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Relationships
61
August 9, 1894
Dear Nellie:
I am thankful to God that you love the truth and that you love
Jesus. I am anxious that you should press your way forward and
upward in order that you shall reach the standard of Christian char-
acter that is revealed in the Word of God. Let the Word of God be
your guidebook that in everything you may be molded in conduct
and character according to its requirements.
You are the Lord’s property; He created you and He redeemed
you. You may be a light in your home and a positive influence.
When the truth of God is in the heart, its saving influence will be
felt by everyone in the house. You have a sacred responsibility, one
that requires you to keep your soul pure by consecrating yourself to
be wholly the Lord’s.
Your friends who are totally opposed to spiritual things are not
under the leadership of Christ but under the black banner of the
prince of darkness. To associate with those who neither respect
nor love God—unless you associate with them for the purpose of
winning them to Jesus—will be a detriment to your spirituality. If
you cannot change their attitudes, their influence will corrupt and
taint your own faith. It’s good to be kind to these persons, but not
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good for you to continually try to be with them and do the things
they do; for if you choose the atmosphere that surrounds them, you
will forfeit the companionship of Jesus.
From the light that the Lord has given, I warn you that you are
in danger of being deceived by the enemy. You are in danger of
choosing your own way and of not following the counsel of God and
not walking in obedience to His will. The Holy One has given rules
for the guidance of every person so that no one need miss their way.
These directions mean everything to us, for they form the standard
to which every son and daughter of Adam should conform.
You are just entering upon womanhood, and if you seek Jesus,
you will grow in grace, become wiser by experience, and as you
advance from light to greater light you will become happier. Re-
member your life belongs to Jesus, and that you are not to live for
yourself alone.
Shun those who are irreverent. Shun one who is lazy; shun
the one who scoffs about sacred things. Avoid becoming close