At Rochester, New York, December 25, 1865,
I was shown many things concerning the people of God in connection
with His work for these last days. I saw that many professed
Sabbathkeepers will come short of everlasting life. They fail
to take warning from the course pursued by the children of Israel
and fall into some of their evil ways. If they continue in these
sins they will fall like the Israelites and never enter the heavenly
Canaan. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:
and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of
the world are come."
I saw that many would fall this side of
the kingdom. God is testing and proving His people, and many
will not endure the test of character, the measurement of God.
Many will have close work to overcome their peculiar traits of
character and be without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, unrebukable
before God and man. Many professed Sabbathkeepers will be no
special benefit to the cause of God or the church without a thorough
reformation on their part. Many Sabbathkeepers are not right
before God in their political views. They are not
in harmony with God's word or in union with
the body of Sabbathkeeping believers. Their views do not accord
with the principles of our faith. Sufficient light has been given
to correct all who wish to be corrected. All who still retain
political sentiments which are not in accordance with the spirit
of truth are living in violation of the principles of heaven.
Therefore as long as they thus remain they cannot possess the
spirit of freedom and holiness.
Their principles and positions in political
matters are a great hindrance to their spiritual advancement.
These are a constant snare to them and a reproach to our faith,
and those who retain these principles will eventually be brought
just where the enemy would be glad to have them, where they will
be finally separated from Sabbathkeeping Christians. These brethren
cannot receive the approval of God while they lack sympathy for
the oppressed colored race and are at variance with the pure,
republican principles of our Government. God has no more sympathy
with rebellion upon earth than with the rebellion in heaven,
when the great rebel questioned the foundation of God's government
and was thrust out with all who sympathized with him in his rebellion.