Chapter 49—Worldly-Mindedness a Snare
Dear Brother and Sister P,
My soul is exceedingly sorrowful as I review your cases. Last night
my mind was heavily burdened. In dreams I was conversing with you,
Brother P. Your separation from God was so evident, and you were so
blind in regard to your true condition, that it seemed like saying to a
blind man, “See,” to try to make you discern your true standing.
I have not been able to sleep since three o’clock, and have been
pleading with God for a larger measure of His Spirit. I inquire over
and over again: Who is sufficient for these things? I dare not hold my
peace when light has been given me of God. I must speak; and yet it
is with trembling, fearing that the message will be rejected, and the
souls to whom it is addressed will be enshrouded in darkness more
dense than before the light came to them. I must come close to Jesus.
I have laid my hand in His, with the earnest prayer: “Lead me, guide
me; I have not wisdom to go alone.” Jesus seems very near; and I am
deeply impressed that He is about to do a special work for His people,
particularly for those that labor in word and doctrine. He is willing to
help you both if you will receive help in His own appointed way, but I
cannot speak one word of encouragement to you while you remain in
your present position. The words of Christ to the Pharisees, “Ye will
not come to Me, that ye might have life,” are applicable to you.
I wish we could do something to help you; but while you remain in
the worldly channel in which you have placed yourselves, what can be
done for you? You love the world, and the world loves you, because, so
far as practical godliness is concerned, there is no separation between
yourselves and worldlings. In their eyes you are agreeable, smart, and
good; they find in you both that which pleases them. They have praised
you and spoken to you smooth things, and thus have had an influence
to soothe and comfort you; and you, in your turn, have soothed and
comforted them in their careless indifference to the claims of God.
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You have encouraged them in their pride and love of pleasure; for
your actions have said to the sinner: “It shall be well with thee.” By
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