self-sufficiency this is just the way I felt,” he said. “‘And knowest
not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and
naked.’ I now see that this is my condition. My eyes are opened. My
spirit has been hard and unjust. I thought myself righteous, but my
heart is broken, and I see my need of the precious counsel of the One
who has searched me through and through. Oh, how gracious and
compassionate and loving are the words, ‘I counsel thee to buy of
[105] Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment,
that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do
not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest
see.’” Revelation 3:17, 18.
102
What Might Have Been 103
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 [106]
over me as I 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
104 Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
said: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to
all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But
