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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
been connected with the office for quite a length of time and have had
ample opportunity to become acquainted with our faith, yet manifest
opposition to the truth, should no longer be retained in the office. Their
influence is against the truth if they continue to neglect the light and
slight salvation. This very indifference has a chilling influence upon
the faith of others to draw them away from God. These impenitent,
unimpressible ones should not occupy positions that might be filled
by persons who will respect the truth and yield to the influence of the
Spirit of God by being so closely connected with this sacred work.
The influence of our young people in the office is not what it
should be. A and B have virtually worked against the cause. The
influence of their conversation and deportment has been such as to
disgust unbelievers and turn them from our faith and from Christ. The
young who heed not the warnings of the word of God and slight the
Testimonies of His Spirit can only be a living curse to the office and
should be separated from it.
The youth whose influence is demoralizing should have no con-
nection with our college. Those who are possessed of a lovesick
sentimentalism, and make their attendance at school an opportunity
for courting and exchanging improper attentions, should be brought
under the closest restrictions. Authority must be maintained. Justice
and Mercy are twin sisters, standing side by side.
[210]
If no efforts are made to correct the state of things existing at---
--, it will soon be a place for the encouragement of immorality and
dissipation. Will parents and those in charge of our institutions sleep
while Satan is taking possession of the minds of the children? God
abhors the sins that are fostered and concealed by the church, cherished
in the office, and sheltered under the paternal roof. Let parents, and
those in authority, earnestly take hold of the work and purge this evil
from among them.
We are living in the last days. John exclaims: “Woe to the inhab-
iters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you,
having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
Christ is the only refuge in these perilous times. Satan is at work in se-
crecy and darkness. Cunningly he draws away the followers of Christ
from the cross and brings them into self-indulgence and wickedness.
Vital interests are located at-----, and Satan is opposed to everything
that will strengthen the cause of Christ and weaken his own power. He