Testimonies for the Church Volume 8
spirit. They have not yet learned in the school of Christ His meekness
and lowliness, and unless they change, they will yield to Satan’s
temptations. Year after year they carry sacred responsibilities, yet
prove themselves incapable of distinguishing between the sacred
and the common. How long shall such men continue to wield a
controlling influence? How long shall their word be permitted to
exalt or to cast down, to condemn or to lift up? How long shall they
[150] hold such power that no one dare make a change in their methods?
Build Up New Centers
People are encouraged to settle in Battle Creek, to give their
influence 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
Go Forth Into Many Places 147
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 neglected. Had ministers gone out as Christ has commissioned
them, had they used the gifts entrusted them to carry the light
to those in darkness, they would have obtained far more knowledge
of God and of Christ than they have obtained by seeking additional
education in our schools.
A Failure to Appreciate God-Given Responsibilities
Has not God given us a work to do? Has He not bidden us go
among opposing influences and convert men from error to truth?
Why have not those who have so frequently gathered in the large
assemblies in Battle Creek put into practice the truth that they have
heard? If they had imparted the light that they have received, what a
transformation of character would have been seen. For every grace
imparted, God would have given grace. They have not prized as they
should the work that has been done for them, or they would have
gone forth into the dark places of the earth, to shed abroad the light.
They would have given to the world the message of righteousness
by faith, and their own light would have grown clearer and clearer;
for God would have worked with them. Many have gone down into
the grave in error because those who know the truth have failed to
communicate the precious knowledge they have received. If the
light that has shone so freely in Battle Creek had been diffused many
would have been raised up to become laborers together with God.
Oh, that our brethren and sisters might value aright the truth!
Oh, that they might become sanctified by it! Oh, that they might
realize that upon them rests the responsibility of communicating [152]
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
this truth to others! But they do not feel the importance of living
the truth, of being doers of the words of Christ. Many are selfsufficient.
They are not filled with the missionary spirit that should
animate the disciples of Christ. If they knew what it means to have
148 Testimonies for the Church Volume