Testimonies Slighted
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You know not the things that belong to your peace, and they are fast
being hid from your eyes. Your neglect to follow the light will place
you in a more unfavorable position than the Jews upon whom Christ
pronounced a woe.
I have been shown that unbelief in the testimonies has been steadily
increasing as the people backslide from God. It is all through our ranks,
all over the field. But few know what our churches are to experience.
I saw that at present we are under divine forbearance, but no one can
say how long this will continue. No one knows how great the mercy
that has been exercised toward us. But few are heartily devoted to God.
There are only a few who, like the stars in a tempestuous night, shine
here and there among the clouds.
Many who complacently listen to the truths from God’s word
are dead spiritually, while they profess to live. For years they have
come and gone in our congregations, but they seem only less and less
sensible of the value of revealed truth. They do not hunger and thirst
after righteousness. They have no relish for spiritual or divine things.
They assent to the truth, but are not sanctified through it. Neither
the word of God nor the testimonies of His Spirit make any lasting
impression upon them. Just according to the light, the privileges, and
opportunities which they have slighted will be their condemnation.
Many who preach the truth to others are themselves cherishing iniquity.
The entreaties of the Spirit of God, like divine melody, the promises
of His word so rich and abundant, its threatenings against idolatry and
disobedience—all are powerless to melt the world-hardened heart.
Many of our people are lukewarm. They occupy the position of
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Meroz, neither for nor against, neither cold nor hot. They hear the
words of Christ, but do them not. If they remain in this state, He will
reject them with abhorrence. Many of those who have had great light,
great opportunities, and every spiritual advantage praise Christ and
the world with the same breath. They bow themselves before God and
mammon. They make merry with the children of the world, and yet
claim to be blessed with the children of God. They wish to have Christ
as their Saviour, but will not bear the cross and wear His yoke. May
the Lord have mercy upon you; for if you go on in this way, nothing
but evil can be prophesied concerning you.
The patience of God has an object, but you are defeating it. He is
allowing a state of things to come that you would fain see counteracted