Basic HTML Version
450
Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
be devoted to the work of God. If they would compare their character
with His requirements, especially with the great standard, His holy,
just, and good law, they would ascertain, if earnest, honest searchers,
that they are fearfully wanting. But some are not willing to look
far enough or deep enough to see the depravity of their own hearts.
They are wanting in very many respects; yet they remain in willing
ignorance of their guilt, and are so intent upon caring for their own
interests that God has no care for them.
Some are not naturally devotional, and therefore should encour-
age and cultivate a habit of close examination of their own lives and
motives, and should especially cherish a love for religious exercises
and for secret prayer. They are often heard talking of doubts and
unbelief, and dwelling upon the wonderful struggles they have had
with infidel feelings. They dwell upon discouraging influences as
so affecting their faith, hope, and courage in the truth and in the
ultimate success of the work and cause in which they are engaged, as
to make it a special virtue to be found on the side of the doubting. At
times they seem to really enjoy hovering about the infidel’s position
and strengthening their unbelief with every circumstance they can
gather as an excuse for their darkness. To such we would say: You
would better come down at once and leave the walls of Zion until
you become converted men and good Christians. Before you take
the responsibility of becoming ministers you are required of God
to separate yourselves from the love of this world. The reward of
those who continue in this doubting position will be that given to
the fearful and unbelieving.
But what is the reason of these doubts, this darkness and unbe-
[514]
lief? I answer: These men are not right with God. They are not
dealing honestly and truly with their own souls. They have neglected
to cultivate personal piety. They have not separated themselves from
all selfishness and from sin and sinners. They have failed to study
the self-denying, self-sacrificing life of our Lord and have failed
to imitate His example of purity, devotion, and self-sacrifice. The
sin which easily besets has been strengthened by indulgence. By
their own negligence and sin they have separated themselves from
the company of the divine Teacher, and He is a day’s journey in
advance of them. They have for their company, the indolent, slothful,
backsliding, unbelieving, irreverent, unthankful, unholy, and their