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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
go to the other extreme and form too low an opinion of yourself, you
will feel inferior and will leave an impression of inferiority which will
greatly limit the influence that you might have for good. You should
avoid either extreme. Feeling should not control you; circumstances
should not affect you. You may form a correct estimate of yourself,
one which will prove a safeguard from both extremes. You may be
dignified without vain self-confidence; you may be condescending and
yielding without sacrificing self-respect or individual independence,
and your life may be of great influence with those in the higher as well
as the lower walks of life.
Brother A, your danger now is of being affected by reports. Your
labors are decidedly practical, close, and cutting. You rein up the
people to very close tests and requirements. This is necessary at
times; but your labors are getting to be too much of this character,
and will lose their force unless mingled with more of the softening,
encouraging grace of the Spirit of God. You allow the words of your
relatives and special friends to influence your propositions and affect
your decisions. You credit them too readily and incorporate their
views into your own ideas and are too often led astray. You need to
be guarded. The families in-----which are so closely related have had
an influence. Your judgment, your feelings, your views, influence
them, and, in turn, they influence you; and a strong current will be set
flowing in a wrong direction unless you are all humble and thoroughly
consecrated to God. All the elements of these family connections
are naturally independent and conscientious, and, unless especially
balanced and controlled by the Spirit of God, are inclined to extremes.
Never, never be influenced by reports. Never let your conduct be
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influenced by your dearest relatives. The time has come when the
greatest wisdom needs to be exercised in reference to the cause and
work of God. Judgment is needed to know when to speak and when to
keep silent. Hunger for sympathy frequently leads to imprudence of
a grave character in opening the feelings to others. Your appearance
frequently claims sympathy when it would be better for you if you did
not receive it. It is an important duty for all to become familiar with the
tenor of their conduct from day to day and the motives which prompt
their actions. They need to become acquainted with the particular
motives which prompt particular actions. Every action of their lives