Last June I saw that your only hope of breaking the chain of your bondage was a removal from your associates. You had yielded to Satan’s temptations until you were a weak man. You were a lover of pleasure more than a lover of God, and were fast traveling the downward path. I have been disappointed that you have continued in the same indifferent state in which you have been for years. You have known and experienced the love of God; and it has been your delight to do His will. You have delighted in the study of the word of God. You have been punctual at the prayer meetings. Your testimony has been from a heart which felt the quickening influences of the love of Christ. But you have lost your first love. {2T 293.2}

Sidste juni så jeg at dit eneste håb for at bryde dit trældomsåg var en flytning fra dine omgangsfæller. Du havde overgivet dig til Satans fristelser indtil du var et svagt menneske. Du var mere en fornøjelseselsker end en gudselsker og du gik hurtigt på den nedadgående sti. Jeg blev skuffet over at du fortsatte i den samme ligegyldighed som du har haft i årevis. Du har stiftet kendskab og erfaret Guds kærlighed; og det har været glæde at gøre hans vilje. Du har fundet glæde i studiet af Guds ord. Du har været punktlig i fremmøde til bedemøderne. Dit vidnesbyrd har været fra et hjerte som følte Kristi kærligheds oplivende indflydelse. Men du har mistet din første kærlighed.