Basic HTML Version
Appeal to the Church
401
While he professed to keep the law of God, he was, in a most
wanton manner, violating its plain precepts. He has given himself
up to the gratification of sensual pleasure. He has sold himself
to work wickedness. What will be the wages of such a man? The
indignation and wrath of God will punish him for sin. The vengeance
of God will be aroused against all those whose lustful passions have
been concealed under a ministerial cloak. While professing to be a
shepherd of the flock, he was leading the flock to certain ruin. These
dreadful results are the fruits of the carnal mind, which “is enmity
against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed
can be.”
I was referred to this scripture: “Let not sin therefore reign
in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness
unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from
the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto
God.” Professed Christians, if no further light is given you than
that contained in this text, you will be without excuse if you suffer
yourselves to be controlled by base passions.
The word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most beclouded
[455]
mind and may be understood by those who have any desire to under-
stand it. But notwithstanding all this, some who profess to make the
word of God their study are found living in direct opposition to its
plainest teachings. Then, to leave men and women without excuse,
God gives plain and pointed testimonies, bringing them back to the
word that they have neglected to follow. Yet those who serve their
own lusts turn from all this light. They will not cease their course of
sin, but continue to take pleasure in unrighteousness in the face of
the threatenings and vengeance of God against those who do such
things.
I have long been designing to speak to my sisters and tell them
that, from what the Lord has been pleased to show me from time
to time, there is a great fault among them. They are not careful to
abstain from all appearance of evil. They are not all circumspect in
their deportment, as becometh women professing godliness. Their
words are not as select and well chosen as those of women who have
received the grace of God should be. They are too familiar with their