In all probability you have failed to gain the boy’s confidence and affection by not giving him more tangible proofs of your love by holding out some inducements. If you could not expend money you could at least in some way encourage him by letting him know you were not indifferent to his case. That the love and affection is to be all on one side is a mistake. How much affection have you educated yourselves to manifest? You are too much shut up to yourselves, and do not feel the necessity of surrounding yourselves with an atmosphere of tenderness and gentleness, which comes from true nobility of soul. Brother and Sister F left their children to the care of the church. They had plenty of wealthy relatives who wanted the children; but they were unbelievers, and if allowed to have the care, or become the guardians, of the children, would lead their hearts away from the truth into error, and endanger their salvation. Because these relatives were not allowed to take the children, they were dissatisfied, and have done nothing for them. The confidence of the parents in the church should be considered, and not be forgotten because of selfishness. {2T 333.2}

Nogle har ingen erfaring med at tage vare på arbejdet selv om det er af livsvigtig betydning. De går ikke ind i det med den iver og alvor som kunne vise at de udfører et arbejde der står sin prøve i dommen. De arbejder for meget i deres egen styrke. De gør ikke Gud til deres tillid og derfor kendetegnes alle deres anstrengelser med fejl og ufuldkommenheder. De giver ikke Herren en chance til at gøre noget for dem. De vandrer ikke ved hjælp af tro, med ved det de ser. De vil ikke gå hurtigere eller længere end de kan se. Det er som om de ikke kan forstå at de skal vove noget for sandhedens skyld. Den har del i deres religiøse erfaring.