The insinuations and open speeches of those who are our enemies in Battle Creek were received by Brother B while on his journey East, and he returned with bitter and wicked feelings in his heart against those at the heart of the work and especially against me and my work. He had no good reason for the feelings he cherished and the views he expressed in regard to my labors and testimonies. The unbelief and prejudice which had corrupted his own soul he sought to instill into the minds of others. He did this with considerable effect. At first, many were influenced by his sophistry and darkness, for he can make assertions and draw inferences as though he were handling positive facts. He knows how to press matters and is of ready speech. His words had influence with some who were unconsecrated and who wished to have it just as he represented in regard to our work and our calling. He had influence and excited prejudice in the minds of some whom we could have helped, had he not closed our way so that we could not gain access to them. Of this class were Brother and Sister D. {3T 442.1}

Vore fjenders, i Battle Creek, antydninger og åbne tale blev modtaget af bror B da han var på sin rejse i Øst og han vendte tilbage med bitre og onde følelser i sit hjerte imod dem ved arbejdets hjerte og især imod mig. Han havde ingen god grund for at værne om de følelser og de synspunkter han gav udtryk for med hensyn til mit arbejde og vidnesbyrd. Vantro og fordomme som havde fordærvet hans egen sjæl havde forsøgt at opirre andres mennesker. Han gjorde dette med en anseelig effekt. For det første, var mange påvirket af hans sofisteri og mørke, for han kan gøre påstande og drage logiske slutninger som om han havde med virkelige kendsgerninger at gøre. Han ved hvordan tingene skal presses igennem og er hurtig til at tale. Hans ord har indflydelse hos nogle som var uhellige og som ønsker at få tingene på den måde han har fremstillet vort arbejde og vort kald. Han har haft indflydelse og givet nogle lærdomme som kunne have hjulpet, hvis han da ikke havde lukket vejen så vi ikke kunne få adgang til dem. I denne gruppe var bror og søster D.