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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
his own judgment. He has limited capacities at best, and many have
received, as their birthright, both strong and weak points of character,
which are positive defects. These peculiarities color the entire life.
The wisdom which God gives will lead men to self-examination.
The truth will convict them of their errors and existing wrongs. The
heart must be open to see, realize, and acknowledge these wrongs, and
then, through the help of Jesus, each must earnestly engage in the work
of overcoming them. The knowledge gained by the wise of the world,
however diligent they may be in acquiring it, is, after all, limited and
comparatively inferior. But few comprehend the ways and works of
God in the mysteries of His providence. They advance a few steps, and
then are unable to touch bottom or shore. It is the superficial thinker
who deems himself wise. Men of solid worth, of high attainments,
are the most ready to admit the weakness of their own understanding.
God wants everyone who claims to be His disciple to be a learner, to
be more inclined to learn than to teach.
How many men in this age of the world fail to go deep enough.
They only skim the surface. They will not think closely enough to
see difficulties and grapple with them, and will not examine every
important subject which comes before them with thoughtful, prayerful
study and with sufficient caution and interest to see the real point at
issue. They talk of matters which they have not fully and carefully
weighed. Frequently persons of mind and candor have opinions of
their own which need to be firmly resisted, or these of less mental
strength will be in danger of being misled. Through the mental bias,
habits are formed, and customs, feelings, and wishes have a greater or
less influence. Sometimes a course of conduct is pursued every day,
and persisted in, because it is a habit, and not because the judgment
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approves. In these cases, feeling, rather than duty, bears sway.
If we could understand our own weakness, and see the sharp traits
in our character which need repressing, we should see so much to
do for ourselves that we would humble our hearts under the mighty
hand of God. Hanging our helpless souls upon Christ, we should
supplement our ignorance with His wisdom, our weakness with His
strength, our frailty with His enduring might, and, connected with
God, we should indeed be lights in the world.
Dear brother, God loves you, and is very patient toward you,
notwithstanding your many errors and mistakes. In view of the tender,