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Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2
on the account of others. He calls upon young men and young women
to be strictly temperate and conscientious in the use of their faculties
of mind and body. Their capabilities can be developed only by the
diligent use and wise appropriation of their powers to the glory of God
and the benefit of their fellowmen.—Lt 145, 1897.
Surrounded With Atmosphere of Faith—It is of the greatest
importance to us that we surround the soul with the atmosphere of
faith. Every day we are deciding our own eternal destiny in harmony
[434]
with the atmosphere that surrounds the soul. We are individually
accountable for the influence that we exert, and consequences that we
do not see will result from our words and actions.
If God would have saved Sodom for the sake of ten righteous
persons, what would be the influence for good that might go out as
a result of the faithfulness of the people of God, if everyone who
professed the name of Christ were also clothed with His righteousness?
If God could tell the abode and designate the trade of Simon the
tanner and definitely direct the centurion as to how he would find him
living by the seaside, He also knows us by name, knows what is our
trade or business, where we live, and what are our experiences. He
knows whether we are clearing the King’s highway from all rubbish
and hindrance, so that He can beckon our souls onward and upward,
or whether we are filling the path with rubbish and blocking up our
own way, and placing stumbling blocks in the way of sinners to hinder
the salvation of precious souls for whom Christ died.—Und ms 23.
Dealing With Varied Dispositions—The Lord wants us to be
sanctified. We shall have to contend with people of varied dispositions,
and we should be in a position where we know how to deal with human
minds. We must ask Christ to give us words to speak that will be a
blessing. And as we thus seek to help others, we shall be blessed
ourselves.—MS 41, 1908.
A Most Important Work—This work [correcting wrong-doing]
is the nicest, the most difficult, ever committed to human beings. It
requires the most delicate tact, the finest susceptibility, a knowledge of
human nature, and a heaven-born faith and patience, willing to work
and watch and wait. It is a work than which nothing can be more
important.—
Education, 292
(1903).
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Delicate Work to Deal With Minds—It is a very delicate thing
to deal with human minds. You may stand up stiffly, and never, never