Did you, Brother D, as a disciple, a learner, of Christ, go to Him in humble, sincere prayer and commit your ways to him? You failed to do this. You did not investigate all your motives and move with carefulness lest you should bring a reproach upon the cause of Christ, your Redeemer. You did not consider whether this move would have an effect to increase your spiritual sensibility, quicken your zeal, and strengthen your steadfastness in the truth and your efforts to deny self. You were ignorant of your own heart. The work of God was seen in the church, but you had no longings for the divine Spirit. The things of heaven were insipid to you. You were infatuated by your new hopes of uniting your interests with those of another. You did not consider that a marriage alliance would vitally affect your interest for life, short though that life must be. {2T 226.1}

Gik du, bror D, som en discipel, en elev af Kristus, til ham i ydmyg, inderlig bøn og overlod dine veje til ham? Du gjorde det ikke. Du undersøgte ikke alle dine motiver og handlede med forsigtighed så du ikke bragte bebrejdelse over Kristi sag, din Forløser. Du tog ikke hensyn til om dette træk ville påvirke forøge din åndelige følsomhed, anspore din iver og styrke dit fundament i sandheden og dine anstrengelser for at fornægte selvet. Du var ligegyldig i dit eget hjerte. Guds arbejde kunne ses i menigheden, men du havde ingen længsel efter den guddommelige Ånd. Himlens sager var for dig ingenting. Du var forblindet af dine nye håb om at forene dine interesser med andres. Du tog ikke i betragtning at et ægteskab ville have en vital påvirkning for dit liv, hvor kort det liv måtte være.