- 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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Chapter 19—Worldliness in the Church
It is recorded of the holy men of old that God was not ashamed to be called their God. The reason assigned is that instead of coveting earthly possessions or seeking happiness in worldly plans or aspirations they placed their all upon the altar of God and made disposition of it to build up His kingdom. They lived only for God's glory and declared plainly that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth, seeking a better country, that is, an heavenly. Their conduct proclaimed their faith. God could entrust to them His truth and could leave the world to receive from them a knowledge of His will.5T 188.1
But how are the professed people of God today maintaining the honor of His name? How could the world infer that they are a peculiar people? What evidence do they give of citizenship in heaven? Their self-indulgent, ease-loving course falsifies the character of Christ. He could not honor them in any marked manner before the world without endorsing their false representation of His character.5T 188.2
I speak to the church at Battle Creek: What testimony are you bearing to the world? As your course was presented before me, I was pointed to the dwellings recently erected by our people in that city. These buildings are so many monuments of your unbelief of the doctrines which you profess to hold. They are preaching sermons more effective than any delivered from the pulpit. I saw worldlings point to them with jesting and ridicule, as a denial of our faith. They proclaimed that which the owners have been saying in their hearts: “My Lord delayeth His coming.”5T 188.3
I looked upon the dress and listened to the conversation of many who profess the truth. Both were opposed to the principles of truth. Dress and conversation reveal that which is most treasured by those who claim to be pilgrims and strangers on the earth. “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”5T 188.4
Puritan plainness and simplicity should mark the dwellings and apparel of all who believe the solemn truths for this time. All means needlessly expended in dress or in the adorning of our houses is a waste of our Lord's money. It is defrauding the cause of God for the gratification of pride. Our institutions are burdened with debt, and how can we expect the Lord to answer our prayers for their prosperity when we are not doing what we can do to relieve them from embarrassment?5T 189.1
I would address you as Christ addressed Nicodemus: “Ye must be born again.” Those who have Christ ruling within will feel no desire to imitate the world's display. They will carry everywhere the standard of the cross, ever bearing witness of higher aims and nobler themes than those in which worldlings are absorbed. Our dress, our dwellings, our conversation, should testify of our consecration to God. What power would attend those who thus evinced that they had given up all for Christ. God would not be ashamed to acknowledge them as His children. He would bless His devoted people, and the unbelieving world would fear Him.5T 189.2
Christ longs to work mightily by His Spirit for the conviction and conversion of sinners. But, according to His divine plan, the work must be performed through the instrumentality of His church; and her members have so far departed from Him that He cannot accomplish His will through them. He chooses to work by means, yet the means employed must be in harmony with His character.5T 189.3
Who are there in Battle Creek that are faithful and true? Let them come over on the Lord's side. If we would be in a position where God can use us, we must have an individual faith and an individual experience. Only those who trust wholly in God are safe now. We must not follow any human example or lean upon any human support. Many are constantly taking wrong positions and making wrong moves; if we trust to their guidance we shall be misled.5T 189.4
Some who profess to be spokesmen for God are in their daily life denying the faith. They present to the people important truths; but who are impressed by these truths? who are convicted of sin? The hearers know that those who are preaching today will tomorrow be the first to join in pleasure, mirth, and frivolity. Their influence out of the pulpit soothes the conscience of the impenitent and causes the ministry to be despised. They are themselves asleep upon the very verge of the eternal world. The blood of souls is upon their garments.5T 190.1
How are the faithful servants of Christ employed? “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,” praying in the closet, in the family, in the congregation, everywhere; “and watching thereunto with all perseverance.” They feel that souls are in peril, and with earnest, humble faith they plead the promises of God in their behalf. The ransom paid by Christ—the atonement on the cross—is ever before them. They will have souls as seals of their ministry.5T 190.2
The rebuke of the Lord is upon His people for their pride and unbelief. He will not restore unto them the joys of His salvation while they are departing from the instructions of His word and His Spirit. He will give grace to those who fear Him and walk in the truth, and He will withdraw His blessing from all that assimilate to the world. Mercy and truth are promised to the humble and penitent, and judgments are denounced against the rebellious.5T 190.3
The church at Battle Creek might have stood free from idolatry, and her faithfulness would have been an example to other churches. But she is more willing to depart from God's commandments than to renounce the friendship of the world. She is joined to the idols which she has chosen; and because temporal prosperity and the favor of a wicked world are hers, she believes herself to be rich toward God. This will prove to many a fatal delusion. Her divine character and spiritual strength have departed from her.5T 190.4
I counsel this church to give heed to the Saviour's admonition: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”5T 191.1