B in the Review in
regard to organization, and the distracting influence he exerted. He did
not sufficiently weigh the matter. His articles were perfectly calculated
to have a scattering influence, to lead minds to wrong conclusions, and
to encourage many in their slack ideas of managing matters relating
to the cause of God. Those who do not feel the weight of this cause
upon them do not feel the necessity of anything being done to establish
church order. Those who have long borne the burden look to the
future and weigh matters. They are convinced that steps must be taken
to place the matters of the church in a more secure position, where
Satan cannot come in and take advantage. Brother B’s articles caused
those who fear order to look with suspicion upon the suggestions of
those who by the special providence of God move out in the important
matters of the church. And when he saw that his position would not
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bear, he failed to frankly acknowledge his error, and labor to efface
the wrong impression he had made.
I saw that in temporal matters Brother B was too easy and negligent.
He has lacked energy, considering it a virtue to leave to the Lord that
which the Lord has left to him. It is only in cases of great emergency
that the Lord interposes for us. We have a work to do, burdens and
responsibilities to bear, and in thus doing we obtain an experience.
Brother B manifests the same character in spiritual matters as in his
temporal affairs. There is a lack of zeal and earnestness to make
thorough work. All should act with more discretion and wisdom in
regard to the things of God than they manifest in temporal things to
secure an earthly possession.
But while God’s people are justified in securing church property in
a lawful manner, they should be careful to maintain their peculiar and
holy character. I saw that unconsecrated persons would take advantage
of the position which the church has recently taken, and would overstep
the bounds, carry matters to extremes, and wound the cause of God.