Need of Divine Power and Wisdom . [Special Testimonies, Series A 2a:12-16 (1892)..]Melbourne, Australia,July 3, 1892We have been asked why it is that there is so little power in the churches, why there is so little efficiency among our teachers. The answer is that it is because known sin in various forms is cherished among the professed followers of Christ, and the conscience becomes hardened by long violation. The answer is that men do not walk with God but separate company with Jesus, and as a result we see manifested in the church selfishness, covetousness, pride, strife, contention, hard-heartedness, licentiousness, and evil practices. Even among those who preach the sacred word of God, this state of evil is found; and unless there is thorough reformation among those who are unholy and unsanctified, it would be better that such men should leave the ministry, and choose some other occupation, where their unregenerate thoughts would not bring disaster upon the people of God. {TM 162.1}

Melbourne, Australien, 3.Juli, 1892.
Vi er blevet spurgt hvorfor der er så lille en kraft i menighederne, hvorfor der så er lidt virkeevne blandt vore lærere. Svaret er, at det er fordi velkendt synd i forskellige former er bevaret hos de bekendene Kristi efterfølgere, og samvittigheden bliver hårdgjort ved lang misligholdelse. Svaret er at mennesker ikke vandrer med Gud men skiller sig ud fra selskabet med Jesus, og som et resultat vil vi se selviskhed, begærlighed, stolthed, strid, postulater, hårdhjertethed, tøjlesløshed, og onde gerninger vise sig i menigheden. Selv blandt dem der taler Guds indviede ord, findes (163) denne onde tilstand; og medmindre der sker en gennemgribende omvendelse blandt dem som er uhellige og uhelliggjordte, vil det være bedre at sådanne mennesker forlod prædikant gerningen, og valgte nogle andre beskæftigelser, hvor deres fordærvede tanker ikke ville bringe ulykke over Guds folk.