Testimony for the Church — No. 15

Epistle Number Six

I was shown that while Sr. —— and Bro. and Sr. —— see wrongs in others, they had not made efforts to correct those wrongs and help those that they ought to have helped. They have left them too much alone, and held them off at arms’ length, and felt that it was no use to try to do anything for them. This is wrong. They commit an error in thus doing. Christ said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” The Lord would have us help those who most need help. While they have seen the errors and wrongs in others, they have shut themselves too much to themselves, and have been too selfish in their enjoyment of the truth. God does not approbate this being satisfied with the truth, and making no sacrifice to aid and strengthen those who need strength. T15 61.2

We are not all organized alike. Some have not been educated aright. Their education has been deficient. Some have transmitted to them a quick temper, and their education in childhood has not taught them self-control. With this fiery temper is frequently united envy and jealousy. Others are faulty in other respects. They are dishonest in deal, overreaching in trade. Others are arbitrary in their families—loving to rule. Their lives are far from being correct. Their education was all wrong, and evil fruits were manifested without their being told the sin of being thus controlled. Therefore sin does not appear so exceedingly sinful. Others, whose education has not been so faulty, who have had better training, have developed a much less objectionable character. The Christian life of all is very much affected for good or for evil by their previous education. T15 61.3

Jesus, our advocate, is acquainted with all the circumstances with which we are surrounded, and deals with us according to the light we have had, and the circumstances in which we are placed. Some have a much better organization than others. While some are continually harassed^* and afflicted, and in trouble because of the unhappy traits in their character, having to war with internal foes and the corruption of their nature, others have not half as much to battle against. They pass along almost free from the difficulties their brethren and sisters are laboring under who are not so favorably organized. They do not, in very many cases, labor half as hard to overcome and live daily the life of a Christian as some of those unfortunate ones I have mentioned. The latter appear to disadvantage almost every time, while the former appear much better, because it is natural for them so to do. They may not labor half as hard to watch and keep the body under, yet at the same time they make a comparison of their lives with the lives of others who are unfortunately organized, and badly educated, and flatter themselves with the contrast. They talk of the errors, the wrongs, the failings, of the unfortunate, but do not feel that they have any burden in the matter farther than to dwell upon those wrongs, and shun those who are guilty of them. T15 62.1

The prominent position which you as a family occupy in the church makes it highly necessary for you to be burden-bearers. Not to take burdens for those who are able to bear their own, and also to aid others. But it is to help those who stand most in need of help—those who are less favorably situated, who are erring and faulty, and who may have injured you and tried your patience to the utmost. It is just such ones whom Jesus pities, because Satan has more power over them, and is constantly taking advantage of their weak points, and driving his arrows to hit them where they are least protected. Jesus exercises his power and mercy for just such pitiable cases. He asked Peter who loved most. Said Peter, “He to whom he forgave most.” Thus it will be. Jesus did not shun the unfortunate, helpless, and weak, but he helped such as needed help. Jesus did not confine his visits and labors to a class more intelligent and less faulty, to the neglect of the unfortunate. He did not inquire whether it was agreeable or pleasant for him to be a companion of the poorest, the most needful. These are the ones whose company he sought—the lost sheep of the house of Israel. T15 62.2

This is the work you have neglected. You have shunned disagreeable responsibilities, and have not gone to the erring and visited them, and manifested an interest and love for them, and made yourselves familiar with them. You have not had a spirit of Christlike forgiveness. You have marked out just such a course that all must come up to before you could throw over them your mantle of charity. You are not required to cloak up sin, but to exercise that pitying love for the erring that Christ has exercised toward you. T15 63.1

You are placed under the most favorable circumstances for the development of good Christian characters. You are not where you feel pinching want, or where your souls are galled and distressed with the conduct of disobedient, rebellious children. In your family there is no dissenting voice. You have all that heart can wish. Yet, notwithstanding your favorable surroundings, you have faults and errors, and much to overcome in order to be free from all spiritual pride, selfishness, a hasty spirit, jealousy, and evil surmisings. T15 63.2

Bro. —— has not the sin of evil speaking to repent of, as very many have, but he lacks a willingness to help those who most need help. He is selfish. He loves his home, loves quiet, loves rest, freedom from care, perplexities, and trials; therefore, pleases himself too much. He does not bear the burdens Heaven has assigned him. He shuns disagreeable responsibilities, and shuts himself up too much to his love of quietness. T15 64.1

He has been quite liberal with means, but when he comes to where self is to be denied, where there is to be a deprivation on his part, to do some needed good where real sacrifice on his part is called for, he has but little experience, and must learn it. T15 64.2

He fears he will be blamed if he ventures to help the erring. “We then that are strong, ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one please his neighbor for his good to edification; for even Christ pleased not himself, but as it is written, the reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.” Those who are partakers of this great salvation have something to do to help those who are hanging on the skirts of Zion. They should not cut off their hold and thrust them away without making any effort to help them overcome, and be prepared for the Judgment. Oh, no indeed! While they are bleating around the fold, they should be encouraged and strengthened by all the aid it is in our power to bestow. You as a family have too rigid rules and set ideas which cannot be made to fit every case. You lack love, gentleness, tenderness, and pity for those who are not as fast as they should be. This spirit has prevailed to such an extent that you are withering; you are not flourishing in the Lord. Your interest, and efforts, and anxieties, are for your family and your relatives. But to reach out for others around you, and overcome your reluctance to exert an influence outside of a special circle, you have not entertained the idea. You idolize yours, and shut yourselves within yourselves. If the Lord can save me and mine is the great burden. This spirit will have to die before you flourish in the Lord, and make spiritual advancement, and the church grows, and souls be added unto them of such as shall be saved. T15 64.3

You are all narrowed up as to labor for others, and must change your base of operations. Your relatives are no dearer in the sight of God than any other poor souls who need salvation. Self and selfishness must be put under our feet, and we exemplify in our lives the spirit of self-sacrifice and disinterested benevolence, manifested by Jesus when he was upon earth. All should have an interest for their relatives, but should not allow themselves to be so closely shut up to them as though they were all the ones Jesus came to save. T15 65.1

E. G. W.

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