Importance of the Work
425
in man. God is not at fault. He gave them encouraging promises
upon conditions, but they did not comply with these conditions. They
trusted to their own strength and fell under temptation.
That which can be said of men under certain circumstances cannot
be said of them under other circumstances. Men are weak in moral
power and so supremely selfish, so self-sufficient and so easily puffed
up with vain conceit, that God cannot work in connection with them,
and they are left to move like blind men and to manifest so great
weakness and folly that many are astonished that such individuals
should ever have been accepted and acknowledged as worthy of having
any connection with God’s work. This is just what Satan designed.
This was his object from the time he first specially tempted them to
reproach the cause of God and to cast reflections upon the Testimonies.
Had they remained where their influence would not have been specially
felt upon the cause of God, Satan would not have beset them so fiercely;
for he could not have accomplished his purpose by using them as his
[471]
instruments to do a special work.
In the advancement of the work of God that which may be said in
truth of individuals at one time may not correctly be said of them at
another time. The reason of this is that one month they may have stood
in innocency, living up to the best light they had, while the month
following was none too short for them to be overcome by Satan’s
devices and, through self-confidence, to fall into grievous sins and
become unfitted for the work of God.
Minds are so subject to change through the subtle temptations of
Satan that it is not the best policy for my husband or myself to take
the responsibility of even stating our opinions of the qualifications of
persons to fill different positions, because we are made responsible for
the course that such individuals pursue. Notwithstanding, if they had
maintained the humility and firm trust in God which they possessed
when recommended to take responsibilities they might have been the
very persons for the place. These persons change, yet are not sensible
of the change in themselves. They fall under temptation, are led away
from their steadfastness, and sever their connection with God. They
are then controlled by the enemy and do and say things which dishonor
God and reproach His cause. Then Satan exults to see our brethren
and sisters looking upon us with doubt because we have given these
persons encouragement and influence.