Dangers of the Young
135
cannot do this. There is no concord between Christ and Belial. The
non-resurrection of the wicked, and their peculiar views of the age to
come, are gross errors. Satan has worked them in among the last-day
heresies to serve his own purpose to ruin souls. These errors can have
no harmony with the message of heavenly origin. Some of them have
exercises which they call gifts, and say that the Lord has placed them
in the church. They have an unmeaning gibberish which they call
the unknown tongue, which is unknown not only by man, but by the
Lord and all Heaven. Such gifts are manufactured by men and women,
aided by the great Deceiver. Fanaticism, false excitement, false talking
in tongues, and noisy exercises have been considered gifts which God
has placed in the church. Some have been deceived here. The fruits of
all this have not been good. By their fruits ye shall know them. Fanati-
cism and noise have been considered special evidences of faith. Some
are not satisfied with a meeting unless they have a powerful and happy
time. They work for this, and get up an excitement of feeling. The
influence of such meetings is not beneficial. When the happy flight of
feeling is gone, they sink lower than before the meeting, because their
happiness did not come from the right source. The most profitable
meetings for spiritual advancement, are those which are characterized
with solemnity and deep searching of heart; each seeking to know
himself, and earnestly, and in deep humility, seeking to learn of Christ.
[154]
There are many restless spirits who will not submit to discipline,
system, and order. They think that their liberties would be abridged
were they to lay aside their own judgment and submit to the judgment
of those of experience. The work of God will not progress unless there
is a disposition to submit to order, and expel the reckless, disorderly
spirit of fanaticism from their meetings. Impressions and feelings are
no sure evidence that a person is being led by the Lord. Satan will, if
he is unsuspected, give feelings and impressions. These are not correct
and safe guides. All should acquaint themselves thoroughly with the
evidences of our faith, and the great study should be, How they can
adorn their profession and bear fruit to the glory of God. None should
take a course to make themselves disgusting to unbelievers. They
should be chaste, modest, and elevated in their conversation. Their
lives should be blameless. A reckless, trifling, joking spirit should be
rebuked. It is no fruit of the grace of God upon the heart for a person to
talk and pray with talent in meeting, and when out of meeting give up