Chapter 5—The Testimonies Slighted
Healdsburg, California,
June 20, 1882
Dear Brethren and Sisters in Battle Creek,
I understand that the testimony [
Reference is here made to the
preceding article.
] which I sent to Brother-----, with the request that
it be read to the church, was withheld from you for several weeks
after it was received by him. Before sending that testimony my mind
was so impressed by the Spirit of God that I had no rest day or night
until I wrote to you. It was not a work that I would have chosen for
myself. Before my husband’s death I decided that it was not my duty
to bear testimony to anyone in reproof of wrong or in vindication of
right, because advantage was taken of my words to deal harshly with
the erring and to unwisely exalt others whose course I had not in any
degree sustained. Many explained the testimonies to suit themselves.
The truth of God is not in harmony with the traditions of men, nor does
it conform to their opinions. Like its divine Author, it is unchangeable,
the same yesterday, today, and forever. Those who separate from God
will call darkness light, and error truth. But darkness will never prove
itself to be light, nor will error become truth.
The minds of many have been so darkened and confused by worldly
customs, worldly practices, and worldly influences that all power
to discriminate between light and darkness, truth and error, seems
destroyed. I had little hope that my words would be understood; but
when the Lord moved upon me so decidedly, I could not resist His
Spirit. Knowing that you were involving yourselves in the snares of
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Satan, I felt that the danger was too great for me to keep silent.
For years the Lord has been presenting the situation of the church
before you. Again and again reproofs and warnings have been given.
October 23, 1879, the Lord gave me a most impressive testimony in
regard to the church in Battle Creek. During the last months I was
with you I carried a heavy burden for the church, while those who
should have felt to the very depths of their souls were comparatively
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