Counsels to Walter and Laura
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Cast off your melancholy. God will help you if you will be true to
Him. Remember, the eye of God is upon you, searching the depths of
your soul....
May the Lord help, strengthen, and bless you, to do your best.
Look away from earthly things, earthly idols, and worship the Lord
thy God, and serve Him with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul,
and then you will be wholly devoted to the Lord.—
Letter 40, 1888
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Disregard of Light—I hoped to meet you [Laura] and talk with
you. I greatly fear that you disregard the light which the Lord has
been pleased to give you through me. I know that the Lord has tender,
pitying love toward you, and I hope you will not under temptation be
led to pursue a course to separate your soul from God. There are many
who are ready to give advice and confuse the mind with counsel, who
have not God for their counselor; therefore all they may say will only
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make a mixed case of one that is already very trying.
My sister, your disposition and temperament are such that I greatly
fear for your soul. I fear that you will not choose for your companions
those who are discreet and wise and humble in heart, who love God
and who keep His commandments.
Satan’s Battle for the Soul—We read that Satan has come down
in great wrath, working with his deceiving power upon the hearts and
minds of all who listen to his suggestions. You know something of the
love of God; you know something of the peace of Christ; and Satan
is at work playing the game of life for your soul. Shall he be victor?
Will he gain his purpose? God forbid.
The Lord has been giving you light, but you have not walked in
it. Are you satisfied in pursuing the course which you are pursuing?
Your own way, your will, is not the best for you to follow. I am sure
that Satan is trying to secure you to himself. Shall he do it? Will you
choose to go your own way in the place of keeping the way of the
Lord? Will you place yourself upon the enemy’s ground?
Avoid Even the Appearance of Evil—Abstain from even the
appearance of evil, is the exhortation of the inspired apostle. Have you
done this? With your temperament this is most difficult for you to do
while you are traveling from place to place canvassing. Do you feel,
my sister, that you are moving conscientiously? Are you not having in
your character a one-sided development? Are not traits of character
[which are] not the most desirable strengthening, which will mar your