But there has been among us as a people a lack of deep, earnest, soul-touching sympathy and love for the tempted and the erring. Many have manifested great coldness and sinful neglect, represented by Christ as passing by on the other side, keeping as far as possible from those who most need help. The newly converted soul often has fierce conflicts with established habits or with some special form of temptation, and, being overcome by some master passion or tendency, he is guilty of indiscretion or actual wrong. It is then that energy, tact, and wisdom are required of his brethren, that he may be restored to spiritual health. In such cases the instructions of God’s word apply: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in a spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” But how little of the pitying tenderness of Christ is manifested by His professed followers! When one errs, others too often feel at liberty to make the case appear as bad as possible. Those who perhaps are guilty of fully as great sins in some other direction, will treat their brother with cruel severity. Errors committed through ignorance, thoughtlessness, or weakness are exaggerated into willful, premeditated sin. As they see souls going astray, some fold their hands and say: “I told you so. I knew there was no dependence to be placed upon them.” Thus they place themselves in the attitude of Satan, exulting in spirit that their evil surmisings have proved to be correct. {5T 604.3}

Selv ikke nu er vi uden for fare. Enhver, som beskæftiger sig med at forkynde det advarende budskab til verden, vil blive hårdt fristet til at føre en sådan vandel, at den vil være en fornægtelse af hans tro. Det er Satans overlagte plan at gøre arbejderne svage i bønnen, svage i kraft og svage i indflydelse som følge af deres karaktermangler. Som arbejdere må vi stå samlet om at misbillige og fordømme alt, som i vor omgang med hinanden rummer den mindste tilnærmelse til det onde. Vor tro er hellig; vor gerning er at forsvare Guds lovs ære og (593) den er ikke af en sådan art, at den skulle kunne lede nogen ned på et lavt trin i tanke eller opførsel.