72
Testimonies for the Church Volume 5
eyes and trusted fully in the Lord, He would have honored them with
bearing His standard in triumph to the victory. But they separated from
God, yielded to the influence of the world, and the Lord rejected them.
Many have exalted science and lost sight of the God of science.
This was not the case with the church in the purest times.
God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will
raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction
of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions.
These facilities are not to be despised or condemned; they are ordained
of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will
manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals.
There are few really consecrated men among us, few who have
fought and conquered in the battle with self. Real conversion is a
decided change of feelings and motives; it is a virtual taking leave of
[83]
worldly connections, a hastening from their spiritual atmosphere, a
withdrawing from the controlling power of their thoughts, opinions,
and influences. The separation causes pain and bitterness to both
parties. It is the variance which Christ declares that He came to bring.
But the converted will feel a continual longing desire that their friends
shall forsake all for Christ, knowing that, unless they do, there will be
a final and eternal separation. The true Christian cannot, while with
unbelieving friends, be light and trifling. The value of the souls for
whom Christ died is too great.
He “that forsaketh not all that he hath,” says Jesus, “cannot be My
disciple.” Whatever shall divert the affections from God must be given
up. Mammon is the idol of many. Its golden chain binds them to
Satan. Reputation and worldly honor are worshiped by another class.
The life of selfish ease and freedom from responsibility is the idol of
others. These are Satan’s snares, set for unwary feet. But these slavish
bands must be broken; the flesh must be crucified with the affections
and lusts. We cannot be half the Lord’s and half the world’s. We are
not God’s people unless we are such entirely. Every weight, every
besetting sin, must be laid aside. God’s watchmen will not cry, “Peace,
peace,” when God has not spoken peace. The voice of the faithful
watchmen will be heard: “Go ye out from thence, touch no unclean
thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean that bear the vessels
of the Lord.”