Chapter 6—Experience Not Reliable
Dear Sister N,
In the view given me December 10, 1871, I saw that some things
had been great hindrances to your recovery of health. Your peculiar
traits of character have prevented you from receiving the good you
might have received, and from improving in health as you might have
improved. You have a special routine to go through and you will not
[68]
be turned aside from it. You have your ideas, which you carry out,
when frequently they are not in harmony with physical law, but simply
with your judgment.
You have a strong mind and set will, and you think you understand
your own case better than others can, because you trace your feelings.
You are guided by your feelings and are governed by your experience.
You have tried this and that plan to your entire satisfaction, and have
decided that your judgment was the best to follow in your own case.
But what has been your standard? Answer: Your feelings. Now, my
sister, what have your feelings to do with the real facts in the case?
But very little. Feelings are a poor criterion, especially when under
the control of a strong imagination and firm will. You have a very
determined mind, and your course is mapped out before you; but you
do not view your case from a correct standpoint. Your judgment is not
safe to be relied upon when it relates to your own case.
I was shown that you had made some improvement, but not as
much, as fast, or as thorough, as you might, because you take your
case into your own hands. For this reason, and that you might feel
it your duty to be guided by the judgment of the more experienced,
I wished you to come to the Health Institute. The physicians of the
Health Institute understand disease, its causes and proper treatment,
better than you can; and if you will yield your set ideas willingly, and
abide by their judgment, there is hope of your recovery. But if you
refuse to do this, I see no hope of your becoming what you might be
with proper treatment.
64