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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b
West, he has a work for thee to do, an exalted work. Let your faith and
experience help those who have not a living experience. Let not the
[6]
attraction be to this poor, dark speck of a world, but let it be upward
to God, glory, and Heaven. Let not the care and perplexity of farms
here engross thy mind, but ye can safely be wrapt up in contemplating
Abraham’s farm. We are heirs to that immortal inheritance. Wean thy
affections from earth, and dwell upon heavenly things.
I saw that great responsibility rests upon parents. They must not be
led by their children, but must lead them. I was referred to Abraham.
He commanded his household after him, and it was remembered of
God. He was faithful in his house. I was then referred to the case of
Eli. He restrained not his children, and they were wicked and vile in
Israel. They led Israel astray by their wickedness. And when God
made known their sins to Samuel, and the heavy curse that was to
follow, because Eli restrained them not, God said their sins should
not be purged with sacrifice nor offerings forever. When Samuel told
Eli what the Lord had shown him, Eli submitted to it and said, “It
is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.” The curse of God
soon followed. Those wicked priests were slain, and thirty thousand of
Israel were also slain, and the ark of God was taken by their enemies.
And when Eli heard that the ark of God was taken, he fell backward
and died. All this evil resulted from Eli’s not restraining his sons. I
saw if God was so particular as to notice such things anciently, he is
no less particular in these last days.
Parents must govern their children, correct their passions, and
subdue them, or God, will surely destroy the children in the day of his
fierce anger, and the parents who have not governed their children will
not be blameless. Especially should the servants of God govern their
own families, and have them in good subjection. I saw they were not
prepared to judge or decide in matters of the church, unless they could
rule well their own house. They must have order at home first, and
then their judgment and influence will tell in the church.
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I saw that the reason why visions have not been more frequent of
late, is, they have not been appreciated by the church. The church have
nearly lost their spirituality and faith, and the reproofs and warnings
have had but little effect upon them. Many of those who have professed
faith in them, have not heeded them.