But the life of John was not spent in idleness, in ascetic gloom, or in selfish isolation. From time to time he went forth to mingle with men, and he was ever an interested observer of what was passing in the world. From his quiet retreat he watched the unfolding of events. With vision illuminated by the Divine Spirit, he studied the characters of men, that he might understand how to reach their hearts with the message of heaven. {8T 221.2}

Men Johannes' liv blev ikke brugt til dovenskab, til asketisk tungsindighed, eller selvisk isolation. Fra tid til anden gik han ud, for at blande sig med mennesker og han iagttog altid interesseret hvad der skete i verden. Fra hans stille tilflugtssted så (222) han hvordan begivenhederne foldede sig ud. Med klarsynet, oplyst af den guddommelige Ånd, studerede han menneskers karaktertræk, så han kunne forstå hvordan han nåede deres hjerter med himlens budskab.