228
Counsels for the Church
interests, in their minds, on a level with the common affairs of the
world. What a work are these parents doing in making infidels of their
children even in their childhood! This is the way that children are
taught to be irreverent and to rebel against Heaven’s reproof of sin.
Spiritual declension can but prevail where such evils exist. These
very fathers and mothers, blinded by the enemy, marvel why their
children are so inclined to unbelief and to doubt the truth of the Bible.
They wonder that it is so difficult to reach them by moral and religious
influences. Had they spiritual eyesight, they would at once discover
that this deplorable condition of things is the result of their own home
influence, the offspring of their jealousy and distrust. Thus many infi-
dels are educated in the family circles of professed Christians. There
[178]
are many who find special enjoyment in discoursing and dwelling upon
the defects, whether real or imaginary, of those who bear heavy re-
sponsibilities in connection with the institutions of God’s cause. They
overlook the good that has been accomplished, the benefits that have
resulted from arduous labor and unflinching devotion to the cause, and
fasten their attention upon some apparent mistake, some matter that,
after it has been done and the consequences have followed, they fancy
could have been done in a better manner with fairer results, when the
truth is, had they been left to do the work, they would either have
refused to move at all under the attending discouragements of the case,
or would have managed more indiscreetly than those who did do the
work, following the opening of God’s providence.
But these unruly talkers will fasten upon the more disagreeable
features of the work, even as the lichen clings to the roughness of the
rock. These persons are spiritually dwarfed by continually dwelling
upon the failings and faults of others. They are morally incapable
of discerning good and noble actions, unselfish endeavors, true hero-
ism, and self-sacrifice. They are not becoming nobler and loftier in
their lives and hopes, more generous and broad in their ideas and
plans. They are not cultivating that charity that should characterize the
Christian’s life. They are degenerating every day and are becoming
narrower in their prejudices and views. Littleness is their element,
and the atmosphere that surrounds them is poisonous to peace and
happiness
256
Testimonies for the Church 4:195, 196