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Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
committed, that no duty to God, to your neighbor, or to the church is
left undone, and then you may lay hold upon Christ with confidence,
expecting His blessing. But the question of how and to whom sins
should be confessed is one that demands careful, prayerful study. We
must consider it from all points, weighing it before God and seeking
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divine illumination. We should inquire whether to confess publicly the
sins of which we have been guilty will do good or harm. Will it show
forth the praises of Him who has called us out of the darkness into His
marvelous light? Will it help to purify the minds of the people, or will
the open relation of the deceptions practiced in denying the truth have
an after influence to contaminate other minds and destroy confidence
in us?
Men have not the wisdom from God and the constant enlighten-
ment from the Source of all power that would make it safe for them
to follow impulses or impressions. In my experience I have seen this
done to the destruction, not only of those who acted upon this principle,
but of many others who came under their influence. The wildest ex-
travagance was the result of this impulsive work. A declension in faith
followed, and unbelief and skepticism became strong in proportion to
the extreme in religious excitement. The work that is not wrought in
God comes to nought as soon as the excitement is over.
There is power and permanency in what the Lord does, whether
He works by human instrumentality or otherwise. The progress and
perfection of the work of grace in the heart are not dependent upon
excitement or extravagant demonstration. Hearts that are under the
influence of the Spirit of God will be in sweet harmony with His will.
I have been shown that when the Lord works by His Holy Spirit, there
will be nothing in its operations which will degrade the Lord’s people
before the world, but it will exalt them. The religion of Christ does not
make those who profess it coarse and rough. The subjects of grace are
not unteachable, but ever willing to learn of Jesus and to counsel with
one another.
What we learn of the Great Teacher of truth will be enduring; it will
not savor of self-sufficiency, but will lead to humility and meekness;
and the work that we do will be wholesome, pure, and ennobling,
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because wrought in God. Those who thus work will show in their
home life, and in their association with men, that they have the mind