Some brethren have erred in this respect. They have thought that Brother C was the right man to labor in Vermont and that he could accomplish more than any other minister in that state. Such do not view matters from a right standpoint. Brother C can speak in a manner to interest a congregation, and if this were all that is necessary to make a successful preacher, then a class of brethren and sisters would be right in their estimation of him. But he is not a thorough workman; he is not reliable. In church trials he is of no account. He has not experience, judgment, and discernment to be of any benefit to the church when in trial. He has not been a thoroughgoing man in temporal matters, and although he has but a small family, he has needed assistance more or less. The same lack is manifested in spiritual things as in temporal affairs. Had the right course been pursued toward him in the commencement of his preaching, he might now be of some use in this cause. His brethren injured him by making too much of him and by leaving him to bear but few of the burdens of life, until he has thought that his labors were of the greatest consequence. He has been willing that brethren in Vermont should bear his burdens while he was relieved from care. He has not had a suitable amount of exercise to give tone and strength to his muscles, and for the good of his health. {1T 448.1}

Nogle brødre har begået fejl i denne henseende. De har troet at bror C var den rigtige til at arbejde i Vermmont og at han kunne urette mere end nogen andre prædikanter i denne stat. Disse ser ikke tingene fra en rigtig synsvinkel. Bror C kan tale på en måde der interesser en forsamling og hvis dette er alt hvad er nødvendigt, for at for at gøre en prædikant succesrig, så vil en gruppe brødre og søstre have ret i deres vurdering af ham. Men han er ikke en grundig arbejder; han er ikke pålidelig. I menighedsmæsssig sammenhæng er han uden betydning. Han har ikke erfaring, dømmekraft og skarpsindighed til at være til nytte for menigheden når den prøves. Han har ikke været tilbundsgående i det timelige og selv om han har en lille familie, har han mere eller mindre haft brug for hjælp. Den samme mangel vises i åndelige ting som i timelige ting. Var den rette fremgangsmåde brugt mod ham fra begyndelsen af hans forkyndelse, kunne der fås lidt nytte af ham. Hans brødre skadede ham ved at gøre meget ud af ham og kun lade ham bære få af livets byrder, så længe han troede at hans arbejdere var af den dybeste betydning. Han var villig til at hans brødre i Vermont skulle bære hans byrder, selvom han var fri for bekymringer. Han har ikke haft en passende mængde af opgaver til at styrke og give sine muskler spændstighed og gøre godt for sit helbred.