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Seek Wisdom from Above, July 13
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and
easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy.
James 3:17
.
Dear Edson and Emma: ... My greatest desire is that you may be a polished
instrument in the hand of God to be used to His glory.
I hope you will not think you can go forward in your own strength relying
upon your own judgment. Seek wisdom from above. Be true, be noble in purpose.
Be elevated in life, and may the God of peace sanctify you wholly, soul, body,
and spirit. Do not cease searching and studying and getting at the very bottom
of things. God will help you in all your earnest efforts, my dear children. If you
both consecrate yourselves unselfishly to God and to His work, He will accept
you. You will not have the reward here, but you must look for the reward by and
by when the “Well done” is spoken by the Master....
All who enter heaven must be brought to the test and tried as gold in the fire
even in this world. Our greatest danger will be in a carnal security. God help you,
my children, to never boast in self. Unless you both watch unto prayer, you will
fail at last. Never fancy it a brave life to live at ease....
Be sure, my son, dig deep, lay the foundation sure. Do not ... [be deficient in]
thoroughness in your efforts to seek God. Do not seek to cover up or gloss over
one sin, but search deep. Guard against moving from impulse, calling it religious
zeal. Surrounding influence may affect the feelings of many. The good example
of others may have weight for a season, but if the heart is not renewed, if it is not
thoroughly converted, it will return naturally to its own element. Watch, my dear
children, against self-deception. Selfish ends may want to creep and insinuate
themselves into the best actions, but give no place to the devil. Stir up your souls
with daily fears of sin. Connect with heaven, and angels will minister unto you....
Cling to Jesus, your Redeemer. He has given you continual evidences of His
love in that He has given you adversity time and again. If we cannot bear these
lighter trials, if a little lift of prosperity or adversity discover in us falseness, pride,
and selfishness in the heart, if we yield to discouragement and to sin, if the scoffs
and frowns of wicked men afflict us and take away our courage and hope, and we
faint in the day of adversity, O, how shall we stand when He appeareth? ...
We pray for you often. We believe the Lord is helping and blessing you. Aim
high. Seek for more dignity—that which is of heavenly birth. Mother.—
Letter 23,
July 13, 1875
, to Edson and Emma White.
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