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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
in the hands of unbelieving children who are enemies to God, He
is dishonored; for that which should be retained in the ranks of the
Lord is placed in the enemy’s ranks.
Again, Brother T has acted the part of a deceiver. He has used
tobacco, but would have his brethren think that he did not use it. I
saw that this sin has prevented his advancement in the divine life.
He has a work to do, at his advanced age, to abstain from fleshly
lusts which war against the soul. He has loved the truth, and has
suffered for the truth’s sake. Now he should so estimate the eternal
reward, the treasure in the heavens, the immortal inheritance, the
crown of glory that is unfading, that he can cheerfully sacrifice the
gratification of depraved appetite, let the consequence or suffering
be ever so great, in order to accomplish the work of purification of
the flesh and of the spirit.
I was then shown his daughter-in-law. She is beloved of God, but
held in servile bondage, fearing, trembling, desponding, doubting,
and very nervous. This sister should not feel that she must yield
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her will to a godless youth who has less years upon his head than
herself. She should remember that her marriage does not destroy
her individuality. God has claims upon her higher than any earthly
claim. Christ has bought her with His own blood. She is not her
own. She fails to put her entire trust in God, and submits to yield
her convictions, her conscience, to an overbearing, tyrannical man,
fired up by Satan whenever his satanic majesty can work effectually
through him to intimidate this trembling, shrinking soul. She has
so many times been thrown into agitation that her nervous system
is shattered, and she is merely a wreck. Is it the will of the Lord
that this sister should be in this state and God be robbed of her
service? No. Her marriage was a deception of the devil. Yet now
she should make the best of it, treat her husband with tenderness,
and make him as happy as she can without violating her conscience;
for if he remains in his rebellion, this world is all the heaven he will
have. But to deprive herself of the privilege of meetings, to gratify
an overbearing husband possessing the spirit of the dragon, is not
according to God’s will. He wants this trembling soul to flee to
Him. He will be a covert to her. He will be like the shadow of a
great rock in a weary land. Only have faith, trust in God and He will
strengthen and bless. All three of her children are susceptible to the