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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
This earth is the Lord’s. Here it may be seen that nature, animate
and inanimate, obeys His will. God created man a superior being; he
alone is formed in the image of God and is capable of partaking of
the divine nature, of co-operating with his Creator and executing His
plans; and he alone is found at war with God’s purposes.
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How wonderfully, with what marvelous beauty, has everything
in nature been fashioned. Everywhere we see the perfect works of
the great Master Artist. The heavens declare His glory, and the earth,
which is formed for the happiness of man, speaks to us of His matchless
love. Its surface is not a monotonous plain, but grand old mountains
rise to diversify the landscape. There are sparkling streams and fertile
valleys, beautiful lakes, broad rivers, and the boundless ocean. God
sends the dew and the rain to refresh the thirsty earth. The breezes,
that promote health by purifying and cooling the atmosphere, are
controlled by His wisdom. He has placed the sun in the heavens to
mark the periods of day and night, and by its genial beams give light
and warmth to the earth, causing vegetation to flourish.
I call your attention to these blessings from the bounteous hand of
God. Let the fresh glories of each new morning awaken praise in your
hearts for these tokens of His loving care. But while our kind heavenly
Father has given us so many things to promote our happiness, He has
given us also blessings in disguise. He understands the necessities of
fallen man; and while He has given us advantages on the one hand,
on the other there are inconveniences which are designed to stimulate
us to use the ability He has given us. These develop patient industry,
perseverance, and courage.
There are evils which man may lessen but can never remove. He
is to overcome obstacles and make his surroundings instead of being
molded by them. He has room to exercise his talents in bringing order
and harmony out of confusion. In this work he may have divine aid if
he will claim it. He is not left to battle with temptations and trials in his
own strength. Help has been laid upon One who is mighty. Jesus left
the royal courts of heaven and suffered and died in a world degraded
by sin, that He might teach man how to pass through the trials of life
and overcome its temptations. Here is a pattern for us.
As the benefits conferred upon His creatures by our heavenly Father
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are recounted, do you not feel reproved for your ungrateful repinings?
For a number of years He lent you a daughter and sister, until you