That he should have feelings not always correct is no more than can be expected of a boy of his age. You must remember that he has no father or mother, no one to whom he can confide his feelings, his sorrows, and his temptations. Every person feels that he must have some sympathizer. This boy has been tossed about here and there, from pillar to post, and he may have many errors, many careless ways, with considerable independence, and he may lack reverence. But he is quite enterprising, and with right instruction and kind treatment, I have the fullest confidence that he would not disappoint our hopes, but would fully repay all the labor expended on him. Considering his disadvantages, I think he is a very good boy. {2T 328.1}

Ikke alle som forkynder sandheden til andre er helliget ved den. Nogle har kun en svag opfattelse af værkets hellige karakter. De undlader at stole på Gud og få alle deres gerninger udført hos ham. Deres inderste sjæle er ikke blevet omvendte. De har ikke i deres daglige liv erfaret gudfrygtighedens mysterium. De begår sig med udødelige sandheder, vægtige som evige, (335) men er ikke omhyggelige med og alvorlige for at have disse sandheder indvævet i deres sjæle og have dem som en del af sig selv, så de kan påvirke andre i hvad de gør. De er ikke så knyttet til de principper som disse sandheder har i sig, så det kunne være muligt at få del af sandheden fra dem.