Bad Use of the Visions

I have been shown that some, especially in Iowa, make the visions a rule to measure all by, and have taken a course which my husband and myself have never pursued in our labors. Some are unacquainted with me and my labors, and they are very skeptical of anything bearing the name of visions. This is all natural, and can only be overcome by experience. If individuals are not settled, they should not be crowded off. The course to pursue with such may be found in Testimony No. 8, pp. 32, 33, which I hope will be read by all. There is a supply of No. 8 at the Office. Ministers should have compassion of some, making a difference. Others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. God's ministers should have wisdom to give to every one his portion of meat, and to make that difference with individuals which their case requires. The course pursued with some in Iowa who are unacquainted with me, has not been a careful and consistent one. Those who were comparatively strangers to the visions, have been dealt with in the same manner that they would deal with those who have had much light and experience in the visions. Some have been required to endorse the visions when they could not conscientiously do so, and in this way some honest souls have been driven to take positions against the visions, and against the body, which they never would have taken; had their case been managed with discretion and mercy.T09 26.1

There are those who have had long experience, and have for years been acquainted with me, and with the influence of the visions. They have tested their truthfulness and asserted their belief in them. They have felt the powerful influence of the Spirit of God resting upon them to witness to the truthfulness of the visions. If such, when reproved through vision, rise up against them, and oppose, and work secretly to injure our influence, they should be dealt faithfully with, for their influence is endangering those who lack experience.T09 26.2

Ministers of present truth, while they bear a pointed testimony, reproving individual wrongs, and seeking to tear away the idols from the camp of Israel, must manifest forbearance. They should preach the truth in its solemnity and importance. The truth received in the heart, will accomplish that for the receiver which nothing else can. If the minister presents the truth in the demonstration of the Spirit, and it does not cut away the idols, to denounce and bear down upon the individual, will not do it. It may appear that some are joined to their idols, yet I saw that they should be very reluctant to give up the poor deceived ones. They should ever bear in mind that we are all erring mortals, and that Christ exercises much pity for our weakness, and loves us although we err. If God should deal with us as we often deal with each other, we should be consumed. While ministers preach the plain, cutting truths, they must let the truth do the cutting and hewing, not do it themselves. They should lay the axe (the truths of God's word) at the root of the tree, and something will be accomplished. Pour out the testimony just as straight as it is found in the word of God, with a heart full of the warming, quickening influence of the Spirit of God, all in tenderness, yearning for souls, and the work among God's people will be effectual. Why there is so little of the Spirit of God manifested, is because ministers learn to do without it. They lack the grace of God; lack forbearance and patience; lack a spirit of consecration and sacrifice; and this is the only reason why some are doubting the evidences of God's word. The trouble is not at all in the word of God, but in themselves. They lack the grace of God: lack devotion, personal piety and holiness. This leads them to be unstable, and throws them often on the Devil's battle-field. I saw however pious men may have appeared to be; however strong they may have advocated the truth; when they begin to talk unbelief in regard to some scriptures which caused them to doubt the inspiration of the Bible, be afraid of them; for God is at a great distance from them.T09 26.3