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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
word of God, with its reproofs, threatenings, and encouragements, that
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the erring ones may be reached. Indifference or neglect will meet the
frown of God.
When the woman found the silver, she called her friends and her
neighbors together, saying: “Rejoice with me; for I have found the
piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the
presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” If the
angels of God rejoice over the erring who see and confess their wrongs
and return to the fellowship of their brethren, how much more should
the followers of Christ, who are themselves erring, and who every day
need the forgiveness of God and of their brethren, feel joy over the
return of a brother or a sister who has been deceived by the sophistry
of Satan and has taken a wrong course and suffered because of it.
Instead of holding the erring off, their brethren should meet them
where they are. Instead of finding fault with them because they are in
the dark, they should light their own lamp by obtaining more divine
grace and a clearer knowledge of the Scriptures, that they may dispel
the darkness of those in error by the light that they bring to them. And
when they succeed, and the erring feel their error and submit to follow
the light, they should be received gladly, and not with a spirit of mur-
muring or an effort to impress upon them their exceeding sinfulness,
which had called forth extra exertion, anxiety, and wearisome labor. If
the pure angels of God hail the event with joy, how much more should
their brethren rejoice, who have themselves needed sympathy, love,
and help when they have erred and in their darkness have not known
how to help themselves.
The Prodigal Son
My attention was called to the parable of the prodigal son. He made
a request that his father should give him his portion of the estate. He
desired to separate his interest from that of his father, and to manage
his share as best suited his own inclination. His father complied with
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the request, and the son selfishly withdrew from his father, that he
might not be troubled with his counsel or reproofs.
The son thought he should be happy when he could use his portion
according to his own pleasure, without being annoyed by advice or
restraint. He did not wish to be troubled with mutual obligation. If