Chapter 18—Faithful Reproofs Necessary
The following testimony, given in my last vision, January 5, 1875,
I wrote in my tent between the services of the Vermont camp meeting,
August, 1875. It sets forth the condition of things at-----in January,
1875. Developments during the following summer fully justified the
apparent severity of the testimony. In September I read portions of
it to that church, and a great work commenced under our labors; yet,
for the benefit of that church and others, I give the testimony in this
humble work.
Darkness is getting the control where only the Spirit of God should
rule. But few who engage in the work realize the necessity of personal
effort and individual responsibility in whatever department they oc-
cupy. Few feel the sacredness of the work in which they are engaged.
They regard it as upon a common level with ordinary enterprises.
Selfishness predominates with many who should know that a life
of self-sacrificing love is a life of peace and liberty. Those who seek
happiness by gratifying themselves and looking out mainly for their
own interests are on the wrong track to secure happiness even upon
earth. Whoever is unfaithful in the least of his duties is unfaithful
in greater ones. If he neglects to faithfully perform the small tasks
devolving upon him, he proves himself incapable of bearing weightier
responsibilities; he indicates that he is not wholehearted in the work
and that he does not have an eye single to the glory of God.
Some are ready to define the duties that belong to others, and
realize the full importance of their responsibilities, but fail to readily
perceive their own. Personal fidelity and individual responsibility
are needed especially in the Health Institute [now sanitarium], and
in the office, the church, and the school. If all connected with these
institutions were listening eagerly to hear what Jesus directed them to
do, instead of turning to ask what this man or that man shall do, we
should witness a great change in every department of the work. If the
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language of each heart was, “I must listen to Christ’s teachings, and
obey His voice; no one can do my work for me; the attention of others
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