Jealousy and Faultfinding
307
great thing, and the important truths of God’s word were of but little
consequence, “if the heart was only right.” And poor souls were left
without an anchor, to be carried about by feeling, and Satan came in
and controlled minds and gave impressions and feelings to suit himself.
Reason and judgment were despised, and the cause of God was cruelly
reproached.
The fanaticism into which you have fallen should lead you and
others to investigate before deciding in regard to this appearance
of consecration. Appearance is not positive evidence of Christian
character. You and others are afraid of receiving a little more censure
than is due you, and you look with earnestness upon a seeming error
or wrong in others, or a neglect from them, and feel injured. You are
too exacting. You have been wrong and have deceived yourself. If
others have misjudged you in some things, it is no more than might be
expected, considering the circumstances. You should, with the deepest
sorrow and humility, mourn your sad departure from the right, which
has given occasion for a variety of feelings and views and expressions
in regard to you; and if in every particular you do not consider them
correct, you must let them pass, and lay not censure upon others. You
must confess your faults without censuring any other one, and cease
complaining that your brethren have neglected you. They have given
you more attention than you deserved, considering the position you
have for years occupied. If you could see these things as God regards
[323]
them, you would ever despise the complaints you make, and would
humble yourself under the hand of God. “Behold, to obey is better
than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as
the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”
* * * * *