Basic HTML Version
Section 8—Counsels and Cautions
173
in all manner of conversation.” Whatever influence you have, let
it be directed to exalt Jesus. Unless you do this, you are a false
guideboard, leading souls away from the truth, the life, the light of
the world; and the more pleasing and attractive your manners, the
greater injury you do to souls....
There will be no taste for trifling conversation in those who are
looking to Jesus for strength, depending upon His righteousness for
salvation. By faith they accept Jesus as their personal Saviour, and
become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust.
While men and women in an institution for health should be kind
and courteous, while they are required to be affable and congenial to-
ward all, they should shun even the appearance of undue familiarity.
And not only should they themselves observe the strictest propriety
of conduct, but by precept and example they should educate others
to be modest and to shun looseness, jesting, flattery, and nonsensical
speeches.
[146]
Avoid Favoritism
Everything savoring of unbecoming familiarity should be dis-
carded by physicians, superintendent, and helpers. There should be
no giving of special favors or special attentions to a few, no prefer-
ring of one above another. This has been done, and it is displeasing
to God. There are worthy persons who are afflicted and suffering, but
do not complain, who are in need of special attentions. These men
and women are often passed by with indifference and with a hard-
ness of heart that is more like Satan’s character than like Christ’s,
while young, forward misses, who in no way need or deserve favors,
receive special attentions. All this neglect is written in the books of
heaven. All these things are developing character.
Let all who are connected with the institution as helpers bear in
mind the words of Inspiration: “The wisdom that is from above is
first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of
mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”
When you pass by one who is in need of your sympathy, of your
kindly acts, and give them not, but turn to the forward ones and
bestow upon them your favors, remember that Jesus is insulted in