Here comes the union of Church & State

[Robert]

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"The work which the church has failed to do (restore & preach the gospel) in a time of peace and prosperity, she will have to do in a terrible crisis, under most discouraging, forbidding, circumstances. The warnings that worldly conformity has silenced or withheld, must be given under the fiercest opposition from enemies of the faith. And at that time the superficial, conservative class, whose influence has steadily retarded the progress of the work, will renounce the faith, and take their stand with its avowed enemies, toward whom their sympathies have long been tending. These apostates will then manifest the most bitter enmity, doing all in their power to oppress and malign their former brethren, and to excite indignation against them. This day is just before us." [Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 463. {ChS 158.1}]

[Johann]

May God protect us from being among that "superficial, conservative class, whose influence" retards the progress of our work.

[Gerr]

Was she talking about theological conservatives?

The progress of reform depends upon a clear recognition of fundamental truth. While, on the one hand, danger lurks in a narrow philosophy and a hard, cold orthodoxy, on the other hand there is great danger in a careless liberalism. The foundation of all enduring reform is the law of God. We are to present in clear, distinct lines the need of obeying this law. Its principles must be kept before the people. They are as everlasting and inexorable as God Himself. {MH 129.4}

Sinners are continually crying, "You are narrow, so narrow." "Liberalism," cry the lawless; "Bring not your claims of law upon us." "The religion of Christ," says another, "is too hard. I cannot be a Christian; it involves too much." 4MR 224