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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
own pleasure. He has yet to learn that his own strength is weakness
and his wisdom is folly. If he had felt that he was engaged in the work
of God, and that he was indebted to One who had given him time and
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talents, and who required that they be improved to His glory,—had
he stood faithfully at his post,—he would not have suffered that long,
tedious sickness. His exposure upon that pleasure trip caused him
months of suffering and would have caused his death had it not been
for the earnest, effectual prayer of faith put up in his behalf by those
who felt that he was not prepared to die. Had he died at that time
his case would have been far worse than that of the unenlightened
sinner. But God mercifully heard the prayers of His people and gave
him a new lease of life, that he might have opportunity to repent of his
unfaithfulness and to redeem the time. His example had influenced
many in Battle Creek in the wrong direction.
Brother B came up from his sickness, but how little did he or his
family feel humbled under the hand of God. The work of the Spirit
of God, and wisdom from Him, are not manifested that we may be
happy and satisfied with ourselves, but that our souls may be renewed
in knowledge and true holiness. How much better would it have been
for this brother if his affliction had prompted to faithful searching of
heart, to discover the imperfections in his character, that he might put
them away, and with humble spirit come forth from the furnace as
gold purified, reflecting the image of Christ.
The sickness that he had brought upon himself, the church helped
him bear. His watchers were provided, and his expenses were in a great
measure borne by the church; yet neither he nor his family appreciated
this generosity and tenderness on the part of the church. They felt that
they deserved all that was done for them. As Brother B came up from
his sickness, he felt wrong toward my husband because he disapproved
his course, which was so censurable. He united with others to injure
my husband’s influence, and since he has left the office he has not felt
right. He would poorly stand the test of being proved by God.
Brother B has not yet learned the lesson that he will have to learn
if he is saved at last—to deny self, and resist his desire for pleasure.
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He will have to be brought over the ground again and tried still more
closely, because he failed to endure the trials of the past. He has
displeased God in justifying self. He has but little experience in the
fellowship of the sufferings of Christ. He loves display and does not