God Hath Set Some in the Church.
By EDWIN C. STILES
I AM satisfied that the rebuke, and displeasure of God will be visited upon many at the present time, in some207way or other, except they repent of their contempt, manifested against the servants of God's own choice. Forgetting or unmindful of the fact that "God is not the author of confusion," but of peace and order in all the churches of the saints; they, without as good pretext as Miriam and Aaron had for treating Moses contemptuously, persist in defaming God's servants, presuming at the same time to usurp their office as overseers over the flock of God! But as it was anciently, so it is, and will be, now. God will not forego his own choice in this matter, to accept man's preference. Now God hath set some in the church, first apostles or messengers; and upon these men he has laid the burden of their work, which is a general oversight and care for the flock east west north and south, and having been called and chosen of God to the work, under his special charge and care, they watch for souls as they that must give account; and woe unto the friends of confusion, who oppose these men in their proper calling and work. In the body are many members, and every member hath not the same office; and overlooking this fact, the language of the rebellious seems to be; "Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?" I know of those among Sabbath-keepers who claim a large share of the Spirit of God and some of its special operations in the gift of tongues, healing, visions, &c., who are to day in this rebellious position against God's servants of whom it is said, "He that heareth you heareth me, and he that despiseth you despiseth me, and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me." As Christ is not now on earth in person but has left us ambassadors in Christ's stead, beseeching us to be reconciled to God; it follows that a slight or insult to these ambassadors is an insult to Christ. Therefore, take heed what ye do unto these men; for if this counsel and work be of God it will stand and ye cannot overthrow it, lest haply ye be found fighting against God. EDWIN C. STILES.