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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
certain subjects, even if your wife is present. You are encouraging
in them the idea that it is all right to communicate to ministers the
family secrets and difficulties that should be brought before God, who
understands the heart, who never makes a mistake, and who judges
righteously. Refuse to listen to any communications of private matters,
concerning either families or individuals. If persons are encouraged to
come to one man with their troubles, they will think it all right to keep
up this practice, and it will become a snare, not only to the soul who
communicates, but to the one to whom these things are confided.”—Lt
7, 1889.
Limitation of the Minister’s Counsel to Women—Women have
been attracted to you, and have been ready to pour into your ears their
private troubles and family disappointments. You ought not to lend an
ear to them, but tell them that you are yourself only an erring mortal;
that God is their helper. Jesus knows the secrets of every heart, and
He can bless and comfort them. Tell them that you might misjudge
and be led to encourage evil, rather than reprove it. Point them to “the
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” If you will put
on the armor and, crossing though it may be, give personal labor just
where it is needed, to those who are closing the door against the light
of heaven because of their selfishness and covetousness, you may not
make so many friends, but you will save souls.—Lt 48, 1888.
Warnings Repeated—Let not women be attracted to you. Stand
in the uprightness of your soul and tell them you are not their confessor.
Jesus is the one to learn the secrets of the heart. You are only human,
and judging only from a human standpoint, you might make wrong
decisions, give wrong counsel.—MS 59, 1900.
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I cannot see any light, my brother, in your having meetings for
young ladies alone. Let there be experienced women to educate and
train the young women in propriety of deportment and influence. Do
not let them communicate their private history to any man living. This
is not God’s order, and you should not encourage anything of the
kind.—Lt 9, 1889.
Factors in Effective Counseling—When a crisis comes in the
life of any soul, and you attempt to give counsel or admonition, your
words will have only the weight of influence for good that your own
example and spirit have gained for you. You must be good before you
can do good. You cannot exert an influence that will transform others