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Testimonies for the Church Volume 2
In the case of Sister N, you did not view things in their true
light. If she had been healed in answer to the prayers of yourself
and others, it would have proved the ruin of more than two or three
of you. A wise God had oversight of this matter. He could read the
motives and purposes of the heart.
Your wife has just as much right to her opinion as you have to
yours. Her marriage relation does not destroy her identity. She has
an individual responsibility. You will not feel clear till you take
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things out of her way and manifest toward her a more charitable,
Christlike spirit of forbearance, and regard others in the light in
which you wish to be regarded. You have yet to learn to “let nothing
be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem other better than themselves.” “Be kindly affectioned one
to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; not
slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”
Conducting Social Meetings
I was shown, Brother M, that you need a great work done for you
before you can exert an influence in the church to correct their errors
or bring them up. You do not possess that humbleness of mind that
can reach the hearts of God’s people. You are exalted. You need to
examine your motives and your actions to see if your eye is single
to the glory of God. Neither Brother O nor you is exactly fitted to
meet the wants of the youth and the church generally. You do not
come right down in simplicity to understand the best manner to help
them. It does not have the best influence for you and Brother O to
leave your seats and take your position upon the platform in front
of the people. When you occupy that position, you feel that you
must say or do something in accordance with the position you have
taken. Instead of getting up and speaking a few words to the point,
you frequently make lengthy remarks, which really hurt the spirit of
the meeting. Many feel relieved when you sit down. Were you in a
country place where there were but few to improve the time, such
lengthy remarks would be more appropriate.
The work of the Lord is a great work, and wise men are needed
to engage in it. Men are wanted who can adapt themselves to the
wants of the people. If you expect to help the people you must not
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