Cautions for Aging Persons
53
not feel that it is your duty to use up what little means you have in
going to a new field.
I have written you my mind about this matter. I sincerely hope that
you will be contented to stay where you are and enjoy your little home
in peace and happiness. There is no reason why you should not enjoy
[70]
the peace of Christ and His precious grace every day. I ask you not to
place yourselves where your trials will be tenfold heavier than they
now are. I have a special interest in your case, and pray that you will
let the Lord mold and fashion you for the future, immortal life.—
Letter
326, 1908
.
Maintaining Personal Tidiness
Dear Brother Robert and Sister Hannah [Sawyer],
I have received your letter, and will now reply. Lest I may have
been misunderstood, I will say that I never intended that any counsel I
have given you in the past should influence you against making any
move that would be for your best interests. I have nothing to say to
hinder your investing your means in any place where you could have
better accommodations or advantages than you have where you now
are.
But do not, I beg of you, move blindly. Do not place yourselves
where you might be left destitute of means among strangers. For you to
move to North Carolina I would consider ill-advised and inconsistent. I
believe that no one who understands your circumstances would advise
such a move. You need to act wisely and carefully. The Lord will not
leave you, if you commit your case fully to Him.
I have words of counsel for Brother Robert. There is need of a
reformation in your habits of dress and appearance. Untidiness in
dress brings a reproach against the truth we profess to believe. You
should consider that you are a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Let the whole life be in harmony with Bible truth. [
Matthew 5:13-16
,
[71]
quoted.]
Neglect of your apparel has been a decidedly objectionable feature
of your character. The impression you have made upon the minds both
of believers and of unbelievers has not met the mind of the Spirit of
God. Because of your slackness in this matter, our people have not
felt free to advise you to take up work in selling literature, a work in