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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
is very unfavorable to himself, his family, and the church where his
influence is felt. He has a work to do for himself that no one can do
for him. He has need of the transforming influence of the Spirit of
God. We are bound by our profession as Christ’s followers to test
our ways and actions by comparing them with the example of our
Redeemer. Our spirit and deportment must correspond with the copy
that our Saviour has given us.
Brother B is not of a temperament to bring sunshine into his family.
Here is a good place for him to begin to work. He is more like a cloud
than a beam of light. He is too selfish to speak words of approval
to the members of his family, especially to the one of all others who
should have his love and tender respect. He is morose, overbearing,
dictatorial; his words are frequently cutting, and leave a wound that he
does not try to heal by softening his spirit, acknowledging his faults,
and confessing his wrongdoings. He does not make efforts to come
to the light. There is not with him a searching of heart, of motives,
temper, speech, and conduct, to see if his life is like the example. He
does not apply God’s law to his life and character as his rule of action.
The Lord would have a people honest and upright before Him.
Sister B has many trials and the weakness of her own nature to con-
tend with, and her lot should not be made any harder than is positively
necessary. Brother B should soften; he should cultivate refinement and
courtesy. He should be very tender and gentle toward his wife, who is
his equal in every respect; he should not utter a word that would cast a
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shadow upon her heart. He should begin the work of reformation at
home; he should cultivate affection and overcome the coarse, harsh,
unfeeling, and ungenerous traits of his disposition, for these are grow-
ing upon him. If we poor mortals reach heaven we must overcome as
Christ overcame. We must be assimilated to His image; our characters
must be spotless.
I was shown that Brother B has not a high sense of the perfection
of character necessary to a Christian. He has not a proper sense of his
duty to his fellow men. He is in danger of advancing his own interests,
if an opportunity presents, irrespective of his neighbor’s advantage
or loss. He regards his own prosperity as exceedingly important, but
is not interested in the fortunes or misfortunes of his neighbors, as a
follower of Christ should be. For a trifling advantage to himself, Satan
can allure him from his integrity. This darkens his own soul and brings