After the church in ----- came to the knowledge of the truth, they would have been fruitful in good works, and would have had an influence that would make them a power on the side of right, had they manifested becoming earnestness, zeal, and love. But they have been indifferent, and have been growing cold and dead. Some have attended social meetings when they have carried with them the atmosphere of earth rather than that of heaven. The church has not been ready to respond to the efforts that have been made for them. In their present state they cannot see or realize the need of co-operation on their part; and their lack of earnestness and consecration has discouraged the ministers. Instead of this carelessness, there should have been a feeling of individual responsibility. This church will never prosper until the members commence the work of reform in their own hearts. Many who profess the faith are easily satisfied; if they come up to a few points of self-denial and reform they do not see the necessity of going further. Why is there such a resting on the lees? There is no halting place for us this side of heaven. None of us should be content with our present spiritual attainments. No one is living up to his opportunities unless he can show continual progress. He must be climbing, still climbing. It is the privilege of every Christian to grow up until he shall reach the full stature of a man in Christ Jesus. {5T 308.3}

Efter at menigheden i ___ kom til at kende sandheden, ville de have været frugtbare i gode gerninger og ville have en indflydelse der ville gøre dem til en kraft på det rigtiges side, hvis de havde udvist passende alvor, iver og kærlighed. Men den er blevet ligegyldig, kold og død. Nogle har deltaget i sociale møder, hvor de mere har taget en jordisk atmosfære med sig, end en himmelsk. Menigheden har ikke været rede til at følge det arbejde op der har været gjort for dem. I deres nuværende tilstand kan de ikke se eller erkende det nødvendige i samarbejde fra deres side; og deres manglende seriøsitet og helligelse har gjort prædikanterne modløse. I stedet for denne ligegyldighed, bør der være en personlig ansvarsfølelse. Denne menighed vil aldrig vokse, før medlemmerne begynder reformarbejdet i deres egne hjerter. Mange, som bekender troen kan være lette at overbevise; kommer de frem til nogle få punkter i selvfornægtelse og reform, kan de dog ikke se det nødvendige i at gå videre. Hvorfor falder der så mange til bunden? Der er ikke plads til at halte, på denne side af himlen. Ingen af os bør være tilfreds med vore nuværende åndelige resultater. Ingen lever op til de anledninger de får, medmindre de viser stadig (309) fremgang. De må klatre højere op, endnu højere. Det er enhver kristens privilegium at vokse, indtil han kan nå menneskets fylde i Kristus Jesus.