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Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
Individual wrongs would have been reproved. Faithful labor would
have brought up the Sabbathkeepers there, so that they would not
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have been behind other churches. But they have almost everything
to learn. You should have borne a pointed testimony, impressing
upon them the necessity of sacrificing, and all doing a part to bear
the burden of the cause. You should have brought them up upon
systematic benevolence, leading all to act a part and exert themselves
to do something to advance the cause of truth. Your indefinite position,
and leaving matters so loose and slack in-----has had a bad influence
upon the cause there. The opposition you felt and talked out in regard
to organization and the advance of God’s people, has borne fruit which
can be seen in many places in northern Wisconsin.
If you had been a prompt, thorough laborer, keeping pace with
God’s opening providence, the fruit now manifested would be of an
altogether different character. Souls would be decided somewhere,
either wholly for or against the commandments of God and other
truths connected with the third angel’s message. They would not be
hanging on the skirts of Zion to weigh down those who would be right.
But there has not been faithfulness manifested by you. Straight and
thorough work has not been made. You have not encouraged in the
church, by a pointed application of truth, the necessity of everyone
practically, harmoniously carrying out his profession; and many are
not as willing to exert themselves to do something to advance the truth,
as they are to be gratified with listening to the truth. They love the
cause in word and profession, but not in deed and in truth.
Your position has led many in and about-----to think less highly of
the Review than they otherwise would have done, and they have held
very lightly the truths found in it. Thus the Review failed to have the
influence upon them that God designed it should have. And everyone
has followed his own course, and done that which seemed right in his
own eyes; hence all are far upon the background, and unless there is
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a thorough work accomplished for them, they will be weighed in the
balance and found wanting.
I was shown that you seek to throw the result of your wrongs
upon others, but as a watchman God holds you responsible. You have
most humble confessions to make in-----,-----,-----, and other places
where your influence has been exerted in opposition to God’s servants.
Brother and Sister B have been greatly injured by this fanaticism. They