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Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
The speaker turned to those who had been praying, and said: “We
have something to do. We must confess our sins, and humble our hearts
before God.” He made heartbroken confessions and then stepped up
to several of the brethren, one after another, and extended his hand,
asking forgiveness. Those to whom he spoke sprang to their feet,
making confession and asking forgiveness, and they fell upon one
another’s necks, weeping. The spirit of confession spread through the
entire congregation. It was a Pentecostal season. God’s praises were
sung, and far into the night, until nearly morning, the work was carried
on.
The following words were often repeated, with clear distinctness:
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and
repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My
voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him,
and he with Me.”
Verses 19, 20
.
No one seemed to be too proud to make heartfelt confession, and
those who led in this work were the ones who had influence, but had
not before had courage to confess their sins.
There was rejoicing such as never before had been heard in the
Tabernacle.
Then I aroused from my unconsciousness, and for a while could
not think where I was. My pen was still in my hand. The words were
spoken to me: “This might have been. All this the Lord was waiting to
do for His people. All heaven was waiting to be gracious.” I thought
of where we might have been had thorough work been done at the last
General Conference, and agony of disappointment came over me as I
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realized that what I had witnessed was not a reality.
* * * * *
God’s way is always the right and the prudent way. He always
brings honor to His name. Man’s only security against rash, ambitious
movements is to keep the heart in harmony with Christ Jesus. Man’s
wisdom is untrustworthy. Man is fickle, filled with self-esteem, pride,
and selfishness. Let the workers doing God’s service trust wholly in
the Lord. Then the leaders will reveal that they are willing to be led,
not by human wisdom, which is as useless to lean upon as is a broken
reed, but by the wisdom of the Lord, who has said: “If any of you