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Right Methods, Principles, and Motives
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as a design to bruise and wound. This spirit cherished will lead to
numerous evils. None will venture to tell you when you err, because
the faithful one would be regarded as an enemy. Thus the kindness
that should exist between brethren in the faith is killed because of
the jealous interpretation put upon the God-fearing cautions given.
Undue stress is laid upon words, imagination exaggerates the matter
and creates alienation.
Nevertheless we must not suffer wrong upon a brother. Self-
sufficiency must be overcome. Love of applause must be seen as a
snare. There is always danger of making grave blunders through con-
ceit of our own wisdom and qualifications. Let these qualifications
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reveal their true value, and they will be appreciated.
Spirit of Union and Equality Among Laborers
I am urged by the Spirit of God to counsel my brethren to unite
with one another in labor. Love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous,
be true as steel to one another, but crush that feeling of superiority
over your brother ministers which leads one to feel that he cannot
link up with others in labor. No one man should feel that he must do
the whole work. However experienced or well qualified he may be,
there is need of other talents to unite with his. It is a mistake to think
that one man’s train of thought will accomplish the work for all hearts
in a religious effort. Men of different minds are needed, men whose
hearts are tenderly led out to win souls. Different methods of labor
are really essential in sowing the seeds of truth and gathering in the
harvest. It is often the case that men of the humblest ability will reach
hearts that have been steeled against another man’s labors. Much
praying is essential. The soul’s drawing nigh to God in communion
means God’s drawing nigh to the soul that is seeking Him. There
needs to be greater devotion of heart and life in service to God.
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Counsel Together
[Special Testimonies, Series A 5:3-7 (1896).]
The greatest work is before us. The peril which threatens our
usefulness, and which will prove our ruin if not seen and overcome, is
selfishness—placing a higher estimate upon our plans, our opinions,