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can acknowledge or consent to obey. The wisdom and authority of the
divine law are supreme.
I was shown that God’s people, who are His peculiar treasure, can-
not engage in this perplexing war, for it is opposed to every principle
of their faith. In the army they cannot obey the truth and at the same
time obey the requirements of their officers. There would be a con-
tinual violation of conscience. Worldly men are governed by worldly
principles. They can appreciate no other. Worldly policy and public
opinion comprise the principle of action that governs them and leads
them to practice the form of rightdoing. But God’s people cannot be
governed by these motives. The words and commands of God, written
in the soul, are spirit and life, and there is power in them to bring into
subjection and enforce obedience. The ten precepts of Jehovah are
the foundation of all righteous and good laws. Those who love God’s
commandments will conform to every good law of the land. But if the
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requirements of the rulers are such as conflict with the laws of God,
the only question to be settled is: Shall we obey God, or man?
In consequence of long-continued and progressive rebellion against
the higher constitution and laws, a gloomy pall of darkness and death
is spread over the earth. The earth groans under the burden of accumu-
lated guilt, and everywhere dying mortals are compelled to experience
the wretchedness included in the wages of unrighteousness. I was
shown that men have carried out the purposes of Satan by craft and
deceit, and a dreadful blow has recently been given. It can be truly
said: “Justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and
equity cannot enter,” “and he that departeth from evil maketh himself
a prey.” In some of the free states the standard of morality is sinking
lower and lower. Men with depraved appetites and corrupt lives have
now an opportunity to triumph. They have chosen for their rulers
those whose principles are debasing, who would not check evil, or
repress the depraved appetites of men, but let them have full sway. If
those who choose to become like the beasts, by drinking liquid poison,
were the only sufferers; if they alone would reap the fruit of their own
doings, then the evil would not be so great. But many, very many, must
pass through incredible suffering on account of others’ sins. Wives
and children, although innocent, must drain the bitter cup to its dregs.
Without the grace of God, men love to do evil. They walk in
darkness, and do not possess the power of self-control. They give