OBJECTION 35. — MURMURERS

Another exhibition of an astonishing lack of perception is given us in the following: In Testimony No. 10, certain persons are pointed out as complainers and murmurers, for continually expressing their fears that the body of Sabbath-keepers are becoming like the world, etc., whereas in other testimonies, the visions themselves reprove the body of Sabbath-keepers for becoming like the world. Here, say the objector, is an inconsistency at least; for if the visions are correct in saying that the Sabbath-keepers are like the world, the others cannot be wrong who say the same thing.VEGW 94.2

We have only to reply that they do not say the same thing. By examining the testimony a person cannot fail to see that those whom the visions reprove, are such as strike against every advance step on the part of this people, such as church order, organization, building meeting-houses, etc., and base their opposition on the plea that in these things Sabbath-keepers are becoming like the world, backsliding, etc., etc. But the visions speak of different things entirely. Their reproof is for those who in pride, vanity, dress, manners, and conversation are conforming to the world. The two are as distinct as could well be conceived. And we can account for such an objection as this, only on the ground that those who offer it, have suffered the god of this world to envelop their minds in a pitiable blindness.VEGW 95.1