Here were the cases of several who had backslidden, who had been in darkness, and who had strayed from the fold. But especially was the case of Brother A prominent. All the efforts were not made which should have been made in wisdom to prevent his straying from the fold; and after he had strayed, diligent efforts were not put forth to bring him back. There was more gossiping over his case than sincere sorrow for him. All these things kept him from the fold and caused his heart to be separated farther and farther from his brethren, making his rescue still more difficult. How different was this course from that pursued by the shepherd in the parable, when in pursuit of the lost sheep. The whole ninety and nine were left in the wilderness to care for themselves, exposed to dangers; yet the lone sheep, separated from the flock, was in greater danger, and to secure the one, the ninety and nine were left. {2T 218.2}

Her var eksempler på adskillige som var faldet fra, som har været i mørke og som er faret vild af folden. Men bror A's tilfælde var især enestående. Alle de anstrengelser som skulle udføres for at forhindre hans vildfarelse blev ikke gjort; og efter han var faret vild, blev der ikke lagt ihærdige anstrengelser i, at få ham tilbage. I hans tilfælde blev der snarere snakket om ham end oprigtig sorg blev næret for ham. Alt dette holdt ham væk fra folden og fik hans hjerte adskilt fra fader og fader fra sine brødre og hans frelse endnu vanskeligere. Hvor anderledes er dette ikke fra hyrden i lignelsen, fra hans fremgangsmåde, da han ledte efter det fortabte får. Alle ni og halvfems blev overladt til sig selv i ørknen, udsat for farer; dog var det eneste får, adskilt fra hjorten, i stor fare og for at sikre det eneste, blev de ni og halvfems efterladt.