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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
While some in Battle Creek have professedly believed the Testi-
monies, they have been trampling them under their feet. But few have
read them with interest; but few have heeded them. The indulgence of
self, pride, fashion, and display are mingled with the worship of God.
He wants brave men for action, who will not regard the setting up of
idols and the coming in of abominations without lifting up the voice
like a trumpet, showing the people their transgressions and the house
of Jacob their sins.
As soon as Samuel began to judge Israel, even in his youth, he
called an assembly of the people for fasting and prayer, and deep
humiliation before God. He bore his solemn testimony from the mouth
of God. The people then began to learn where their strength was. They
entreated Samuel to cease not to cry unto God for them. Their enemies
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were aroused to meet them in battle, but God heard prayer in their
behalf. He wrought for them, and victory turned on the side of Israel.
There is a great work to be done in Battle Creek. Duties have
been neglected, important trusts have been betrayed. Men have come
here who have added nothing to the strength of the cause, but who are
constantly at work to gather the little means possessed by others into
their own hands, and thus rob God’s treasury. The natural selfishness
of their hearts is exhibited wherever a favorable opportunity presents
itself to advantage themselves at the disadvantage of others. They have
done so until the standard of the worldling is met, and there is but little
difference between their manner of dealing and that of the world.
Our people in Battle Creek have greater responsibilities to bear
than those in any other place. All who choose to locate here should
do so, not merely for their own convenience and benefit, but with
an eye single to the glory of God. They should be fully prepared
to lift the burdens where and when they need to be lifted; and with
self-sacrificing devotion sustain the institutions which God has placed
among them. Those who are unwilling to follow this course should go
where there are not so heavy burdens to be borne. At this important
post, where so much depends upon personal effort, all must act their
part unflinchingly; they must be wide awake, that the cause of their
Master may not suffer the loss of one soul. Many fail to come up to
the gospel standard; they have a selfish regard for their own interest
and neglect to see what they can do to be a blessing to their fellow