Those who thus censured me were entirely ignorant of what they were talking about. I protested against persons’ sitting as inquisitors upon my course of action. It has been the disagreeable work assigned me to reprove private sins. Were I, in order to prevent suspicions and jealousy, to give a full explanation of my course, and make public that which should be kept private, I should sin against God and wrong the individuals. I have to keep private reproofs of private wrongs to myself, locked in my own breast. Let others judge as they may, I will never betray the confidence reposed in me by the erring and repentant, or reveal to others that which should only be brought before the ones that are guilty. I told those assembled that they must take their hands off, and leave me free to act in the fear of God. {LS 177.1}

Dem der kritiserede mig sådan, var helt udvidende om hvad de talte om. Jeg protesterede imod at personer ruger som undersøgelsesdommere over min handlemåde. Det har været ubehageligt for mig at irettesætte skjulte synder. Der hvor jeg, for at forhindre fortænksomhed og jalousi, forklarer min handlemåde åbent, og offentliggør det som burde holdes hemmeligt, skulle jeg synde imod Gud og begå fejl for enkeltpersoner. Jeg skal holde skjulte irettesættelser for skjulte fejl for mig sig, låst inde i mit eget uvæsen. Lad andre dømme som de vil, jeg vil aldrig bedrage den tillid der hviler i mig, overfor den fejlende og angrende, eller åbenbare det for andre som kun skulle frem for de skyldige. Jeg fortalte de forsamlede at de måtte tage deres hænder ned, og lade mig handle frit i gudsfrygt.