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Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4b
exerting a scattering influence, and that they themselves help to carry
out Satan’s plans.
I saw that many souls have been destroyed by their brethren un-
wisely sympathizing with them, when their only hope was to be left
to see and realize the full extent of their wrongs. But as they eagerly
receive the sympathy of unwise brethren, they receive the idea that
they are abused; and if they attempt to retrace their steps, they make
half-hearted work. They divide the matter to suit their natural feel-
ings, lay blame upon the reprover, and so patch up the matter. It is
not healed, it is not probed to the bottom, and they fall into the same
wrong again, because they were not left to feel the extent of their
wrong and humble themselves before God, and let him build them up.
False sympathizers have worked in direct opposition to the mind of
Christ and ministering angels.
Ministers of Christ should arise and engage in the work of God
with all their energies. God’s servants are not excused if they shun
pointed testimony. They should reprove and rebuke wrong, and not
suffer sin upon a brother.
[48]
Duty to Children
I have been shown that parents generally have not taken a proper
course with their children. They are not restrained as they should be.
They are left to indulge in pride, and follow their own inclinations.
Anciently parental authority was regarded, and children were in sub-
jection to their parents. They feared and reverenced them; but the
order in these last days is reversed. Some parents are in subjection to
their children. They fear their children, and yield to them. They fear
to cross the will of their children; but just as long as children are under
the roof of their parents, dependent upon them, they should be subject
to them. Parents should move with decision, requiring the following
out of their views of right.
Eli might have restrained his wicked sons, but he feared their dis-
pleasure. He suffered them to go on in their rebellion, until they were
a curse to Israel. Parents are required to restrain their children. The
salvation of children depends very much upon the course pursued by
their parents. In their mistaken love and fondness for their children,
they indulge them to their hurt, nourish their pride, and put upon them