Chapter 23—Effect of Discussions
December 10, 1871, I was shown the dangers of Brother K. His
influence upon the cause of God is not what it should be or what it
might be. He seems to be in blindness as to the result of his course;
he does not discern what kind of wake he leaves behind him. He does
not labor in a manner that God can accept. I saw that he was in as
great peril as was Moses Hull before he left the truth. He trusted in
himself. He thought he was of so great value to the cause of truth that
the cause could not spare him. Brother K has felt very much the same.
He relies too much on his own strength and wisdom. If he could see
his weakness as God sees it he would never flatter himself or feel in
the least to triumph. And unless he makes God his dependence and
strength he will make shipwreck of faith as surely as did Moses Hull.
He does not in his labors draw strength from God. He depends
upon an excitement to arouse his ambition. In laboring with a few,
where there is no special excitement to stimulate, he loses his courage.
When the labor goes hard and he is not borne up by this special
excitement, he does not then cling the firmer to God and become more
earnest to press through the darkness and gain the victory. Brother K,
you frequently become childish, weak, and inefficient at the very time
when you should be strongest. This should evidence to you that your
zeal and animation are not always from the right source.
I was shown that here is the danger of young ministers who engage
in discussion. They turn their minds to the study of the word to gather
the sharp things, and they become sarcastic and, in their efforts to
meet an opponent, too frequently leave God out of the question. The
excitement of debate lessens their interest in meetings where this
special excitement does not exist. Those who engage in debates are
not the most successful laborers and the best adapted to build up the
cause. By some, discussion is coveted, and they prefer this kind of
labor above any other. They do not study the Bible with humility of
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mind, that they may know how to attain the love of God; as Paul says:
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted
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