It is the Lord's design that the church shall stand as His representative in a revolted world. No authority should have place in it, no laws be acknowledged, that would limit its influence. The laws of God's kingdom are to be honored and obeyed. Its members are to be those who have renounced the service of sin, cut loose from Satan's arbitrary power, and taken their stand under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel. They are to know the meaning of the words, “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name; which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.PUR December 15, 1904, par. 1

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. . . . And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.”PUR December 15, 1904, par. 2

“All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”PUR December 15, 1904, par. 3

There is a constant work to be done in the church. Fathers and mothers, begin this work in the church in your own home. Reveal in your lives those principles which will do honor to God and to His church. Study the following scripture, and submit yourselves and your children to God, remembering the solemn obligation that rests upon you:PUR December 15, 1904, par. 4

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“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.”PUR December 15, 1904, par. 5

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.PUR December 15, 1904, par. 6

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.PUR December 15, 1904, par. 7

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God, and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons.”PUR December 15, 1904, par. 8

How plain are the directions that God has given through the inspiration of His Spirit. Upon all believers there rests a special work. Each one is to reveal in his life the grace of Christ. The members of each home are to reveal the transformation that has been wrought by this grace. When parents will remember that they are to begin with the church in the home, the true work of reform for which God calls will be carried forward. Let us now decide to be Christians in the home.PUR December 15, 1904, par. 9

“Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.” Let us now resolve to work out the Lord's plans, instead of working our own plans, according to our own disposition and natural feelings. A great reformation could be most successfully carried out, if each one claiming to be a child of God would be obedient to Bible truth, showing in the life the fruits of true conversion.PUR December 15, 1904, par. 10

“Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” When the heart is subdued and transformed by the grace of Christ, the life will reveal the fruits of the Spirit. The battle going on in the soul is watched with intense interest by the heavenly family, and when, through the grace of Christ, the victory is gained, thanksgiving breaks forth among the angels.PUR December 15, 1904, par. 11

“Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.” Here is pointed out the work of church-members. Instead of allowing Satan to lead them to think and speak evil of those who, under trying circumstances, are carrying heavy responsibilities, they are to ask God to give them words to speak to those who know not the truth. There has been much evil-thinking and evil-speaking among us as a people, to the great detriment of home religion and of the work of the church in the world. Let us be determined to work out the plan of God. This will help us to guard against the contagion of evil-speaking. Seeds of evil, scattered in the mind, quickly spring up, and the plants strike their roots down deep, and bear an abundant harvest.PUR December 15, 1904, par. 12

Let us pray for the success of the efforts of the Lord's missionaries. Let us ask the Lord to open to us a door of utterance, that we may speak the mysteries of Christ. In the place of speaking words of criticism, to the discouragement of souls already weak, let us speak of the love and goodness of God. “Walk in wisdom toward them which are without, redeeming the time.” Consecrate the talent of speech to God. Let your faith lay hold of His promises, and break forth in praise and thanksgiving to Him. “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Let us maintain towards our brethren and sisters in the church a faithful, God-fearing attitude, that no one may be disheartened by our words. Let us begin the new year by offering praise and thanksgiving to God, with the determination, through His grace, to consecrate the talent of speech to His service. The love of God in the hearts of the members of the church will give them joy and peace and gladness, enabling them to live lives that will cause rejoicing among the angels of God.PUR December 15, 1904, par. 13

Ellen G. White

December 8, 1904

December 22, 1904