While you, Brethren B, have been forward to engage in controversy with others upon points of our faith, without an exception you have been asleep in reference to those things which pertain to Christianity. You are not even dreaming of the perilous position you occupy. This apathy extends over the church and over everyone who, professing Christ as you have done, denies Him by his works. You are leading others in the same path of recklessness in which you are treading. God’s word declares that without holiness no man shall see God. Jesus died to redeem us from all iniquity and to purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. {4T 332.1} “The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Christ says: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” What do your prayers amount to while you regard iniquity in your hearts? Unless you make a thorough change, you will, not far hence, become weary of reproof, as did the children of Israel; and, like them, you will apostatize from God. Some of you in words acknowledge reproof, but you do not in heart accept it. You go on the same as before, only being less susceptible to the influence of the Spirit of God, becoming more and more blinded, having less wisdom, less self-control, less moral power, and less zeal and relish for religious exercises; and, unless converted, you will finally yield your hold upon God entirely. You have not made decided changes in your life when reproof has come, because you have not seen and realized your defects of character and the great contrast between your life and the life of Christ. It has been your policy to place yourselves in a position where you would not entirely lose the confidence of your brethren. {4T 332.2}

Når I, brødre B, går ind i diskussion med andre om vore trospunkter, har I uden undtagelser sovet over de ting, som angår kristendommen. I kan ikke forestille jer den farlige stilling I er i. Denne sløvhed breder sig over menigheden og over enhver som er kristendomsbekendere ligesom I, fornægter Kristus ved jeres gerninger. I leder andre ind på den samme ubesindighedens sti, som I træder på. Guds ord erklærer at uden hellighed, skal intet menneske se Gud. Jesus døde for at indløse os fra al uretfærdighed og for at rense sig et særligt folk, nidkær i gode gerninger. »Thi Guds nåde blev åbenbaret til frelse for alle mennesker og opdrager os til at sige nej til ugudelighed og verdslige: begæringer og leve besindigt og retskaffent og gudfrygtigt i den nuværende verden.« Kristus siger: »Så vær da I fuldkomne, som jeres himmelske Fader er fuldkommen.« Hvad har jeres bønner at sige, når I ser på misgerningen i jeres hjerter? Medmindre I forandrer jer helt, vil I snart blive trætte af irettesættelser, som Israels børn blev; og ligesom dem vil I falde bort fra Gud. Nogen gange anerkender I irettesættelser i ord, men I antager dem ikke i hjertet. I fortsætter som altid, blot mindre påvirkelige overfor Guds Ånds indflydelse og bliver mere og mere forblindede, har mindre visdom, mindre selvkontrol, mindre moralsk styrke og mindre iver og smag for religiøse aktiviteter; og hvis I ikke omvendes, vil I til sidst slippe helt jeres greb på Gud. I har ikke gjort afgørende ændringer i jeres liv, siden I er blevet irettesat, fordi I ikke har set og erkendt jeres kraktermangler og den store kontrast mellem jeres liv og Kristi liv. Det har været jeres taktik at have en holdning, hvor I ikke helt mister jeres brødres tillid.