Erroneous Ideas of Confession
577
Meetings have been held at the Tabernacle twice each day for
two weeks, and the message presented has taken hold of hearts. The
testimonies borne have the right ring. I am thankful to the Lord for this
good work. We have also had some special meetings at the Tabernacle.
This church being large, after we had called the people forward for
prayers Sabbath afternoon, the last Sabbath of the old year, we invited
those who felt that they must make confession, to go into one of the
vestries, and here a special opportunity was given them. I had spoken
upon the last chapter of Malachi: “Will a man rob God?” “Bring ye all
the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house,
and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open
you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there
shall not be room enough to receive it.” Many confessions were made
upon this point.
Some had not dealt honestly with their neighbors, and they con-
fessed these sins and have since made restitution. During the following
week some of those who had not been dealing justly with God, and
consequently had been separating themselves from Him, began to
restore that which they had withheld. One brother had not paid tithes
for two years. He gave his note to the secretary of the conference for
the tithe he had withheld and the interest on it, amounting to $571.50.
I thank the Lord that he had the courage to do this. Another gave his
note for $300. Another man who had backslidden from God so far that
but little hope was cherished that he would ever turn his feet into the
path of righteousness again, gave his note for $1,000. It was proposed
that these long-withheld tithes and offerings be devoted to the Central
European Mission; so with these and the Christmas donations, nearly
[644]
$6,000 has come into the treasury from this church to be applied to
the missionary cause.
The soul that lives by faith on Christ desires no other nor greater
good than to know and to do the will of God. It is God’s will that faith
in Christ shall be made perfect by works; He connects the salvation
and eternal life of those who believe, with these works, and through
them provides for the light of truth to go to all countries and peoples.
This is the fruit of the working of God’s Spirit.
The truth has taken hold of hearts. It is not a fitful impulse, but
a true turning unto the Lord, and the perverse will of men is brought
into subjection to the will of God. To rob God in tithes and offerings