Brother A, you should have gained a valuable experience during the many years that you have been blessed with the great light God has permitted to shine upon your pathway. I heard a voice saying in reference to you: “It is an unfruitful tree; why should its fruitless branches shadow the space that a fruitful tree might occupy? Cut it down; for why cumbereth it the ground?” Then I heard the pleading tones of Mercy’s sweet voice, saying: “Spare it a little longer. I will dig about its roots; I will prune it. Give it one more trial; if it fails to be fruitful then, you may cut it down.” So a little longer probation is granted the unproductive tree, a little longer time for the barren life to blossom and bear fruit. Will the opportunity given be improved? Will the warnings of God’s Spirit be heeded? The words of Jesus in regard to Jerusalem after she had slighted the salvation graciously offered by her Redeemer are also, in substance, spoken unto you: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, ... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Christ pleaded, He invited; but His love was unrequited by the people He came to save. You have done no better in your day than did the poor, self-deceived and blinded Jews in theirs. You might have improved your blessed privileges and opportunities, and perfected Christian character; but your heart has been rebellious, and you “would not” humble yourself to be truly converted and live in obedience to God’s requirements. {4T 188.3}

Bror A, du burde have fået en værdifuld erfaring i de mange år du er blevet velsignet af det store lys Gud har ladet skinne på din stivej. Jeg hørte en stemme sige vedrørende dig: "Det er et ufrugtbart træ; hvorfor skal dets frugtløse grene skygge for et sted et frugtbart træ kunne have glæde af? Skær det over; for hvorfor besværer det grunden?" Så hørte jeg det bedende tonefald fra den Barmhjertiges søde røst sige: "Skån den lidt længere. Jeg vil (189) grave omkring dets rødder; jeg vil beskære det. Giv det en chance mere; hvis det ikke bliver godt, kan du skære det over." Så det uproduktive træ tilstås lidt mere prøvetid, lidt længere tid for det golde liv til at blomstre og bære frugt. Vil denne tilståede anledning blive udnyttet? Vil der blive givet agt på advarslerne fra Guds Ånd? Jesu ord om Jerusalem efter at byen havde ringeagtet frelsen, Forløseren så nådigt, siges i det væsentlige også til dig: »Jerusalem, Jerusalem! .... hvor ofte har jeg ikke villet samle dine børn, som hønen samler kyllingerne under sine vinger! og I ville ikke.« Kristus bønfaldt, han indbød; men hans kærlighed var det folk ugengældt, han kom for at frelse. Du har ikke gjort noget bedre på din dag end de stakkels, selv-bedragede og forblindede jøder gjorde på deres. Du kunne have udnyttet dine privilegier og anledninger og udviklet kristen karakter; men dit hjerte har været oprørt og du "ville ikke" ydmyge dig selv til at blive rigtig omvendt og leve i lydighed mod Guds påbud.