I had resolved not to engage in prayer for anyone unless the Spirit of the Lord should dictate in the matter. I had been shown that there was so much iniquity abounding, even among professed Sabbathkeepers, that I did not wish to unite in prayer for those of whose history I had no knowledge. I stated my reason. I was assured by the brethren that, as far as they knew, he was a worthy brother. I conversed a few words with the one who had solicited our prayers that he might be healed, but I could not feel free. He wept, and said that he had waited for us to come, and he felt assured that if we would pray for him he would be restored to health. We told him that we were unacquainted with his life, that we would rather those who knew him would pray for him. He importuned us so earnestly that we decided to consider his case and present it before the Lord that night; and if the way seemed clear, we would comply with his request. {2T 349.3}

Mennesker var villige til at underkaste sig selvfornægtelse og disciplin for at kunne løbe og opnå en forgængelig krans, der ville forgå i løbet af en dag og kun var et tegn på ære for dødelige væsener hernede. men vi skal deltage i den væddekamp, ved hvis afslutning man opnår udødelighedens krans og et evigt liv. Ja, en langt større og evig vægt af herlighed vil blive os tilstået som sejrspris, når løbet er fuldført. »Vi,« siger apostlen, »for at få en sejrskrans, der aldrig visner.« Og dersom de, der deltog i denne væddekamp her på jorden for at opnå en timelig krans, kunne være afholdende i alt, kan så ikke også vi være det, som har en uforkrænkelig krans i sigt, en evig vægt af herlighed og et liv, der holder mål med Gud? Kan ikke vi, som har denne stor tilskyndelse, »med udholdenhed ile fremad i det kapløb, .... mens vi retter vort blik mod Jesus, troens Banebryder og Fuldender?« Hebr 12,1.2 Han har udpeget vejen for os og mærket den helt igennem med sine egne fodspor. Det er (359) den vej, han vandrede og vi kan sammen med ham erfare selvfornægtelsen og lidelsen og vandre på denne sti, som er mærket med hans eget blod.