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Counsels for the Church - Ellen G. White

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his host fall back, well knowing that <strong>the</strong>ir battle is lost. The willing subjects<br />

of Satan are faithful, active, and united in one object. And although <strong>the</strong>y hate<br />

and war with one ano<strong>the</strong>r, yet <strong>the</strong>y improve every opportunity to advance<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir common interest. But <strong>the</strong> great Commander in heaven and earth has<br />

limited Satan's power.<br />

Danger in Venturing From <strong>the</strong> Protection of Heaven<br />

Angels of God will preserve His people while <strong>the</strong>y walk in <strong>the</strong> path of<br />

duty, but <strong>the</strong>re is no assurance of such protection <strong>for</strong> those who deliberately<br />

venture upon Satan's ground. An agent of <strong>the</strong> great deceiver will say and do<br />

anything to gain his object. It matters little whe<strong>the</strong>r he calls himself a<br />

spiritualist, an "electric physician," or a "magnetic healer." By specious<br />

pretenses he wins <strong>the</strong> confidence of <strong>the</strong> unwary. He pretends to read <strong>the</strong> life<br />

history and to understand all <strong>the</strong> difficulties and afflictions of those who<br />

resort to him. Disguising himself as an angel of light, while <strong>the</strong> blackness of<br />

<strong>the</strong> pit is in his heart, he manifests great interest in women who seek his<br />

counsel. He tells <strong>the</strong>m that all <strong>the</strong>ir troubles are due to an unhappy marriage.<br />

This may be too true, but such a counselor does not better <strong>the</strong>ir condition. He<br />

tells <strong>the</strong>m that <strong>the</strong>y need love and sympathy. Pretending great interest in <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

welfare, he casts a spell over his unsuspecting victims, charming <strong>the</strong>m as <strong>the</strong><br />

serpent charms <strong>the</strong> trembling bird. Soon <strong>the</strong>y are completely in his power;<br />

sin, disgrace, and ruin are <strong>the</strong> terrible sequel.<br />

These workers of iniquity are not few. Their path is marked by desolated<br />

homes, blasted reputations, and broken hearts. But of all this <strong>the</strong> world<br />

knows little; still <strong>the</strong>y go on making fresh victims, and Satan exults in <strong>the</strong><br />

ruin he has wrought.<br />

"Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in<br />

Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto <strong>the</strong>m, Go,<br />

inquire of Baal-zebub <strong>the</strong> god of Ekron whe<strong>the</strong>r I shall recover of this<br />

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