p. 6 | The Testimonies by MARY STRATTON

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 29, 1869

The Testimonies.

By MARY STRATTON

It would be just like a God of infinite wisdom to place such a gift in the church to guide the people of God safely through the dangers and perils of these last days to the haven of eternal rest. I look at the first-day Adventists and see the divisions and subdivisions among them. Every man thinks he has a perfect right to start up on some new doctrine and run that as long as it will go, and then start on another. And what does it all amount to?

I was reminded anew of the value of spiritual gifts in the church a short time ago while listening to a man of some talents, who last year was, with all his might, preaching ’68 time till ’68 expired, and this year is just as zealously engaged preaching the nonresurrection of the wicked. I thought it was a great pity for him to spend his time and talents in that direction. It was a wonder to me how he could be so tenacious of a doctrine that could, in no possible way, do any good; for even if he should gain converts there is nothing in it that would save them or make them better Christians. I did, indeed, hear some say they would like to have it so if they continued in sin. If he would be instructed in the way more perfectly, and be as persevering in preaching the third, and most solemn, message to a world just on the verge of destruction, how different would be the result.

It seems to me nothing short of a testimony direct from Heaven can unite the people of God in the midst of all this confusion. The time cannot be far distant when this gift will be appreciated by all candid minds. The imminent danger of the church demands it, and how good and kind is our Heavenly Father in giving it us. Oh! that I may always place the true value upon it, and never suffer another doubt to cross my mind in regard to it.

I felt deeply humbled while reading No. 17; for a part of every testimony belonged to me. Their origin must be from Heaven, as no one who had not been

divinely instructed could write such truthful, stirring appeals to God's dear people.

May the Lord help us to live them out, is my prayer.

MARY STRATTON.