46
Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
light of an indwelling Saviour. In converse with God and in happy
contemplation of heavenly things the soul is preparing for heaven and
laboring to gather other souls into the fold of Christ. Our Saviour is
able and willing to do for us more than we can ask or even think.
The church at Battle Creek need a self-abasing unpretending spirit.
I have been shown that many are cherishing an unholy desire for the
supremacy. Many love to be flattered and are jealously watching for
slights or neglect. There is a hard, unforgiving spirit. There is envy,
strife, emulation.
Nothing is more essential to communion with God than the most
profound humility. “I dwell,” says the High and Holy One, “with him
also that is of a contrite and humble spirit.” While you are so eagerly
striving to be first, remember that you will be last in the favor of God
if you fail to cherish a meek and lowly spirit. Pride of heart will cause
many to fail where they might have made a success. “Before honor is
humility,” and “the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
“When Ephraim spake trembling, he exalted himself in Israel; but
when he offended in Baal, he died.” “Many are called, but few are
chosen.” Many hear the invitation of mercy, are tested and proved;
but few are sealed with the seal of the living God. Few will humble
themselves as a little child, that they may enter the kingdom of heaven.
Few receive the grace of Christ with self-abasement, with a deep
and permanent sense of their unworthiness. They cannot bear the
[51]
manifestations of the power of God, for this would encourage in them
self-esteem, pride, and envy. This is why the Lord can do so little for
us now. God would have you individually seek for the perfection of
love and humility in your own hearts. Bestow your chief care upon
yourselves, cultivate those excellencies of character which will fit you
for the society of the pure and the holy.
You all need the converting power of God. You need to seek Him
for yourselves. For your soul’s sake neglect this work no longer. All
your trouble grows out of your separation from God. Your disunion
and dissension are the fruit of an unchristian character.
I had thought to remain silent and let you go on until you should
see and abhor the sinfulness of your course; but backsliding from God
produces hardness of heart and blindness of mind, and there is less and
less perception of the true condition, until the grace of God is finally
withdrawn, as from the Jewish nation.