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Sentimentalism and Matchmaking
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are responsible for the talents they abuse. But more responsible are
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those who have generous impulses and are naturally quick to discern
spiritual things, if they remain inactive, waiting an opportunity they
suppose has not come, yet contrasting their readiness to do with
the unwillingness of the niggard, and reflecting that their condition
is more favorable than that of their mean-souled neighbors. Such
deceive themselves. The mere possession of qualities which are
not used only increases their responsibility; and if they keep their
Master’s talents unimproved, or hoarded, their condition is no better
than that of their neighbors for whom their souls feel such contempt.
To them it will be said: Ye knew your Master’s will, yet did it not.
Had you trained your mind to dwell upon elevated subjects, med-
itating upon heavenly themes, you could have done much good. You
could have had an influence upon the minds of others, to turn their
selfish thoughts and world-loving dispositions into the channel of
spirituality. Were your affections and thoughts brought into subjec-
tion to the will of Christ, you would be capable of doing good. Your
imagination is diseased because you have permitted it to run in a
forbidden channel, to become dreamy. Daydreaming and romantic
castle-building have unfitted you for usefulness. You have lived in
an imaginary world; you have been an imaginary martyr and an
imaginary Christian.
There is much of this low sentimentalism mingled with the reli-
gious experience of the young in this age of the world. My sister,
God requires you to be transformed. Elevate your affections, I im-
plore you. Devote your mental and physical powers to the service of
your Redeemer, who has bought you. Sanctify your thoughts and
feelings that all your works may be wrought in God.
You have been in a sad deception. God would have you inves-
tigate closely every thought and purpose of your heart. Deal truly
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with your own soul. Had your affections been centered upon God
as He requires, you would not have passed through the trials you
have. There is a restlessness of spirit with you which will not be
relieved until your thoughts are changed; until daydreaming and
castle-building cease, and you do the work of the present.
In your letter writing, leave matchmaking and guessing about the
marriages of your friends. The marriage relation is holy, but in this
degenerate age it covers vileness of every description. It is abused,