- The Times of Volume Five
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- Chapter 3—Parental Training
- Chapter 4—Important Testimony
- Chapter 5—The Testimonies Slighted
- Chapter 6—Workers in our College
- Chapter 7—Jealousy and Faultfinding Condemned
- Chapter 8—The Day of the Lord at Hand
- Chapter 9—Unwise Marriages
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- Chapter 11—Laborers for God
- Chapter 12—Agents of Satan
- Chapter 13—Will a Man Rob God?
- Chapter 14—Power of the Truth
- Chapter 15—Our Camp Meetings
- Chapter 16—Brotherly Love
- Chapter 17—Diligence in Business
- Chapter 18—Moving to Battle Creek
- Chapter 19—Worldliness in the Church
- Chapter 20—Shall We Consult Spiritualist Physicians?
- Chapter 21—Looking Unto Jesus
- Chapter 22—Calls for Laborers
- Chapter 23—The Seal of God
- Chapter 24—An Appeal
- Chapter 25—Christian Unity
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- Chapter 29—Influence of Unbelief
- Chapter 30—Deceitfulness of Sin
- Chapter 31—Criticizing Ministers
- Chapter 32—Fidelity and Perseverance Needed
- Chapter 33—Sinfulness of Repining
- Chapter 34—“Praise Ye The Lord”
- Chapter 35—Parental Responsibility
- Chapter 36—The Training of Children
- Chapter 37—Christian Forbearance
- Chapter 38—Worldly Ambition
- Chapter 39—Love Among Brethren
- Chapter 40—Redeeming the Time
- Chapter 41—The Manufacture of Wine and Cider
- Chapter 42—Marriage with Unbelievers
- Chapter 43—The Support of City Missions
- Chapter 44—The True Missionary Spirit
- Chapter 45—Young Men as Missionaries
- Chapter 46—Importance of the Canvassing Work
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- Chapter 48—Business and Religion
- Chapter 49—Worldly-Mindedness a Snare
- Chapter 50—Responsibilities of the Physician
- Chapter 51—The Coming Crisis
- Chapter 52—The Church the Light of the World
- Chapter 53—Joshua and the Angel
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- Chapter 55—Behavior in the House of God
- Chapter 56—Religion and Scientific Education
- Chapter 57—The Education of Our Children
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- Chapter 59—Suitable Reading for Children
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- Chapter 61—Worldly-Mindedness
- Chapter 62—Practical Godliness
- Chapter 63—“Your Reasonable Service”
- Chapter 64—Worldly Influences
- Chapter 65—Needs of Our Institutions
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- Chapter 68—Christian Influence in the Home and the Church
- Chapter 69—An Impressive Dream
- Chapter 70—Daily Study of the Bible Necessary
- Chapter 71—Education of Workers
- Chapter 72—Unholy Ambition
- Chapter 73—“The Appearance of Evil”
- Chapter 74—Love for the Erring
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- Chapter 76—A Letter
- Chapter 77—God's Love for Sinners
- Chapter 78—Acceptable Confession
- Chapter 79—Erroneous Ideas of Confession
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- Chapter 82—Unfounded Reports
- Chapter 83—A Miracle Counterfeited
- Chapter 84—The Mysteries of the Bible a Proof of its Inspiration
- Chapter 85—The Impending Conflict
- Chapter 86—“The American Sentinel” and its Mission
- Chapter 87—Workers in the Cause
- Chapter 88—The Inestimable Gift
- Chapter 89—The Character of God Revealed in Christ
- Chapter 90—The Word Made Flesh
- Chapter 91—God's Care for His Work
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Wrong Use of the “Testimonies”
Some who believe the Testimonies have erred by urging them unduly upon others. In volume 1, number 8, is a testimony bearing upon this point. There were some in ----- who were God's children, and yet doubted the visions. Others had no opposition, yet dared not take a decided stand in regard to them. Some were skeptical, and they had sufficient cause to make them so. The false visions and fanatical exercises, and the wretched fruits following, had an influence upon the cause in ----- to make minds jealous of everything bearing the name of visions. All these things should have been taken into consideration and wisdom exercised. There should be no trial or labor with those who have never seen the individual having visions, and who have had no personal knowledge of the influence of the visions. Such should not be deprived of the benefits and privileges of the church if their Christian course is otherwise correct....5T 668.1
“Some, I was shown, could receive the published visions, judging of the tree by its fruits. Others are like doubting Thomas; they cannot believe the published Testimonies, nor receive evidence through the testimony of others, but must see and have the evidence for themselves. Such must not be set aside, but long patience and brotherly love should be exercised toward them until they find their position and become established for or against. If they fight against the visions, of which they have no knowledge; if they carry their opposition so far as to oppose that in which they have had no experience, ... the church may know that they are not right.” [Testimonies for the Church 1:328 (1862).]5T 668.2
Some of our brethren had had long experience in the truth and for years had been acquainted with me and my work. They had proved the truthfulness of the Testimonies and had asserted their belief in them. They had felt the powerful influence of the Spirit of God resting upon them to witness to their truthfulness. I was shown that if such, when reproved through the Testimonies, should rise up against them and work secretly to lessen their influence, they should be faithfully dealt with; for their course would endanger those who were lacking in experience. [Testimonies for the Church 1:382.]5T 669.1
The first number of the Testimonies ever published contains a warning against the injudicious use of the light which is thus given to God's people. [Testimonies for the Church 1:119.] I stated that some had taken an unwise course; when they had talked their faith to unbelievers, and the proof had been asked for, they had read from my writings instead of going to the Bible for proof. It was shown me that this course was inconsistent and would prejudice unbelievers against the truth. The Testimonies can have no weight with those who know nothing of their spirit. They should not be referred to in such cases.5T 669.2
Other warnings concerning the use of the Testimonies have been given from time to time, as follows:5T 669.3
“Some of the preachers are far behind. They profess to believe the testimony borne, and some do harm by making them an iron rule for those who have had no experience in reference to them, but they fail to carry them out themselves. They have had repeated testimonies which they have utterly disregarded. The course of such is not consistent.” [Testimonies for the Church 1:369 (1863).]5T 669.4
“I saw that many have taken advantage of what God has shown in regard to the sins and wrongs of others. They have taken the extreme meaning of what has been shown in vision, and then have pressed it until it has a tendency to weaken the faith of many in what God has shown, and also to discourage and dishearten the church.” [Testimonies for the Church 1:166 (1857).]5T 669.5
The enemy will seize upon everything which he can use to destroy souls. “Testimonies have been borne in favor of individuals occupying important positions. They commence well to lift the burdens and act their part in connection with the work of God. But Satan pursues them with his temptations, and they are finally overcome. As others look upon their wrong course, Satan suggests to their minds that there must be a mistake in the testimonies given for these persons, else these men would not have proved themselves unworthy to bear a part in the work of God.”5T 670.1
Thus doubts arise in regard to the light that God has given. “That which can be said of men under certain circumstances cannot be said of them under other circumstances. Men are weak in moral power and so supremely selfish, so self-sufficient, and so easily puffed up with vain conceit, that God cannot work in connection with them, and they are left to move like blind men and to manifest so great weakness and folly that many are astonished that such individuals should ever have been accepted and acknowledged as worthy of having any connection with God's work. This is just what Satan designed. This was his object from the time he first specially tempted them to reproach the cause of God and to cast reflections upon the Testimonies. Had they remained where their influence would not have been specially felt upon the cause of God, Satan would not have beset them so fiercely, for he could not have accomplished his purpose by using them as his instruments to do a special work.” [Testimonies for the Church 3:469, 470 (1875).]5T 670.2