Chapter 28—Sympathy for the Erring
Dear Brother A,
I have risen early to write to you. Additional light has been given
me of late, for which I am responsible. Twice while in this state has the
Lord revealed Himself to me. While pleading with Him in the night
season, I was shown in vision many things connected with the cause
of God. The state of things in the church, the college, the sanitarium,
and the publishing houses located at Battle Creek, and the work of
God in Europe and England, in Oregon and Texas, and in other new
fields, was presented before me. There is the greatest need of the work
in new fields starting right, bearing the impress of the divine. Many in
these new fields will be in danger of accepting the truth or assenting to
it, who have not a genuine conversion of heart. When tested by storm
and tempest, it will be found that their house is not built upon a rock
but upon sliding sand. Practical godliness must be possessed by the
minister and developed in his daily life and character. His discourses
should not be exclusively theoretical.
I was shown some things not favorable to the prosperity of the
cause of truth in Texas. The Brethren B and their families have not
heretofore been a blessing or help to the cause of God in any place.
Their influence has been shown me before this as not being a sweet-
smelling savor. They cannot build up the cause of God because they
have not the elements within them which make them capable of exert-
ing a healthful influence on the side of God and the truth. If you had
had the mind of God you would not have been so void of discernment,
especially after you had been faithfully warned by those in whom you
should have had confidence. Smooth words and fair speeches have
deceived you. These brothers are not all alike, but all have defective
characters. By constant watchfulness over themselves, and by earnest
prayer to God in faith, they may make a success of keeping self in
its proper position. Through Jesus Christ they may be transformed in
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character and obtain a moral fitness to meet the Lord when He shall
come, but God will not lay any important responsibility upon them,
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