GEO. O. STATES by GEO. O. STATES

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1907

GEO. O. STATES

By GEO. O. STATES

Lessons from Past Experiences —No. 18

GEO. O. STATES

YEARS ago there was a minister in one of the Eastern conferences who had a wonderful gift in moving the feelings of the people. For years he visited many churches, creating an excitement which, when over, left them in a worse condition than before. In visiting the churches he collected money for various departments of the work, which he did not account for.

His influence became very detrimental to the cause, and he finally left the State and began laboring in another part of the country. Our brethren in the conference where he had been laboring wondered why his course was not reproved by the spirit of prophecy.

He began visiting churches in his new field of labor, and was creating quite an excitement. It was claimed that the sick were healed, and the converting power of God was accompanying his labors.

In the midst of all this a special Testimony was sent one of these churches, in which it was said, “The angel of the Lord stood by my side and talked with me. He said the church at — would have to learn many things. He said that they had placed man where God should be. They were trusting in man to do the work for them which the Lord God of Israel alone could do. The Lord was working, signifying that he was their power and efficiency; and if they would work in harmony with him, talking to one another in faith and humility, dwelling on the lessons of Christ; if they would set things in order in the church, and let God speak to human hearts, then the Spirit of God would come into their midst, and a repentance would be seen that would not need to be repented of. But if they did not make the Lord their trust, the blessing they had received would be only their condemnation. . . . God would have his people in every conference look to him, and him alone, and not make flesh their arm.

“Elder —’s peculiar talent is to move the feelings of the people; but this, in many, many cases, seen as God sees it, results in far more harm than good. His case has been my special burden for years; and as God has laid open to me the weaknesses and errors of the man, I have laid them distinctly before him. Has he received the Testimonies? Has he acted upon them?—No, he has not taken the pains to study them point by point as a word from God to him; he has not heeded the warning.”

I have quoted thus largely from this special Testimony because so many at that time were perplexed because his course was not brought out through the servant of the Lord, but we did not know that all the time the Lord was sending the man personal Testimonies in order to save him. Finally it came to a place where the matter had to be given to the church. He continued in his downward course, however, and soon gave up every point of the message, and

to-day is controlled by his appetite, not having any interest in the message.

It is sad indeed to look over the past history of our work and see so many who have held prominent positions in this message, but having rejected the warnings and reproofs sent them through the spirit of prophecy, have eventually given up the whole truth. As I think of these things, I am reminded of the counsel given the remnant people in 1 Cor. 10: 12: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” When we as individuals or as a church are reproved by the Spirit of God and reject the admonition, we do so at the peril of our souls.

Cedaredge, Colo.