Lack of Consecration
7
or thou wilt be unworthy of eternal life, for it was purchased for thee
dearly, even by the agony, the sufferings, and blood of the beloved Son
of God.”
I saw that many in different places, East and West, were adding
farm to farm, and land to land, and house to house, and they make the
cause of God their excuse, saying they do this that they may help the
cause. They shackle themselves so that they can be of but little benefit
to the cause; some buy a piece of land and labor with all their might
to pay for it. Their time is so occupied that they can spend but little
time to pray, and serve God, and gain strength from him to overcome
their besetments. They are in debt, and when the cause needs their
help they cannot assist, for they must get free from debt first. And
as soon as they are free from debt they are farther from helping the
cause than before, for they involve themselves again in adding to their
property, and flatter themselves that this course is right, that they will
use the avails in the cause, when they are actually laying up treasure
here. They love the truth in word, but not in work. They love the
cause just as much as their works show. They love the world more,
and the cause of God less; and their attraction to earth grows stronger,
and the attraction to Heaven weaker. Their heart is with their treasure.
They set the example to those around them that they are intending to
stay here, that this world is their home. Said the angel, “Thou art thy
brother’s keeper.”
[3]
I saw that many have indulged in needless expense merely to
gratify the feelings, the taste, and the eye, when the cause has needed
the very means, and when some of the servants of God were poorly
clothed, and crippled in their labor for lack of means. Said the angel,
“Their time to do will soon be past. Their works show that self is their
idol, and to it they sacrifice. Self must first be gratified; their feeling
is, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Warning after warning many have
received, but heeded not. Self is the main object, and to it every thing
must bow.
I saw that the spirit of sacrifice was almost gone from the church.
Self-denial has almost failed; self and self-interest come first, and then
if they can as well as not they will do what they think they can for the
cause. Such a sacrifice I saw was lame and not accepted of God. All
should be interested to do their utmost to advance the cause. I saw
that those who have no possessions here, but have strength of body,