Chapter 6—A Healthy Normality
The Source of True Happiness—There are persons with a dis-
eased imagination to whom religion is a tyrant, ruling them as with
a rod of iron. Such are constantly mourning over their depravity and
groaning over supposed evil. Love does not exist in their hearts; a
frown is ever upon their countenances. They are chilled with the inno-
cent laugh from the youth or from anyone. They consider all recreation
or amusement a sin and think that the mind must be constantly wrought
up to just such a stern, severe pitch. This is one extreme.
Others think that the mind must be ever on the stretch to invent
new amusements and diversions in order to gain health. They learn to
depend on excitement, and are uneasy without it. Such are not true
Christians. They go to another extreme.
The true principles of Christianity open before all a source of
happiness, the height and depth, the length and breadth of which are
immeasurable. It is Christ in us a well of water springing up into
everlasting life. It is a continual wellspring from which the Christian
can drink at will and never exhaust the fountain.—
Testimonies for the
Church 1:565, 566
(1867).
[49]
Zeal Which Quickly Fades—We are not to encourage a spirit of
enthusiasm that brings zeal for a while but soon fades away, leaving
discouragement and depression. We need the Bread of life that comes
down from heaven to give life to the soul. Study the Word of God. Do
not be controlled by feeling. All who labor in the vineyard of the Lord
must learn that feeling is not faith. To be always in a state of elevation
is not required. But it is required that we have firm faith in the Word of
God as the flesh and blood of Christ.—
Letter 17, 1902
(
Evangelism,
138
.)
Neither Cold Orthodoxy Nor Careless Liberalism—The
progress of reform depends upon a clear recognition of fundamental
truth. While, on the one hand, danger lurks in a narrow philosophy
and a hard, cold orthodoxy, on the other hand there is great danger in
a careless liberalism. The foundation of all enduring reform is the law
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