Chapter 14—The Testimonies for the Church
As the end draws near and the work of giving the last warning to
the world extends, it becomes more important for those who accept
present truth to have a clear understanding of the nature and influence
of the Testimonies, which God in His providence has linked with the
work of the third angel’s message from its very rise.
In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and
apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His
Spirit. There was never a time when God instructed His people more
earnestly than He instructs them now concerning His will and the
course that He would have them pursue.
Warnings and reproofs are not given to the erring among Seventh-
day Adventists because their lives are more blameworthy than are the
lives of professed Christians of the nominal churches...but because
they have great light, and have by their profession taken their position
as God’s special, chosen people, having the law of God written in their
hearts.
The messages given me for different individuals I often wrote out
for them, in many cases doing this at their urgent request. As my work
extended, this became an important and taxing part of my labors.
In a view given me about twenty years ago [1871], “I was then
directed to bring out general principles, in speaking and in writing,
and at the same time specify the dangers, errors, and sins of some
individuals, that all might be warned, reproved, and counseled. I saw
that all should search their own hearts and lives closely to see if they
had not made the same mistakes for which others were corrected and
if the warnings given for others did not apply to their own cases. If so,
they should feel that the counsel and reproofs were given especially for
them and should make as practical an application of them as though
they were especially addressed to themselves.
God designs to test the faith of all who claim to be followers of
Christ. He will test the sincerity of the prayers of all those who claim
118