The testimonies borne here are not expressive of great faith. It is not hard to believe that Jesus will pardon others, but it seems impossible for each to exercise living faith for himself. But, dear brethren, is it profitable to express doubts in regard to the willingness of Christ to accept you? I fear you are depending too much on feeling, making that a criterion. You are losing much by this course; you are not only weakening your own souls, but the souls of others who look to you. You must trust Jesus for yourselves, appropriate the promises of God to yourselves, or how can you educate others to have humble, holy confidence in him? You feel that you have neglected duties, that you have not prayed as you should. You seem at a distance from Jesus, and think that he has withdrawn from you; but it is you who have separated from him. He is waiting for you to return. He will accept the contrite heart. His lips have assured us that he is more willing to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him than parents are to give good gifts to their children.

Vidnesbyrdene der frembæres her, udtrykker ikke stor tro. Det er ikke vanskeligt at tro at Jesus vil tilgive andre, men det synes umuligt for alle at selv udøve en levende tro. Men, kære brødre, er det gavnligt at udtrykke sin tvivl om at Kristus godt vil acceptere jer? Jeg er bange for at I er for afhængige af følelser, og gøre det til et kriterie. På denne måde mister I for meget; I mister ikke blot jeres egne sjæle, men andres sjæle som ser på jer. I må selv stole på Jesus, anvende Guds løfter på jer selv, hvordan kan I ellers uddanne andre til at få ydmyg og hellig tillid til Ham? I føler at I har forsømt nogle opgaver, at i ikke har bedt som i skulle. Det er som at have en afstand fra Jesus, og tror at Han har trukket sig bort fra jer; men det er jer som har adskilt jer fra Ham. Han venter på at I skal komme tilbage. Han vil acceptere et sønderbrudt hjerte. Hans læber har forvisset os om at Han er mere villig til at give Helligånden til dem som beder Ham, end at forældre er villig til at give deres børn gode gaver.