Again I feel it my duty to speak to the
Lord's people in great plainness. It is humiliating to me to
point out the errors and rebellion of those who have long been
acquainted with us and our work. I do it to correct wrong statements
that have gone abroad concerning my husband and myself calculated
to injure the cause, and as a warning to others. If we only were
to suffer, I would be silent; but when the cause is in danger
of reproach and suffering, I must speak, however humiliating.
Proud hypocrites will triumph over our brethren because they
are humble enough to confess their sins. God loves His people
who keep His commandments, and reproves them, not because they
are the worst, but because they are the best people in the world.
"As many as I love," says Jesus, "I rebuke and
chasten."
I would call especial attention to the
remarkable dreams given in this little work, all with harmony
and distinctness illustrating the same things. The multitude
of dreams arise from the common things of life, with which the
Spirit of God has nothing to do. There are also false dreams,
as well as false visions, which are inspired by the spirit of
Satan. But dreams from the Lord are classed in the word of God
with visions and are as truly the fruits of the spirit of prophecy
as visions. Such dreams, taking into the account the persons
who have them and the circumstances
under which they are given, contain their own proofs of their
genuineness.
May the blessing of God attend this little
work.