I was pointed to the providence of God among His people and was shown that every trial made by the refining, purifying process upon professed Christians proves some to be dross. The fine gold does not always appear. In every religious crisis some fall under temptation. The shaking of God blows away multitudes like dry leaves. Prosperity multiplies a mass of professors. Adversity purges them out of the church. As a class, their spirits are not steadfast with God. They go out from us because they are not of us; for when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, many are offended. {4T 89.2}

Guds forsyns styrelse iblandt hans folk blev påpeget for mig og jeg så, at enhver prøvelse, der forekommer under den lutrende og rensende proces blandt bekendende kristne, godtgør, at nogle er som slagger. Det fine guld viser sig ikke altid. I enhver religiøs krise er der nogle, som falder for fristelse. Guds rystelse blæser skarer bort som tørt løv. Medgang forøger antallet af kristendoms bekendere. Modgang udrenser dem af menigheden. De udgør en klasse, hvis ånd ikke holder fast ved Gud. De går bort fra os, fordi de ikke er af os; for når trængsel eller forfølgelse for ordets skyld kommer, tager mange anstød.