It is often the case that ministers are inclined to visit almost entirely among the churches, devoting their time and strength where their labor will do no good. Frequently the churches are in advance of the ministers who labor among them, and would be in a more prosperous condition if those ministers would keep out of their way and give them an opportunity to work. The effort of such ministers to build up the churches only tears them down. The theory of the truth is presented over and over again, but it is not accompanied by the vitalizing power of God. They manifest a listless indifference; the spirit is contagious, and the churches lose their interest and burden for the salvation of others. Thus by their preaching and example the ministers lull the people to carnal security. If they would leave the churches, go out into new fields, and labor to raise up churches, they would understand their ability and what it costs to bring souls out to take their position upon the truth. And they would then realize how careful they should be that their example and influence might never discourage or weaken those whom it had required so much hard, prayerful labor to convert to the truth. “Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” {2T 340.1}

Jeg kommer tilbage til de kristne. Hvis alle, som bekender sig til at adlyde Guds lov, var fri for uretfærdighed, ville min sjæl finde lindring; men det er de ikke. Endog nogle, der bekender sig til at holde alle Guds bud, er skyldige i den synd, som hedder utugt. Hvad kan jeg sige for at vække deres stivnede sanseevner? Moralske principper, strengt efterlevet, bliver sjælens eneste værn. Hvis der nogensinde var en tid, da kosten burde være af den enkleste slags, er det nu. Kødspiser bør ikke sættes frem for vore børn. Deres virkning bidrager til at ophidse og styrke de lavere lidenskaber og har en tilbøjelighed til at lamme de moralske Kræfter. Kornsorter og frugter, tilberedt uden fedt og i en så naturlig tilstand som muligt, bør være den føde, der sættes på bordene hos alle, som siger, at de forbereder sig til at blive optaget til himmelen. Jo mindre æggende kosten er, desto lettere kan lidenskaberne beherskes. Man bør ikke lade sig lede af smagen uden hensyn til fysisk, intellektuel eller moralsk sundhed.