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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
When Brother G once takes a position on the wrong side, it is
not easy for him to confess that he has erred; but if he can let his
wrong course pass out of his mind and pass from the memory of
others, and he can make some changes for the better without an open
acknowledgment of his wrong, he will do so. But all these errors and
unconfessed sins stand registered in heaven and will not be blotted
out until he complies with the directions given in the word of God:
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that
ye may be healed.” If Brother G has found another plan besides that
given us by our Lord, it is not a safe way and will prove his ruin
at last. This other way is ruinous to the church, and ruinous to the
prosperity and happiness of his family. He needs to soften his heart
and to let tenderness, humility, and love into his soul. He needs to
cultivate unselfish qualities. Brother and Sister G, you should cultivate
qualities of mind which will make you pure, forgetful of self, and
more interested in those with whom you are brought in contact. There
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is a vein of self-love and care for self which does not increase your
happiness, but brings to you grief and sorrow. You have a conflict
with yourself in which you alone can act a part. Both of you should
control the tongue and keep back many things to which you give
utterance. The first evil is in thinking wrong; then come the words
which are wrong. But you leave undone the work of cultivating love,
deference, and respect for each other. Be kindly considerate of each
other’s feelings, and seek to sacredly guard each other’s happiness.
You can do this only in the strength and name of Jesus.
Sister G has made strong efforts to gain victories, but she has
not had much encouragement from her husband. Instead of seeking
God in earnest prayer for strength to overcome the defects in their
characters, they have been watching each other’s course and weakening
themselves by finding fault with the course of others. The garden of
the heart has not had attention.
If Brother G had received the light that the Lord sent him months
ago and had frankly conversed with his wife, if both had broken their
hard hearts before the Lord, how different would be their present state.
They both slighted the words of reproof and entreaty of the Spirit of
God, and did not reform their lives. But closing their eyes to the light
God had sent them did not make one of their faults less grievous in
the sight of God nor lessen their accountability. They have hated the