The True Witness declares that when you suppose you are really in a good condition of prosperity you are in need of everything. It is not enough for ministers to present theoretical subjects; they should also present those subjects which are practical. They need to study the practical lessons that Christ gave His disciples and make a close application of the same to their own souls and to the people. Because Christ bears this rebuking testimony, shall we suppose that He is destitute of tender love to His people? Oh, no! He who died to redeem man from death, loves with a divine love, and those whom He loves He rebukes. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.” But many will not receive the message that Heaven in mercy sends them. They cannot endure to be told of their neglect of duty and of their wrongs, their selfishness, their pride and love of the world. {3T 257.3}

Det sanddru vidne siger, at når du mener, at din tilstand i virkeligheden er god, så mangler du alt. Det er ikke nok, at prædikanter fremholder teoretiske emner; de bør også fremholde sådanne emner, som er praktiske. De trænger til at grunde over de praktiske lærdomme, Kristus gav sine disciple og nøje at anvende disse lærdomme på deres egne sjæle og på folket. Skal vi antage, at Kristus er blottet for kærlighed til sit folk, fordi han bringer (258) dette revsende budskab? Oh nej! Ham, som døde for at genløse menneskene fra døden, elsker med en guddommelig kærlighed og dem, han elsker, dem revser han. »Alle dem, jeg har kær, dem revser og tugter jeg.« Men mange vil ikke tage imod det budskab, som himmelen i nåde sender fil dem. De tåler ikke, at der tales til dem om deres pligtforsømmelse og om deres fejl, deres egoisme, deres stolthed og deres kærlighed til verden. Vejl f menigh bd. 1 side 272-276]