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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
and destroy; force is strong to do hurt; but truth and goodness are the
properties of pure love.
My sister, if you could see yourself as God sees you, it would be
plain to your mind that without a thorough conversion you can never
enter the kingdom of God. If you would bear in mind that whatever
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measure you mete to others it shall be meted to you again, you would
be more cautious in your speech, milder and more forgiving in your
disposition. Christ came into the world to bring all resistance and
authority into subjection to Himself, but He did not claim obedience
through the strength of argument or the voice of command; He went
about doing good and teaching His followers the things which be-
longed to their peace. He stirred up no strife, He resented no personal
injuries, but met with meek submission the insults, the false accusa-
tions, and the cruel scourging of those who hated Him and condemned
Him to death. Christ is our example. His life is a practical illustration
of His divine teachings. His character is a living exhibition of the way
to do good and overcome evil.
You have nursed your resentment against your husband and others
who have wronged you, but have failed to perceive wherein you have
erred and made matters worse by your own wrong course. Your spirit
has been bitter against those who have done you injustice, and your
feelings have found vent in reproaches and censure. This would give
momentary relief to your burdened heart, but it has left a lasting scar
upon your soul. The tongue is a little member, but you have cultivated
its improper use until it has become a consuming fire.
All these things have tended to check your spiritual advancement.
But God sees how hard it is for you to be patient and forgiving, and
He knows how to pity and to help. He requires you to reform your life,
to correct your defects. He desires that your firm, unyielding spirit
should be subdued by His grace. You should seek the help of God,
for you need peace and quiet instead of storm and contention. The
religion of Christ enjoins upon you to move less from impulse, and
more from sanctified reason and calm judgment.
You allow your surroundings to affect you too much. Let daily
watchfulness and prayer be your safeguard. Then the angels of God
will be around you to shed clear and precious light upon your mind and
to uphold you with their heavenly strength. Your influence over your
children, and your course toward them, should be such as to attract
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