If all in Battle Creek stood true to the light God has given them, true to the interests of the church, feeling the worth of souls for whom Christ died, a different influence would be exerted. But here we see acted over to a great extent the experience of the children of Israel. As the people stood before Mount Sinai, listening to the voice of God, they were so forcibly impressed with His sacred presence that they retreated in terror and cried out to Moses: “Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” There before the mount they made solemn vows of allegiance to God; but scarcely had the thunders and the trumpet and the voice of the Lord ceased, when they were bowed upon their knees before an idol. Their leader had been called away from their sight and was enveloped in a thick cloud, in converse with God. {4T 514.1}

Hvis alle i Battle Creek var oprigtige over for det lys Gud har givet dem, oprigtige mod menighedens interesser, mærkede værdien af de sjæle Kristus døde for, ville der udvises en anden indflydelse. Men her ser vi i stort omfang den erfaring Israels børn gjorde. Idet folket stod foran Sinajs bjerg og lyttede til Guds røst, blev de så stærkt indprentet af hans hellige nærhed, at de trak sig tilbage i rædsel og skreg til Moses: »Tal du med os, så vil vi lytte til; men lad ikke Gud tale med os, at vi ikke skal dø!« Der foran bjerget gjorde de højtidelige løfter for lydighed mod Gud; men knapt nok var tordenen, basunen og Herrens røst ophørt, før de havde bøjet knæ for en afgud. Deres leder var kaldt borte fra deres øjne og var indhyllet i en tyk sky, i samtale med Gud.