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Warnings and Reproofs
91
has considered it his duty to be strict, and has carried this discipline
too far. He has treated small offenses with too great severity. This
has had an influence to wean, in a degree, the affection of the son
from the father. During his sickness Brother S has had a diseased
imagination. His nervous system has been all deranged, and he has
thought that his children did not feel for him and love him as they
should; but this was the result of disease. Satan wished to destroy
him and dishearten and discourage his poor children. But God has
not laid this to his charge. His children have greater burdens to
bear than many that are older than they, and they deserve careful
discipline, judicious training, mingled with sympathy, love, and
great tenderness.
The mother has had especial strength and wisdom from God
to encourage and help her husband, and to do much in binding
her children to her heart and strengthening their affection for their
parents and for one another. I saw that angels of mercy were hovering
over this family, although prospects looked so dark and foreboding.
Those who have had bowels of compassion for Brother S will never
have cause to regret it, for he is a child of God, beloved of Him.
The depressed state of the church has been very detrimental to his
health. I saw him looking on the dark side, distrustful of himself,
and looking down into the grave. He must not dwell on these things,
but look to Jesus, a pattern that is unerring. He must encourage
cheerfulness and courage in the Lord—talk faith, talk hope; rest in
God, and not feel that a severe, taxing effort is required on his part.
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All that God requires is simple trust—to drop into His arms with
all his weakness, and brokenness, and imperfection, and Jesus will
help the helpless, and strengthen and build up those who feel that
they are very weakness itself. God will be glorified in his affliction,
through the patience, faith, and submission exemplified by him. Oh!
this will prove the power of the truth we profess; it is consolation
when we need it; it is support when every prop of an earthly nature,
which has been a measurable support, is removed.
I was also shown the case of Brother T. He has placed himself
in a condition of bondage to which God did not call him. God is
not pleased when aged fathers give their stewardship into the hands
of unconsecrated children, even though these profess the truth. But
when the means which the Lord has entrusted to His people is placed