These young men have not sufficient strength of Christian character; especially is this the case with A O. He is not settled, rooted, and grounded in the truth. His hold of God has been so slight that he has not been receiving strength and light from above, but has been gathering darkness to his own soul. He has heard unbelief talked so much and has taken so little practical interest in the truth that he is not prepared to give a reason of his hope. He is unstable like a reed trembling in the wind. He is kind at heart, yet loves fun, idleness, and the company of his young friends. He has indulged this inclination to the sacrifice of his soul’s interest. It is important, my brother, that you avoid mingling too much in the society of irreligious youth. The culture of your mind and heart, in connection with the practical duties of life, requires that a large share of your time be spent in the society of those whose conversation and faith will increase your faith and love for the truth. {3T 225.1}

Disse unge mennesker har ikke tilstrækkelig kristen karakterstyrke, især gælder dette for A.O.'s vedkommende. Han er ikke grundfæstet i sandheden eller har rod i den. Hans greb i Gud har været så løst at han ikke har fået styrke og lys ovenfra, men har samlet mørke i sin egen sjæl. Han har hørt så meget på vantro tale og har haft så lidt praktisk interesse i sandheden at han ikke kan give en grund for sit håb. Han er ustabil ligesom tagrør der skælver i vinden. Han er venlig af hjerte, dog elsker han sjov, dovenskab og selskab med unge venner. Han har givet efter for denne tilbøjelighed og ofret sin egen sjæl. Det er vigtigt, min bror, at du ikke blander dig så meget med ureligiøse unges selskab. Dit sind og hjertes dannelse, i forbindelse med livets pligter, kræver at en stor del af din tid bruges på selskab med dem hvis samtale og tro vil forøge din tro og kærlighed for sandheden.