Counsels to Walter and Laura
53
not strong on the Lord’s side. You are not able to fix your mind upon
the Word of God. You have talked enough, but it has only sunk you
lower. Your heart does not feel when you try to pray.
The Sinner’s Cry—Now make a desperate effort. Take your mind
off from yourself, off from your securing a divorce, off from Walter,
off from everything mortal; and commence with your own soul. Cry
out in earnest, Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I; save, Lord, or
I perish. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me.... Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow” (
Psalm 51:10, 7
).
[67]
We are surrounded with iniquity in its various forms. You need a
helper. The Lord knows all our works; even our thoughts are before
Him as an open book. I now make my appeal to you. It is to change
right about. Step from under Satan’s hellish banner, and step under
the blood-stained banner of Jesus Christ. Will you do this? Will you
change your spirit for the spirit of Christ? When your mind delights to
dwell upon heaven and heavenly things, there will be no desire with
you to enjoy the society of young men. There will be kindled in the
soul the most intense desire to be like Jesus. By beholding we become
changed into the same image. Carnal thoughts, carnal feelings, will be
no longer entertained. You will no longer be frivolous, cheap in talk,
and unholy in life. Then you will reach, through the grace of Christ,
the highest standard of purity and elevation of character.
I now commit you to God and to His grace. But work out your
own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who worketh in
you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.—
Letter 14a, 1891
.