Cause in Iowa
399
deception, vileness, and iniquity; and he was despised and derided
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because he was so easily duped. He went where he could not expect
to find the pure and the good. He learned ways of life and habits of
speech which were not elevating and ennobling. Many are in danger
of being thus lead away imperceptibly until they become degraded in
their own estimation. In order to gain the applause of the heartless and
ungodly, they are in danger of yielding the purity and nobleness of
manhood, and of becoming slaves to Satan.
Young Ministers
I have been shown that Iowa will be left far behind other states in
the standard of pure godliness if young men are permitted to have in-
fluence in her conference while it is evident that they are not connected
with God. I feel it to be a most solemn duty resting upon me to say
that Iowa would be in a better condition today if Brethren F and G had
remained silent. Not having experimental godliness themselves, how
can they lead the people to that Fountain with which they themselves
are unacquainted?
A prevailing skepticism is continually increasing in reference to the
Testimonies of the Spirit of God; and these youth encourage question-
ings and doubts instead of removing them, because they are ignorant
of the spirit and power and force of the Testimonies. While thus un-
sanctified in heart their labor can do the people no good. They may
apparently convince souls that we have the truth, but where is the Spirit
and power of God to impress the heart and awaken conviction of sin?
Where is the power to carry the convicted forward to an experimental
knowledge of vital godliness? They have not a knowledge of this
themselves; then how can they represent the religion of Christ? If
young men would enter the field, in no wise discourage them; but first
let them learn the trade.
Brother G might have united his efforts with those of the physicians
at the sanitarium, but he could not harmonize with them. He was too
self-sufficient to be a learner. He was puffed up and egotistical. He had
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just as good a prospect as other young men; but while they were willing
to receive instruction and to occupy any position where they could
be of the greatest service, he would not adapt himself to the situation.
He thought he knew too much to occupy a secondary position. He