Reaching Catholics
Guarding Our Approaches—We should not, upon entering a
place, build up unnecessary barriers between us and other denomina-
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tions, especially the Catholics, so that they shall think we are their
avowed enemies. We should not create a prejudice in their minds un-
necessarily, by making a raid upon them.... From that which God has
shown me, a great number will be saved from among the Catholics.—
Manuscript 14, 1887
.
A Cautious Work—Be cautious in your labors, brethren, not to
assail the prejudices of the people too strongly. There should be no
going out of the way to attack other denominations; for it only creates a
combative spirit and closes ears and hearts to the entrance of the truth.
We have our work to do, which is not to tear down but to build up. We
are to repair the breach that has been made in the law of God. It is the
nobler work to build up, to present the truth in its force and power and
let it cut its way through prejudice and reveal error in contrast with
truth.
There is danger that our ministers will say too much against the
Catholics and provoke against themselves the strongest prejudices of
that church. There are many souls in the Roman Catholic faith who are
looking with interest to this people; but the power of the priest over his
charges is great, and if he can prejudice the people by his stay-away
arguments, so that when the truth is uttered against the fallen churches
they may not hear it, he will surely do it. But as laborers together with
God, we are provided with spiritual weapons, mighty to the pulling
down of the strongholds of the enemy.—
Letter 39, 1887
.
Avoid Unkind Thrusts—Let not those who write for our papers
make unkind thrusts and allusions that will certainly do harm, and
that will hedge up the way and hinder us from doing the work that we
should do in order to reach all classes, the Catholics included. It is our
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work to speak the truth in love, and not to mix in with the truth the
unsanctified elements of the natural heart, and speak things that savor
of the same spirit possessed by our enemies. All sharp thrusts will
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