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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
world might do was nothing to them; for, said they, whom have we
to follow but Christ? He has left us a command to walk even as He
walked. We must live as seeing Him who is invisible, and do what
we do heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men.
When such things arise, character is developed. Moral worth
can then be truly estimated. It is not difficult to ascertain where
those are to be found who profess godliness, yet have their pleasure
and happiness in this world. Their affections are not upon things
above, but upon things on the earth, where Satan reigns. They walk
in darkness, and cannot love and enjoy heavenly things because they
cannot discern them. They are alienated from the life of Christ,
having their understanding darkened. The things of the Spirit are
foolishness unto them. Their pursuits are according to the course
of this world, and their interests and prospects are joined with the
world and with earthly things. If such can pass along bearing the
name of Christians, yet serving both God and mammon, they are
satisfied. But things will occur to reveal the hearts of these, who are
only a burden and a curse to the church.
The spirit existing in the church is such as to lead away from
God and the path of holiness. Many of the church have ascribed
their state of spiritual blindness to the influence growing out of the
principles taught at the Institute. This is not entirely correct. Had
the church stood in the counsel of God, the Institute would have
been controlled. The light of the church would have been diffused
to that branch of the work, and the errors would not have existed
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there that did. It was the moral darkness of the church that had the
greatest influence to create the moral darkness and spiritual death in
the Institute. Had the church been in a healthy condition, she could
have sent a vitalizing, healthful current to this arm of the body. But
the church was sickly and did not enjoy the favor of God nor the light
of His countenance. A sickly, deathly influence was circulated all
through the living body until the disease was apparent everywhere.
Dear Brother D has not understood the condition of his own
heart. Selfishness has found a lodgment there, and peace, healthful,
calm peace, has departed. What you all lack is the element of love—
love to God and love to your neighbor. The life that you now live
you do not live by faith in the Son of God. There is a lack of firm
trust, a fearfulness to resign all into the hands of God, as though He