You may obtain strength from Christ to stand unsullied amid
the pollutions of this corrupt age. “Whereby are given unto us exceeding
great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the
divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through
lust.” Keep the eye steadily fixed upon Christ, upon the divine image.
Imitate His spotless life, and you will be a partaker of His glory, and
with Him inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world.
*****
Chap. 4 - Evilspeaking
Brother F has had the cause of God at heart, but he has felt too deeply,
and has taken on many burdens which he should not have borne. He has
suffered in health in this way. He has sometimes viewed matters in a
strong light, and has been too earnest and anxious to have all see them
just as he did; and because they were backward in doing so, he has felt
nearly crushed. He feels to the depths, and is in danger of urging his
views of things too strongly.
Sister F wants to be a Christian, but she has not cultivated discretion
and true courtesy. She is of a very sanguine turn of mind, ardent and
self-confident. She shows the rough part of her character, and has not
appeared to advantage. She has moved from impulse, acting just as she
felt, and sometimes her feelings have been much excited and strong.
She has strong likes and dislikes, and has permitted this unfortunate trait
in her character to develop itself, greatly to the detriment of her own
spiritual advancement and to the injury of the church. She has talked
too much and unwisely, just as she felt. This has had a strong influence
upon her husband, and has at times led him to move from excitement of
feeling, when if he had
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waited and looked at matters calmly and weighed them properly, it
would have been better for himself and for the church. Nothing is gained
by moving hurriedly, moving from impulse, or from strong feeling.
Sister F moves from impulse, and finds fault, and has had too much
to say against her brethren and sisters. This will cause confusion in any
church. If she could control her own spirit, a great victory would be
gained. If she would seek the heavenly adorning, even the ornament of
a meek and quiet spirit, which God, the Creator of the heavens and the
earth, calls of great price, she would then be a real help to the church. If
she would cherish the spirit of Christ, and become a peacemaker, her
own soul would flourish, and she would be a blessing to the church
wherever she might be located. Unless she is converted and an entire
change is wrought in her, unless she educates herself to be slow to speak
and slow to wrath, and cultivates true Christian courtesy, her influence
will prove injurious, and the happiness of others connected with her will
suffer. She manifests an independence which is a damage to her and
alienates her friends. This independence has caused her much trouble
and has wounded her best friends.
If those who had means were close in their deal with her husband,
and did not favor him more than worldlings in business transactions, she
has felt and talked, and aroused feelings of dissatisfaction where none
previously existed. This is a selfish world at best. Many of those who
profess the truth are not sanctified by it, and may not have a heart to
make even a trifling variation in the prices of produce when dealing with
a poor brother, sooner than they would with an able worldling. They
do not love their neighbors as themselves. It would be more pleasing to
God were there less selfishness and more disinterested benevolence.