The prosperity of the cause of God in Minnesota is due more to the labors of Brother Pierce than to your own efforts. His labors have been a special blessing to that state. He is a man of tender conscience. The fear of God is before him. Infirmities have weighed heavily upon him, and this has led him to question whether he was in the way of his duty and to fear that God was not favoring his efforts. God loves Brother Pierce. He has but little self-esteem, and he fears and doubts and dreads labor; for the thought is constantly upon his mind that he is not worthy or capable to help others. If he would overcome timidity and possess more confidence that God would be with him and strengthen him he would be much more happy and a greater blessing to others. In the life of Brother Pierce there has been a failure to read character. He believed others to be as honest as himself, and in some cases he has been deceived. He has not the discernment that some have. You also have failed, in your life, to read character. You have spoken peace to those against whom God has declared evil. In his age and feebleness Brother Pierce may be imposed upon, yet all should esteem him highly for his work’s sake. He commands the love and tenderest sympathy of his brethren, for he is a conscientious, God-fearing man. {2T 629.3}

Du har mistet meget som du aldrig kan få igen. Du har ikke udnyttet dine anledninger for at gøre godt og din upålidelighed er kommet ind i himlens bøger. Kristi liv var kendetegnet af selvfornægtelse og selvopofrelse og uegennyttig godgørenhed. Du har ikke et rigtigt syn på den nødvendige beredelse for Guds rige. Dine tanker er i det hele taget for ringe. Talen er noget frygteligt sludder; det koster ikke for meget. Gerninger, frugter vil bestemme træets karakter. Hvilke frugter har du båret? Apostlen Jakob formaner sine brødre: »Hvad nytter det, mine brødre! om en siger, han har tro, når han ikke har gerninger? kan troen måske frelse ham? Hvis en broder eller søster mangler klæder og dagligt brød og en af jer siger til dem: »Gå bort i fred, klæd jer varmt og spis jer mæt, men ikke giver dem det, legemet behøver hvad nytter det så?« Dine gode ønsker, min bror, vil ikke dække behovene. (686) Gerningerne må bevidne din medfølelse og kærligheds oprigtighed. Hvor mange gange har du ikke anført den ovennævnte fremstilling i dine breve?