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Pride in the Young
161
they be afraid of enjoying themselves, when this seemed to be the
aim of those who were of longer experience in-----?
The influence of the youth in-----extends as far as they are known,
and their unconsecrated lives are proverbial; and none have had more
influence in the wrong direction than you. You have dishonored
your profession and been miserable representatives of the truth.
Says the True Witness: “I know thy works, that thou art neither
cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou
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art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My
mouth.” Were you cold, there would be some hope that you would
be converted; but where self-righteousness girds one about, instead
of the righteousness of Christ, the deception is so difficult to be seen,
and the self-righteousness so hard to be put away, that the case is the
most difficult to reach. An unconverted, godless sinner stands in a
more favorable condition than such.
You are a stumbling block to sinners. Your lack of consecration
is marked. You are scattering from Christ instead of gathering with
Him. If God will help me to tear off your self-righteous garments, I
will have hope that you may yet redeem the time and lead exemplary
lives. You have been frequently aroused, but as often have sunk
back into your former do-nothing, self-righteous condition, having a
name to live while you are dead. Your pride threatens to be your ruin.
God has spoken to you upon this point. If you make no reformation,
affliction will come upon you, and your joy be turned to heaviness,
until you humble your hearts under the hand of God. Your prayers
God does not accept. They come from hearts filled with pride and
selfishness. You, my dear sister, are vain; you have lived an aimless
life, when, had you been humble and lived to bless others, you
would have been a blessing to yourself and to all around you. May
God forgive your parents and sisters for the part they have acted in
making you what you are—just that which God cannot accept, just
that which, if you remain the same, will be stubble for the fire to
consume in the day of God.
When I was shown in regard to the spirit of selfishness existing
in those who were working in the office, that there were some who
were merely working for wages, as though engaged in any common
enterprise, you were both among the number. You were both selfish
and self-caring. Your anxiety was to please yourselves and to obtain
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