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Testimonies to Southern Africa
mind, for even the thoughts are to be brought into captivity to Jesus
Christ. Only think of the work to be done. God takes fallen man, a
worm of the dust, and transforms him, fitting him to be a member of
the heavenly family, a companion through eternal ages, of the angels
and of Jesus Christ. He who submits to this process will see God’s
face, and hold communion with Him.
All the rounds of ceremony can never fit the human family for
membership in the family of heaven. We must submit to the moulding,
fashioning hand of God. The lethargy of Satan is as a funeral pall upon
the people. Insensibility has first to be met, and dealt with. The torpor
of death must be penetrated. People are dead in trespasses and sins,
and they need awakening by the power of God. We must preach Christ
and His love to fallen man, in that he took human nature, and suffered
the ill-treatment of men professing godliness. His life was a life of
constant self-sacrifice. He was hated, despised, and crucified upon the
cross. It was the Commander of heaven that thus suffered. But “God
so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” If God
gave His Son to atone for sin, sin must be a tremendous evil, grievous
in the sight of God, and ruinous to man.
We who preach the truth to others must have the love of Jesus
burning in our own souls. Our lips must be touched with a live coal
from off the altar. Then they will be cleansed, naught but sanctified
words that will melt and subdue the soul will pass from them.—
Letter
102, 1897
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