But there is another point that I had almost forgotten. It is the influence which the preacher should exert in his ministry. His work is not merely to stand in the desk. It is but just begun there. He should enter the different families, and carry Christ there, carry his sermons there, carry them out in his actions and his words. As he visits a family he should inquire into their condition. Is he the shepherd of the flock? The work of a shepherd is not all done in the desk. He should talk with all the members of the flock, with the parents to learn their standing, and with the children to learn theirs. A minister should feed the flock over which God has made him overseer. It would be agreeable to go into the house and study; but if you do this to the neglect of the work which God has commissioned you to perform, you do wrong. Never enter a family without inviting them together, and bowing down and praying with them before you leave. Inquire into the health of their souls. What does a skillful physician do? He inquires into the particulars of the case, then seeks to administer remedies. Just so the physician of the soul should inquire into the spiritual maladies with which the members of his flock are afflicted, then go to work to administer the proper remedies, and ask the Great Physician to come to his aid. Give them the help that they need. Such ministers will receive all that respect and honor which is due them as ministers of Christ. And in doing for others their own souls will be kept alive. They must be drawing strength from God in order to impart strength to those to whom they shall minister. {2T 618.2}

Søster G tiltales af Kristus: »Kom hid til mig, alle I, som er trætte og tyngede af byrder og jeg vil give jer hvile. Tag mit åg på jer og lær af mig, thi jeg er sagtmodig og ydmyg af hjertet; så skal I finde hvile for jeres sjæle.« Søster G's ord, opførsel og generelle eksempel lærer en lektie der er helt anderledes end den vor Herre lærer. Hun mister meget ved ikke at lægge mærke til de nærværende velsignelser hun får og søger uroligt efter lykke. Hendes anstrengelser lønnes ikke og hendes frugtesløse søgen gør stor ulykke for hende selv og for alle som omgås med hende. Hendes rastløse, hendes ængstelige forstyrrede ånd, udtrykkes i hendes ansigtsudtryk og kaster en skygge. Dette mærke, denne vantro og utilfredshed ansporer fjendens fristelser. På grund af hendes stadige mistillid og hendes lånte trængsler, kaster hun en skygge i stedet for at sprede en solstråle.