There have ever been in the church those who are constantly inclined toward individual independence. They seem unable to realize that independence of spirit is liable to lead the human agent to have too much confidence in himself and to trust in his own judgment rather than to respect the counsel and highly esteem the judgment of his brethren, 164 especially of those in the offices that God has appointed for the leadership of His people. God has invested His church with special authority and power which no one can be justified in disregarding and despising, for he who does this despises the voice of God.

Der har indenfor menigheden altid været nogle, som stadig higer efter individuel uafhængighed. De synes ikke at kunne forstå, at åndelig uafhængighed er tilbøjelig til at få det menneskelige redskab til at stole for meget på sig selv og have for megen tillid til sin egen dømmekraft i stedet for at respektere sine brødres råd og højagte deres bedømmelse, særlig deres, som sidder inde med de embeder, Gud har bestemt til at være de ledende blandt hans folk. Gud har tildelt sin menighed en særlig myndighed og magt, som ingen har ret til at ringeagte eller lade hånt om; thi den, som gør dette, ringeagter Guds røst.