给巴特尔克里克教会的证言
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1868年6月12日我在你们中间时，蒙指示看见你们不是上帝想要的样子。教会的不信和属世的兴旺产生了令人悲伤的影响。上帝计划教会的光应当越照越明，直到日午。{PH097 1.1}
给上帝子民的宝贵应许是以顺从为条件的。你们若像迦勒和约书亚，全心跟从了耶和华，祂原会在你们中间彰显祂的能力。因着你们的影响力，罪人原会回转，退后的人原可挽回;即便是敌对我们信仰的人，虽然反对和毁谤真理，也不得不承认上帝与你们同在。{PH097 1.2}
许多自称是上帝特选子民的人随从了世界，以致他们的独特性质模糊不清，难以将“侍奉上帝的和不侍奉上帝的”区别出来。上帝的子民若出离世俗并与世界有别，上帝就会为他们行大事。他们若愿顺从祂的带领，祂就必使他们在全地成为可赞美的。那为诚信真实见证的说：“我知道你的行为”(启3:15)。那些为将要承受救恩之人效力的天使熟悉世上每一个人的状况，了解他们每一个人所具有的信心的大小。自称是上帝子民之人心中存有的不信、骄傲、贪婪和爱世界的心，已使无罪的天使忧伤。当他们看到许多自称跟从基督之人心中存着严重的罪和僭越自恃的罪，并且上帝因他们表里不一、弯曲悖逆的行为而受羞辱时，就禁不住哭泣。可是那些犯错最多，给教会带来最大软弱，并使他们神圣的信仰表白染上污点的人，却似乎不受警告，或觉不出自己有罪，反倒感觉自己正在主里面兴盛繁荣。{PH097 1.3}
许多人相信自己站在正确的根基上，相信自己拥有真理。他们因真理的清晰而喜乐，因证明我们立场的正确性的论据有力而自夸。这等人把自己算在上帝特选的子民之内，却没有经历上帝的同在和能力，拯救他们脱离愚昧，使他们不屈服于试探。这些人自称认识上帝，却在行为上否认祂。他们的黑暗是何等的大啊!他们和许多别人一样，因爱世界的心和钱财的迷惑，把道挤住了，不能结实。{PH097 2.1}
我蒙指示看到巴特尔克里克教会已经沾染了世俗的精神，变得不冷不热到了惊人的地步。当作出努力，整顿教内事务，使会众达到上帝原要他们所处的位置时，就有一班人会受到影响，且会付出最恳切的努力突破黑暗、进入光明。但许多人的努力坚持得不够长久，也就无法实现真理对他们的内心和生活的圣化影响。世俗的思虑吸引了全部心意，以致自我反省和私下的祷告就被忽略了。战士摘盔卸甲，撒但也就可以自由侵入，使他们的感官麻木，觉察不到他的诡计。{PH097 2.2}
有些人没有表现出要了解自己的真实状况和逃脱撒但网罗的渴望。他们多病垂死。他们偶尔也会因别人的火热受到感动，但很快又因拘泥形式、骄傲自大和世界的影响而冰冷，以至于意识不到自己需要帮助了。{PH097 3.1}
我蒙指示看到那些在工作的领导地位身居负责岗位的人应当感到身上有很大的负担。他们有一种为善或为恶的影响。他们不可能占据中立地位。如果他们的影响不是显然增加灵性，就具有减少灵性的性质。{PH097 3.2}
我蒙指示看见奥尔德里奇弟兄和沃克弟兄的情况。他们身居使他们有影响力的负责职位，可是这些弟兄却不活在上帝圣颜的光中。他们在灵性和基督徒的美德上是有欠缺的。他们看到如今危险的时局以及充斥在我们周围的腐败影响时，就应每天感到有一种庄严的责任感压在自己心头。他们与上帝的性情有分的唯一希望就是逃避世上的败坏。这些弟兄需要在上帝的事上有一种深切彻底的经验，而这只有通过他们自己的努力方能获得。他们所处的地位要求他们具有诚挚不懈的殷勤，好使他们不在自己的岗位上沉睡。撒但和他使者是不睡觉的;而当奥尔德里奇弟兄和沃克弟兄沉睡时，这些对手就获得了特别的优势，这是永远无法完全恢复的。撒但改变了自己，使自己看起来像一个朋友，并与他们并肩工作了相当长的时间，他们才知道那是他。因为仇敌被一个更了解他工作方式的人认出来了，他们才终于意识到痛苦的事实。{PH097 3.3}
这是上帝想要的吗?不是!祂要这些人为仇敌在他们的悟性如此盲目以致不知道那是仇敌的时候所行的一切恶事负责。一直有警告赐给这些弟兄，要他们保持警惕，免得敌人进来行事，对上帝的子民不利，在这些弟兄忽视这些警告的时候，上帝的事业和工作天天都受到危害。亲爱的弟兄们，你们二人都需要重新归正。{PH097 4.1}
奥尔德里奇弟兄，你显然是个世俗的商人。跟从基督之人的生活在地上是一场战争，他们的日常业务就是要警醒祷告，免得入了迷惑。上帝使你与祂的工作联合，旨在让你在光明中行，如同祂在光明中。撒但不断地注意那些与上帝的事业和工作特别相关的人。他知道，要是他能对这种人获得最小的优势，他就会取得决定性的胜利。你非常喜爱受到赞许。你对赞许的爱是伟大的。你喜爱出版社，喜爱晋升，喜爱从事大型企业，这使你有相当可观的表现。你喜欢被认为是一个商人，一个经理;你没有保持谦卑，而是超越了工作的简朴。需要用心作工。上帝旨在让你成为属灵的工人。你应该渴望拥有真正的敬虔，成为善行的榜样。你在很多方面都失败了。你回避责备错误并设法纠正这些错误且使之正确的负担。一些人已经得到的印象是，你是一个感情如此细腻、机体如此敏感的人，这样做对你来说会非常痛苦。他们没有正确地估计你，反而称赞你在你所缺乏的那些品质上出类拔萃。如果你真的拥有这些品格特征，你就会对那些需要你同情的人表现出兴趣。你的感情就会被征召到寡妇、孤儿和无父亲的人身上。你的心就会被拉向这个方向。你就会不需要别人呼吁你同情这等人;因为没有人能阻止你以他们的事为你自己的事。{PH097 4.2}
奥尔德里奇弟兄，你里面若不发生一场改革，你就不适合现在所居的位置。你不遵守基督所定的诫命：“你要尽心、尽性、尽力、尽意爱主你的上帝，”又“要爱人如己。这两条诫命是律法和先知一切道理的总纲”(路10:27;太22:39,40)。你显然没有遵守这些明确的命令。对这些事你别无选择，不能愿意去做才做，方便顺从才顺从。命令是积极的：你要去做;人的全部本分都包含在执行这些积极的命令里了。你很骄傲，在很大程度上是自私的。这使你无法履行你的职责。一个在上帝的工作和事业中居于你的地位的人，应该摆脱一切自私的痕迹，并且应该效法那位无误的模范，祂一生致力于向别人行善，为别人的好处而牺牲自己的安逸、快乐和方便。祂纯洁、献身、无私的生活，是赐给我们要我们去效法的榜样。你若拥有人们认为你有的那种细腻的感情，它原会在这方面发挥作用。你是在寻求为自己谋利益，追求利己。你在哪里表现出你对邻舍的爱，就是你所拥有的对自己的爱呢?你看不到自己。你有一项工作要做，但你做不了，直到你的心意有了变化，直到你身心的能力都顺服上帝，成圣归于祂。你有一种固执、顽强的意志，必须被恩典折服。耶和华看人不像人看人。祂的意念和道路并非盲目自私的凡人所认为的或所希望的那样。耶和华是看内心。主拣选了你在祂的圣工中充任一个指定的位置。祂旨在让你的道路向前向上，让你在恩典和真理的知识上长进。亮光已经照在你身上和你周围;但你却没有行在光明中。上帝的天使用他们纯真的眼睛注视着你。他们跟着你。他们记下你属灵的进步和你的不足。他们记下了你在什么情况下在你和那个出版社的业务上利己，同时却没有看到你公正地对待那些需要帮助的人。上帝记下了你对每一个与那个出版社有关的人每一个偏离严格公正的行为。仅仅在别人的眼里和意见里表现得很好是不够的。我们的行动，我们的作为，都要受主的鉴察，祂眼目太清洁，不看任何罪孽，也不看任何偏离正路的行为。基督是榜样，是标准。如果你不能效法基督，你的影响就会导致其他人也这样做。{PH097 5.1}
上帝要求你结出果子来荣耀祂，从世人中间出来，与他们分别。你的银子如果被埋起来，你的果子如果不完全，你就无法达到上帝的标准。不要把敬虔的外貌误认为是敬虔的精神和能力。{PH097 7.1}
我蒙指示看到你来巴特尔克里克的时候。你打算履行你的职责，但却没有明确的职责概念。当你开始你的工作时，你感到一种真诚的愿望，要成为一个忠实的人，但是当你的心反对健康改良和服装改良时，你是在反对上帝已指示符合祂旨意的事。你被蒙蔽了。你在这件事上没有看出任何神圣性，就采取了与你的地位不相称的做法。你反对改变饮食，反对改良服装;你嘲笑它们，轻视它们。因为是J·M·奥尔德里奇冒险这么做的，其他人就效仿你的做法，过早地在服装改革问题上起了争端。你固执顽梗的意志不愿屈服于你良心的信念。你的骄傲会受伤。你的影响在错误的一边。我希望你能像我蒙指示看到的那样看清这事。{PH097 7.2}
奥尔德里奇弟兄，你奋起反对亮光，导致别人轻视上天所认可的事。饮食和衣着问题是一个很重要的问题。要是你曾站在上帝的旨意里，原不会被撇下，去反对上帝已指明符合祂旨意的事。你的职位给了你本来不会有的影响力。有些人断定你在这样一个负责任的位置上，不会冒险反对来自上帝的事物。他们认为在这件事上一定有错误，太重视饮食和衣着问题了。如果上帝曾召你充任那个职位，他们岂不是就该信任你的判断吗?这样，你就直接挡在路上，使我的工作非常吃力。上帝藉着祂的仆人们行事，要把祂的百姓带到一个地步，使他们放弃骄傲，以谦卑的精神表明他们与世界的时尚分别，你倒在另一方面行事，要使他们与世界保持联合。对你来说，人们的言论比任何其它考虑都更有分量。上帝设法使祂的百姓在这些问题上联合起来，你的影响却要使他们离题，处于分裂的状态;结果是属灵上的极大软弱。许多人拒绝了所赐的亮光，一些人承认它，但没有道德勇气通过行在光中来表示服从。你轻慢了那光，以为那是愚昧。在你的家里，在出版社里，在年轻人面前，这是你拿来取笑的话题，也是你嘲笑的话题，上帝圣颜的光从你身上挪走，你和他人就被撇下去走自己选择的道路了。于是黑暗随之而来，然而同时一些在黑暗中的人却认为他们的光从未如此清晰过。我们只是隐约地感觉到巴特尔克里克存在的困难的长度和广度——我们的偏见、嫉妒、邪恶的猜测、对异象的漠视;撒但已被邀请进入教会，并对人们的头脑有强大的控制力。他欣喜若狂，因为看到人们走进他的网里了。{PH097 8.1}
我蒙指示看见一些人的奇妙感想、热心、真诚、热情。一些人认为他们从上帝那里得到的特别的光，来自另一个源头。在这件事上还没有做洁净的工作;凡没有完全出来，谦卑地承认自己的诡诈和错误的，都要暴露在撒但的欺骗性能力之下。上帝必藉着将他们带回同样的境地来试验他们。所有的假冒伪劣垃圾都应该被董事会永远清除。教会在这件事上的经验是健全的或不健全的，要么来自主，要么来自魔鬼。基督与撒但并不合伙作工。所有那些忙碌的谈话，那说怀弟兄和怀姐妹前后矛盾的重磅新闻，传遍了整个教会，并且已经完成了它的工作。一个灵魂死在了魔鬼的这个迷惑之下。她对我们充满了仇恨的精神，就在这种状态下死去了。她灵魂的血沾在教会身上。还有好些人的宽容时期不会大大延长，但他们还没有准备好。他们在锡安很自在，没有努力进窄门。和许多人一样，他们只是在寻求，而不是在努力。要是他们能看到自己的人生记录，他们就会尽最大的努力去发现自己的错误，以便藉谦卑地认罪除掉他们品格上的污点。一点面酵能使全团都发起来。许多在这事上有份的、被撒但如此欺骗的人，都必需下一番彻底的内心工夫。我看到，那些觉得自己毕竟没有那么离谱的人，还得从痛苦的经历中学到他们以前不愿记在心上的东西。一些天生善良、认真、可怜的人所具有的这种无情、冷酷、邪恶的精神，足以唤醒他们所有的理智，意识到他们有了另一个灵。{PH097 9.1}
我蒙指示看见上帝的灵并没有导致对保健院的那种热心。有一种热心，但不是按着真知识。一种夸胜的精神抓住了那些本应谦卑寻求主的人。他们变得极为自负，行在自己所点的火把中。事情的新秩序已经到来了。异象不再可靠了。责备者已经沉默了。现在一切都平安了，平安了。事情进展得很顺利。资金涌进来了，征收者的热心得到了颂扬。重要的责任落在了不适合承担这些责任的人身上。在短时间内，就是在拉夫伯勒弟兄被赋予了权力而且显然兴旺的时期内，他变得高高在上，看不到工作的简朴了，并在很大的程度上在他出名的地方终结了他的效用和影响力。{PH097 10.1}
奥尔德里奇弟兄信赖他自己的智慧和判断。他看不见工作的简朴，也看不到工作的崇高圣洁性质。他像一棵青翠的月桂树伸展自己，但上帝却使他的枝条枯干，并使他的计划付诸东流。上帝使奥尔德里奇弟兄的智慧成为愚拙。他既不节俭，又不谨慎。他的管理增加了保健院的拮据，而没有减轻它。要是奥尔德里奇弟兄愿意拥有一颗谦卑的心，准备承认自己的过失，忏悔自己的错误，他就能看到更清晰的亮光了。如果他不这么做，黑暗就会包围他，他就会被撇下，去随从他自己不完全的判断。没有任何错误是微不足道，不值得注意或评论的，无论是在奥尔德里奇弟兄、盖奇弟兄、阿马登弟兄、还是在任何一个工作人员身上发现的。最小的入口也不应该让仇敌进来，因为一旦他进入堡垒，他的欺骗和伤害的工作就开始了。{PH097 11.1}
不幸的是，像奥尔德里奇弟兄和沃克弟兄这样与工作密切相关的人，竟有这样的性情。他们有一种属灵上懒惰的倾向,一种从事世俗商业的爱好。他们不能以正确的方式互相帮助。他们的兴趣并不是通过他们在一起的交往而保持唤醒的，也不是通过彼此的热心和对工作的奉献而得到加强的。出版社上空集结着一片薄雾和乌云。事情不像上帝想要的那样。没有对工作的献身。自我和利己主义太突出了。在管理所有与出版社有关的事务上，没有运用那种应该运用的成圣的判断力。对工人没有很好的辨识力。有些人得到的工资太过优厚，而另一些人同样忠诚，虽然他们更贫困，但工资却少得多。{PH097 11.2}
有些人有一种自私的精神，只为工资而工作。除了工资以外，他们对工作没有什么特别的兴趣，也没有什么奉献精神。这些人受到青睐，而那些具有较高道德价值、较健康和较节俭的人却只得到一小笔钱。C.史密斯弟兄和姐妹愚蠢地纵容他们的孩子，努力满足他们的每一个欲望，并消除他们所有不满的原因。在一定程度上这样做是对的，但是史密斯弟兄和姐妹把他们的喜爱带到了极端，伤害了他们的孩子。史密斯弟兄恳求奥尔德里奇弟兄给她的女儿们提高工资是不对的。她们已经得到了她们的工作所配得的一切。奥尔德里奇弟兄在这方面受影响是不对的。这只会伤害她们。同时，一些人正在从事繁重得多的工作，并在与困难作斗争，他们理应增加工资。但这些人却没有得到考虑。奥尔德里奇弟兄和阿马登弟兄有责任熟悉所有与那个出版社有关之人的情况。有些人的情况可能需要作出有利于他们的决定。在那个出版社里谁也不该像该隐一样说：“我岂是看守我兄弟的吗”(创4:9)?你是看守你兄弟的;如果地球上有一个地方高于另一个地方，在那里应该作出正义、平等、同情和爱的榜样，那就是在出版社里了。{PH097 12.1}
那些在出版社里发挥重要作用之人的工资应该是这样的，他们节俭地使用资金，就不必拮据。他们的工资应足以使他们在各种慈善事业中树立正确的榜样，使他们能够自由地、愉快地招待那些访问巴特尔克里克的弟兄们，并消除从事世俗商业和投机的必要性。{PH097 13.1}
我看到了如果奥尔德里奇弟兄和沃克弟兄继续担任他们的职务，他们就应该把全部的兴趣和精力都投入到出版社的工作上。他们中的一个就能在出版社做他们两个现在连同他们的其它事项做着的工作。如果一个人全身心地投入到工作中，而不是像现在这样两个人都把他们的兴趣和时间分散开来，工作就会做得更好。上帝会让那些在出版社工作的人得到很好的供养。但这些弟兄的兴趣和时间既这样分散开来，他们就没有挣到出版社给他们的全部工资。我蒙指示看到，那些弟兄并没有正当的权利要求协会优待他们，像待阿马登弟兄和史密斯弟兄一样，后者十五年来一直从事这工作，他们在工作之初只为最经济的食物和衣服辛苦了好几年。这些人在圣工上投入了时间、操劳和兴趣，只拿很少的工资。几年之内，他们的工资逐渐提高了。圣工是他们生命的一部分。把他们的兴趣和工作分开，就会像与生命分开。要是奥尔德里奇弟兄和沃克弟兄应该受优待，这些弟兄就应该受到更多的优待。{PH097 13.2}
凡与这工作有关的人都不应担任任何世俗的职务，除非这是我们人之间进行业务往来所必需的。我们工作的独特而神圣的性质把我们与世界分开。接受世俗职位把人引向世界，是令上帝不悦的。奥尔德里奇弟兄和沃克弟兄进行的世俗业务把许多人带进出版社，和他们商量生意上的事情，这消耗了他们的时间，分散了他们对工作的兴趣，并将世俗的、腐化的影响带进了出版社，使上帝天使们忧伤地离开了那个地方。我在看现场，就是出版社，特别是会计室时，那里更像是一个世俗事务的公共场所，没有那种为了鼓励圣天使的出现，为了正确地执行上帝的工作而必须的隐居和宁静。{PH097 14.1}
当谈到这一点，就是弟兄们不愿在这些事上约束自己时，要是他们的心思在某个别的业务上，他们就应该离开出版社，去从事他们的心思意念所在的职业，而让他们的位置由那些全身心投入工作的人来填补。这个地方需要全人投入，上帝必不接受那些在出版社却将自己的兴趣和努力分散在圣工和他们自己的投机和属世利益上之人的服务。时候已经完全到了，要么脱离这些事，要么离开出版社。{PH097 14.2}
对这工作必须有更大的献身和无私的兴趣，才能出版社保持在兴旺的状态，以便上帝的福气伴随着每一个人的操劳。主并不需要那些没有传道精神、对工作不投入、也没有特别兴趣之人的服务。祂已多次表明这一点，并且再次以更明确和积极的方式提出了这一点。上帝旨在让版社所有的工人都成为义的器具、工人和活石，发光照耀，好鼓励天使的同在。上帝要求他们成为真理和公义的精神可以藉以涌流的通渠。不应该有一种把一些人排除在外的混乱精神;有几个人互相依附，彼此交谈，一起散步，一起交往，忽视和轻视别人。我们在基督耶稣里都是一体的。但是在出版社工作的一些人大大沾染了世界的精神和影响，以致他们的行为与世人一样。他们与世人同喜同恶，辨别不出品格的优美。他们的行为并非受着基督教纯洁原则的管理，所以他们只想到自己，自己的享受和快乐，而不顾别人。他们没有因真理而成圣，因此也就认识不到全世界基督徒的合一。上帝最爱的那些人，是最少自信而且以温柔安静的心为装饰的人;他们的生活是纯洁无私的，他们的心因基督之灵的丰盛而倾向于顺从、公义、纯洁和真正的圣洁。{PH097 14.3}
如果那个出版社中所有的人都把自己献给上帝，宝贵的亮光就会从它发出，对凡与它接触之人产生直接的影响。但人人都有一番工作要为他们作成。有些人远离上帝，像水一样多变无常;我看到一些人从来没有自我牺牲的想法。当他们渴望什么特别的放纵或享乐，或什么衣服时，他们不会坐下来考虑自己可不可以不要这样东西，或否定自己的愿望和享乐，而向上帝作出乐意的奉献。有多少人考虑过上帝要求他们作出某种牺牲呢?你或许无法像财主一样奉献大笔金钱，但实际上真有代价的舍己才是宝贵的牺牲，是献给上帝的供物。这会成为一股馨香之气，从香坛升到上帝面前。{PH097 16.1}
青年无权任意处置自己的钱财而不顾上帝的要求。他们应当像大卫一样说：“不然，我必要按着价值向你买，我不肯用白得之物作燔祭，献给耶和华我的上帝”(撒下24:24)。有人花许多钱来绘制自己的画像。如果统计一下为此而付给画家的金钱，那就是一笔不菲的数目。这只是浪费钱财的方式之一。在这方面，投入的许多钱财单为自我满足，毫无益处。由于这样的开支，他们缺衣少食。孤儿寡妇得不到救济;饥饿的人得不到饱足;赤身的人得不到衣穿。你那吝啬的奉献几乎是不情愿地带给上帝的，同时，在自我满足上，你却挥霍无度。有多少挣来的工资流入上帝的府库，以帮助推进祂拯救灵魂的工作?他们每周奉献一点点，还觉得自己做了很多。但他们并没有意识到他们各人都是上帝的管家，掌管那一点儿，就像富人掌管他更大的财产一样。上帝被抢夺了，你们放纵自己，寻欢作乐，满足自己的口味，却没有想到上帝会仔细调查你们是如何使用你们主的货财的。当你毫不犹豫地满足你所想象的需要(实际上并不需要)，并向上帝保留你应该做的奉献时，他就必不接受你捐入库里的那点钱，就像祂没有接受亚拿尼亚和他妻子的奉献一样，他们打算在他们的供物上抢夺上帝之物。{PH097 16.2}
一般说来，巴特尔克里克的青年被世俗同化了。只有很少的人仍在继续与内部的仇敌争战。只有很少的人真诚急切地想要了解并遵行上帝的旨意。只有很少的人饥渴慕义。只有很少的人对上帝圣灵责备人、安慰人的工作有所了解。传道士在哪里呢?克己牺牲的人在哪里呢?背十字架的人在哪里呢?自我和私利已经吞噬了高尚、尊贵的原则。永恒的事物在人心中不再有特别的分量。上帝要求你们个别地达到完全降服的地步。“你们不能又侍奉上帝，又侍奉玛门。”你们不能又侍奉自我，同时仍作基督的仆人。你们必须向自我死去，向贪爱享乐死去，学会询问：我花钱要买的东西能令上帝喜悦吗?我能因此而荣耀祂吗?我们奉命，或吃或喝，无论做什么，都要为荣耀上帝而行。有多少人是凭良心根据原则行事而不是凭冲动行事，并切实遵行这命令呢?在巴特尔克里克，有多少青年门徒已经以上帝为他们的分和他们的靠山，切求明白和遵行祂的旨意呢?有许多人名义上是基督的仆人，但在顺从上却不是这样。凡受宗教原理管束之处，犯大错的危险就小;因为那总是使人盲目和受欺骗的自私之念，已贬居下位了。有益于他人的诚意占据优势之时，自我便被忘记了。拥有坚定的宗教原则，乃为无价之宝。这也是人类所能具有的最纯洁，最高尚，及最优越的感化力。这种人是有锚的。他们的每一行动都是经过缜密考虑的，以免其影响会危害别人，引人离开基督。他们心中所常存的问题是：主啊，我怎样才能向祢献上最好的服务，在地上荣耀祢的名呢?我要怎样在生活上为人，使祢的名在地上被人称赞，并引别人来爱祢，侍奉祢，及尊荣祢呢?愿我只想望选择祢的旨意，以我救赎主的言语及榜样作我心的亮光和力量。在我跟从及信靠祂之时，祂必不让我灭亡。祂要成为我喜乐的冠冕。{PH097 17.1}
PH097 - Testimony for the Church at Battle Creek
【Testimony for the Church at Battle Creek】
When in your midst, June 12, 1868, I was shown that you are not what God would have you to be. Sad effects have been growing out of the unbelief and worldly prosperity of the church. God designed that the light of the church should increase, and grow brighter and brighter, unto the perfect day.?{PH097 1.1}[1]
Precious promises are made to God’s people, upon condition of obedience. If, like Caleb and Joshua, you had wholly followed the Lord, he would have magnified his power in your midst. Sinners would have been converted, and backsliders reclaimed, by your influence; and even the enemies of our faith, although they might oppose and speak against the truth, could but admit that God was with you.?{PH097 1.2}[2]
Many of the professed, peculiar people of God are so conformed to the world that the peculiar character is not discerned, and it is difficult to distinguish “between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” God would do great things for his people if they would “come out from among them and be separate.” He would make them a praise in all the earth, if they would submit to be led by him. Says the True Witness, “I know thy works.” Angels of God, who minister unto those who shall be heirs of salvation, are acquainted with the condition of all, and understand just the?measure of faith possessed by each individual. The unbelief, pride, covetousness, and love of the world, which have existed in the hearts of God’s professed people, have grieved the sinless angels. The grievous and presumptuous sins, which exist in the hearts of many, have caused angels to weep, as they have seen that God has been dishonored because of the inconsistent, crooked course of professed followers of Christ. And yet those the most at fault, those who cause the greatest feebleness in the church, and bring upon their holy profession a stain, do not seem to be alarmed, or convicted, but seem to feel that they are flourishing in the Lord.?{PH097 1.3}[3]
Many believe themselves to be on the right foundation, that they have the truth, and rejoice in the clearness of truth, and boast of the powerful arguments in proof of the correctness of our position, and reckon themselves among the chosen, peculiar people of God, yet they experience not the presence and power of God to save them from yielding to temptation and folly. These profess to know God, yet in works deny him. How great is their darkness! The love of the world with many, the deceitfulness of riches with a few, has choked the word, and they have become unfruitful.?{PH097 2.1}[4]
I was shown that the church at Battle Creek have partaken of the spirit of the world, and become lukewarm to an alarming extent. When efforts are there made to set things in order, and bring the people up to the position God would have them occupy, a class will be affected by the labor, and will make earnest efforts to press through the darkness to the light. But many do not persevere in their efforts long enough to realize the?sanctifying influence of the truth upon their hearts and lives. The cares of the world engross the mind to that degree that self-examination and secret prayer are neglected. The armor is laid off, and Satan has free access to them, benumbing their sensibilities, and causing them to be unsuspicious of his wiles.{PH097 2.2}[5]
Some do not manifest a desire to know their true state, and escape from Satan’s snares. They are sickly, and dying. They are occasionally warmed by the fire of others, yet are so nearly chilled by formality, pride, and the influence of the world, that they have no sense of their need of help.?{PH097 3.1}[6]
I was shown that those who occupy responsible positions at the head of the work should feel that a great burden rests upon them. They have an influence which tells for good or evil. It is impossible for them to occupy a neutral position. If their influence is not decidedly such as to increase spirituality, it is of a character to decrease it.?{PH097 3.2}[7]
I was shown the cases of Brn. Aldrich and Walker. They occupy responsible positions which give them influence; and yet these brethren do not live in the light of God’s countenance. They are deficient in spirituality and the Christian graces. A weight of solemn responsibility should daily rest upon them as they view the perilous times in which we live, and the corrupting influences which are teeming around us. Their only hope of being partakers of the divine nature, is to escape the corruption that is in the world. These brethren lack a deep and thorough experience in the things of God. This experience cannot be obtained without effort on their part. Their?position requires them to possess earnestness and unabated diligence, so as not to be found sleeping at their post. Satan and his angels sleep not; and while Brn. A. and W. sleep, these adversaries gain special advantages, which can never be fully regained. Satan transforms himself so as to appear like a friend, and works side by side with them quite a length of time before they know that it is he. They are finally aroused to the painful fact by the enemy’s being recognized by one who better knows his manner of working.?{PH097 3.3}[8]
Is this as God would have it? Oh, no! He holds these men responsible for all the mischief the enemy wrought while their understanding was so blinded that they knew not that it was he. The cause and work of God are endangered every day while these brethren neglect the warnings which have been given them, to be on their guard lest the foe find entrance and work to the disadvantage of God’s people. Dear brethren, you both need a fresh conversion.?{PH097 4.1}[9]
Bro. Aldrich, you are decidedly a worldly, business man. The life of Christ’s followers is a warfare upon earth, and their daily business is to watch and pray always, lest they enter into temptation. God united you to his work, and designed that you should walk in the light as he is in the light. Satan is constantly watching those who are especially connected with the cause and work of God. He knows that he will gain a decided victory if he secures the least advantage over such. Your love of approbation is great. You love office, love promotion, love to be engaged in a large enterprise, which makes considerable show. You love to be considered a man of business, a?manager; and you have not maintained humility, but have got above the simplicity of the work. It is heart work that is needed. God designed you to become a spiritual worker. It should be your anxiety to possess true godliness, to be a pattern of good works. You fail in many respects. You shun the burden of reproving wrong and seeking to have these wrongs corrected and make right. Some have received the impression that you were a man of such fine feelings, possessing so sensitive an organism, that it would be exceedingly painful for you to do this. They do not rightly estimate you, but give you credit for excelling in those qualities in which you are deficient. Did you really possess these traits of character, you would manifest an interest for the very ones who need your sympathy. Your feelings would be enlisted for the widows, the orphans, and fatherless. Your heart would be drawn out in this direction. You would not need your sympathy called out in behalf of this class; for you could not be hindered from making their case your own.?{PH097 4.2}[10]
Bro. Aldrich, unless there is a reformation in you, you are not the man for the place you now occupy. You do not obey the commandments enforced by Christ, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind,” and “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” You decidedly fail in obeying these express commands. No choice is left you to do these things if you choose to; to obey if convenient for you to obey. The injunction is positive: Thou shalt do it; and the whole duty of man is?comprised in doing these positive commands. You possess pride, with a large share of selfishness. This shuts you away from doing your duty. A man that occupies your position in connection with the work and cause of God, should rid himself of every vestige of selfishness, and should imitate the unerring Pattern, whose life was devoted to doing others good, sacrificing his own ease, and pleasure, and convenience, for others good. His pure, devoted, unselfish life, is given us as a pattern for us to imitate. Did you possess that fineness of feeling which has been accredited to you, it would be exercised in this direction. You are seeking to benefit yourself, advantage yourself. Wherein do you manifest that love for your neighbors which you possess for yourself? You do not see yourself. You have a work to do, but cannot perform it until there is a transformation of the mind, until all the powers of your body and mind are brought into subjection to God, and sanctified to him. You have a set, stubborn will, that must be subdued by grace. The Lord seeth not as man seeth. His thoughts and ways are not what blind, selfish mortals believe they are, or wish them to be. The Lord looks on the heart. The Lord selected you to fill an appointed place in his cause. He designed that your course should be onward and upward, you growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Light has shone upon you and all around you; but you have not walked in it. Angels of God have their pure eyes bent upon you. They follow you. They mark your spiritual advancement, and your deficiencies. They have marked where in any instance you have favored yourself and yours in?your business with that Office, and at the same time have not seen that justice was done to others who were needy. God has marked every deviation from a strict, impartial dealing with every one connected with that Office. To appear all right in the sight and opinion of others is not enough. Our acts, our works, are to bear the inspection of Him whose eyes are too pure to behold any iniquity, any deviation from a correct course. Christ is the example, the standard. If you fail to imitate Christ, your influence leads others to do the same.?{PH097 5.1}[11]
God requires you to bear fruit to his glory, to come out from the world and be separate. If your talents are buried, if your fruit is not perfect, you fail to meet the measurement of God. Do not mistake the form of godliness for the spirit and power thereof.?{PH097 7.1}[12]
I was pointed to the time when you came to Battle Creek. You designed to do your duty, but had not clear conceptions of duty. You felt an earnest desire as you entered upon your work to be faithful, but when your heart arose against health and dress reforms you were opposing that which God had shown was according to his will. You were blinded. You failed to discern any sacredness in the matter, and took a course unbecoming your position. You opposed the change of diet, and the reform dress; you ridiculed and made light of them. Because it was J. M. Aldrich who ventured to do this, others followed your example, which brought an issue upon the subject of dress reform prematurely. Your set, stubborn will would not yield to the convictions of your conscience. Your pride would be wounded.?Your influence was on the wrong side. I wish you could see it just as it was shown me.?{PH097 7.2}[13]
Bro. Aldrich, your bracing up against light led others to lightly esteem that which Heaven sanctioned. The diet and dress question was a matter of importance. Had you stood in the counsel of God you would not have been left to oppose that which God had signified was in accordance with his will. Your position gave you influence which you would not otherwise have had. Some concluded that you were in so responsible a position you would not venture to oppose the things which came from God. They thought there must be some mistake in the matter, that too much importance was attached to the diet and dress question. If God had called you to fill that position should not they have confidence in your judgment? Thus you stood directly in the way, making my work very taxing. God was working through his servants to bring the people up to the point to yield their pride, and with the spirit of humility manifest their separation from the fashions of the world, and you were working on the other hand to keep them united with the world. The speech of people had greater weight with you than any other consideration. God was seeking to unite his people on these subjects, while your influence was to keep them from the point, in a state of disunion; and great spiritual weakness was the result. Many rejected the light given, some acknowledged it but had not moral courage to manifest obedience by walking in the light. You had trifled with that light, and esteemed it as foolishness. In your house, and in the Office, before the young, it was a subject for you to jest over,?and for you to ridicule, the light of God’s countenance was removed from you, and you, with others, were left to take the course of your own choosing. Then followed darkness, yet at the same time some of those in darkness thought their light was never clearer. We have had but a faint sense of the length and breadth of the difficulty existing in B. C.—the prejudice, the jealousy of us, the evil surmisings, the disregard of the visions; Satan had been invited into the church, and had a powerful hold of minds. He was exulting as he saw souls walking right into his net.?{PH097 8.1}[14]
I was shown the wonderful impressions, the zeal, the earnestness, the fervor, of some. The special light that some thought they received from God, was from another source. There has not been clean work made of this matter; and all who have failed to come out fully, and humbly acknowledge their deception and error, will be yet exposed to the deceptive power of Satan. God will prove them by bringing them over the ground again. All that counterfeit trash should be swept forever by the board. The experience of the church in this matter was sound or unsound, either from the Lord or the Devil. Christ and Satan do not work in copartnership. All that busy talking, that burden of news which was Bro. and Sr. Whites’ supposed inconsistencies, was spread all through the church, and has done its work. One soul died under this delusion of the Devil. She was imbued with the spirit of hatred against us, and died in this condition. The blood of her soul is upon the church. And the probation of a number more will not be greatly lengthened; yet they are not ready. They are at ease in Zion,?and are not agonizing that they may enter into the strait gate. Like many, they are seeking merely, but are not striving. Could they see their life-record, they would make most earnest efforts to discern their wrongs, in order, by humble confession to remove the stains from their characters. The little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. A thorough heart-work is necessary with many who acted their part in this work, who are so deceived by Satan. Those who felt that they were not so much out of the way after all, will yet, I saw, have to learn by bitter experience that which they were unwilling to take to heart before. Such an unfeeling, heartless, satanic spirit as was possessed by some who are naturally tender-hearted, conscientious, and pitiful, was enough to have aroused all their senses, that they had another spirit.?{PH097 9.1}[15]
I was shown that God’s Spirit did not lead to that enthusiasm in reference to the Health Institute. There was a zeal, but not according to knowledge. A triumphant spirit seized the men who should have been in humility seeking the Lord. They became self-sufficient, and walked in the light of the sparks of their own kindling. A new order of things had come. The visions were no longer reliable. The reprover had become silent. Now all was peace, peace. Things were moving prosperously. Means flowed in, and the zeal of the collectors was eulogized. Responsibilities of importance were laid upon men unfitted to bear them. In a short period of time, in which Bro. Loughborough was invested with authority, and apparently prospered, he became exalted, lost sight of the simplicity of the work, and to a great?extent finished his usefulness and influence where he was known.?{PH097 10.1}[16]
Bro. Aldrich trusted to his own wisdom and judgment. He lost sight of the simplicity of the work as well as its exalted, holy character. He spread himself like a green bay-tree, but God withered his branches, and brought to naught his plans. God made the wisdom of Bro. Aldrich foolishness. He has not managed with economy and prudence. His management has increased the embarrassment of the Institute without relieving it. If Bro. Aldrich would possess a humble heart, ready to admit his errors, and confess his wrongs, he could then see clearer light. If he does not do this, darkness will envelop him, and he will be left to his own imperfect judgment. No error is a trifle, unworthy of notice or comment, be it found to exist in Bro. Aldrich, Bro. Gage, Bro. Amadon, or any of the working hands. The smallest entrance should not be allowed to the foe; for when once he is in the fort, his work of deception and injury commences.?{PH097 11.1}[17]
It is unfortunate that men so closely connected with the work as Brn. Aldrich and Walker, should possess just the turn of mind they do. They have with them a tendency to spiritual sloth, and a love to engage in worldly commerce. They are not helps to one another in the right way. Their interest is not kept awake by their association together, and strengthened by mutual zeal and devotion to the work. A mist and cloud is gathering over the Office. Things are not as God would have them. There is not a consecration to the work. Self and self-interest are too prominent. There is not that sanctified judgment?exercised that should be in the management of all pertaining to the Office. There is not a nice discrimination with regard to the workers. Some have received too liberal wages, while others who have been just as faithful, have had less, though they have been more needy.?{PH097 11.2}[18]
Some have had a selfish spirit, and worked merely for wages. They had no special interest in, nor devotion to, the work, further than the wages were concerned. These have been favored, while some who possessed more moral worth, and whose influence was more healthful and saving, received but a small sum. Bro. and Sr. C. Smith have foolishly indulged their children, labored to gratify their every desire, and remove from them all cause of discontent. It is right that this should be done to a degree; but Bro. and Sr. Smith have carried their fondness to extremes, to the injury of their children. Bro. Smith was wrong in pleading with Bro. Aldrich to increase the wages of his daughters. They received all their labor was worth. Bro. Aldrich was wrong in being influenced in this direction. It only hurt them. Some, at the same time, were performing more taxing labor, and were struggling with difficulties, who deserved an increase of wages. But these were not thought of. Brn. Aldrich and Amadon have duties to perform in making themselves acquainted with the situation of all connected with that Office. The circumstances of some may be such as to warrant decisions made in their favor. Let none in that Office say, like Cain, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” You are your brother’s keeper; and if there is one place above another on earth, where examples of justice, equality,?compassion, and love, should be exercised, it is in the Office.?{PH097 12.1}[19]
The wages of those who act an important part in the Office should be such that in an economical use of means they need not be embarrassed. Their wages should be sufficient to enable them to set right examples in the different benevolent enterprises that arise, to entertain freely and cheerfully their share of those brethren who visit Battle Creek, and to remove the necessity of engaging in worldly commerce and speculations.?{PH097 13.1}[20]
I saw that if Brn. Aldrich and Walker continue occupying the post they do, they should devote their entire interest and energies to the work of the Office. One of them can do the work at the Office which both now do in connection with their other matters. And the work would be better done by one fully devoted to the work, than by both with their interest and time divided as it now is. God would have those who labor in the Office receive a good support. But these brethren, with their interest and time divided as it has been, have not earned all the wages they have received from the Office. I was shown that those brethren have not the just claims on the Association for favors, as Brn. Amadon and Smith, who have been connected with the work for fifteen years, and who, at its commencement, labored several years for only the most economical food and clothing. These have invested time, labor and interest, in the cause, with very small wages. Within a few years, their wages have been gradually raised. The cause is a part of their very being. It would be like parting with life, to separate their interest from the work. If Brn. Aldrich and Walker?should be favored, these should be favored much more.?{PH097 13.2}[21]
No one connected with the work should hold any worldly office, unless it be one necessary to the transaction of business among our people. The peculiar, holy character of our work is such as to separate us from the world. The acceptance of worldly offices leads to the world, which is displeasing to God. The worldly business carried on by Brn. Aldrich and Walker brings into the Office many to consult with them, and talk over business matters, which consumes their time, divides the interest in the work, and brings an influence into the Office which is worldly and corrupting, and which grieves the angels of God away from the place. As I viewed the scene, the Office, especially the counting room, it was more like a public place of worldly business, than that retirement and quiet necessary to encourage the presence of holy angels, and to properly conduct the work of God.?{PH097 14.1}[22]
When it comes to this, that the brethren will not restrain themselves in these things, if their minds are in some other business, they should be released from the Office, to engage in vocations where their minds and hearts are, and let their places be filled by those whose whole souls shall be devoted to the work. It requires the whole man for the place, and God will not accept the services of those at the Office who divide their interest and efforts between his work and their own speculations and worldly interests. The time has fully come for either a separation from these things, or a separation from the work of the Office.?{PH097 14.2}[23]
There must be greater devotion to the work,?and an unselfish interest in it, if the Office be kept in a prospering condition, so that the blessing of God may attend the labor of each. The Lord needs not the services of those who have not the missionary spirit, a devotion to, and a special interest in, the work. This he has shown frequently, and again it was presented in a more clear and positive manner. God designs that all the workers in that Office shall be instruments of righteousness,?workmen, living stones, that emit light, that they may encourage the presence of heavenly angels. They are required, as it were, to be channels through which the spirit of truth and righteousness shall flow. There should not be a spirit of messing together to the exclusion of some; a few attached to each other, conversing with one another, walking and associating together, and neglecting and slighting others. We are all one in Christ Jesus. Yet some who have labored in that Office have partaken so largely of the spirit and influence of the world, that they act like the world. They have their likes and dislikes, and discern not excellence of character. Their conduct is not governed by the pure principles of Christianity, therefore they think only of themselves, their pleasure, and enjoyment, to the disregard of others. They are not sanctified through the truth, therefore realize not the oneness of Christ’s followers the world over. Those who are most loved of God are those who possess the least self-confidence, and are adorned with a meek and quiet spirit; whose lives are pure and unselfish, and whose hearts are inclined, through the abundant measure of the spirit of Christ, to obedience, justice, purity and true holiness.?{PH097 14.3}[24]
If all were devoted to God in that Office, a precious light would shine forth from it, which would have a direct influence upon all who are brought in contact with it. But all need a work done for them. Some are far from God, variable, changeable, and unstable as water. Some, I saw, have no idea of sacrifice. When they desire any pleasure, or any article of dress, or any special indulgence, they do not sit down and consider whether they can do without the article, or deny themselves of the pleasure, and make a freewill offering to God. How many have considered that they were required to make some sacrifice? Although it may be of less value than that of the wealthy man in possession of his thousands, yet that which really costs self-denial would be a precious sacrifice, and an offering to God. It would be a sweet smelling savor, and come up from his altar like sweet incense.?{PH097 16.1}[25]
The youth are not authorized to do just as they please with their means, regardless of the requirements of God. With David, they should say, “Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing.” Quite an amount of means have been expended to multiply copies of their pictures. Could all enumerate the amount given to the artist for this purpose, it would swell to quite a large sum. This is merely one way in which means are squandered. In this direction much means are invested for self-gratification, from which no profit is received. They are not clothed nor fed by this outlay. The widow and the fatherless are not relieved, the hungry are not fed, the naked are not clothed. Your stinted offerings are brought to God almost?unwillingly, while, in self-gratification, means are spent lavishly. How much of the wages earned finds its way into the treasury of God to aid in the advancement of his work in saving souls? They give a mite each week, and feel that they do much. But they have no sense that they are each of them stewards of God over the little, as the wealthy over his larger possession. God has been robbed, and yourselves indulged, your pleasures consulted, your tastes gratified, without a thought that God would make close investigation of how you have used your Lord’s goods. While you unhesitatingly gratify your supposed wants (which are not wants in reality), and withhold from God the offering you ought to make, he will no more accept the little pittance you hand in to the treasury, than he accepted the offering of Ananias and his wife Sapphira, who purposed to rob God in their offerings.?{PH097 16.2}[26]
The youth in Battle Creek are, as a general thing, allied to the world. But few maintain a special warfare against the internal foe. But few have an earnest, anxious desire to know and do the will of God. But few hunger and thirst after righteousness. But few know anything of the Spirit of God as a reprover or comforter. Where are the missionaries? Where are the self-denying, self-sacrificing ones? Where are the cross-bearers? Self and self-interest have swallowed up high and noble principles. Things of eternal moment bear with no special weight upon the mind. God requires you individually to come up to the point, to make an entire surrender. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. Ye cannot serve self and at the same time be servants of?Christ. You must die to self, die to your love of pleasure, and learn to inquire, Will God be pleased with the objects for which I purpose to spend this means? Shall I glorify him? We are commanded, Whether we eat or drink, or whatsoever we do, to do all to the glory of God. How many have conscientiously moved from principle rather than from impulse, and obeyed this command to the letter? How many of the youthful disciples of Battle Creek have made God their trust and portion, and have earnestly sought to know and do his will? There are many who profess to be servants of Christ in name, but they are not so in obedience. Where religious principle governs, the danger of committing important errors is small; for selfishness, which always blinds and deceives, is subordinate. The sincere desire to do others good so predominates that self is forgotten. To have firm religious principles is an inestimable treasure. It is the purest, highest, and most elevated influence mortals can possess. Such have an anchor. Every act is well considered, lest its effect be injurious to another, and lead away from Christ. The constant inquiry of the mind is, Lord, how shall I best serve and glorify thy name in the earth? how shall I conduct my life to make thy name a praise in the earth, and lead others to love, serve, and honor thee? Let me only desire and choose thy will. Let the words and example of my Redeemer be the light and strength of my heart. While I follow and trust in him, he will not leave me to perish. He shall be my crown of rejoicing.?{PH097 17.1}[27]
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