Some were ever jealous. Brother E was of this class. He has a peculiar stubbornness in his organization that leads him to persist in a wrong course because he thinks it would gratify his brethren for him to change and take an opposite course. At times, when he feels just like it, he is ready to do anything in his power to advance the cause of God. But he loves so well to have his own way that he will let the precious cause of God suffer rather than give up his will and his way. Brother E is not a man who can be depended upon. He is subject to the temptations of Satan and is frequently under his control. He has a selfish, unsubdued heart. He is fitful, impulsive, now hating, then loving. At times he is kind, at other times jealous, envious, and very selfish. He cannot perfect Christian character until he resists temptation, subdues his own stubborn will, and cherishes a spirit of humility, a willingness to see and confess his errors. He has been, at times, true and earnest. Then a wave would carry him in an opposite direction, and he would cherish jealousy, envy, and distrust. Self and selfish interest were paramount, he was full of faultfinding, and suspicious that others did not appreciate him, but wished to injure him. Brother E needs a thorough conversion. It is not enough for men to profess the truth. They may acknowledge the whole truth, and yet know nothing—have no experimental knowledge in their daily life—of the sanctifying influence of the truth upon the heart and life, or of the power of true godliness. {2T 638.2}

Efter som vi er fulgt med ned gennem profetiens kæde, er den åbenbarede sandhed for vor tid blevet klart indset og forklaret. Vi er ansvarlige for de privilegier, vi nyder og for det lys, der skinner på vor sti. De, der levede i tidligere slægtled, var ansvarlige for det lys, som fik lov at skinne for dem. Deres sind blev påvirket af forskellige punkter i skriften, ved hvilke de blev prøvet. Men de forstod ikke de sandheder, vi forstår. De var ikke ansvarlige for det lys, de ikke havde. De havde bibelen, ligesom vi har den; men tidspunktet for udfoldelsen (693) af den særlige sandhed vedrørende de afsluttende begivenheder i jordens historie falder i den sidste generation, der kommer til at leve på jorden.