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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
necessary for the important occasion in which God would have us act
a prominent part.
“Satan has crippled our efforts by so affecting the church as to
call forth from us almost double labor to cut our way through the
darkness and unbelief. These efforts to set things in order in the
churches have exhausted our strength, and lassitude and debility have
followed. I saw that we have a work to do, but the adversary of souls
will resist every effort that we attempt to make. The people may be
in a state of backsliding, so that God cannot bless them, and this will
be disheartening; but we should not be discouraged. We should do
our duty in presenting the light, and leave the responsibility with the
people.”
I will here copy from another testimony, written June 6, 1863:
“I was shown that our testimony is still needed in the church, that
we should labor to save ourselves trials and cares, and that we should
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preserve a devotional frame of mind. It is the duty of those in the office
to tax their brains more, and of my husband to tax his less. Much time
is spent by him upon various matters which confuse and weary his
mind, and unfit him for study or for writing, and thus prevent his light
from shining in the Review as it should.
“My husband’s mind should not be crowded and overtaxed. It must
have rest, and he must be left free to write and attend to matters which
others cannot do. Those engaged in the office could lift from him a
great weight of care if they would dedicate themselves to God and feel
a deep interest in the work. No selfish feelings should exist among
those who labor in the office. It is the work of God in which they
are engaged, and they are accountable to Him for their motives and
the manner in which this branch of His work is performed. They are
required to discipline their minds. Many feel that no blame should
be attached to forgetfulness. This is a great mistake. Forgetfulness is
sin. It leads to many blunders and to much disorder and many wrongs.
Things that should be done ought not to be forgotten. The mind must
be tasked; it must be disciplined until it will remember.
“My husband has had much care, and has done many things which
others ought to have done, but which he feared to have them do, lest, in
their heedlessness, they should make mistakes not easily remedied, and
thus involve losses. This has been a great perplexity to his mind. Those
who labor in the office should learn. They should study, and practice,