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Danger of Riches
209
away from yourself to care for them, to instruct them, and be an
example to them, it would be an advantage to you. You have called
forth in your home the attention and forbearance which are required
to be exercised toward children. This attention you require and will
have. But you have not thought it any part of your duty to care for,
or seek to advantage, others. You are willful and very set to carry
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out your own plans. When everything is smooth in your pathway,
you manifest the fruits we expect to see borne by a Christian; but
when your path is crossed, the result is the opposite. Like a spoiled
child which deserves chastisement, you have a spell of perverse
willfulness. When two compose a family, as in your case, and there
are no children to call into exercise patience, forbearance, and true
love, there is need of constant watchfulness lest selfishness obtain the
supremacy, lest you yourselves become the center, and you require
attention, care, and interest, which you feel under no obligation
to bestow upon others. The care of children in a family makes it
necessary that a large portion of the time be spent at home, giving
opportunity for the culture of mind and heart in connection with the
ordinary cares of domestic life.
You neglect to keep your heart, and neglect to do good with
the means which God has given you. Your influence could benefit
did you feel that anything was required of you toward those who
need help, who need encouraging and strengthening. But you have
so long studied your pleasure that you are disqualified to benefit
those around you. You need to discipline yourself in order that
your affections and thoughts may be brought into subjection. Take
time for self-examination, that you may bring all your powers in
subjection to the mind and will of God. You are shut up to self. It is
the privilege of every true Christian to exert an influence for good
over everyone with whom he associates.
You, my sister, will be rewarded according as your works have
been. Closely investigate your motives, and candidly decide whether
you are rich in good works. I was pointed back to last spring, when
the Lord was doing a good work in-----and vicinity. Angels of mercy
were hovering over His people, and hearts which knew not God and
the truth were deeply stirred. The Lord would have carried forward
the work He so graciously commenced, had the brethren been in
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working order. You had so long consulted your own wishes, and