There has been a neglect on the part of the ministers. They have not urged home to the hearts of their hearers the necessity of faithfulness. They have not educated the church on all points of truth and duty nor labored with zeal to bring them into working order and to get them interested in every branch of the cause of God. I have been shown that had the church been properly educated, they would have been far in advance of their present position. The neglect on the part of the ministers has made the people careless and unfaithful. They have not felt their individual responsibility, but have excused themselves on account of the failure of the ministers to do the work of a pastor. But God does not hold them excused. Had they no Bible, had they no warnings, reproofs, and entreaties from heaven to bring duty to their minds, there would be less condemnation. But the Lord has given counsel and instruction; the duty of each individual has been made so plain that he need make no mistake. {5T 302.2}

Fra prædikanternes side har der været en forsømmelse. De har ikke over for tilhørerne indstændigt fremhævet trofasthedens nødvendighed. De har ikke undervist menigheden i alle sandhedens og pligtens punkter, ej heller arbejdet ivrigt efter at få dem i arbejde og gøre dem interesserede i alle grenene i Guds sag. Jeg er blevet vist at var menigheden blevet undervist ordentligt, ville den være langt længere fremme end dens nuværende stade. Forsømmelse fra prædikanternes side, har gjort folk skødesløse og upålidelige. De har ikke følt deres personlige ansvar, men har undskyldt sig selv på bekostning af prædikanternes svigtende pastorale arbejde. Men Gud undskylder dem ikke. Havde de ingen bibel, havde de ikke fået advarsler, irettesættelser og formaninger fra himlen om at få pligtsfølelse, ville dommen være mindre. Men Herren har givet råd og belæring; (303) den enkeltes opgave er gjort så tydelig, at han ikke kan gå forkert.