When he first goes to a place, his prayers and exhortations have effect, and brethren receive the idea that he is a perfect Christian. He is favored because he is considered a minister. But as they become acquainted, how they are disappointed to witness his selfishness, fretfulness, harshness, and oddities. Almost every day some peculiar notion is seen. His mind is almost constantly occupied in fixing up something for his own advantage. Then he will dispose of it to someone to good advantage to himself, and fix again. His fixing and planning have had a withering, blighting influence upon the cause of God. His course is calculated to tear to pieces, and it has wounded almost everywhere. What an example to the flock! He has been very selfish in his deal, and has taken advantage of those with whom he has dealt. God’s frown is upon him. A good tree is known by its fruits. {1T 228.2 | |
Vidnesbyrd for menigheden bind 1 kapitel 45. 228. Fra side 228 i den engelske udgave. | tilbage |
Når han først drager afsted, har hans bønner og formaninger virkning og brødrene får den tanke at han er en fuldkommen kristen. Han er god fordi han tager hensyn til en prædikant. Men idet de bliver bekendt med ham, hvor skuffede de bliver når de er vidne til hans selviskhed, pirrelighed, grovhed og særhed. Næsten hver dag ses nogle sære opfattelser. Hans tanker er næsten hele tiden optaget af at ordne noget til hans egen fordel. Da vil han skaffe sig af med det til nogen for at udnytte det selv og ordne det igen. Hans fiduser og planlægning har haft en knusende og fordærvende indflydelse på Guds sag. Hans måde er beregnet på at hænge sig i småstykker og det har øvet skade næsten overalt. Hvilket eksempel for hjorten! Han var meget selvisk i sin handlemåde og har udnyttet dem, som han har givet til. Guds misbilligelse er over ham. Et godt træ kendes på dets frugter. |