Danger in Adopting Worldly
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will see the sword coming, and realize the danger in which the people
of God are placed.
“You will need to make straight paths for your feet, lest the lame
be turned out of the way. We are surrounded by the lame and halting
in the faith, and you are to help them, not by halting yourselves, but by
standing, like men who have been tried and proven, in principle firm
as a rock. I know that a work must be done for the people, or many
will not be prepared to receive the light of the angel sent down from
heaven to lighten the whole earth with His glory. Do not think that
you will be found as vessels unto honor in the time of the latter rain, to
receive the glory of God, if you are lifting up your souls unto vanity,
speaking perverse things, in secret cherishing roots of bitterness. The
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frown of God will certainly be upon every soul who cherishes these
roots of dissension, and possesses a spirit so unlike the Spirit of Christ.
“As the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, I seemed to be present
in one of your councils. One of your number rose; his manner was
very decided and earnest as he held up a paper before you. I could
read plainly the heading of the paper; it was the American Sentinel.
Criticisms were then passed upon the paper and the character of the
articles therein published. Those in council pointed to certain passages,
declaring that this must be cut out, and that must be changed. Strong
words were uttered in criticism of the methods of the paper, and a
strong unchristlike spirit prevailed. Voices were decided and defiant.
“My guide gave me words of warning and reproof to speak to
those who took part in this proceeding, who were not slow to utter
their accusations and condemnation. In substance this was the reproof
given: The Lord has not presided at this council, and there is a spirit
of strife among the counselors. The minds and hearts of these men
are not under the controlling influence of the Spirit of God. Let the
adversaries of our faith be the ones to suggest and develop such plans
as you are now discussing. From the world’s point of view some of
these plans are not objectionable; but they are not to be adopted by
those who have had the light of heaven. The light which God has
given should be respected, not only for our own safety, but also for
the safety of the church of God. The steps now being taken by the
few cannot be followed by the remnant people of God. Your course
cannot be sustained by the Lord. It is made evident by your course
of action that you have laid your plans without the aid of Him who is