Testimonies Slighted
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Him and seeks His aid. The crown of life is placed only upon the brow
[71]
of the overcomer. There is, for everyone, earnest, solemn work for
God while life lasts. As Satan’s power increases and his devices are
multiplied, skill, aptness, and sharp generalship should be exercised
by those in charge of the flock of God. Not only have we each a work
to do for our own souls, but we have also a duty to arouse others to
gain eternal life.
It pains me to say, my brethren, that your sinful neglect to walk in
the light has enshrouded you in darkness. You may now be honest in
not recognizing and obeying the light; the doubts you have entertained,
your neglect to heed the requirements of God, have blinded your
perceptions so that darkness is now to you light, and light is darkness.
God has bidden you to go forward to perfection. Christianity is a
religion of progress. Light from God is full and ample, waiting our
demand upon it. Whatever blessings the Lord may give, He has an
infinite supply beyond, an inexhaustible store from which we may
draw. Skepticism may treat the sacred claims of the gospel with jests,
scoffing, and denial. The spirit of worldliness may contaminate the
many and control the few; the cause of God may hold its ground only
by great exertion and continual sacrifice, yet it will triumph finally.
The word is: Go forward; discharge your individual duty, and leave
all consequences in the hands of God. If we move forward where Jesus
leads the way we shall see His triumph, we shall share His joy. We
must share the conflicts if we wear the crown of victory. Like Jesus,
we must be made perfect through suffering. Had Christ’s life been one
of ease, then might we safely yield to sloth. Since His life was marked
with continual self-denial, suffering, and self-sacrifice, we shall make
no complaint if we are partakers with Him. We can walk safely in the
darkest path if we have the Light of the world for our guide.
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The Lord is testing and proving you. He has counseled, admon-
ished, and entreated. All these solemn admonitions will either make
the church better or decidedly worse. The oftener the Lord speaks to
correct or counsel, and you disregard His voice, the more disposed
will you be to reject it again and again, till God says: “Because I
have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no
man regarded; but ye have set at nought all My counsel, and would
none of My reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock
when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and