Some go from their homes to labor in the gospel field, but do not act as though the truths which they speak were a reality to them. Their actions show that they have not experienced the saving power of the truth themselves. When out of the desk, they appear to have no burden of the truth. They labor sometimes apparently to profit, but more frequently to no profit. Such feel as much entitled to the wages they receive as though they had earned them; notwithstanding their unconsecration has cost more labor, anxiety, and pain of heart to those laborers who have the burden of the work upon them than all their efforts have done good. Such are not profitable workmen. But they will have to bear this responsibility themselves. {2T 339.2}

Dette er ikke et enestående tilfælde. Selv ægteskabsforholdet var ikke nok til at bevare denne mand fra hans ungdoms fordærvelige vaner. Jeg ville ønske, jeg kunne være forvisset om, at sådanne tilfælde som det, jeg har fremholdt, er sjældne; men jeg ved, at de er hyppige. Børn, der fødes af forældre, som beherskes af fordærvede lidenskaber, er værdiløse. Hvad andet kan der ventes af sådanne børn, end at de vil synke lavere end deres forældre? (352) Hvad kan man vente af den opvoksende slægt? Tusinder er blottede for principper. Disse selv samme overfører deres egne ynkelige, fordærvede lidenskaber til deres børn. Hvilken arv! Tusinder henslæber deres principløse liv, besmitter deres omgivelser og forplanter deres fordærvede lidenskaber ved at overføre dem til deres børn. De påtager sig det ansvar at give dem deres egen karakters præg.