338
Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
sentiments in relation to slavery and the Rebellion to be made known.
There was need of moving with wisdom to turn away the suspicions
excited against Sabbathkeepers. We should act with great caution. “If
it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
We can obey this admonition, and not sacrifice one principle of our
faith. Satan and his host are at war with commandment keepers, and
will work to bring them into trying positions. They should not by lack
of discretion bring themselves there.
I was shown that some moved very indiscreetly in regard to the
article mentioned. It did not in all respects accord with their views,
and instead of calmly weighing the matter, and viewing it in all its
bearings, they became agitated, excited, and some seized the pen and
jumped hastily at conclusions which would not bear investigation.
Some were inconsistent and unreasonable. They did that which Satan
is ever hurrying them to do, namely, acted out their own rebellious
feelings.
In Iowa they carried things to quite a length, and ran into fanati-
cism. They mistook zeal and fanaticism for conscientiousness. Instead
of being guided by reason and sound judgment, they allowed their
[357]
feelings to take the lead. They were ready to become martyrs for their
faith. Did all this feeling lead them to God? to greater humility before
Him? Did it lead them to trust in His power to deliver them from the
trying position into which they might be brought? Oh, no! Instead of
making their petitions to the God of heaven and relying solely upon
His power, they petitioned the legislature and were refused. They
showed their weakness and exposed their lack of faith. All this only
served to bring that peculiar class, Sabbathkeepers, into special notice,
and expose them to be crowded into difficult places by those who have
no sympathy for them.
Some have been holding themselves ready to find fault and com-
plain at any suggestion made. But few have had wisdom in this most
trying time to think without prejudice and candidly tell what shall be
done. I saw that those who have been forward to talk so decidedly
about refusing to obey a draft do not understand what they are talk-
ing about. Should they really be drafted and, refusing to obey, be
threatened with imprisonment, torture, or death, they would shrink and
then find that they had not prepared themselves for such an emergency.