Chapter 24—An Appeal
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This appeal was written at Healdsburg, California, May 30, 1882, to
be read at the camp meetings. It presents warnings and instruction
which the writer, being absent in person, felt urged to give to the
church. For the benefit of those who were not present at those
meetings, and also for all who may desire to preserve it in permanent
form, it is inserted here.
]
I am filled with sadness when I think of our condition as a people.
The Lord has not closed heaven to us, but our own course of continual
backsliding has separated us from God. Pride, covetousness, and love
of the world have lived in the heart without fear of banishment or
condemnation. Grievous and presumptuous sins have dwelt among us.
And yet the general opinion is that the church is flourishing and that
peace and spiritual prosperity are in all her borders.
The church has turned back from following Christ her Leader and
is steadily retreating toward Egypt. Yet few are alarmed or astonished
at their want of spiritual power. Doubt, and even disbelief of the
testimonies of the Spirit of God, is leavening our churches everywhere.
Satan would have it thus. Ministers who preach self instead of Christ
would have it thus. The testimonies are unread and unappreciated.
God has spoken to you. Light has been shining from His word and
from the testimonies, and both have been slighted and disregarded.
The result is apparent in the lack of purity and devotion and earnest
faith among us.
Let each put the question to his own heart: “How have we fallen
into this state of spiritual feebleness and dissension? Have we not
brought upon ourselves the frown of God because our actions do not
correspond with our faith? Have we not been seeking the friendship
and applause of the world rather than the presence of Christ and a
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deeper knowledge of His will?” Examine your own hearts, judge your
own course. Consider what associates you are choosing. Do you
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