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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
is time for the brethren and sisters to assert their liberty and perfect
freedom of conscience. God has given them light, and it is their
privilege to cherish the light and to speak of it to strengthen and
encourage one another. Brother J would confuse the mind by seeking
to make it appear that the light God has given through the Testimonies
is an addition to the word of God, but in this he presents the matter in
a false light. God has seen fit in this manner to bring the minds of His
people to His word, to give them a clearer understanding of it.
The church of-----are growing weaker and weaker because of the
influence which has been exerted over them—not an influence to help
them advance, but to clog the wheels. It is the privilege of Brother J to
cast aside his unbelief and to advance with the light, if he will. If he
refuses to do this, the cause of God will advance all the same without
his aid. But God designs that a change shall be made in the church
at-----. They will either advance or retrograde. God can do more with
six souls who are united and of the same mind and judgment, than with
scores of men who do as Brother J and G have been doing. They have
brought with them into the meeting, not angels of light, but angels
of darkness. The meetings have been unprofitable and sometimes a
positive injury. God calls for these men to come over on the Lord’s
side and to be united with the body, or to cease hindering those who
would be wholly for the Lord.
The great reason why so many professed disciples of Christ fall
into grievous temptation and make work for repentance is that they are
deficient in a knowledge of themselves. Here is where Peter was so
thoroughly sifted by the enemy. Here is where thousands will make
shipwreck of faith. You do not take your wrongs and errors to heart,
and afflict your souls over them. I entreat you to purify your souls by
obeying the truth. Connect yourselves with heaven. And may the Lord
save you from self-deception.
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