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offend the Lord God by dissension and unhappy differences. Seek for
meekness and lowliness of heart. Cultivate affection.”
Brother and Sister Nelson, while in the past you have disagreed,
you are now under solemn obligation to God to make the most of your
God-given abilities and powers. You should improve every opportunity
you have for reaching a higher standard. It is God’s purpose, signified
to you through Sister White, His servant, that you should look to Jesus,
and, by beholding Him, be changed into His likeness. The Lord desires
that you shall no longer be children in your Christian experience, but,
through the impartation of His grace, that you shall be complete in
Him. If you take advantage of the present opportunity for reaching
a higher experience, you can become strong and complete in Christ
Jesus.
Brother Nelson, will you soften and subdue your nature? You
may become like Jesus and be His missionary, His helping hand. He
never prompts you to be exacting, dictatorial, and severe toward the
members of your family and toward others with whom you associate.
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You can live this life only once. Will you not bring the pleasantness
and the goodness of a perfect character into this life? The Lord wants
you to be good and to do good. We can individually make life what
we please. If we choose, we can honor God by using aright the talent
of speech.
My brother, take up the care of your children. It will do no good to
blame them; for they have received your disposition as an inheritance.
In governing them, be firm, but not arbitrary. In talking with them,
speak in a manner that will not create a feeling of stubborn resistance.
Brother and Sister Nelson, the example that you have set before
your children has not been what it would have been had you been
converted. If you were changed by the grace of Christ, you would
show that you had overcome selfishness and the desire to have your
own way, to consult your natural inclinations, and to do as you please.
Now is the time to show that you do not live to please self. Bring
into the character the fragrance of Christ’s character. Put away the
spirit of scolding, fretting, and repining. Cultivate purity of speech.
Pray and sing to the glory of God. Let the peace of God rule in your
hearts.—
Letter 47a, 1902
.