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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
lifts it to His shoulders and bears it back to the fold. The pure, sinless
Redeemer bears the sinful, the unclean.—MS 17, 1895.
Wise Counseling—Sympathy is good, wisely given, but it must
be judiciously imparted, with a knowledge that the subject is deserv-
ing sympathy. What shall be said of receiving advice and counsel?
Proverbs 25:9-12
: “Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and
discover not a secret to another: lest he that heareth it put thee to shame
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an
earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover
upon an obedient ear.”
When we can associate together to help one another heavenward,
when the conversation is upon divine and heavenly things, then it
amounts to something to talk; but when the conversation centers upon
self and upon earthly and unimportant matters, silence is golden. The
obedient ear will receive reproof with humility, patience, and teach-
ableness. Then only do our communications with each other prove
beneficial and fulfill all that God would have them. When both sides
of the divine instruction are fulfilled, the wise reprover does his duty,
and the obedient ear hears to a purpose and is benefited.—Lt 52, 1893.
(
Sons and Daughters of God, 166
.)
Be Calm and Kind, Whatever Occurs—There will ever be
things arising to annoy, perplex, and try the patience.... They must
be prepared for this and not become excited or unbalanced. They
must be calm and kind, whatever may occur....They should ever con-
sider that they are dealing with men and women of diseased minds,
[773]
who frequently view things in a perverted light and yet are confident
that they understand matters perfectly.—
Testimonies for the Church
3:182
(1872).
Do Not Expect Too Much—Ministers should be careful not to
expect too much from persons who are still groping in the darkness
of error.... They should be patient and wise in dealing with minds,
remembering how manifold are the circumstances that have devel-
oped such different traits in individuals.—
Testimonies for the Church
4:262
(1876).
The Atmosphere of Peace—The very first work, my brethren, is
to secure the blessing of God in your own hearts. Then bring this
blessing into your homes, put away your criticisms, overcome your
exacting ways, and let the spirit of carefulness and kindness prevail.