he was indebted to One who had given him time and talents, and who
required that they be improved to His glory,—had he stood faithfully at his
post,—he would not have suffered that long, tedious sickness. His exposure
upon that pleasure trip caused him months of suffering and would have
caused his death had it not been for the earnest, effectual prayer of faith
put up in his behalf by those who felt that he was not prepared to die. Had
he died at that time his case would have been far worse than that of the
unenlightened sinner. But God mercifully heard the prayers of His people
and gave him a new lease of life, that he might have opportunity to repent
of his unfaithfulness and to redeem the time. His example had influenced
many in Battle Creek in the wrong direction.
Brother B came up from his sickness, but how little did he or his
family feel humbled under the hand of God. The work of the Spirit of
God, and wisdom from Him, are not manifested that we may be happy and
satisfied with ourselves, but that our souls may be renewed in knowledge
and true holiness. How much better would it have been for this brother
if his affliction had prompted to faithful searching of heart, to discover
the imperfections in his character, that he might put them away, and with
humble spirit come forth from the furnace as gold purified, reflecting the
image of Christ.
The sickness that he had brought upon himself, the church helped
him bear. His watchers were provided, and his expenses were in a great
measure borne by the church; yet neither he nor his family appreciated
this generosity and tenderness on the part of the church. They felt that
they deserved all that was done for them. As Brother B came up from
his sickness, he felt wrong toward my husband because he disapproved
his course, which was so censurable. He united with others to injure my
husband’s influence, and since he has left the office he has not felt right. He
would poorly stand the test of being proved by God.
Brother B has not yet learned the lesson that he will have to learn if he
is saved at last—to deny self, and resist his desire
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for pleasure. He will have to be brought over the ground again and tried
still more closely, because he failed to endure the trials of the past. He
has displeased God in justifying self. He has but little experience in the
fellowship of the sufferings of Christ. He loves display and does not
economize his means. The Lord knows. He weighs the inward feelings
and intentions of the heart. He understands man. He tests our fidelity. He
requires that we should love and serve Him with the whole mind, and heart,
and strength. The lovers of pleasure may put on a form of godliness that
involves some self-denial even, and they may sacrifice time and money, and
yet self not be subdued, and the will not be brought into subjection to the
will of God.
The influence of the D girls was very bad in Battle Creek. They had
not been trained. Their mother had neglected her sacred duty and had
not restrained her children. She had not brought them up in the fear and
admonition of the Lord. They had been indulged and shielded from bearing
responsibilities until they had no relish for the plain, homely duties of life.
The mother had educated the daughters to think much of dress, but the
inward adorning was not exalted before them. These young girls were vain
and proud. Their minds were impure; their conversation was corrupting;
and yet there was a class in Battle Creek who would associate with this
stamp of minds, and they could not associate with them without coming
down to their level. These girls were not dealt as severely with as the case
demanded. They love the society of young men, and the young men are the
theme of their meditation and of their conversation. They have corrupted
manners, and are headstrong and self-confident.
The entire family love display. The mother is not a prudent, dignified
woman. She is not qualified to bring up children. To dress her children to
make a show is of greater consequence to her than the inward adorning. She
has not disciplined herself. Her will has not been brought into conformity
to the will of God. Her heart is not right with God.
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She is a stranger to the operation of His Spirit upon the heart, bringing the
desires and affections into conformity to the obedience of Christ. She does
not possess ennobling qualities of mind and does not discern sacred things.
She has let her children do as they pleased. The fearful experience that she
has had with two of her elder children has not made the deep impression on
her mind that the circumstances demanded. She has educated her children
to love dress, vanity, and folly. She has not disciplined her two younger
girls. A D, under a proper influence, would be a worthy young man;
but he has much to learn. He follows inclination rather than duty. He
loves to follow his own will and pleasure, and has not a correct knowledge
of the duties devolving upon a Christian. Self-gratification, and his own
inclination, he would gladly interpret to be duty. Self-gratification he has
not overcome. He has a work to do to clear his spiritual vision, that he may
understand what it is to be sanctified to God, and learn the high claims of
God upon him. The serious defects in his education have affected his life.
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If, with his good qualifications, Brother B were well balanced and a
faithful foreman of the office, his labor would be of great value to the office,
and he could earn double wages. But for the past years, considering his
deficiency, with his unconsecrated influence, the office could better afford
to do without him, even if his services could be had for nothing. Brother
and Sister B have not learned the lesson of economy. The gratification of
