Nature and Influence of the “Testimonies”
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midnight, letters that have gone across the continent and, arriving at a
crisis, have saved great disaster to the cause of God. This has been my
work for many years. A power has impelled me to reprove and rebuke
wrongs that I had not thought of. Is this work of the last thirty-six
years from above or from beneath?” [
Testimonies for the Church 5:64,
65
(1882).]
Christ warned His disciples: “Beware of false prophets, which
come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns,
or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring
forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every
tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the
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fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Here is a test, and
all can apply it if they will. Those who really desire to know the truth
will find sufficient evidence for belief.
Doubting the “Testimonies”
“It is Satan’s plan to weaken the faith of God’s people in the Tes-
timonies.” “Satan knows how to make his attacks. He works upon
minds to excite jealousy and dissatisfaction toward those at the head
of the work. The gifts are next questioned; then, of course, they have
but little weight, and instruction given through vision is disregarded.”
“Next follows skepticism in regard to the vital points of our faith, the
pillars of our position, then doubt as to the Holy Scriptures, and then
the downward march to perdition. When the Testimonies, which were
once believed, are doubted and given up, Satan knows the deceived
ones will not stop at this; and he redoubles his efforts till he launches
them into open rebellion, which becomes incurable and ends in de-
struction.” [
Testimonies for the Church 4:211
;
Testimonies for the
Church 1:236
] “By giving place to doubts and unbelief in regard to
the work of God, and by cherishing feelings of distrust and cruel jeal-
ousies, they are preparing themselves for complete deception. They
rise up with bitter feelings against the ones who dare to speak of their
errors and reprove their sins.” [
Testimonies for the Church 3:328
.]
A testimony for certain young men, first published in 1880, speaks
of this point as follows: “A prevailing skepticism is continually in-