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Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
up? How long shall they hold such power that no one dare make a
change in their methods?
[150]
Build Up New Centers
People are encouraged to settle in Battle Creek, to give their influ-
ence to the building up of a modern Jerusalem. This is not after God’s
order. Thus other places are deprived of facilities that they should
have. Enlarge ye; spread ye; yes, but not in one place only. Go out
and establish centers of influence in places where nothing, or next to
nothing, has been done. Break up your consolidated mass; diffuse the
saving beams of light into the darkened corners of the earth. A work
similar to that of an eagle stirring up her nest needs to be done.
“Moab hath been at ease from his youth, and he hath settled on his
lees, and hath not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither hath he
gone into captivity: therefore his taste remained in him, and his scent
is not changed.”
Jeremiah 48:11
. This is true of many of the believers
who are coming to Battle Creek. Many have a spasmodic zeal in battle,
but their light is like that of a meteor that flashes across the heavens
and then goes out.
Let God’s workmen who have the interests of His cause at heart do
something for the colored people in the Southern field. Let not God’s
stewards be content merely to touch this field with the tips of their
fingers. Let those at the heart of the work plan in earnest for this field.
Many have talked about it, but what are they doing as the stewards of
God’s means? Why do they feel at liberty to bind up God’s capital of
means in Battle Creek? Why do they do the very things that they have
been warned not to do? The matter is becoming serious, for warnings
and entreaties have been given in vain. The arms of power in Battle
Creek are being extended more and more widely, seeking to control
the work far and near, and to crush that which they cannot control. I
lift my voice in protest. The spirit that now controls is not the Spirit of
the Lord.
[151]
The Lord has blessed Battle Creek again and again by pouring out
His Spirit upon the church and the workers, but how few have cherished
the influence of the Spirit. How few have expended their money as
God has directed. Means has been expended in educating those who
knew the truth, while fields that are wholly unenlightened have been