504
Testimonies for the Church Volume 1
weakness and failings it was impossible for you to maintain a life of
devotion. I was shown that your wife and eldest daughter have been
your good angels, to grieve over you, to encourage you to resist in a
measure the powerful suggestions of Satan; and through your love for
them you have been induced to try again to fix your trembling faith
upon the promises of God. Satan is waiting to overthrow you that he
may exult over your downfall. Those who are trampling underfoot the
law of God are strengthened by you in their rebellion. It is impossible
for you to be strong until you take a decided stand for the truth.
Systematic benevolence looks to you as needless; you overlook
the fact that it originated with God, whose wisdom is unerring. This
plan He ordained to save confusion, to correct covetousness, avarice,
selfishness, and idolatry. This system was to cause the burden to rest
lightly, yet with due weight, upon all. The salvation of man cost a
dear price, even the life of the Lord of glory, which He freely gave
to lift man from degradation and to exalt him to become heir of the
world. God has so ordained that man shall aid his fellow man in the
[546]
great work of redemption. He who excuses himself from this, who
is unwilling to deny himself that others may become partakers with
him of the heavenly benefit, proves himself unworthy of the life to
come, unworthy of the heavenly treasure which cost so great a sacrifice.
God wants no unwilling offering, no pressed sacrifice. Those who
are thoroughly converted and who appreciate the work of God will
give cheerfully the little required of them, considering it a privilege to
bestow.
Said the angel: “Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the
soul.” You have stumbled at the health reform. It appears to you to
be a needless appendix to the truth. It is not so; it is a part of the
truth. Here is a work before you which will come closer and be more
trying than anything which has yet been brought to bear upon you.
While you hesitate and stand back, failing to lay hold upon the blessing
which it is your privilege to receive, you suffer loss. You are stumbling
over the very blessing which Heaven has placed in your path to make
your progress less difficult. Satan presents this before you in the most
objectionable light, that you may combat that which would prove the
greatest benefit to you, which would be for your physical and spiritual
health. Of all men you are one to be benefited by health reform; the
truth received on every point in this matter of reform will be of the