because they did not receive instruction from God’s word and
did not become Christians at home. Instead of sympathizing with their
children in a perverse course, the parents should have reproved them and
sustained the faithful teacher. These parents were not united to Christ
themselves, and this is the reason of their terrible neglect of duty. That
which they have sown they will also reap. They are sure of a harvest.
In the school Brother—–has not only been burdened by the wrong
course of the children, but by the injudicious management of the parents,
which produced and nurtured hatred of restraint. Overwork, unceasing
care, with no help at home, but rather a constant irritation, have caused
him at times to lose self-control and to act injudiciously. Some have taken
advantage of this, and faults of minor consequence have been made to
appear like grave sins.
The class of professed Sabbathkeepers who try to form a union
between Christ and Belial, who take hold of the truth with one hand and
of the world with the other, have surrounded their children and clouded
the church with an atmosphere entirely foreign to religion and the Spirit of
Christ. They dared not openly oppose the claims of truth. They dared not
take a bold stand and say they did not believe the testimonies; but, while
nominally believing both, they have obeyed neither. By their course of
action they have denied both. They desire the Lord to fulfill to them His
promises; but they refuse to comply with the conditions on which these
promises are based. They will not relinquish every rival for Christ. Under
the preaching of the word there is a partial suppression of worldliness, but
no radical change of the affections. Worldly desires, the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life ultimately gain the victory. This
class are all professed Christians. Their names are on the church books.
They live for a time a seemingly religious life and then yield their hearts,
too often finally, to the predominating influence of the world.
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Whatever may be Brother—–’s faults, your course is unjustifiable and
unchristian. You have gone back over his history for years and have
searched out everything that was unfavorable, every shadow of evil, and
have made him an offender for a word. You have brought all the powers
you could command to sustain yourselves in your course as accusers.
Remember, God will deal in the same manner with every one of you.
“With what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure
ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Those who have taken part
in this disgraceful proceeding will meet their work again. What influence
do you think your course will have upon the students, who have ever been
impatient of restraint? How will these things affect their character and
their life history?
What say the testimonies concerning these things? Even one wrong
trait of character, one sinful desire cherished, will eventually neutralize
all the power of the gospel. The prevalence of a sinful desire shows the
delusion of the soul. Every indulgence of that desire strengthens the soul’s
aversion to God. The pains of duty and the pleasures of sin are the cords
with which Satan binds men in his snares. Those who would rather die
than perform a wrong act are the only ones who will be found faithful.
A child may receive sound religious instruction; but if parents,
teachers, or guardians permit his character to be biased by a wrong habit,
that habit, if not overcome, will become a predominant power, and the
child is lost.
The testimony borne to you by the Spirit of God is: Parley not with the
enemy. Kill the thorns, or they will kill you. Break up the fallow ground
of the heart. Let the work go deep and thorough. Let the plowshare of
truth tear out the weeds and briers.
Said Christ to the angry, accusing Pharisees: “He that is without sin
among you, let him first cast a stone.” Were those
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sinless who were so ready to accuse and condemn Brother—–? Were
their characters and lives to be searched as closely and publicly as they
have searched Brother—–’s, some of them would appear far worse than
they have tried to represent him.
I dare not longer remain silent. I speak to you and to the church at
Battle Creek. You have made a great mistake. You have treated with
injustice one to whom you and your children owe a debt of gratitude which
you do not realize. You are responsible for the influence you have exerted
upon the college. Peace has come because the students have had their own
way. In another crisis they will be as determined and persevering as they
have been on this occasion; and, if they find as able an advocate as they
have found in Brother—–, they may again accomplish their purpose. God
has been speaking to teachers and students and church members, but you
have cast His words behind you. You have thought best to take your own
course, irrespective of consequences.
God has given us, as a people, warnings, reproofs, and cautions, on
the right hand and on the left, to lead us away from worldly customs and
worldly policy. He requires us to be peculiar in faith and in character,
to meet a standard far in advance of worldlings. Brother—–came among
you, unacquainted with the Lord’s dealings with us. Having newly come
to the faith, he had almost everything to learn. Yet you have unhesitatingly
coincided with his judgment. You have sanctioned in him a spirit and
course of action that have nought of Christ.
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You have encouraged in the students a spirit of criticism, which God’s
Spirit has sought to repress. You have led them to betray confidence.
There are not a few young persons among us who are indebted for most
valuable traits of character to the knowledge and principles received