themselves by saying, “It is my way; I always tell just what I think”; and they exalt this wicked trait
of character as a virtue. Their uncourteous deportment should be firmly rebuked.—The General
Conference Bulletin, September 1, 1885. (HC 229.)
The Author Called to Meet Every Phase of Fanaticism.—In 1844 we had to meet fanaticism
on every hand, but always the word came to me: A great wave of excitement is an injury to the
work. Keep your feet in the footprints of Christ. I was given a message to meet every phase of
fanaticism. I was instructed to show the people that under a wave of excitement a strange work
is done. There are those who improve the opportunity to bring in superstitions. Thus the door is
closed to the promulgation of sound doctrine.—Lt 17, 1902.
An Impending Danger.—As the end draws near, the enemy will work with all his power to
bring in fanaticism among us. He would rejoice to see Seventh-day Adventists going to such
extremes that they would be branded by the world as a body of fanatics. Against this danger I
am bidden to warn ministers and lay members. Our work is to teach men and women to build on a
true foundation, to plant their feet on a plain “Thus saith the Lord.”—Gospel Workers, 316 (1915).
Mind Control One Form of Fanaticism.—I have spoken distinctly regarding the dangerous
science which says that one person shall give up his mind to the control of another. This science is
the devil’s own.
This is the character of the fanaticism we had to meet in 1845. I did not then know what it
meant, but I was called upon to bear a most decided testimony against anything of the kind.—Lt
130 1/2, 1901.
Cherish an Impartial, Optimistic Outlook.—There is no reason for us to fix our eyes upon
error, to grieve and complain, and lose precious time and opportunities in
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lamenting the faults of others.... Would it not be more pleasing to God to take an impartial outlook
and see how many souls are serving God and resisting temptation and glorifying and honoring
Him with their talents of means and intellect? Would it not be better to consider the wonderful,
miracle-working power of God in the transformation of poor, degraded sinners, who have been full
of moral pollution, who become so transformed that they are Christlike in character?—Lt 63, 1893.
(HC 248.)
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Chap. 6 - A Healthy Normality
The Source of True Happiness.—There are persons with a diseased imagination to whom
religion is a tyrant, ruling them as with a rod of iron. Such are constantly mourning over their
depravity and groaning over supposed evil. Love does not exist in their hearts; a frown is ever upon
their countenances. They are chilled with the innocent laugh from the youth or from anyone. They
consider all recreation or amusement a sin and think that the mind must be constantly wrought up
to just such a stern, severe pitch. This is one extreme.
Others think that the mind must be ever on the stretch to invent new amusements and diversions
in order to gain health. They learn to depend on excitement, and are uneasy without it. Such are not
true Christians. They go to another extreme.
The true principles of Christianity open before all a source of happiness, the height and depth,
the length and breadth of which are immeasurable. It is Christ in us a well of water springing up
into everlasting life. It is a continual wellspring from which the Christian can drink at will and never
exhaust the fountain.—Testimonies for the Church 1:565, 566 (1867).
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Zeal Which Quickly Fades.—We are not to encourage a spirit of enthusiasm that brings zeal
for a while but soon fades away, leaving discouragement and depression. We need the Bread of life
that comes down from heaven to give life to the soul. Study the Word of God. Do not be controlled
by feeling. All who labor in the vineyard of the Lord must learn that feeling is not faith. To be
always in a state of elevation is not required. But it is required that we have firm faith in the Word
of God as the flesh and blood of Christ.—Lt 17, 1902. (Evangelism, 138.)
Neither Cold Orthodoxy Nor Careless Liberalism.—The progress of reform depends upon a
clear recognition of fundamental truth. While, on the one hand, danger lurks in a narrow philosophy
and a hard, cold orthodoxy, on the other hand there is great danger in a careless liberalism. The
foundation of all enduring reform is the law of God. We are to present in clear, distinct lines the
need of obeying this law. Its principles must be kept before the people. They are as everlasting and
inexorable as God Himself.—The Ministry of Healing, 129 (1905).
Well-balanced Minds Needed.—Much is said in the Epistles of being sound in the faith.
This should teach us the necessity of caution. We must not weave into our experience our own
inclinations and strong traits of character. This will misrepresent the precious, elevating, ennobling
principles of truth and lead others astray. Soundness in the faith means more than many discern.
It means to correct every error that exists in our thoughts and actions, lest we corrupt the Word of
God.
There are needed for this time well-balanced minds, healthy, wholesome Christians. Many of
those who profess Christ have a sickly experience. They cannot bear anything unfavorable. They
lose heart if they think they are in any way slighted or hurt, if their brethren have not been as tender
with them as they think they should be. The Great Physician would, by His infinite skill, restore
them to
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sound moral health; but the patient refuses to take the prescription He offers. These persons
may apply the Word of God to their case for a short time, but they do not become doers of that
Word. They soon come under influences which suit their natural tastes and counteract all they have
gained.—The General Conference Bulletin, July 28, 1896.
All Faculties to Be Cultivated.—If certain faculties are used to the neglect of others, the design
of God is not fully carried out in us, for all the faculties have a bearing and are dependent, in a great
measure, upon one another. One cannot be effectually used without the operation of all, that the
balance may be carefully preserved. If all the attention and strength are given to one, while others
lie dormant, the development is strong in that one and will lead to extremes, because all the powers
have not been cultivated. Some minds are dwarfed and not properly balanced. All minds are not
naturally constituted alike. We have varied minds; some are strong upon certain points and very
weak upon others. These deficiencies, so apparent, need not and should not exist.
If those who possess them would strengthen the weak points in their character by cultivation
and exercise, they would become strong.—Testimonies for the Church 3:33 (1872).
Call All Powers of Mind Into Use.—All the powers of the mind should be called into use and
developed in order for men and women to have well-balanced minds. The world is full of one-sided
men and women who have become such because one set of their faculties was cultivated while
others were dwarfed from inaction.
The education of most youth is a failure. They overstudy, while they neglect that which
pertains to practical business life. Men and women become parents without considering their
responsibilities, and their offspring sink lower in the scale of human deficiency than they
themselves. Thus the race is fast degenerating.
The constant application to study, as the schools are
