Ministers would reach many more hearts if they would dwell more upon practical godliness. Frequently, when efforts are made to introduce the truth into new fields, the labor is almost entirely theoretical. The people are unsettled. They see the force of truth and are anxious to obtain a sure foundation. When their feelings are softened is the time, above all others, to urge the religion of Christ home upon the conscience; but too often the course of lectures has been allowed to close without that work being done for the people which they needed. That effort was too much like the offering of Cain; it had not the sacrificial blood to make it acceptable to God. Cain was right in making an offering, but he left out all that made it of any value—the blood of the atonement. {4T 395.3}

Prædikanter ville kunne påvirke mange flere hjerter, hvis de dvælede mere ved praktisk gudsfrygt. Når der gøres bestræbelser for at indføre sandheden på nye steder, sker det ofte, at arbejdet bliver næsten udelukkende teoretisk. Folk kommer i uvished. De indser sandhedens styrke og ønsker gerne at finde en sikker grundvold. Det gunstigste tidspunkt til at trænge ind på samvittigheden med Kristi religion er, når deres følelser er påvirkede; men alt for tit har man afsluttet foredragsrækken, uden at det arbejde, folket trængte til, er blevet gjort. Et sådant arbejde har for megen lighed med Kains offer: det indeholder ikke slagtofrets blod, der kan gøre det velbehageligt for Gud. Kain gjorde ret i at bringe et offer, men han udelod det, som gav ofret værdi forsoningens blod.