they might not endure it nearly as well as the one
they censure and misjudge. How little we can know of the heart anguish
of another. How few understand another’s circumstances. Hence the
difficulty of giving wise counsel. What may appear to us to be appropriate,
may, in reality, be quite the reverse.
Brother—–has been an earnest seeker after knowledge. He has sought
to impress upon the students that they are responsible for their time,
their talents, their opportunities. It is impossible for a man to have so
much care, and carry so heavy responsibilities, without becoming hurried,
weary, and nervous. Those who refuse to accept burdens which will tax
their strength to the utmost know nothing of the pressure brought to bear
upon those who must bear these burdens.
There are some in the college who have looked only for what has
been unfortunate and disagreeable in their acquaintance with Brother—–.
These persons have not that noble, Christlike spirit that thinketh no evil.
They have made the most of every inconsiderate word or act, and have
recalled these at a time when envy, prejudice, and jealousy were active in
unchristian hearts.
A writer has said that “envy’s memory is nothing but a row of hooks
to hang up grudges on.” There are many in the world who consider it an
evidence of superiority to recount the things and persons that they “cannot
bear,” rather than the things and persons that they are attracted to. Not so
did the great apostle. He exhorts his brethren: “Whatsoever things
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are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there
be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Envy is not merely a perverseness of temper, but a distemper, which
disorders all the faculties. It began with Satan. He desired to be first in
heaven, and because he could not have all the power and glory he sought,
he rebelled against the government of God. He envied our first parents
and tempted them to sin and thus ruined them and all the human race.
The envious man shuts his eyes to the good qualities and noble deeds
of others. He is always ready to disparage and misrepresent that which is
excellent. Men often confess and forsake other faults, but there is little to
be hoped for from the envious man. Since to envy a person is to admit
that he is a superior, pride will not permit any concession. If an attempt
be made to convince the envious person of his sin, he becomes even more
bitter against the object of his passion, and too often he remains incurable.
The envious man diffuses poison wherever he goes, alienating friends
and stirring up hatred and rebellion against God and man. He seeks to be
thought best and greatest, not by putting forth heroic, self-denying efforts
to reach the goal of excellence himself, but by standing where he is and
diminishing the merit due to the efforts of others.
Envy has been cherished in the hearts of some in the church as well
as in the college. God is displeased at your course. I entreat you, for
Christ’s sake, never treat another as you have treated Brother—–. A noble
nature does not exult in causing others pain, or delight in discovering
their deficiencies. A disciple of Christ will turn away with loathing from
the feast of scandal. Some who have been active on this occasion are
repeating the course pursued toward one of the Lord’s
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servants in affliction, one who had sacrificed health and strength in their
service. The Lord vindicated the cause of the oppressed and turned the
light of His countenance upon His suffering servant. I then saw that God
would prove these persons again, as He has now done, to reveal what was
in their hearts.
When David had sinned, God granted him his choice, to receive his
punishment from God or at the hand of man. The repentant king chose
to fall into the hand of God. The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
Erring, sinful man, who can himself be kept in the right path only by the
power of God, is yet hardhearted, unforgiving toward his erring brother.
My brethren at Battle Creek, what account will you render at the bar of
God? Great light has come to you, in reproofs, warnings, and entreaties.
How have you spurned its heaven-sent rays!
The tongue that delights in mischief, the babbling tongue that says,
Report, and I will report it, is declared by the apostle James to be set
on fire of hell. It scatters firebrands on every side. What cares the
vendor of gossip that he defames the innocent? He will not stay his
evil work, though he destroy hope and courage in those who are already
sinking under their burdens. He cares only to indulge his scandal-loving
propensity. Even professed Christians close their eyes to all that is pure,
honest, noble, and lovely, and treasure up what ever is objectionable and
disagreeable, and publish it to the world.
You have yourselves thrown open the doors for Satan to come in. You
have given him an honored place at your investigation, or inquisition
meetings. But you have shown no respect for the excellencies of a
character established by years of faithfulness. Jealous, revengeful tongues
have colored acts and motives to suit their own ideas. They have made
black appear white, and white black. When remonstrated with for their
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statements, some have said: “It is true.” Admitting that the
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