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Testimonies for the Church Volume 7
God wants us to do much more praying and much less talking. The
threshold of heaven is flooded with the light of His glory, and He will
let this light shine into the heart of everyone who will stand in right
relation to Him.
Every institution will have to battle with difficulty. Trials are
permitted in order to test the hearts of God’s people. When adversity
befalls one of the Lord’s instrumentalities, it will be shown how much
real faith we have in God and in His work. At such a time let none view
matters in the worst light and give expression to doubt and unbelief.
Do not criticize those who carry the burdens of responsibility. Let
not the conversation in your homes be poisoned with criticism of
the Lord’s workers. Parents who indulge this criticizing spirit are
not bringing before their children that which will make them wise
unto salvation. Their words tend to unsettle the faith and confidence
not only of the children, but of those older in years. All have little
enough of respect and reverence for sacred things. Satan will unite
most zealously with the criticizer in fostering unbelief, envy, jealousy,
and disrespect. Satan is always at work to imbue men with his spirit, to
quench the love which should be sacredly cherished between brethren,
to discourage confidence, to excite envy, evil surmisings, and the strife
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of tongues. Let us not be found acting as his co-workers. One heart
open to his suggestions may sow many seeds of disaffection. Thus
may be wrought a work whose results in the ruin of souls will never
be fully manifest until the great day of final judgment.
Christ declares: “Whoso shall cause one of these little ones which
believe on Me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone
should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the
depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of occasions of stum-
bling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that
man through whom the occasion cometh!”
Matthew 18:6, 7
, R.V. A
great responsibility is here placed upon the members of the church.
Let them beware lest through inattention to the souls of those young
in the faith, lest through sowing seeds of doubt and unbelief under the
instigation of Satan, they be found guilty of the ruin of a soul. “Make
straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the
way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holi-
ness, without which no man shall see the Lord: looking diligently lest