Counsel to a General Conference President
205
No Sanction of Sin, But the Winning of Sinners—My mind is
greatly perplexed over these things, because I cannot harmonize them
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with the course that is being pursued. I am fearful to sanction sin,
and I am fearful to let go of the sinner and make no effort to restore
him. I think that if our hearts were more fully imbued with the Spirit
of Christ, we should have His melting love, and should work with
spiritual power to restore the erring and not leave them under Satan’s
control.
Need of Good Heart Religion—We need good heart religion, that
we shall not only reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and
doctrine, but we shall take the erring in our arms of faith and bear
them to the cross of Christ. We must bring them in contact with the
sin-pardoning Saviour.
I am more pained than I can express to see so little aptitude and skill
to save souls that are ensnared by Satan. I see such a cold Phariseeism,
holding off at arm’s length the one who has been deluded by the
adversary of souls, and then I think: What if Jesus treated us in this
way? Is this spirit to grow among us? If so, my brethren must excuse
me; I cannot labor with them. I will not be a party to this kind of labor.
Hearts of Flesh, Not Hearts of Iron—I call to mind the shepherd
hunting the lost sheep and the prodigal son. I want those parables to
have their influence upon my heart and my mind. I think of Jesus,
what love and tenderness He manifested for erring, fallen man, and
then I think of the severe judgment one pronounces upon his brother
who has failed under temptation, and my heart becomes sick. I see the
iron in hearts, and think we should pray for hearts of flesh....
I wish that we had much more of the Spirit of Christ and a great
deal less self, and less of human opinions. If we err, let it be on
the side of mercy rather than on the side of condemnation and harsh
dealing.—
Letter 16, 1887
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