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Testimonies for the Church Volume 3
very much shut up to herself. God saw that she was a poor dwarfed
plant, bearing no fruit, nothing but leaves. Her thoughts were almost
exclusively occupied with “me and mine.” In mercy He has been
pruning this plant of His love, lopping off the branches, that the roots
might strike down deeper. He has been seeking to draw this child to
Himself. Her religious life has been almost entirely without fruit. She
is accountable for the talent God has given her. She may be useful;
she may be a co-worker with Christ if she will break down the wall of
selfishness which has shut her away from God’s light and love.
There are many who need our sympathy and advice, but not that
advice which implies superiority in the giver and inferiority in the
receiver. K needs the softening, melting love of God in her heart.
The looks and tones of the voice should be modulated by thoughtful
consideration and tender, respectful love. Every look and every tone
of voice that implies, “I am superior,” chills the atmosphere of her
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presence and is more like an icicle than a ray of light that gives warmth.
My sister, your influence is positive. You mold those with whom you
associate, or else you cannot agree with them. You have not the least
thought of being molded yourself by the better influence of others
and of yielding your judgment and your opinions to them. You will
reason for your way and justify your ideas and your course. If you do
not convince others you will recur again and again to the same point.
This trait in your character will be a valuable one if sanctified to God
and controlled by His Holy Spirit; but if not, it will prove a curse to
you and a curse to others. Assertions and advice which savor of a
dictatorial spirit are not good fruit. You need the softening, melting
love of Christ in your heart, which will be reflected in all your acts
toward your family and to all who are brought under your influence.
I fear, greatly fear, that J will fail of heaven. She loves the world
and the things of the world so well that she has no love to spare for
Jesus. She is so incrusted in selfishness that the illuminating light
from heaven cannot penetrate the cold, dark walls of self-love and
self-esteem which she has been building up for a lifetime. Love is
the key to open hearts, but the precious plant of love has not been
cherished. J has so long blinded her eyes to her selfishness that she
cannot now discern it. She has had so little experimental religion that
in heart she is of the world, and I fear that this world is all the heaven
she will ever have. Her influence over her husband is not good. He is