Be Zealous and Repent
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of the church, and servants of God, are called from God, truth, and
Heaven, to dwell upon darkness. Satan delights to have such things go
on. It feasts him. But these are none of the trials which are to purify
the church, and that will increase in the end the strength of God’s
people.
I saw that some are withering spiritually. They have lived some
time watching to keep their brethren straight; watching for every fault,
to make trouble with them. And while doing this, their minds are not
on God, nor on Heaven, nor on the truth; but just where Satan wants
them—on some one else. Their souls are neglected, they seldom see or
feel their own faults, for they have had enough to do to watch the faults
of others, without so much as looking to their own souls, to search
their own hearts. A person’s dress, a bonnet, an apron, takes their
attention. They must talk to this one, or that one, and it is sufficient
to dwell upon for weeks. I saw that all the religion a few poor souls
have, is to watch the garments and acts of others, and find fault with
them. Unless they reform, there will be no place in Heaven for them,
for they would find fault with the Lord himself.
Said the angel, “It is an individual work to be right with God.”
The work is between God and our own souls. But when some have
so much care of others’ faults, they take no care of themselves. Most
of these notional, fault-finding ones, would cure themselves of these
habits, if they would go directly to the individual they think is wrong.
It would be so crossing, that they would give up their notions rather
than go. But it is easy to let the tongue run freely about this one, or
that one, when the accused is not present.
[31]
Some think it wrong to try to observe order in the worship of God.
I have seen that confusion is displeasing to God, and that there should
be order in singing, and order in praying. We should not come to the
house of God to make that a place to pray for our families, unless
deep feelings shall lead us, while the Spirit of God is convicting them.
Generally, the proper place for us to pray for our families is at the
family altar. When the subjects of our prayers are at a distance, the
closet is the proper place to plead with God for them. When in the
house of God, our prayers should be for a present blessing. And we
should expect God to hear and answer our prayers. Such meetings will
be lively and interesting.