God loves Sister Pierce. She is one of the timid, fearing ones, conscientious in the performance of her duty; and she will receive a reward when Jesus comes if she is faithful to the end. She has not made a display of her virtues, she has been retiring, one of the more silent ones; yet her life has been useful; she has blessed many by her influence. Sister Pierce has not much self-esteem and self-confidence. She has many fears, yet does not come under the head of the fearful and unbelieving, who will find no place in the kingdom of God. Those outside of the city are among the most confident, boastful, and apparently zealous ones who love in word, but not in deed and in truth. Their hearts are not right with God. His fear is not before them. The fearful and unbelieving, who are punished with the second death, are of that class who are ashamed of Christ in this world. They are afraid to do right and follow Christ, lest they should meet with pecuniary loss. They neglect their duty, to avoid reproach and trials, and to escape dangers. Those who dare not do right because they will thus expose themselves to trials, persecution, loss, and suffering are cowards, and, with idolaters, liars, and all sinners, they are ripening for the second death. {2T 630.1}

Du vurderer dig selv meget godt, men du har et arbejde at gøre som ingen andre kan gøre for dig. Din natur må forandres og du må forvandle dig helt. Du holder af sandheden i ordet, men ikke i gerninger. Du holder en smugle af Herren, men dine rigdomme mere. Ville Mesteren sige til dig, hvis han fandt dig lige for øjeblikket: »Vel, du gode og tro tjener, .... gå ind til din herres glæde.« Hvilken glæde henvises der her til? »Som for at få den glæde, der ventede ham, udholdt korset uden at ænse skammen og som nu har taget sæde på højre side af Guds trone.« Glæden som var sat for Jesus var at se sjæle indløst ved hans herligheds offer, hans ære, hans rigdomme og hans eget liv. Menneskets frelse var hans glæde. Når alle de indløste skal samles i Guds rige, vil han se på sin sjæls møje og blive tilfreds.