“The Lord requires his people to use their reason, and not lay it aside for impressions. His work will be intelligible to all his children. His teaching will be such as will commend itself to the understanding of intelligent minds. It is calculated to elevate the mind. God’s power is not manifested upon every occasion. Man’s necessity is God’s opportunity.”-Testimonies for the Church 1:230. COOD 112.2
Not only did the Testimonies speak plain on this case, and say “God’s people are justified in securing church property in a lawful manner,” but he left the conscientious brother to make a move, in harmony with his own position, which showed the folly of his claim. Through such presumption-leaving the Lord to defend his claims in court-he lost the sound title of his own home farm. COOD 112.3