《评论与通讯》
THE REVIEW AND HERALD
1864年1月19日
与M.赫尔长老的通信
[我们提供下述信函，一是因为它们在教育和兴趣方面的价值，二是因为它们表明的事实是怀夫人曾关切忠实地为赫尔长老操劳一年多。给他的第一封信写于1862年11月6日，第二封信写于1863年6月。——编者。] {RH January 19, 1864, par. 1}
“1862年11月5日，我蒙指示看到赫尔弟兄的状况。他处在一种令人担忧的状况中。他缺乏献身和至关重要的虔诚，听从了撒但的建议。他依赖自己的力量而非耶和华强壮的膀臂，而部分离开了那有力的膀臂。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 2}
“我蒙指示看到赫尔弟兄所处情形的最惊人特征乃是他丝毫不知自己的危险。他一点儿也不惊慌，反倒觉得全然平安稳妥，而撒但和他的使者正在因征服了他而欢喜雀跃。当赫尔弟兄坚持斗争时，他的思想是受控制的，情绪是有抵触的。而今他停止了斗争，抵触也止息了。他的心安定了，撒但让他有了安宁。我蒙指示看到他的处境是多么危险啊!他的情形几近无望，因为他不做任何努力去抗拒撒但，使自己脱离他可怕的网罗。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 3}
“赫尔弟兄一直受到了忠心地对待。他一直觉得太受限制了，使他不能照自己的本性而行。可是，当真理的能力本其全力影响他时，他是比较安全的;但他的心意冲破了真理的势力和能力，就放任无羁了，本性的倾向既带了头，就没有止境了。他已厌倦了斗争，一度想往能更加自由地任意而行，并因弟兄们的责备而感到受了伤害。他被呈现在我面前就像是站在一个可怕的深渊边缘，就要跳下去似的。要是他跳了，那就会成为他的结局;他永恒的命运就会决定了。他正在行的事和做的决定是关乎永恒的。上帝的工作并不依赖于赫尔弟兄。他若离开那些举着以马内利大君血染旌旗之人的队伍，加入举着黑旗之人的队伍，就会造成他自己的损失，他自己永远的毁灭。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 4}
“我蒙指示，凡故意怀疑上帝圣言的灵感和真理的人，尽可找到许多疑惑之处。上帝不勉强任何人相信。他们可自择是否要信靠上帝本其美意所赐的确据，或因怀疑而灭亡。赫尔弟兄啊，或生或死取决于你。我已看见一群恶天使围绕着你，而你在他们中间完全自由自在。撒但一直在向你讲一个悦耳的故事，一条比因冲突的心境而不断争战更容易走的路;但你若选择那条路，最终就会发现必须付上重大而可怕的代价。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 5}
“我看到你自觉强壮，觉得自己有不能辩驳的论据，而且你向来没有依赖主的力量。你太过经常地冲到撒但的阵地去对付反对者。你没有等待，直到自己知道上帝的真理或圣工需要一场讨论的时候，而是贸然从事与反对者的争战，一点不考虑自己原应断定真理或上帝的圣工不会因此受益。宝贵的光阴就这样花费掉了。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 6}
“撒但目睹了赫尔弟兄在巴特尔克里克给予招魂术的沉重打击。他大大损害了招魂术的事业。招魂术的人了解他的品格，确信做出坚决的努力打倒他定能奏效。在与招魂术的人讨论时，你不仅仅在对付人和人的论据，而是在对付撒但和他的使者。决不要派一个人与招魂术士孤军奋战。若是上帝的圣工真的需要我们对抗由一个灵媒代表的撒但及其军兵，如果适足以需要进行这样的一场讨论，就应有几个人一起前去，用祈祷和信心驱退黑暗之军，而且讲话的人要由大能的天使护卫。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 7}
“赫尔弟兄，我蒙指示看到你处在一种魔力的安抚之下。这种魔力若不破除，就会是致命的。你已与撒但谈判，与他理论，并徘徊于禁地，把心思花在你无法承受的事上，藉着沉湎于怀疑和不信吸引恶天使在你周围，把上帝纯洁圣善的天使赶走了。你若坚定地抵抗撒但的建议，以坚决的努力从上帝寻得力量，原会打破每一羁绊，驱退你属灵的仇敌，更加亲近上帝，并奉祂的名夸胜。我看到你自己在被不信的疑云包围迷惑时去对付一位招魂术士乃是冒昧自是。你没有穿军装就去与撒但和他的军队作战，并且受了严重的损伤而不自知。我非常担心西奈山的雷轰闪电不会震醒你。你正躺在撒但的安乐椅上，看不到自己的可怕状况，也不做逃脱的努力。你若不起来脱离魔鬼的网罗，就必灭亡。弟兄姐妹们愿意救你，但我看到他们救不了你。你有事要做;你要做出拼死的努力，否则就必沦丧。我看到那些处在招魂术的迷人影响下的人是不自知的。你已被迷住被催眠了，可是你并不知道，所以你一点儿不作努力来就亮光。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 8}
“我看到我们现在正处在摇动的时期。撒但正全力作工要把生灵从基督的手里夺出来，使他们践踏上帝的儿子。一位天使缓慢而强调地重述这些话：‘何况人践踏上帝的儿子，将那使他成圣之约的血当作平常，又亵慢施恩的圣灵，你们想，他要受的刑罚该怎样加重呢’(来10:29)?品格正在发展。上帝的天使正在衡量道德价值。上帝正在试验及验证祂的子民。天使把这些话呈现在我面前：‘弟兄们，你们要谨慎，免得你们中间或有人存着不信的恶心，把永生上帝离弃了。总要趁着还有今日，天天彼此相劝，免得你们中间有人被罪迷惑，心里就刚硬了。我们若将起初确实的信心坚持到底，就在基督里有分了’(来3:12-14)。上帝不喜悦祂的任何一个子民既知道祂恩典的权能还谈论自己的疑惑，藉此使自己成为撒但的渠道，将他的暗示传入他人心中。一粒不信的恶种是不容易根除的。撒但每时每刻都在滋养它，使它茁壮成长。所撒的一粒善种需要滋养，浇灌，温柔地看顾;因为投在其上的每一有毒害的影响都会阻碍它的成长，使它死亡。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 9}
“撒但的努力现今比以前更有力了，因为他知道自己行骗的时候不多了。赫尔弟兄啊，我看到你藉着暴露自己的弱点并将自己的疑惑告诉那些作撒但代理的人而大大伤害了自己。你被花言巧语欺骗了，极其粗心大意地把自己暴露给撒但的攻击。你怎能如此伤害自己并使上帝的道蒙羞受辱呢?你鲁莽地冲到了撒但的阵地上，难怪你的心意如此麻木无情。撒但已藉着他的代理毒害了你呼吸的空气;恶天使已把对你采取的方针透露给了撒但在地上的代理。而这是一个蒙上帝呼召站在活人死人中间的人;这是一个驻守在锡安城墙上的守望者，要告诉人们夜间的时辰。一项重大的责任落在你身上。你若堕落，不会独自堕落;因为撒但利用你作他的代理，引人灭亡。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 10}
“我看到上帝的天使忧愁地看着你。他们已离开了你身旁，悲哀地走开了，撒但和他的使者正咧嘴而笑，对你表示幸灾乐祸。你若与自己的疑惑作战，不鼓励魔鬼来试探你，不畅谈你的不信，也不喜爱仔细研究你的不信，原不会吸引这么多堕落的天使到你周围。但你选择谈论自己的黑暗;你选择仔细研究之;而你越谈论越细究你的黑暗，就越发变得黑暗。你在把自己关在每一线天光之外;在你和唯一能帮助你的那些人之间有了一道鸿沟。你若在自己的路上继续前行，就必面临痛苦与悲哀。上帝的手会以不合适你的方式逮住你。祂的忿怒必不打盹。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 11}
“但现在祂邀请你，现在祂正呼召你毫不迟延地转向祂，祂必仁慈地赦免并医治你一切的背道。上帝正在带出一班特殊的子民。祂必洁净他们，祂必净化他们，使他们适于变化升天。凡属肉体的事都必与上帝特殊的宝贵子民分离，直到他们像金子被炼净七次。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 12}
“我看到瓦格纳弟兄和弗里斯比弟兄所处的悲惨处境，他们要为撒但的目的服务，让自己的心意照撒但所愿的被带入不信的暗渠。他们最大的罪乃是畅谈这些黑暗的疑惑，这黑如午夜的不信，并把别人的心思带入同样黑暗的渠道。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 13}
“上帝的子民要被筛选，就像谷粒在筛子里筛选一样，直到所有的糠秕都与纯净的谷粒分离。我们要仰望基督为榜样，效法那谦卑的模范。你不愿甘心接受所需的训练，也不运用并实行那些真要承受救恩之人所必需的舍己。那些从事救灵之工的人乃是与基督同工的。祂的工作乃是无私的仁爱，不断地自我牺牲的工作。基督已为他们作出了如此大的牺牲，使他们可以享有祂属天的恩典，他们也该舍己牺牲以帮助这大工，使别人认识真理。自我的利益必须被放在一旁;自私的愿望和一己的安舒而今不应挡在上帝救灵之工的路上。上帝的传道人乃是在替基督劳苦作工;他们是祂的使者。他们不是要研究自己的安逸、舒适、快乐、愿望或便利。他们必须为基督受苦，与祂同钉十字架，并因能在各种意义上与基督同受苦难而欢喜快乐。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 14}
“我看到在劳苦传道教导人的传道人面前有一项大工;一个重大的责任落在他们身上。他们在工作中没有接近人心到充分的程度。他们的工作太泛泛，太分散了。他们的工作必须集中于他们正在为之操劳的那些人。当他们在讲台上讲道时，他们的工作只不过刚刚开始。他们必须活出自己所讲的，始终自守，以便不给上帝的圣工带来羞辱。他们应该体现基督的生活。林前3:9：‘因为我们是与上帝同工的。’林后6:1：‘我们与上帝同工的，也劝你们不可徒受祂的恩典。’传道人在离开讲台时，他的工作并没有完成。他那时不该丢掉担子，专心阅读或写作，除非这确实是必需的。他应该藉着私下的努力跟进自己公开的传道工作，只要有机会出现就为人作个人之工，与人在炉边谈话，替基督劝人与上帝和好。我们在此世的工作不久就要结束了，‘将来各人要照自己的工夫得自己的赏赐’(林前3:8)。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 15}
“我蒙指示看到圣徒的奖赏，不朽的基业。然后我蒙指示看到上帝的选民为真理的缘故经受了多少苦难，而他们会以为天国是够便宜了。他们看今世所受的苦难若与将要显给他们的荣耀相比就算不得什么了。上帝的子民在这些末后的日子要受考验。但他们最后的考验不久就会来到，然后他们就要领受永生的恩赐了。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 16}
“赫尔弟兄啊，你已为真理的缘故受辱。你已觉悟真理和无穷生命的权能。你有上帝的灵与你的心同证你是属于祂并且蒙祂悦纳的。我看到你若是重新束上军装，站在你的岗位上，抵抗魔鬼并且英勇地打主的仗，你就会成为得胜者，不久就会脱下军装，戴上得胜者的冠冕。那基业岂不够丰盛吗?它岂不值得付出了昂贵的代价，就是上帝儿子的血和极大的痛苦吗?我奉主的名号召你醒来。挣脱撒但投在你身上的可怕欺骗。持定永生。抗拒魔鬼。恶天使们在你周围，向你耳语，用虚谎的梦与你叙谈，而你听从了他们并且感到愉快。为基督的缘故，为你自己灵命的缘故，在你使上帝的灵担忧到完全离开你之前，挣脱这可怕的影响吧。”{RH January 19, 1864, par. 17}
怀爱伦
“巴特尔克里克，1862年11月6日”
赫尔弟兄：
“1863年6月6日安息日，我蒙指示看到关于上帝的工作和传播真理的事。传道人和平信徒的信心太小了，太少献身和真敬虔了。人们效法传道人，因而传道人在他们身上的影响极大。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 18}
“赫尔弟兄啊，上帝想要你更加亲近祂，到你可以持住祂能力的地步，用活泼的信心支取祂的救恩，成为一个强壮的人。你若是在讲台内外都是一个献身敬虔的人，你的讲道就会有强大的影响力。你没有严密地省察己心。你研究了许多作品，要使你的讲道全面、有才、令人高兴;但你却忽略了最重大最必要的研究，就是对于你自己的研究。彻底地认识你自己，默想并祈祷，已被你大大忽视，成了次要的事。作为一个传道人，你的成功依赖于保守你自己的心。你若每天花一个小时在默想上，并为你的过失和内心的败坏悲哀，恳求上帝饶恕的爱和赦罪的保证，就会得到更多的力量，过于你花许多时日在研究最有才华的作家，熟悉反对我们信仰的每一理由，及支持我们信仰的最有力的证据上所得到的。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 19}
“我们的传道人成就如此之少的原因，乃是他们没有与上帝同行。祂与他们多数人有一日路程的距离。你越严格地省察己心，就会越发警醒自守，免得因自己的言语或行为使真理蒙羞，使诽谤者的舌头有机会跟踪你和真理，因你疏于自省，疏于研究己心和至关重要的敬虔而使生灵沦丧。基督传道人的圣洁举止应该对虚荣空洞的挂名信徒成为一种责备。真理与圣洁的光束若从你严肃属天的言谈中照耀出来，就会使他人信服，引他们归向真理，你周围的那些人就会被迫说，上帝确实与这人同在。正是因为自称为基督传道人的人又粗心又松懈，才使他们的影响力很微小。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 20}
“自称信主的人很多，但祈祷的人很少。我们的传道人若是有更多私下祈祷的人，是将自己所讲的实行在自己家中的人，是以尊严和庄重治理自己的家的人，他们的亮光就会确实照亮周围的人。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 21}
“赫尔弟兄啊，我蒙指示看到你若愿意把自己献给上帝，坚持与祂交通，多多默想，看守自己的过失，因这些过失而以最深的谦卑在上帝面前哀伤悲痛，依赖祂得力量，你就会处在最有利的努力中;因为你是在就饮于活泉，然后就能使别人也就饮于那使你得力的活泉。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 22}
“亲爱的弟兄啊，除非在你的基督徒品格上有一番改变，你就必丧失永生;因为我们忙碌的仇敌会为你的脚铺设网罗，你若不亲近上帝，就必陷入那网罗中。你感到不安宁不自在，研究就成了你的要素;但你有时在这个问题上失败了。在你应该研究自己的心时，你却在研读书本。当你应该凭信心就近基督时，你却在研究书卷。我看到你一切的研究都将无益，除非你忠实地研究你自己。你不熟悉你自己，你的心也很少默想上帝。你是自信的，一路走来并不知道你若成为基督的一名成功的传道人，自我就必须死去。你在讲台之外缺乏自守和庄重。这些事抵消了你在讲台的上工作。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 23}
“自从你的情况在异象中被呈现在我面前以来，我一直看到你里面的缺乏。你的心智没有得到提高。你站在讲台上，以一种能干的方式处理最神圣、庄严、高尚的真理;但是当处理最严肃的主题时，你常常带进某种好笑的事引人发笑，而这常常破坏你全篇讲道的说服力。你轻易地处理严肃的真理，却没有实行真理，而那就是你缺乏上天认可的原因。许多被你取悦了耳朵的人会谈论你讲得漂亮，是能干的传道人，但他们并不比在听你讲道前更多感到顺从真理的必要性。他们继续像从前一样违背上帝的律法。取悦他们的是传道人，而非传道人所说出的真理。你与上帝保持着那么远的距离，以致祂的能力没有使真理深入人心。你应该在家中实行信仰，它原会对你的家庭、你的妻子有提拔振奋的影响。你在家里时就丢掉了约束，行事像一个男孩一样;真理的影响和工作的担子没有留在你身上。你没有谨言慎行注意自己的榜样。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 24}
“你唯一的保障在于研究你自己，你的软弱和过失。不要停止自守。在家里的时候要更严密地看守你自己。远离家人的时候也要看守你自己。你疏忽了自己最近的本分，脱下军装，屈服于鲁莽的精神，把天使从你家中赶走了。不要疏于在家中省察己心。不要把你所有的情意都给予家人，而要把你内心最好的爱情献给耶稣，因祂用自己的血救赎了你。当你在家时，始终要为主的事作好离家的准备。你若这样行，就会时刻穿着军装。你心灵最高的愿望就会是要荣耀上帝，在地上遵行祂的旨意，你也必有甜美的信心并倚赖祂。你就不会感到如此不安，而会有不断默想、献身和圣洁的主题。我蒙指示看到林前9:27：“我是攻克己身，叫身服我，恐怕我传福音给别人，自己反被弃绝了。”你有一项工作要做，要了解你自己。不要被不智而愚昧的弟兄们可能对你的努力作出的评论所吹捧。若是他们赞美你的讲道，不要因此得意。上帝的赐福若是伴随着你的工作，就会看到果效。你的讲道不仅仅要令人喜悦，而且要收聚生灵。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 25}
“赫尔弟兄啊，你必须得到全面防卫。我看到无论何种离情分心，或使心中减少了对上帝至高的爱的事，或阻止人无限地信任全然地倚赖祂的事，都具有偶像的形式和特征。我蒙指示看到第一重要的诫命：“你要尽心、尽性、尽意爱主你的上帝”(太22:37)。在我们的爱情与上帝之间，不容有任何的分隔。什么都不可分割我们对祂至高的爱或我们在祂里面的喜乐。你的意愿、心愿、计划、欲望和乐趣，都必须被征服。你有东西要学，要在你心中、你的言谈中，你一切的行为中高举主上帝;然后当你把网撒在船的右边，要把满网的鱼拉上岸时，耶稣才能教导你，帮助你。但在撒网时，若无基督帮助，你就会辛苦数周、数月、数年而见不到多少作工的果效。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 26}
“我看到你会受试探觉得弟兄们想要估量你，想要加给你太多的限制。但弟兄们只是想要你按照上帝圣言的指示生活，上帝也想把你带到那个地步，天使们也以最深切的关怀注意着你。你必须使自己的生活与上帝的道一致，好使你可以蒙祂赐福并予以力量，否则你必倒在路旁，你虽传道给别人，你自己却会被弃绝。但你可以成为一位得胜者，也可以赢得永生。你正在使自己脱离撒但的网罗。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 27}
“但他正在为你预备别的网罗。你若恳切地寻求上帝，祂必帮助你，加给你力量。要研究你自己。试验每一动机;不要让才华横溢的讲道成为你的目标以展现摩西·赫尔，而要寻求展现基督。要向你的听众简单地讲明真理，使小孩子也能领会。要使你的讲道清楚明白、率直而严肃。要使人们做出决定。使他们感到真理的生命力。若有人说一句奉承你的话，要严厉地斥责之。告诉他们撒但已用那种话烦扰你一段时间了，他们不必帮助魔鬼的工作。{RH January 19, 1864, par. 28}
“当你在姐妹们中间时，要矜持缄默。不管她们是不是会以为你缺乏礼貌。若是已婚或未婚的姐妹向你表示任何亲密，就要拒绝她们。要生硬而坚决，使她们到底明白你毫不支持这种软弱。当在青年人面前时，始终要庄重严肃。我看到若是拉夫伯勒弟兄和你自己使上帝成为你们的力量，你们就会为祂可怜的子民成就一项工作，因为二人就可成为一支军队。要彼此接近，一同祈祷并各自祈祷，彼此坦诚相待。赫尔弟兄应该信任拉夫伯勒弟兄的判断，并且听从他的劝勉和忠告。”{RH January 19, 1864, par. 29}
“巴特尔克里克，1863年6月”
怀爱伦
January 19, 1864
Communications to Elder M. Hull
[We give the following letters, first, because of their value in instruction and interest; and second, because they shed light upon the fact that Eld. Hull has been a subject of affectionate and faithful labor for more than a year. The first communication was addressed to him November 6, 1862; the second in June, 1863,—Ed.]?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 1}
“November 5, 1862, I was shown the condition of Bro. Hull. He was in an alarming state. His lack of consecration and vital piety, left him subject to Satan’s suggestions. He has relied upon his own strength, instead of the strong arm of the Lord, and that mighty arm has been partially removed.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 2}
“I was shown that the most alarming feature in the case of Bro. Hull is, he is asleep to his danger. He feels no alarm, feels perfectly secure, and at rest, while Satan and his angels are exulting over their conquest. Just as long as Bro. Hull maintained a conflict, his mind was reined up, and there was a collision of spirits. He has now ceased the conflict, and the collision ceases. His mind is at rest, and Satan lets him have peace. Oh, how dangerous was the position in which he was shown me! His case is nearly hopeless, because he makes no effort to resist Satan, and extricate himself from his dreadful snare.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 3}
“Bro. Hull has been dealt with faithfully. He has felt himself too much restrained. He could not act out his nature; and yet, while the power of the truth, with all its force influenced him, he was comparatively safe. But break the force and power of truth upon the mind, and there is no restraint, no bounds. The natural propensities take the lead, and there is no end, no stopping-place. He has become tired of the conflict, and has for some length of time wished he could more freely act himself, and has felt hurt at the reproofs of his brethren. He was presented to me as standing upon an awful gulf, ready to leap. If he takes a leap, it will be final. His eternal destiny will be fixed. He is doing work, and making decisions for eternity. The work of God is not dependent upon Bro. Hull. If he leaves the ranks of those who bear the blood-stained banner of Prince Immanuel, and joins the company who bear the black banner, it will be his own loss, his own eternal destruction.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 4}
“I saw that those who wish, can have plenty of room to doubt the inspiration and truths of God’s word. God compels none to believe. They can choose to rely upon the evidences he has been pleased to give, or doubt and perish. It is life or death with you, Bro. Hull. Already I saw a cloud of evil angels surrounding you, and you at perfect ease among them. Satan has been telling you a pleasing story about an easier way than to be in constant warfare with conflicting spirits; but choose that way, and in the end you will find that you will have a heavy and fearful toll to pay.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 5}
“I saw that you have felt strong in yourself, that you had arguments which could not be gainsayed, and you have not relied upon the strength of the Lord. You have too often rushed upon Satan’s ground to meet an opponent. You have not waited until you knew that the truth, or cause of God demanded a discussion; but you have engaged with opponents where with a little forethought you would have decided that the truth could not be advanced, or the cause of God benefited. Precious time has thus been spent.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 6}
“Satan has looked on and witnessed the heavy blow Bro. Hull has dealt to Spiritualism in Battle Creek. Spiritualists have understood his organization, and felt assured it would not be in vain to make a determined effort to overthrow him who injured their cause so much. In discussing with Spiritualists you have not merely to meet the man and his arguments, but Satan and his angels. And never should merely one man be sent forth alone to engage with a Spiritualist. If the cause of God really demands that Satan and his host be confronted through a spiritual medium, if enough is at stake to call for such a discussion, then one should never go forth alone, but several together, that with prayer and faith the host of darkness may be driven back, and the speaker shielded by angels that excel in strength.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 7}
“Bro. Hull, you was shown me under the soothing influence of a fascination which will prove fatal, unless the spell is broken. You have parleyed with Satan, and reasoned with him, and tarried upon forbidden ground, and have exercised your mind in things which were too great for you, and by indulging in doubts and unbelief, have attracted evil angels around you, and driven from you the holy and pure angels of God. If you had steadfastly resisted Satan’s suggestions, and had sought strength from God with a determined effort, you would have broken every fetter, and driven back your spiritual foe, and come closer and nearer to God, and triumphed in his name. I saw that it was presumption in you to go forth to meet a Spiritualist when you were enshrouded in clouds of unbelief, and bewildered. You went to battle with Satan and his host without an armor, and have been grievously wounded, and are insensible to your wound. I fear, greatly fear, that the thunders and lightnings of Sinai would fail to move you. You are in Satan’s easy chair, and do not see your fearful condition and make any effort. If you do not arouse, and recover yourself from the snare of the Devil, you must perish. The brethren and sisters would save you, but I saw that they could not. You have something to do. You have a desperate effort to make, or you are lost. I saw that those who were under the bewitching influence of Spiritualism, know it not. You have been charmed, and mesmerized, and yet know it not, and do not make the least effort to come to the light.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 8}
“I saw that we are now in the shaking time. Satan is working with all his power to wrest souls from the hand of Christ, and cause them to trample under foot the Son of God. An angel repeated slowly and emphatically these words: ‘Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the spirit of grace?’ Character is being developed. Angels of God are weighing moral worth. God is testing and proving his people. These words were presented to me by the angel: ‘Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the?beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.’ God is displeased that any of his people who have known the power of his grace, should talk their doubts, and by thus doing make themselves a channel for Satan to transmit his suggestions to other minds. A seed of unbelief and evil sown, is not readily rooted up. Satan nourishes it every hour, and it grows strong and flourishes. A good seed sown, needs to be nourished, watered, and tenderly cared for; because every poisonous influence is thrown about it to hinder its growth, and cause it to die.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 9}
“Satan’s efforts are more powerful now than ever before; for he knows that his time to deceive is short. Bro. Hull, I saw that you had injured yourself greatly by exposing your weakness, and telling your doubts to those who are Satan’s agents. By soft words and fair speeches you have been deceived, and exposed yourself in a most reckless manner to the attacks of Satan. How could you do so? How could you wound yourself, and reproach God’s word in the manner you have? You have recklessly rushed upon the Devil’s battle ground, and it is no marvel that your mind is so stupid and unfeeling. Already has Satan through his agents poisoned the atmosphere you breathe; already have evil angels telegraphed to his agents upon earth in regard to the course to be pursued toward you. And this is one whom God has called to stand between the living and the dead; this is one of the watchmen upon the walls of Zion to tell the people the time of night. A heavy responsibility rests upon you. If you go down, you will not go alone; for Satan will employ you as his agent to lead souls to death.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 10}
“I saw that angels of God were looking sorrowfully toward you. They had left your side, and were turning mournfully away, while Satan and his angels were grinning in exultation over you. If you had battled with your doubts yourself, and not encouraged the Devil to tempt you, by talking out your unbelief, and loving to dwell upon it, you would not have attracted the fallen angels about you in such numbers. But you chose to talk your darkness; you chose to dwell upon it; and the more you talk and dwell upon it, the darker and darker you grow. You are shutting out every ray of Heaven’s light from you; and a great gulf is coming between you and those only that can help you. If you proceed in the way you have started, misery and woe are before you. God’s hand will arrest you in a manner that will not suit you. His wrath will not slumber.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 11}
“But now he invites you. Now, just now, he calls upon you without delay to return unto him, and he will graciously pardon, and heal all your backslidings. God is leading out a people who are peculiar. He will purify them, he will cleanse them, and fit them for translation. Every carnal thing will be separated from God’s peculiar treasure, until they stand out, each one like gold seven times purified.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 12}
“I saw that it was a cruel position for Brn. Waggoner and Frisbie to be in, serving the purposes of Satan by suffering their minds to run just as he would lead them in the channel of unbelief. Their greatest sin was in talking out these dark doubts and midnight unbelief, and drawing other minds into the dark channel their own minds were in.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 13}
“God’s people will be sifted even as corn is sifted in a sieve, until all the chaff is separated from the pure kernels of grain. We are to look to Christ for an example, and imitate the humble pattern. You do not feel reconciled to the discipline you need, and do not exercise and practice that self-denial which Christ requires of those who are truly heirs of salvation. Those who are engaged in the work of saving souls, are co-workers with Christ. His was a work of disinterested benevolence; of constant, self-sacrifice. Those who have had so great a sacrifice made for them, that they might be made partakers of his heavenly grace, should in their turn sacrifice and deny self, to aid in the great work of bringing others to the knowledge of the truth. Self-interest should be laid aside. Selfish desires and self-comfort should not now stand in the way of God’s work in saving souls. God’s ministers are laboring in Christ’s stead. They are his ambassadors. They are not to study their ease, comfort, pleasure, desires, or convenience. They must suffer for Christ, be crucified with him, and rejoice that they can in every sense of the word, know the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 14}
“I saw that ministers who labored in word and doctrine have a great work before them, and a heavy responsibility rests upon them. I saw that when they labor they do not come close enough to hearts. Their work is too general, and often too scattered. Their labor must be concentrated to the very ones they are laboring for. When they are preaching in the desk, their work is only commenced. They must then live out their preaching, ever guard themselves, that they bring not a reproach upon the cause of God. They should illustrate by example the life of Christ.?1 Corinthians 3:9. ‘For we are laborers together with God.’?2 Corinthians 6:1. ‘We then as workers together with him beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.’ The minister’s work is not done when he leaves the desk. He should not then throw off the burden and occupy his mind with reading or writing, unless it is actually necessary; but should follow up his public labors by private efforts—laboring personally for souls whenever an opportunity presents—conversing around the fireside, beseeching and entreating souls in Christ’s stead to be reconciled to God. Our work here is soon to close, ‘and every man will receive his own reward according to his own labor.’?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 15}
“I was shown the saints’ reward, the immortal inheritance. Then I was shown how much God’s people had endured for the truth’s sake, and that they would count Heaven cheap enough. They reckoned that the sufferings of this present time were not worthy to be compared with the glory which should be revealed in them. And the people of God in these last days will be tried. Soon their last trial will come, and then they receive the gift of eternal life.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 16}
“You, Bro. Hull, have suffered reproach for the truth’s sake. You have felt the power of the truth, and of an endless life. You have had God’s Spirit witness with yours that you was owned and accepted of him. I saw if you resist the Devil and gird on your armor anew, and stand at your post, and fight manfully the battles of the Lord, you will be victorious, and you will soon lay off your armor and wear a victorious crown. Oh, is not the inheritance rich enough? Did it not cost a dear price, the agony and blood of the Son of God? I call upon you in the name of the Lord to awake. Rush from the awful deception Satan has thrown over you. Lay hold on everlasting life. Resist the Devil. Evil angels are around you, whispering in your ears, visiting you with lying dreams, and you listen to them and are pleased. Oh, for the sake of Christ, for your own soul’s sake, tear away from this dreadful influence before you grieve God’s Spirit entirely from you.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 17}
E. G. W.
“Battle Creek,”“November 6, 1862.”
Bro. Hull, “Sabbath, June 6, 1863, I was shown in regard to the work of God, and the spread of the truth. Preachers and people have too little faith, too little devotion and true godliness. The people imitate the preacher, and the preacher has a very great influence upon the people.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 18}
“Bro. Hull, God wants you to come nearer to him, where you can take hold of his strength, and by living faith claim his salvation, and be a strong man. If you were a devotional, godly man in the pulpit and out, a mighty influence would attend your preaching. You do not closely search your own heart. You have studied many works to make your discourses thorough, able, and pleasing. But the greatest and most necessary study you have neglected—the study of yourself. A thorough knowledge of yourself, meditation and prayer, have been neglected by you too much. They have come in as secondary things. Your success as a minister depends upon your keeping your own heart. You will receive more strength by spending one hour each day in meditation, and mourning over your failings and heart-corruptions, and pleading for God’s pardoning love, and the assurance of sins forgiven, than you would by spending many hours and days in studying the most able authors, and making yourself acquainted with every objection to our faith, and the most powerful evidences in favor of our faith.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 19}
“Why our preachers do so little is because they do not walk with God. God is a day’s journey from most of them. The closer you watch your own heart, the more watchful and guarded you will be, lest by your words or acts you dishonor the truth, and give occasion for the tongue of slander to follow you and the truth, and souls be lost through your neglect of self-examination, of heart-study, and of vital godliness. The deportment of the minister of Christ should be holy, and a rebuke to vain, frothy professors. The beams of truth and holiness shining from your serious, heavenly conversation, will convict and lead others to the truth, and will compel those around you to say, God is with these men, of a truth. It is the carelessness and looseness of professed ministers of Christ that give them so little influence.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 20}
“There are many professors, but few praying men. If our preachers were men who prayed more in secret, who carried their preaching into practice in their families, who ruled their houses with dignity and gravity, their light would indeed shine to others around them.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 21}
“Bro. Hull, I have been shown if you would dedicate yourself to God, hold communion with him, meditate much, watch your failings, mourn and lament before the Lord in the deepest humility on account of them, relying upon him for strength, you would be in the most profitable business in which you ever were engaged; for you would be as though drinking at a living fountain, and then giving others to drink from that same fountain which revives and strengthens you.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 22}
“Dear brother, unless there is a change in your Christian character, you will fail of everlasting life; for our busy foe will lay his snares, and you not being nigh to God, will fall into the net he has prepared for you. You feel restless and uneasy, and study is your element; but you fail sometimes in the subject. When you should be studying yourself, your own heart, you are engaged in reading books. When you should by faith be drawing yourself to Christ, you are studying books; and I saw all your study will be of no use to you unless you study faithfully yourself. You are not acquainted with yourself. Your mind dwells but little upon God. Self-confident, you pass along without knowing that self must die if you would be a successful minister of Christ. You lack sobriety and gravity out of the pulpit. These things counteract your pulpit labor.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 23}
“Ever since your case was first presented to me in vision, I have seen a lack in you. Your mind was not elevated. You would stand in the desk, and handle the most holy, sacred, elevating truths in an able manner, but when treating upon the most solemn subjects, you often mix in something comical, to create a smile, which has often destroyed the force of your whole discourse. You handle solemn truths with ease, but do not live them. You do not carry them out, and that is the reason the heavenly endorsement is lacking. Many whose ears?you have pleased, will talk of the smart discourse, the able preacher, but are no more impressed with the necessity of obeying the truth, than before they listened to it. They go on just the same, transgressing God’s law as before. It was the minister that pleased them, not the truths that he uttered. You remain at such a distance from God that his power does not set home the truth. You must live religion in your family, which will have an influence to elevate your family, to elevate your wife. When at home you throw off restraint and act like a boy, and the weight of the truth, and the burden of the work, do not rest upon you. You are not choice of your words, or of your example.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 24}
“Your only safety is in studying yourself, your weakness and failings. Do not cease to guard yourself. Watch yourself at home more closely. Watch yourself when away from home. You neglect your closet duties, and lay off your armor, give up to a spirit of recklessness that drives angels from your family, and from you. Do not neglect to search your own heart at home. Lavish not all your affections upon your family. Preserve your heart’s best affections to devote to Jesus, who has redeemed you by his blood. When at home, be fitting up all the time for your Master’s business when you shall be away from home. If you do this, you will have the armor on every moment. Your soul’s highest desire will be to glorify God, to do his will upon earth, and you will have sweet confidence and trust in him. You will not feel so restless, but will have a constant theme for meditation, devotion, and holiness. I was referred to?1 Corinthians 9:27, ‘But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection; lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.’ Here is a work for you, to understand yourself, and not be flattered with any remarks which unwise and foolish brethren may make of your efforts. They may praise your preaching, but let it not elate you. If God’s blessing attends your labors, fruits will be seen. Your preaching will not merely please, but will gather in souls.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 25}
“Bro. Hull, you must be guarded on every side. I saw that whatever divides the affections, or takes away from the heart the supreme love of God, or prevents unlimited confidence and entire trust in him, assumes the character, and takes the form, of an idol in our hearts. I was pointed to the first great commandment: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.’ There is no separation allowed here in our affections from God. Nothing is here allowed to divide our supreme love or delight in him. Your will, wishes, plans, desires, and pleasures, must all be in subjection. You have something to learn, to exalt the Lord God in your heart, in your conversation, in all your acts; and then Jesus can teach you, and help you, as you cast your net on the right side of the ship, to bring it to shore full of fishes. Without the help of Christ in casting your net, you may toil weeks, months, and years, without seeing much fruit of your labor.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 26}
“I saw that you would be tempted that your brethren want to gauge you. You will feel that they put too much restraint upon you. Your brethren only want to gauge you to live according to God’s word, to carry out the instructions there given, and God wishes to bring you there, and angels are watching you with the deepest solicitude, knowing that you must come there and conform your life to the word of God, that you may be blessed and strengthened of God, or you will fall out by the way. While you preach to others, you yourself will be a castaway. You may be an overcomer, you may win eternal life. You are recovering yourself from the snare of the Devil.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 27}
“But other snares the enemy is preparing for you. God will help and strengthen you, if you seek him earnestly. But study yourself. Try every motive. Let not your aim be in your discourses to preach smart, to exhibit Moses Hull; but let it be to exhibit Christ. Simplify the truth to your hearers, that small minds may comprehend it. Make your discourses plain, pointed, and solemn. Bring the people to a decision. Make them feel the vital force of truth. If any speak one word of flattery to you, rebuke them sharply. Tell them Satan has troubled you with that for some time, and they need not help the Devil in his work.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 28}
“When among the sisters, be reserved. No matter if they think you lack courtesy. If a married or unmarried sister shows any familiarity, repulse them. Be abrupt and decided, that they may ever understand that you give no countenance to such weakness. When before the young, and at all times, be?grave, be?solemn. I saw that if Bro. Loughborough and yourself make God your strength, a work will be accomplished by you for his poor people, for two can be a host. Come close to each other, pray together and separately, be free with each other. Bro. Hull should confide in Bro. Loughborough’s judgment, and listen to his counsel and advice.?{RH January 19, 1864, par. 29}
“Battle Creek,”“June, 1863.”
E. G. W.
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