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Love of Gain
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improving your talents, you will not be ashamed when the Master
shall come, requiring both principal and interest. It is not safe to
slight, or in any sense disregard, the light which God has been
pleased to give. You have something to do to bring yourself into a
position where God can especially work for you.
The prosperity of the cause of God in Minnesota is due more
to the labors of Brother Pierce than to your own efforts. His labors
have been a special blessing to that state. He is a man of tender
conscience. The fear of God is before him. Infirmities have weighed
heavily upon him, and this has led him to question whether he was in
the way of his duty and to fear that God was not favoring his efforts.
God loves Brother Pierce. He has but little self-esteem, and he fears
and doubts and dreads labor; for the thought is constantly upon his
mind that he is not worthy or capable to help others. If he would
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overcome timidity and possess more confidence that God would be
with him and strengthen him he would be much more happy and
a greater blessing to others. In the life of Brother Pierce there has
been a failure to read character. He believed others to be as honest
as himself, and in some cases he has been deceived. He has not the
discernment that some have. You also have failed, in your life, to
read character. You have spoken peace to those against whom God
has declared evil. In his age and feebleness Brother Pierce may be
imposed upon, yet all should esteem him highly for his work’s sake.
He commands the love and tenderest sympathy of his brethren, for
he is a conscientious, God-fearing man.
God loves Sister Pierce. She is one of the timid, fearing ones,
conscientious in the performance of her duty; and she will receive
a reward when Jesus comes if she is faithful to the end. She has
not made a display of her virtues, she has been retiring, one of the
more silent ones; yet her life has been useful; she has blessed many
by her influence. Sister Pierce has not much self-esteem and self-
confidence. She has many fears, yet does not come under the head
of the fearful and unbelieving, who will find no place in the kingdom
of God. Those outside of the city are among the most confident,
boastful, and apparently zealous ones who love in word, but not in
deed and in truth. Their hearts are not right with God. His fear is
not before them. The fearful and unbelieving, who are punished
with the second death, are of that class who are ashamed of Christ