Nature and Influence of the “Testimonies”
605
The searching testimony of the Spirit of God “will separate those
from Israel who have ever been at war with the means that God has
ordained to keep corruptions out of the church. Wrongs must be called
wrongs. Grievous sins must be called by their right name. All of
God’s people should come nearer to Him.... Then will they see sin
in the true light and will realize how offensive it is in the sight of
God.” [
Testimonies for the Church 3:324
(1873).] “The plain, straight
testimony must live in the church, or the curse of God will rest upon
His people as surely as it did upon ancient Israel because of their sins.”
[
Testimonies for the Church 3:269
(1873).]
“Never was there greater need of faithful warnings and reproofs ...
than at this very time. Satan has come down with great power, knowing
that his time is short. He is flooding the world with pleasing fables,
and the people of God love to have smooth things spoken to them.... I
was shown that God’s people must make more firm, determined efforts
to press back the incoming darkness. The close work of the Spirit
[677]
of God is needed now as never before.” [
Testimonies for the Church
3:327, 328
(1873).]
When in my youth I accepted the work given me by God, I received
with it a promise that I should have special aid from the mighty Helper.
There was given me also the solemn charge to deliver faithfully the
Lord’s message, making no difference for friends or foes. There is
no respect of persons with God. Whether dealing with rich or poor,
high or low, the cultured or the ignorant, there must be no betrayal of
sacred trusts with the Lord’s messenger.
“Let none entertain the thought that I regret or take back any plain
testimony I have borne to individuals or to the people. If I have erred
anywhere, it is in not rebuking sin more decidedly and firmly. Some of
the brethren have taken the responsibility of criticizing my work and
proposing an easier way to correct wrongs. To these persons I would
say: I take God’s way and not yours. What I have said or written in
testimony or reproof has not been too plainly expressed....
“Those who would in any way lessen the force of the sharp re-
proofs which God has given me to speak, must meet their work at the
judgment.... To those who have taken the responsibility to reprove me
and, in their finite judgment, to propose a way which appears wiser to
them I repeat: I do not accept your efforts. Leave me with God, and let
Him teach me. I will take the words from the Lord and speak them to