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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
earnest, well-directed efforts to bring their fellow men to a knowledge
of the truth, they will become strong in the Lord; and for working
righteousness on the earth, they will receive the reward of eternal life
in the kingdom of heaven. This is the privilege of our sisters. And
when we see them using God’s time and money in needless display
of dress we cannot but warn them that they are breaking not only the
first four, but the last six commandments. They do not make God the
supreme object of their worship, neither do they love their neighbor as
themselves.
Christ is our example. We must keep the Pattern continually before
us and contemplate the infinite sacrifice which has been made to
redeem us from the thralldom of sin. If we find ourselves condemned
as we look into the mirror, let us not venture further in transgression,
but face rightabout and wash our robes of character in the blood of
the Lamb, that they may be spotless. Let us cry, as did David: “Open
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Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.”
Those to whom God has entrusted time and means that they might be a
blessing to humanity, but who have squandered these gifts needlessly
upon themselves and their children, will have a fearful account to meet
at the bar of God.
“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all
the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day
that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall
leave them neither root nor branch.” The unbelieving world will soon
have something to think of besides their dress and appearance; and as
their minds are torn from these things by distress and perplexity, they
have nothing to turn to. They are not prisoners of hope, and therefore
do not turn to the Stronghold. Their hearts will fail them with repining
and fear. They have not made God their refuge, and He will not be
their consolation. He will laugh at their calamity and mock when their
fear cometh.
Those among Sabbathkeepers who have yielded to the influence
of the world are to be tested. The perils of the last days are upon us,
and a trial is before the professed people of God which many have not
anticipated. The genuineness of their faith will be proved. Many have
united with worldlings in pride, vanity, and pleasure seeking, flattering
themselves that they could do this and still be Christians. But it is such
indulgences that separate them from God and make them children of