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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
lot can be lightened; but their sad experience should be a warning to
others.
In this age of the world, as the scenes of earth’s history are soon
to close and we are about to enter upon the time of trouble such
as never was, the fewer the marriages contracted, the better for all,
both men and women. Above all, when Satan is working with all
deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, let Christians
beware of connecting themselves with unbelievers. God has spoken.
All who fear Him will submit to His wise injunctions. Our feelings,
impulses, and affections must flow heavenward, not earthward, not in
the low, base channel of sensual thought and indulgence. It is time
now that every soul should stand as in the sight of the heart-searching
God.
My dear sister, as a disciple of Jesus you should inquire what
will be the influence of the step you are about to take, not only upon
yourself, but upon others. The followers of Christ are to be co-workers
with their Master; they must be “blameless and harmless, the sons of
God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
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among whom,” says Paul, “ye shine as lights in the world.” We are to
receive the bright beams from the Sun of Righteousness, and by our
good works let them shine forth to others in clear, steady rays, never
fitful, never growing dim. We cannot be sure that we are doing no
harm to those about us unless we are exerting a positive influence to
lead them heavenward.
“Ye are My witnesses,” said Jesus, and in each act of our lives
we should inquire: How will our course affect the interests of the
Redeemer’s kingdom? If you are indeed Christ’s disciple, you will
choose to walk in His footsteps, however painful this may be to your
natural feelings. Said Paul: “God forbid that I should glory, save in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto
me, and I unto the world.” You, Sister L, need to sit at the feet of Jesus
and learn of Him, as did Mary of old. God requires of you an entire
surrender of your will, your plans and purposes. Jesus is your leader;
to Him you must look, in Him you must trust, and you must permit
nothing to deter you from the life of consecration which you owe to
God. Your conversation must be in heaven, from whence you look
for your Saviour. Your piety must be of a character to make itself felt
by all within the sphere of your influence. God requires you in every