Some who occupy the position of watchmen to warn the people of danger have given up their watch and recline at ease. They are unfaithful sentinels. They remain inactive, while their wily foe enters the fort and works successfully by their side to tear down what God has commanded to be built up. They see that Satan is deceiving the inexperienced and unsuspecting; yet they take it all quietly, as though they had no special interest, as though these things did not concern them. They apprehend no special danger; they see no cause to raise an alarm. To them everything seems to be going well, and they see no necessity of raising the faithful, trumpet notes of warning which they hear borne by the plain testimonies, to show the people their transgressions and the house of Israel their sins. These reproofs and warnings disturb the quiet of these sleepy, ease-loving sentinels, and they are not pleased. They say in heart, if not in words: “This is all uncalled for. It is too severe, too harsh. These men are unnecessarily disturbed and excited, and seem unwilling to give us any rest or quietude ‘Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them.’ They are not willing that we should have any comfort, peace, or happiness. It is active labor, toil, and unceasing vigilance alone which will satisfy these unreasonable, hard-to-be-suited watchmen. Why don’t they prophesy smooth things, and cry: Peace, peace? Then everything would move on smoothly.” {2T 440.1}

Nogle af jer er overhoveder for familier og jeres eksempel og indflydelse former jeres børns karakter. Jeres eksempel vil de følge i en større eller mindre grad og jeres mangel på grundighed sætter et dårligt eksempel for andre. Men jeres mangler er mere mærkbare i Guds sag og arbejde. Jeres familier har følt denne mangel og på grund af den; de har manglet mange ting som de ved ihærdig arbejdsomhed og udholdenhed kunne have fået. Men denne mangel har været set og følt i Guds sag og arbejde i meget større grad i og med at hans værd er af højere betydning end ting der hører dette liv til.