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344
Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
son, but the presence and timely counsel of a doctor from the Health
Institute saved him.
It is time that something was done to prevent novices from taking
the field and advocating health reform. Their works and words can be
spared; for they do more injury than the wisest and most intelligent
men, with the best influence they can exert, can counteract. It is
impossible for the best qualified advocates of health reform to fully
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relieve the minds of the public from the prejudice received through
the wrong course of these extremists and to place the great subject
of health reform upon a right basis in the community where these
men have figured. The door is also closed in a great measure, so that
unbelievers cannot be reached by the present truth upon the Sabbath
and the soon coming of our Saviour. The most precious truths are
cast aside by the people as unworthy of a hearing. These men are
referred to as representatives of health reformers and Sabbathkeepers
in general. A great responsibility rests upon those who have thus
proved a stumbling block to unbelievers.
Brother C needs a thorough conversion. He does not see himself.
If he possessed less self-esteem and more humility of mind, his
knowledge could be put to a practical use. He has a work to do for
himself which no one else can do for him. He will not yield his
views or judgment to any man living, unless compelled to do so. He
has traits of character which are most unfortunate and which should
be overcome. He is more accountable than B, and his case is worse
than his; for he possesses more intellect and knowledge. B has been
the shadow of his mind.
Brother C has a set will; his likes and dislikes are very strong.
If he starts on a wrong track, and follows the bent of his mind, not
moving in wisdom, and his error is presented before him, even if
he knows he is not right, he is so reluctant to acknowledge that he
has been in error and has pursued a wrong course that he will frame
some kind of excuse to make others believe that he is, after all, about
right. This is the reason why he has been left to follow his own
judgment and wisdom, which are foolishness.
In his father’s family he has not been a blessing, but a cause of
anxiety and sorrow. His will was not subdued in childhood. He had
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such a reluctance to acknowledge frankly that he had made mistakes
and done wrong that, to get out of the difficulty, he would set the