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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
that they were right in their judgment of him. Brother D’s course has
been hasty and without due thought. His soul has been disgusted, and
he thinks it has been too thoroughly wounded for recovery. Those
who have pursued him so relentlessly have been in life and character
far from blameless. If God had dealt with their crooked ways and
imperfect characters as they have dealt with Brother D, they would
have perished long ago. But a compassionate God has borne with them
and not dealt with them according to their sins.
God has been true to Brother D, and he should respond to His mer-
ciful dealings, notwithstanding man has shown so little of tenderness
and the feelings of common humanity. It is Brother D’s privilege to
hide in Christ from the strife of tongues, and to feel that exhaustless
sources of gratitude, contentment, and peace are open to him and
accessible every moment. Had he earthly treasures without limit, he
would not be as rich as he may now be in the privilege of being on the
side of right and of drinking to the full of the streams of salvation.
What has not God done for Brother D in giving His Son to die
for him? and will He not with Him freely give him all things? Why
should he be unfaithful to God because man has proved unfaithful to
him? How much stronger than death is the love that binds the mother’s
heart to her afflicted child; “yet God declares that even a mother may
forget her child, yet will I not forget thee.” No; not a single soul who
puts his trust in Him will be forgotten. God thinks of His children with
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the tenderest solicitude and keeps a book of remembrance before Him,
that He may never forget the children of His care.
Every human tie may perish,
Friend to friend unfaithful prove,
Mothers cease their own to cherish,
Heaven and earth at last remove;
But no changes
Can attend Jehovah’s love.
Brother and Sister D might have been a precious help to the church
in bringing them up to a position of better understanding had the
church accepted their efforts. But envy, evil surmisings, and jealousy
have driven them away from the church. Had they left the scenes of
their trial sooner than they did, it would have been better for them.