Reproof for Adultery and Neglect of Children Brookfield, New York February 12, 1854 Portions of this manuscript are published in CG 540; 1MR 33-34; 6MR 217-219; 7MR 1; 1Bio 290-292. See also Ms 3, 1854; RH 09/19/1854; Annotations.
I saw the situation of many in our meeting at Oswego. They were in the way of the work of God, especially at [Caughdenoy]. God’s frown was upon them, and some at [Roosevelt]. The ax has not been laid at the root of the tree. Those who have indulged in the wicked passions of the heart have been fellowshipped. If God had made Brother [Ross] overseer of the flock, he would have seen the corruption of the people. The ax has not been laid at the root of the tree. God will not look upon sin now any sooner than He did anciently when Israel sinned. Sins have not been held forth in their sinful character, but have been made to appear as though sins have been lightly regarded by God.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 1)
I saw the seventh commandment had been broken by some who are now held in fellowship by the church; and in consequence God’s frown is upon the church. This sin is awful in these last days and the church has brought God’s frown and curse upon them by regarding this sin so lightly. I saw that it was an enormous sin, and that there have not been as vigilant efforts made as there should have been, to satisfy the displeasure of God and remove His frown, by taking a straight forward course with the offender. An awfully corrupting influence has been shed over the young. The young see how lightly this sin is regarded, and those committing this horrid sin, on confessing they have done wrong and are sorry, are restored to all the privileges of the house of God, and held in the embrace and full fellowship of the church, hence it has been thought a small sin to break the seventh commandment.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 2)
This course has removed the ark of God from the camp. If there were no other sin to remove the ark from the camp, this would be sufficient to do it. Those who commit this sin should be suspended from the church and not have the fellowship and privileges of the house of God. Said the angel, “This is not the sin of ignorance.” It is a known sin, and will receive the awful visitation of God, whether committed by old or young. Never was this sin regarded by God to be so sinful as at present, because God is purifying to Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 3)
Some professing the present truth can see and hear all the blazing truth for these last days calculated to arouse Israel, and with all this light, can sin with a high hand, give way to all the loose passion of the carnal heart, gratify their animal propensities, disgrace the cause of God, then confess they have sinned and are sorry. And the church receives them and says Amen to their prayers and exhortations which are a stink in the nostrils of God, and causes His wrath to come upon the camp. He will not dwell in their assemblies. Those who move on thus heedlessly plastering over these sins will be left to their own ways, to be filled with their own doings. Those who anciently committed these sins were taken without the camp and stoned to death. Temporal and eternal death was their doom; and because the penalty of stoning to death is abolished, this sin is indulged in beyond measure, and thought to be a small offence.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 4)
I saw another individual who was very wrong in the sight of God and had transgressed God’s commandment and had dishonored his parents. Guile had been found in his mouth, he had taken the name of God in vain, and had desecrated the house where the saints had assembled to worship God, by giving way to passions of an unsubdued heart, and yet he has been held up and approbated by Brother _____ and daubed with untempered mortar. Also, his own relatives and M. have covered the sins of others. The ax has not been laid at the root of the tree. Wicked feelings that God abhors have been fostered, Satan has been well pleased, and laughed because grace was not sufficient to overcome the natural infirmities, but that evil passions and the rising of self would be indulged in by those who profess to be Christians—Christ-like.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 5)
They have indulged in all the passions of the carnal or natural heart, been far from God, far from the truth, have been impatient, fretful, faultfinding, and the church has called it a small thing, and he has been exalted in his own eyes. God’s Spirit has been withdrawn from him, and he knew it not. He has not been willing to bear reproof, but has been ready to rise up in heart and justify self, was rich and increased in goods, had a whole spirit, would get angry, and all this has been nourished and fostered by some of the church.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 6)
If those who have been in the church for weeks and months have not learned the straightness of the way, and what it is to be Christians, and can not hear all the straight truths of the Word of God, it were better that they were cut off from Israel. It is too late in the day to feed with milk. If souls a month or two old in the truth, who are about to enter the time of trouble such as never was, can not hear all the straight truth, or endure the strong meat of the straightness of the way, how will they stand in the day of battle? Truths that we have been years learning must be learned in a few months by those who now embrace the Third Angel’s Message. We had to search and wait the opening of truth, receiving a ray of light here, and a ray there, laboring and pleading for God to reveal truth to us. But now the truth is plain; its rays are brought together. The blazing light of truth, when it is presented as it should be, can be now seen and brought to bear upon the heart. There is no need of milk after souls are convinced of the truth. As soon as the conviction of truth is yielded to and the heart willing, the truth should have its effect, the truth will work like leaven, and purify and purge away the passions of the natural heart. It is a disgrace for those who have been in the truth for years to talk of feeding souls who have been months in the truth, upon milk. It shows they know little of the leadings of the Spirit of the Lord, and realize not the time we are living in. Those who embrace the truth now will have to step fast. There will have to be a breaking up of heart before the Lord, a rending of heart, and not the garment.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 7)
Those who have healed the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly must humble themselves greatly before God, and it may be His wrath will be turned away from Israel and He will march through their midst again in power. Said the angel, “Fearful is the work of the third angel, and awful is his mission. He is to select the wheat from the tares, and bind or seal the wheat for the heavenly garner.”
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 8)
I was then pointed to [Brother Ross], of whom the angel said, “Ye have not been a co-worker with the Third Angel. Ye have not separated the vile from the precious.” I then saw that death, death had reigned in your midst. I was then shown that Elizabeth did not die having her work all done. As life was held up before her, she failed of a triumphant victory. The hearts of many who prayed for her to be raised up were not right in the sight of God. Some who professed to lose their strength were not exercised by the Spirit of God. Many shouted when it was no shouting. A soul was going into the grave unapprised of it, but she will be saved. Others will have to bear the sin of her not being a triumphant overcomer. She was not accountable for the lack. All impatience or fretfulness should have been corrected by those who watched over her, that she might be reconciled to live or die.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 9)
The next thing shown me was the sins of parents in neglecting their children. I saw they would have an awful account to give. They have fostered and cherished the evil tempers of their children until God’s frown was upon them and their children. They have forgotten that which was written in the Holy Word, “He that spareth the rod hateth his son” [Proverbs 13:24], and the children are left to come up instead of being brought up or trained up. The poor little children are thought not to know or understand the meaning of a correction at the age of eight, nine, or ten months, and they begin to show stubbornness very young, and it is cherished and nourished by its parents till their evil passions grow with their growth and strengthen with their strength.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 10)
The house of God is desecrated, the Sabbath violated by Sabbath believers’ children. They run about the house, play, talk, and manifest their evil tempers in the very meetings where the saints have met together to glorify God and worship Him in the beauty of holiness. The place that should be holy, and where a holy stillness reigns, and where perfect order, neatness, and humility should exist is made to be a perfect Babylon, and a place where confusion, disorder and untidiness reigns. These things shut out God from our assemblies, and cause His wrath to be kindled that He will not be pleased to go out with the armies of Israel to battle against our enemies. He would not give the victory in Oswego meeting. The enemies of our faith triumphed. God was displeased. God’s anger is kindled that His house should be made like Babylon.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 11)
Parents, I saw, stood in the place of God to their children, and they will have to render an awful account whether they have been faithful to the little few that have been committed to their trust. I saw that you were rearing children to be cut down by the destroying angel unless you speedily turn square about and be faithful to your children. Think you that God can cover or hide iniquity in children and preserve them whom He hates? No, never. God hates unruly children who manifest passion and evil tempers, etc. He can not save them in the time of trouble. They will be eternally lost through parents’ neglect. Their blood will be upon their parents. How can parents be saved with the blood of their children upon them, when they might have saved their children? God says, “I know Abraham, that he will command his household after him.” [Genesis 18:19.]
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 12)
Parents, it is your duty to have your children under perfect subjection, having all their passions and evil tempers perfectly subdued. I saw that if they were carried to the house of God, they should be made to know where they were, that they were not at home, but where God met with His people, and they should be kept quiet from all play and running about, and then God will deign to meet with His people.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 13)
The truth, I saw, had but little effect. When it was talked, there seemed to be no power in it to stir the depth of the soul. A death-like stupor has hung upon the people of God. The reason is, the ark is not with them, for the holy commandments have been broken, and God has taken it away in His anger.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 14)
Parents, correct your children; commence while young, while impressions can be easily made and their evil tempers subdued, before passions take deep root and are strengthened with their strength.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 15)
I then saw a lack of cleanliness among Sabbath-keepers. I saw that God would have a clean and holy people, a people [in whom] He can delight. I saw that the camp must be cleansed or the Lord would pass by and see the uncleanness of the children of Israel and would not go forth with their armies to battle, but would turn from them in displeasure and our enemies would triumph over us, and we left weak in shame and disgrace. I saw that God would not acknowledge an untidy and unclean person as a Christian. His frown was upon such. Our souls, bodies, and spirits are to be presented blameless by Jesus to His Father, and unless we are clean in person and pure in heart, we can not be presented blameless to God.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 16)
I saw that the houses of the saints should be kept tidy and neat from dirt and filth and all uncleanness. I saw that the house of God had been desecrated by the carelessness of parents, with their children, and by the untidiness and uncleanness there. I saw that these things should meet with an open rebuke, and if there was not a change immediately in some that profess the truth, in these things, they should be put out of the camp.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 17)
I then saw the corruption of these last days. Some of those who profess the present truth are corrupt, and the same sins exist now that existed before the destruction of the old world. The world is almost ripe for destruction. Correct your children in love, not in passion. Do all your part, and God will do His. God despises our prayers for our children until we have done all on our part to save them. God corrects His children when they go astray from Him, and parents should correct their children when they disobey them. Correct their tempers. Above everything take care of them on the Sabbath. You may as well violate the Sabbath yourselves as to let your children do it. If you suffer your children to play upon the Sabbath, God looks upon you as Sabbath breakers, or commandment breakers. Your children should be made to mind you. Your word should be their law. Parents, take hold of this work, for the destroying angel is soon to pass around and slay utterly both old and young, men, women, and little children. O do not be found wanting when weighed in the balance.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 18)
I saw then that they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage. I saw that the hearts of the young were now filled with the thoughts of getting married. Some of them became disobedient to their parents, got wanton, and many without consent of their parents or the church of God, and not having God in all their thoughts, and not inquiring whether it was His will or pleasure or not, do not marry to glorify God, but to glorify their loose passions and their depraved lusts. Such sins as this brought destruction upon the old world, and destroyed those who would not have God in all their thoughts. Awful sins of these last days are to bring the unmingled fury of God upon the world.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 19)
I then saw the appetite must be denied, that rich food should not be prepared, and that which is lavished upon the appetite should be put in the treasury of the Lord. It would tell there, and those who denied themselves would lay up a reward in heaven. Pride and idols must be laid aside. I saw rich food destroyed the health of the bodies and was ruining the constitution, was destroying the mind, and was a great waste of means.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 20)
I saw some who were sickly among the saints, made themselves [so] by indulging the appetite. If we wish good health we must take special care of the health God has given us, deny the unhealthy appetite, eat more coarse food with little grease. Then you can consistently ask God’s blessing upon such food as is congenial with your natures. We must pray as did Solomon for food convenient for us, and act accordingly, and God will bless us. Some Sabbath-keepers make a god of their bellies, waste their means in getting rich food. Such I saw, if saved at all, would know what pinching is unless they deny their appetites and eat to the glory of God. There are but few who eat to the glory of God.
(1LtMs, Ms 1, 1854, 21)
Ms 2, 1854
Test. for Churches in New York State Extract from Ms 3, 1854.
Ms 3, 1854
Testimony for Churches in New York State Brookfield, New York February 12, 1854 Portions of this manuscript are published in TSB 247-249; 3SM 257, 273-275; 5MR 230-231; 7MR 368-370; 9MR 321-323. See also Ms 1, 1854; RH 09/19/1854; Annotations.
The Lord gave us labor of spirit last first day, and while we were engaged in earnest prayer, I was taken off in vision and saw the state of some of the professed Israel of God. I saw the situation of many at our meeting in Oswego. I saw that they were standing in the way of the work of God, especially those at Caughdenoy. I saw that God’s frown was upon them, also upon some in Roosevelt.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 1)
Said the angel, “The axe has not been laid at the root of the tree.” Those who have indulged in the wicked passions of the heart have been fellowshipped. If God had made Brother Ross an overseer of the flock, he would have seen the evil and corruption among the people. The axe has not been laid at the root of the tree. God has not altered nor changed. He is a jealous God, and will not look upon sin now with any more allowance than He did among ancient Israel. Sin is sin. Sins have not been held forth in their sinfulness, but it has been made to appear as though sins have been lightly regarded by God.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 2)
I saw that the seventh commandment has been violated by some who are now held in fellowship by the church. This has brought God’s frown upon them. This sin is awful in these last days, but the church has brought God’s frown and curse upon it by regarding the sin so lightly. I saw it was an enormous sin and there have not been as vigilant efforts made as there should have been to satisfy the displeasure of God and remove His frown by taking a strict, thorough course with the offender. It has had an awful, corrupting influence upon the young. They see how lightly the sin of breaking the seventh commandment is regarded, and the one who commits this horrid sin thinks that all he has to do is to confess that he was wrong and is sorry, and he is then to have all the privileges of the house of God and be held in embrace or fellowship of the church.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 3)
They have thought it was not so great a sin, but have lightly esteemed the breaking [of] the seventh commandment. This has been sufficient to remove the ark of God from the camp, if there were no other sins to cause the ark to be taken away and weaken Israel.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 4)
Those who break the seventh commandment should be suspended from the church and not have its fellowship or the privileges of the house of God.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 5)
Said the angel, “This is not a sin of ignorance. It is a knowing sin and will receive the awful visitation of God, whether he who commits it be old or young.”
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 6)
Never was this sin regarded by God as being so exceedingly sinful as at the present time. Why? Because God is purifying unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. It is at the very time when God is purifying this peculiar people unto Himself that [unsanctified] individuals step in among us. Notwithstanding the straight truths they have heard, the terrors of the Word of God set before them, and all the blazing truth for these last days calculated to arouse Israel—they sin with a high hand, give way to all the loose passions of the carnal heart, gratify their animal propensities, disgrace the cause of God, and then confess they have sinned and are sorry! And the church receives them and says “Amen” to their prayers and exhortations, which are a stink in the nostrils of God and cause His wrath to come upon the camp. He will not dwell in their assemblies. Those who move on thus heedlessly, plastering over these sins, will be left to their own ways, to be filled with their own doings.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 7)
Those who anciently committed these sins were taken without the camp and stoned to death. Temporal and eternal death was their doom; and because the penalty of stoning to death is abolished, this sin is indulged in beyond measure, and is thought to be a small offense.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 8)
I saw three men. One of them was not a Sabbathkeeper, but was opposed to the law of God. I saw that he was one who had a false spirit and exercised spiritual magnetism and called it the Spirit of God. The other man seemed to me to be with him, or in his company, and somewhat united with him, and he partook of the same spirit, but he was a professed Sabbathkeeper. I saw that the truth of God had not purified his heart or he would not possess a false spirit and be using this false spirit, calling it the power of God.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 9)
The men above mentioned I have never seen except in vision, except the third man, who I saw was Brother Thompson. He was exercised with the same evil spirit or spiritual magnetism, and like the other two, would impart it to others or affect others with it. I saw that Brother Thompson had formerly been affected with spiritualism and never had had it eradicated from him. The third angel’s message had not purified the man, and he would have to have a great work done for him, or he could never enter heaven.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 10)
I was then pointed to a company. It seemed to be a family, with others present. I saw them bowed. Two of these men were present. I was particularly pointed by the angel who accompanies me while in vision, to Brother Thompson. I saw him walking the room and then raising his arms and putting them down like a person making mesmeric passes, and the one he was near commenced to sink away beneath the power which he felt and which was called the power of God. I was pointed to others and saw them wilting beneath the same power. I saw that the family there had but just tasted of the third angel’s message. A good work had just been wrought for them in bringing them to God and His truth, and although they felt the power of spiritual magnetism that night and its effects since, God would not lay the sin to their charge for they were innocent, being inexperienced. I saw that they had much to learn and if they were humble, God would lead them along and teach them His will and the present truth and what they must be in order to be saved and reign with Christ in glory.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 11)
I saw how this spirit or power will leave the individual, after the power has passed off. Instead of their having more strength from God than they had before they felt this power, and more grace to overcome every wrong word or action, instead of being spiritually minded and having their minds fixed upon heaven and heavenly things, it was the reverse of this. Those who have been exercised by this false spirit have a depressed, sunken, empty, void, unsatisfied, stupid feeling. They will feel a lack of the grace of God, be in danger of speaking impatiently and from the impulse of the moment, feel that they have lost all their religion, though they hardly know how.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 12)
I saw that when the blessing of God rested upon any one, it will not cause him to lose the use of his arms so that he cannot control them, or cause the arms to shake, jerk, etc.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 13)
[Page in original handwritten manuscript missing.]
Truths that we have been years learning, those who now embrace the third angel’s message will have to learn in a few months. We had to search and wait the opening of truth and receive a ray of light here and a ray there, and labor and beg for God to reveal truth to us. But now the truth is plain; its rays are brought together. The blazing light of truth can now be seen at once, and when it is presented as it should be it is brought to bear upon the heart at once. There is no need of milk for any soul, after he is convinced of truth. As soon as the conviction of truth is yielded to and the heart is willing to let the truth have its effect, it will begin to work like leaven. It will purify and purge away the passions of a natural heart.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 14)
It is a disgrace for those who have been in the truth for years to talk of feeding souls who have been months in the truth upon milk. It shows that they know but little of the leadings of the Spirit of God and realize not the time that we are living in. Those who embrace the truth now will have to step fast. And there will have to be a breaking of heart before the Lord, a rending of the heart and not the garments. A thorough work will have to go on in the hearts of those who have been thus at fault, and those who healed the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly will have to humble themselves greatly before God. It may be His wrath will be turned away from Israel and He will march through their midst again in power.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 15)
Said the angel, “Fearful is the work of the third angel; awful is his mission. He is to select the wheat from the tares and bind or seal the wheat for the heavenly garner.”
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 16)
I was pointed to Brother Ross. Said the angel, “Ye have not been a co-worker with the third angel. Ye have not separated the vile from the precious.”
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 17)
Then I saw that death had reigned in your midst. I was shown the one that died, that she died without a perfect readiness. Life was held before her and she had not a triumphant victory. The hearts of many who prayed for her to be raised up were not right with God. Some appeared to lose their strength or be exercised. It was not the Spirit of God. Many shouted, but it was no time for shouting. A soul was going into the grave unapprised of it, but she will be saved. Others will have to bear the sin of her not being a triumphant overcomer. She was not accountable for it. Whenever an impatient word was spoken, or whenever there was any impatience or fretfulness manifested, it was the duty of those she was with to tell her her critical situation, and the danger of manifesting anything like unreconciliation, impatience, etc. It was their duty to show her that she must be reconciled to the will of God and prepare for her last change, and that if she was not reconciled to God’s will, she was not prepared to be raised up or to die.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 18)
The next thing that was shown me was the great sin of parents neglecting their children. I saw that they would have an awful account to give in Caughdenoy. They had fostered and cherished the evil tempers of their children until God’s frown was upon them and their children. They have forgotten that which is written in the Holy Word. “He that spareth his rod hateth his son” [Proverbs 13:24], and the children are left to come up instead of being brought up or trained up. The poor little children are thought not to know or understand a correction at eight, nine, or ten months old. They begin to show stubbornness very young, and it is cherished and nourished by their parents until these evil passions grow with their growth, and strengthen with their strength.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 19)
The house of God is desecrated and the Sabbath violated by Sabbath believers’ children. They run about the house, play, talk, and manifest their evil tempers in the very meetings where the saints have met together to glorify God and to worship Him in the beauty of holiness. The place that should be holy, where a holy stillness should reign, and where there should be perfect order, neatness, and humility, is made to be a perfect Babylon and a place where confusion, disorder, and untidiness reign. This is enough to shut out God from our assemblies and cause His wrath to be kindled, that He will not be pleased to go out with the armies of Israel to battle against our enemies.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 20)
God would not give the victory in the Oswego meeting. The enemies of our faith triumphed. God was displeased. His anger is kindled that His house should be made like Babylon.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 21)
Parents, I saw, stood in the place of God to their children and they will have to render an awful account whether they have been faithful to the little few that were committed to their trust.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 22)
I saw that you were rearing children to be cut down by the destroying angel unless you speedily turn square about and be faithful to your children. Think you God can cover or hide iniquity and preserve children whom He hates? No, never. God hates unruly children who manifest passion, evil tempers, etc. He cannot save them in the time of trouble. They will be eternally lost. Parents, negligent, unfaithful parents, their blood will be upon you, and can you expect to be saved in the day of God’s fierce anger with the blood of your children upon you,—children who might have been saved had you acted as faithful parents should? God said of Abraham, “I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him” [Genesis 18:19], and He gave him the name of being the father of the faithful.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 23)
Parents, it is your duty to have your children under perfect subjection, having all their passions and evil tempers perfectly subdued. I saw that if they were carried to the house of God, they should be made to know where they are, that they are not at home, but where God meets with His people. They should be kept quiet, from all play and running about, then God will deign to meet with His people.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 24)
The truth, I saw, had had but little effect. When it was talked, there seemed to be no power to stir up the depth of the soul. A deathlike stupor has hung upon the professed people of God and the reason is that the ark is not with them, for its holy commandments have been violated, and God has taken it away in His anger.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 25)
Parents, correct your children. Commence while they are young, when impressions can be made early and their evil temper subdued before it takes deep root and is strengthened with their strength. Correct your children in love. Do not correct them in passion or let them have their way until even you yourself are angry and then punish them. Correct your children, and then after you have done your duty, carry them to God and ask God to help you. Tell Him you have done your part, and then plead with Him to do His part, that you cannot do. Beg of Him to temper their dispositions, to make them mild and gentle by His Holy Spirit. God will hear you pray. He will love to answer your prayers. But He despises your prayers while you neglect your duty to your children and then pray Him to do the work for them. God corrects us when we go astray from Him, and you are bound to correct your children when they disobey you and show passion and an evil temper.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 26)
Above everything, take care of your children upon the Sabbath. Do not let them violate it, for you may just as well violate it yourself as to let your children do it. When you suffer your children to play upon the Sabbath, God looks upon you as a commandment breaker. You transgress His Sabbath.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 27)
Your children should be made to mind you. Your word should be their law. Parents, take hold of this work, for the destroying angel is soon to pass around and slay utterly both old and young—men, women, and little children. He will spare only those upon whom is the mark. Oh, do not be weighed in the balances and found wanting!
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 28)
I then saw a lack of cleanliness among Sabbathkeepers and some at Caughdenoy. I saw that God was purifying unto Himself a peculiar people. He will have a clean and a holy people, a people in whom He can delight. I saw that the camp must be cleansed, or God would pass by and see the uncleanness of Israel and would not go forth with their armies to battle. He would turn from them in displeasure, and our enemies would triumph over us and we be left weak, in shame and disgrace.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 29)
I saw that God would not acknowledge an untidy, unclean person as a Christian. His frown was upon such. Our souls, bodies, and spirits are to be presented blameless by Jesus to His Father, and unless we are clean in person, and pure, we cannot be presented blameless to God.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 30)
I saw that the houses of the saints should be kept tidy and neat, free from dirt and filth and all uncleanness. I saw that the house of God had been desecrated by the carelessness of parents with their children and by the untidiness and uncleanness there. I saw that these things should meet with an open rebuke, and if there was not an immediate change in some that profess the truth in these things they should be put out of the camp.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 31)
I then saw the corruptions of these last days. Even some of those who profess the truth are corrupt and the same sins exist now that existed before the destruction of the old world by a flood. The world is almost ripe now for destruction, as it was then. I saw that when they were eating and drinking, marrying and being given in marriage, the flood came and took them all away.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 32)
I saw that the hearts of the young are now filled with the thought of getting married. Some of them become disobedient to their parents, become wanton, and marry without the counsel of their parents or the church of God. Not having God in all their thoughts, not inquiring whether it is according to His will or pleasure or not, they do not marry to glorify God but to gratify their loose passions and their depraved lusts. Such sins as these brought the flood upon the old world, and destroyed those sinners who would not bear God in their thoughts. Awful sins of these last days are to bring the unmingled fury of God upon the world.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 33)
I then saw that the appetite must be denied, that rich food should not be prepared, and that which is spent upon the appetite should be put into the treasury of God. It would tell there and those that denied themselves would lay up a reward in heaven. I saw that God was purifying His people.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 34)
Pride and idols must be laid aside. I saw that rich food was destroying the health of bodies, was ruining constitutions, destroying minds, and was a great waste of means.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 35)
I saw that many were sickly among the remnant, who have made themselves so by indulging their appetites. If we wish good health, we must take special care of the health that God has given us, deny the unhealthy appetite, eat less fine food, eat coarse food free from grease. Then as you sit at the table to eat you can from the heart ask God’s blessing upon the food and can derive strength from coarse, wholesome food. God will be pleased to graciously bless it and it will be a benefit to the receiver.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 36)
I saw that we should pray as Solomon did—“Feed me with food convenient for me,” (Proverbs 30:8)—and as we make the prayer, act it out. Get food that is plain and that is essential to health, free from grease. Such food will be convenient for us.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 37)
There are some Sabbathkeepers who make a god of their bellies. They waste their means in obtaining rich food. Such, I saw, if saved at all, will know what pinching want is unless they deny their appetites and eat to the glory of God. There are but few who eat to the glory of God. How can those who have cake and pie crust filled with grease ask God’s blessing upon it and then eat with an eye single to God’s glory? We are commanded to do all to the glory of God. We must eat and drink to His glory.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 38)
I then saw that Brother Ross had not taken the right ground concerning the little affairs of his brethren.
(1LtMs, Ms 3, 1854, 39)
Ms 4, 1854
Testimony Rochester, New York April 1854 This manuscript is published in entirety in PH016 32-33. See also Annotations.
I saw that with some there has not been a receiving of what God has shown. It has been doubted. It has borne but with a feather’s weight. I saw that straight testimonies must be borne, and they have not been received. I then saw that the church must be united, and if they could not endure straight testimonies when they were needed and we were bound, we must move the office and go where we could bear them. I saw that we neither of us had done our duty. There has been a holding back, a shunning to declare the whole counsel of God. I saw that God wanted us to be free, that if we did not follow the movings of His Spirit and bear the testimonies He gave us, He would leave us in bondage and then our health and strength would fail, and worse than all this, the bondage would be felt on the people, and if there is not freedom and liberty here, we must move where there would be freedom and where the testimonies given us of God would be received. I saw that some had doubted what God had taught, therefore it could not have weight with them or serve to move them. I saw this, and begged of God to use another instrument, to send by one whom they would receive, or to fit up the frail instrument that the church might be convinced. Said the angel, God has chosen His own way, that through the simple means He has ordained that light should be given, and if it is not received God will give them up to their own ways to be filled with their own doing.
(1LtMs, Ms 4, 1854, 1)
Ms 5, 1854
Gather the Children; Portion of Vision Given at Sylvan, Michigan, June 1854. Sylvan, Michigan June 1854 Portions of this manuscript are published in 5MR 205-206. See also Annotations.
I saw the great responsibility of parents to their children and they must not neglect their solemn duty. Parents, you stand in the place of God to your children, and you must not suffer them to manifest cruel tempers or passions; their temper must be subdued, their will broken or parents will have to render an account of the neglect of their duties to their children. God can not cover sin and wickedness. Children are the lawful prey of the enemy, because they are not subjects of grace, have not experienced the cleansing blood of Jesus. The evil angels can work through these children, and some parents are careless, and suffer them to work with but little restraint. Parents have much to do in this matter, and by subduing or correcting their children, can lessen the power of the evil angels upon them, and after they have done this duty, they can then bring their children to God, and in the name of Jesus claim His blessing upon them. But God is dishonored and insulted when parents bring their children to Him unsubdued and unconverted, with all their evil tempers and passions, and ask Him to work for them. Parents, you must first do your duty; then go to God and ask Him to do His part, and He will hear you. Correct your children and subdue them, then God will be entreated of you.
(1LtMs, Ms 5, 1854, 1)
I was shown the children of Israel in Egypt when the destroying angel was to pass through the land, he was to destroy all the first born of man and beast. Israel was commanded to gather their children and families into their houses with them, and then mark their door posts with the blood that the destroying angel might pass by the dwellings of Israel; and if they failed to go through this process, there was no difference made between them and the Egyptians.
(1LtMs, Ms 5, 1854, 2)
The destroying angel is soon to go forth again, not to destroy the firstborn only, but to slay utterly old and young, both men and women and little children who have not the mark. Parents, the Lord has shown me that if you wish to save your children, separate them from the world, keep them from other wicked children. Subdue their tempers and evil passions; teach them to obey you; then they can more easily obey the commandments of God. After you have done your duty, carry your children to God and plead His blessing upon them, and He that said, “Suffer little children to come unto Me and forbid them not” [Luke 18:16] will be ready to listen to your prayers for them, and the seal or mark of the believing parents will cover the children if they are brought up aright. If parents neglect their duty, and leave their children to indulge in wicked, evil passions, the destroying angel will cut them down, and you parents will have an awful account to give for the neglect of your children. You who have not done your duty, now awake and redeem the time. It is but short, but you can work faithfully and can do much for your children. God corrects us when we err and go astray from Him, and you should correct your children when they do wrong. It will be for their happiness here and hereafter.
(1LtMs, Ms 5, 1854, 3)
Ms 6, 1854
Courtesy and Kindness Lincklaen, New York February 19, 1854 Previously unpublished. See also Annotations.
The Lord showed me in vision last evening, the state of things in Lincklaen and vicinity.
(1LtMs, Ms 6, 1854, 1)
I was shown the shortness of time, and the importance of all realizing it and feeling the worth of souls for whom Christ died. I was shown the low state of the brethren, the ark of God was gone out of the camp. I was shown that a right influence had not been exerted by Bro. Rhodes; a good example has not been set, and darkness and weakness has been the consequence. I saw that Bro. R. had possessed an overbearing spirit in this vicinity, and has often hurt the oil and wine, has misjudged individuals, and has laid burdens upon them that did not belong to them. I saw that this has been done in the case of Brother and Sister Poole. Brother R. has spoken from the impulse of the moment or from impatient, fitful feelings which has caused a deep, a deep, wound that has never been healed with suitable confessions and a free acknowledgment of wrongs without qualifications and justifying self.
(1LtMs, Ms 6, 1854, 2)
I saw that the lecturing brethren should above all others possess a kind, courteous spirit. They must bear and forbear and lay by a hasty, fitful, uneasy spirit, and for the sake of precious souls must bear to be opposed with a bitter spirit, and not retaliate. But if the messenger of God lets self rise and bears down upon the opposer with an impatient spirit, it is just what the opposer wants. He goes away with all the natural, irritable feelings of his heart awake, saying as he goes, I am as well off as he is. He is no better off than I am. I know he has not the Spirit of God. He is not a Christian.
(1LtMs, Ms 6, 1854, 3)
But if the servants of the Most High should possess a meek, forbearing spirit, and for the sake of the souls of others if they have no hope of the opposer, suffer their abuse with patience, keep the heart uplifted to God, praying for strength, He would let angels of God strengthen them, and arrows of conviction would be fastened in the hearts of unbelievers. God would be glorified, and others would take knowledge of them that they have been with Jesus. I saw that Brother Rhodes should not cut so much with his words, but hold forth the truth and let that cut them, and even exercise wisdom in this. Do not bring the most denouncing truths from God’s Word to bear upon the opposers, for it will only irritate and stir up their wrath.
(1LtMs, Ms 6, 1854, 4)
I was pointed to Jesus. He knew what was in man’s heart. He took upon Himself man’s nature, yet He was the beloved of the Father, the Son of the Most High God. The hearts of all men, and the result and effect of every word He spoke He knew perfectly. And man, frail man, must not feel that he is authorized to speak with that authority, and rebuke in such a cutting manner and with that assurance, that the Son of man did. Weak, failing man knows not the effect of what he says. By being severe and rebuking in a sharp manner, [he may] drive souls from the truth and close their ears from ever listening to it, and they may be lost in consequence of some mismoves of the messengers, whose mission was to save souls. Who can tell the worth of a soul for whom Christ died? Christ pitied the fallen race of men and consented to give up the glory He had with the Father, and took upon Himself man’s nature, that He might sympathize with them in their woes, and then to die an ignominious death upon the cross to redeem them to His Father. He suffered every indignity, slight, and scorn without a retaliating look or word, when He could have had legions of angels to assist Him had He asked His Father.
(1LtMs, Ms 6, 1854, 5)
Said the angel, Follow His example in these things and ye will adorn your profession. Servants of God are ye, coworkers with Jesus and the third angel. Do ye possess a gathering spirit? I saw that Brother Rhodes has not possessed the meek spirit of Jesus as he should, and unbelievers even in this place have been borne down upon, and testimonies have been borne them which God did not dictate and which wounded the precious cause of God. I saw that Brother Rhodes’ influence upon this band has not been good, but has injured some, and this is one cause of the church being in so low a state. I saw that some have carried out the example set them by Brother Rhodes, especially two of the Brothers Swan and a sister connected with them. Others have been influenced, but the ones mentioned above have greatly erred; they have given way to excitable, fitful feelings, and have, like Brother Rhodes, possessed an overbearing spirit.
(1LtMs, Ms 6, 1854, 6)
I saw that the course taken toward Mr. Crandall was not right. Wisdom was not used, and great injury it has done some that he was connected with. Satan has taken advantage of and separated them from the people of God through the mismoves of the brethren and through Brother Rhodes’ lack of wisdom. The effect should have been studied, and the church must be willing to suffer something to save the souls of those he is connected with and over whom his influence extends. Although he may burden the meeting, bear it; call upon God for additional strength, and God will hear and will impart it.
(1LtMs, Ms 6, 1854, 7)
I saw that every one that professes the truth, wherein they have manifested an overbearing spirit should take it away and leave the blood of his soul upon his own head. He may take advantage of the brethren’s confessions. If he does, he will have that sin to bear, and the brethren will be clear. I saw that Mr. Crandall was not right, and that he never has been fully in the angel’s message. He was living in open violation of the fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day ... stranger that is within thy gates.” [Exodus 20:8-10.] I saw that God could not approbate him while transgressing this commandment. I also saw he not only transgressed it opening by suffering labor to be done by his son, his manservant and maid servant.
(1LtMs, Ms 6, 1854, 8)
Ms 7, 1854
A Vision Concerning the Children of the Jackson Church NP June 1854 Previously unpublished. See also Annotations.
I saw that the destroying angel was to slay utterly old and young, men and women, and little children. I then saw that if the Advent parents would have their children saved in the time of trouble from the destroying sword they must take care of them now. They must subdue their passions and correct their wrongs faithfully and with vigilance, [and] suffer not a wrong in them for a moment. I saw that the parents, many of them who believe the present truth, will see their children cut down before their eyes because they have been so tender of their children. They have not used the rod as they should, and their evil propensities have been indulged, and God cannot save them because He cannot cover iniquity. I saw that the parents stood in the place of God to their children. God had intrusted them to the parents’ care and they would have to render an account if they had been unfaithful of their trust.
(1LtMs, Ms 7, 1854, 1)
I saw that every time the parents suffered their children to go unpunished, after they had manifested anger or given way to their evil tempers, the sin was set down to the parents’ account and they would have to answer for it, for the parents are generally much more to blame than the children, who are wicked and wrong because the parents neglect their duty.
(1LtMs, Ms 7, 1854, 2)
I saw that parents must arouse themselves on this point and do their duty.
(1LtMs, Ms 7, 1854, 3)
I saw that parents trust to the Lord that which God has enjoined upon them. Often they ask God to bless their children, when they stand directly in their children’s way. They must first do their duty to their children—correct their tempers, their disobedience and wrongs, and then pray with them and for them for God to do His part and change the heart and bless the children, because they have done what they could do for them.
(1LtMs, Ms 7, 1854, 4)