In laboring with the erring, some of our brethren had been too rigid, too cutting in remarks. And when some were disposed to reject their counsel, and separate from them, they would say, “Well, if they want to go off, let them go.” While such a lack of the compassion and long-suffering and tenderness of Jesus was manifested by His professed followers, these poor, erring, inexperienced souls, buffeted by Satan, were certain to make shipwreck of faith. However great may be the wrongs and sins of the erring, our brethren must learn to manifest not only the tenderness of the Great Shepherd, but also His undying care and love for the poor, straying sheep. Our ministers toil and lecture week after week, and rejoice that a few souls embrace the truth; and yet brethren of a prompt, decided turn of mind may, in five minutes, destroy their work by indulging the feelings which prompt words like these: “Well, if they want to leave us, let them go.” {LS 186.2}

I arbejdet med de fejlende blev nogle af vore brødre for hårdnakkede og for skarpskårne i deres bemærkninger. Og når nogle var tilbøjelige til at afvise deres råd, og skille sig ud fra dem, ville de sige: "Hvis de ønsker at gå, så lad dem gå." Når der tilkendegives en sådan mangel på Jesu medfølelse, langmodighed og ømhed fra Hans bekendende efterfølgere, bliver disse stakkels, fejlende uerfarne sjæle slået af Satan, hvor visse vil lide et troens skibbrud. Uanset hvor store fejl og synder de fejlende mennesker begår, må vore brødre ikke kun lære den Store Hyrdes ømhed, men også Hans udødelige omsorg og kærlighed for stakkels og vansmægtende får. Vore prædikanter slider og holder tale uge efter uge, og glæder sig over at nogle få sjæle griber sandheden; og alligevel kan brødre med et hurtigt og besluttet sindelag, på fem minutter, ødelægge deres arbejde, ved at give efter for følelser der får dem til at sige: "Nuvel, hvis de ønsker at forlade os, så lad dem gå."