Chapter 22—The Peril of Extreme Views
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Appeared in Notebook Leaflets, Methods, No. 4.
]
St. Helena, California
May 19, 1890
Dear Brother K,
I expected ere this to see you and talk with you, or write to you;
but I have not been able to do either, neither am I now able; but I feel
a deep interest in you and am desirous that you shall not be separated
from the work. I have not strength to do justice in conversation with
you; your mind is so quick and your tongue so fluent, that I fear I
should become very much wearied, and that which I might say would
not remain distinct in your mind.
I see your danger; you can readily put your thoughts into words.
You put things in a strong light; and your language is not guarded. Your
views on some points are so expressed that you make your brethren
afraid of you. This need not be. You should not try to get as far from
your brethren as you can, making it appear that you do not see alike.
I have been shown that your influence for good is greatly lessened
because you feel it your duty to express your ideas on certain points
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which you do not fully comprehend yourself, and which, with all your
efforts, you cannot make others comprehend. I have been shown that
it was not necessary for you to feel that you must dwell upon these
points. Some of your ideas are correct, others incorrect and erroneous.
If you would dwell on such subjects as Christ’s willingness to
forgive sins, to receive the sinner, to save that which is lost, subjects
that inspire hope and courage, you would be a blessing. But while
you strive to be original and take such extreme views, and use such
strong language in presenting them, there is danger of doing much
harm. Some may grasp your thought and seem to be benefited, but
when tempted and overcome, they lose courage to fight the good fight
of faith.
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