Had the unbelievers with whom you have associated seen in you the transforming power of the truth, they would have had an argument in favor of Christianity which they could not controvert. You might thus have reflected a clear, sharp light to the world; but instead of this you have mingled with the world and imbibed its spirit. My brother, you must be born again. A mere form of Christianity is not of the least value. It is destitute of saving power, having in it no reformative energy. A religion which is confined to Sabbath worship emits no rays of light to others. I entreat you to examine your own heart closely. You have a combative, contentious spirit, and you are cultivating instead of repressing that spirit. You should make a decided change, and cultivate meekness, faith, humility, and love. Your soul is in peril; you will surely be subject to the strong delusions of Satan unless you stop where you are and press against the current of worldliness and ambition. Your relations with the world must be changed, and a decided separation must take place. The positions which you occupy, which are continually opening to you doors of temptation, must be given up. Avoid politics; shun contention. Keep clear of every office which would encourage those traits in your character that need to be battled down and overcome. {5T 339.2}

Havde de ikke-troende, som du omgik, set din sandhedsforvandlende kraft, ville de have haft et augment for kristenheden, som de ikke kunne bestride. Derved kunne du genspejle et klart, skarpt lys for verden; men i stedet for dette, har du blandet dig med verden og indsuget dens ånd. Min bror, du må fødes igen. Blot en formel kristendom har ikke den mindste værdi. Den er blottet for frelsende kraft, har ingen reformerende kraft i sig. En religion som er indskrænket til sabbbatsdyrkelse udsender ingen lysstråler for andre. Jeg bønfalder dig at nøje ransage dit eget hjerte. Du er stridbar og trættekær og du opdyrker det i stedet for at undertrykke det. Du bør gøre afgjorte forandringer og opelske sagtmodighed, tro, (340) ydmyghed og kærlighed. Din sjæl er i fare; du vil med sikkerhed blive genstand for Satans stærke bedrag, hvis du ikke stopper hvor du er og holder igen på verslighedens og ærgerrighedens strøm. Dit forhold med verden må ændres og en afgjort adskillelse må finde sted. De standpunkter du har indtaget, som hele tiden åbner fristelsens døre for dig, må opgives. Undgå snedighed; sky stridighed. Vær opmærksom på alt, som opmuntrer til disse træk i din karakter, som behøver at blive nedkæmpet og overvundet.