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Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce
work and secure money for himself, and educate himself, rather than
to be dependent upon anybody for such a favor? There is such a thing
as giving unwise help to our children.
Those who work their way through college appreciate their advan-
tages more than those who are provided with them at someone else’s
expense, for they know their cost. We must not carry our children until
they become helpless burdens. Educate your son to be diligent, able to
sustain himself, and to help others.
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God is the proprietor of the universe. Every man, woman, and
child, with all the time and talents that have been bestowed upon them,
belongs to God. He has given ability to men that they may use it to His
glory and thus have increased ability, wisdom, and understanding. God
has a claim upon every soul, and we are responsible agents, and should
give Him constant service. Body, soul, and spirit, we should consecrate
ourselves to His service, and do those things that will forward His
cause in the earth. We are to do His will upon the earth. Our pleasure
is not to be consulted, nor permitted to be the governing impulse.
Now, my dear sister, I will send you this letter, and also forward
a copy of it to Walter C. I desire to act the part of a mother to him.
In times of affliction he has needed a mother. Every penny he has
placed in my hands has been used for the saving of perishing souls,
and in time to come may it be his experience to hear from the lips of
the Master, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into
the joy of thy Lord.”
I am truly sorry that you have taken upon yourself unnecessary
burdens. Do you not see that in separating Walter and your daughter,
you would create two evils instead of curing one? Your daughter has
married Walter, and there is no reason why she should be separated
from him. You have no just excuse for desiring them to cease living
and working together as man and wife. You may give publicity to
the evil reports that may come to you, and be the means of making
yourself, your daughter, and her husband miserable. Let these two, as
children of God, unite their interests as their marriage vows require
them to do, let them consecrate themselves to God to do His will, to
be vessels unto honor, meet for the Master’s use.
On your part, act as a faithful mother should. Be wise to counsel
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and help them in every way that lies in your power. Knowing that you
all belong to God, deal justly and lovingly with each other. Be frank,