Epistle Number Six

Dear Sister ——: It was my intention to have some conversation with you before leaving ——, but I was prevented by many things occurring to hinder me. I do not write with very hopeful feelings that this letter will make any special change in your course of conduct so far as your religious experience is concerned.T16 73.2

I have felt very sad in regard to you. I have dwelt, in the meetings held in ——, upon general principles, and have sought to reach hearts, hoping to bear a testimony which would effect a change in your religious life. I have tried to write as given in Testimony No. 12, in regard to the dangers of youth. That view was given me in Rochester. There I was shown that there had been a mistake made in your instruction from your childhood up. Your parents had thought, and had talked it in your hearing, that you were a natural Christian. Your sisters had a love for you which savored of idolatry more than of sanctification. Your parents have had an unsanctified love for their children, which has blinded their eyes to their defects. At times this has been different, when they have been somewhat aroused. But you have been petted and praised, until your eternal interest is endangered.T16 73.3

I saw that you knew not yourself. You have a self-righteousness which fastens you in deception in regard to your spiritual attainments. You have, at times, felt a sense of the influences of the Spirit of God. But the transformation by the renewing of the mind you are a stranger to. “Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” You have not had this experience, therefore have no anchor. You are not a Christian; and yet it has been talked to you all your life that you were a natural Christian. You have taken it for granted that you were all right when you were very far from being accepted of God. This deception has grown with your growth, and strengthened with your strength, and threatens to prove your ruin. Your parents have felt jealous for their children, and if reports of supposed slights have been brought to them by their children, they have felt interested, and aroused at once, and have sympathized with them, and stood directly in the way of their spiritual good.T16 74.1

You and your sister —— have had a great amount of that pride which will be made as stubble in the day of God. Self-love and self-pride, pride of appearance and of dress, have prevailed. Selfishness has held you from good. You both must have a thorough conversion, a thorough renewing of the mind, a thorough transformation, or you will have no part in the kingdom of God. Your appearance, your good looks, your dress, will not bring you into favor with God. It is moral worth that the great I AM notices. There is no real beauty of person nor of character out of Christ. No real perfection of manners or deportment without the sanctifying graces of the spirit of humility, sympathy and true holiness.T16 74.2

I have been shown that there will be souls lost through your influence and example. You have had light. You have had privileges. You will have to render an account for all these. You are not naturally religious or devotional, but have to make special efforts if you keep your minds upon religious things. Self is prominent with you. Your self-esteem is very large, but remember, Heaven looks at moral worth, and estimates the character as precious and valuable by the inward adorning, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. Costly array, outward adorning, personal attractions, all sink into insignificance in comparison with this valuable attainment, a meek and quiet spirit. Your interest and love for your own enjoyment and gratification, your lack of consecration and of devotion, have been detrimental to many. Those who were backslidden you could not benefit, for your lives were like the worldlings’ in general.T16 75.1

Those who visit —— carry away the impressions which you, with other of the youth, who enjoy not experimental religion, have made upon them, that there is no reality in religion. Pride in them is strengthened, love of show, love of lightness and of pleasure is increased, and the sense of sacred things is not discerned. They receive the impression that they have been too conscientious, too particular. For if those who live in ——, right at the center of the great work, are no more influenced by solemn truths, often presented, why should they be so particular? Why should they be afraid of enjoying themselves, when this seemed to be the aim of those who were of longer experience in ——.T16 75.2

The influence of the youth in —— extends everywhere, as far as they are known, and their unconsecrated lives are proverbial; and none have had more influence in the wrong direction than yourselves. You have dishonored your profession, and been miserable representatives of the truth. Says the True Witness, “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot; I would thou wert cold or hot. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Were you cold, there would be some hope that you would be converted, but where self-righteousness girds one about, instead of the righteousness of Christ, the deception is so hard to be seen, and the self-righteousness so difficult to be put away, that the case is the most difficult to reach. An unconverted, godless sinner is standing in a more favorable condition than such.T16 76.1

You are a stumbling-block to sinners. Your lack of consecration is marked. You scatter from Christ instead of gathering with him. If God will help me to tear off your self-righteous garments I will have hope that you may redeem the time, and your lives yet be exemplary. You have been frequently aroused, but as often sink back into your former do-nothing, self-righteous condition, having a name to live while you are dead. Your pride threatens to be your ruin. God has spoken to you upon this point. If you make no reformation, affliction will come upon you, and your joy be turned to heaviness, until you humble your hearts under the hand of God. Your prayers God does not accept. They come from hearts filled with pride and selfishness. You, ——, are vain, and you have lived an aimless life, when, had you been humble, and lived to bless others with your life, you would have been a blessing to yourself and to all around you. May God forgive your parents and sisters for the part they have acted in making you what you are, just that which God cannot accept, just that which, if you remain, the same will be stubble for the fire to consume in the day of God.T16 76.2

When I was shown in regard to the spirit of selfishness existing in those who were working in the Office, that there were some who were merely working for wages, as though engaged in any common enterprise, you were both among the number. You were both selfish and self-caring. Your anxiety was to please yourselves and to obtain higher wages. This spirit has, to quite an extent, cursed the Office, and Heaven frowns upon it. There have been too many eager to grasp means. All has been wrong. A worldly spirit has come in, and Christ has been shut out. May God pity his people. And I hope you will be converted.T16 77.1

You have possessed a spirit of levity, and have been vain and trifling in your conversation. Oh! how seldom has Jesus been mentioned. His redeeming love has not called forth gratitude, and into exercise words of praise, of devotedness, and expressions calculated to magnify his name and his undying, self-sacrificing love. What has been the theme of your conversation? What thoughts dwelt upon with the greatest pleasure? In truth it can be said that Jesus and his life of sacrifice, and his exceeding precious grace, the redemption he has so dearly earned for you, are scarcely in all your thoughts; but trifling things occupy the mind. To please yourselves, to accomplish objects in life which suit your pleasure, this is the burden of the mind. I can but wish you had not professed to be risen with Christ, for you have not complied with the requirement. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth; for ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Ask yourselves the question, Have I complied with the requirements here laid down by the inspired apostle? Have I evidenced by my life, my death to the world, that my life is hid with Christ in God? Am I submerged in Christ? Do I draw sustenance and support from him who has promised to be to me a present help in every time of need? You have a formal religion, but have not a special sense of your weakness, your corruption, and your vileness by nature.T16 77.2

“A natural Christian!” This deceptive idea has served many as a garment of self-righteousness, which has led to a supposed hope in Christ, where there was no experimental knowledge of him—his experience, his trials, his life of self-denial, and self-sacrifice. Their righteousness which they count so much upon is only as filthy rags. Says Christ, the beloved teacher, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.” Yes, follow him through evil as well as through good report. Follow him in befriending the most needy and friendless. Follow him in being forgetful of self, abundant in acts of self-denial, self-sacrifice to do others good. When reviled, reviling not again. Manifesting love and compassion for the fallen race. He counted not his life dear, but gave it up for us all. Follow him from the lowly manger to the cross. He was our example. He tells you that if you would be his disciple to take the cross, the despised cross, and follow him. Can ye drink of the cup? Can ye be baptized with the baptism?T16 78.1

Your fruits testify that you are strangers to Christ? Doth a fountain, at the same place, send forth sweet water and bitter? Can the fig-tree bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? So can no fountain yield salt water and fresh. Who is wise and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife are, there is confusion, and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.T16 79.1

Here are the fruits recounted, which are marked evidences of the change from one walking in the vigor of life to one who has met with a change so marked as to be represented by death. From living, active life, to death! What a striking figure! None need be deceived here. If this transformation has not been experienced by you, rest not. Seek the Lord with all your hearts. Make this the all-important business of your lives.T16 79.2

You have an account to render for the good you might have done during your life, had you been in the position in which God required you to be, and for which he has made ample provision. But you have failed to glorify God upon the earth, and save souls around you, because you did not avail yourselves of that grace and strength, wisdom and knowledge, which Christ has provided for you. You knew his will, but did it not. There will have to be a most manifest reformation in you both, or you will never hear from Jesus, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”T16 80.1

In the evening of June 12, after reading the foregoing to the church, I was shown that while you are careless, proud, selfish, and indifferent to the salvation of souls, Death is doing his work. One after another is leaving you, and passing to the grave. What has been your influence over those who assembled in your social gatherings? What has been said or done to lead souls to Christ? Have you been instant in season, out of season, to do your whole duty? Are you ready to meet at the bar of God those with whom you have mingled in your social gatherings? especially that class who have been thrown under your influence, and who have died out of Christ? Are you prepared to say that your skirts are clear of their blood? I will mention one case, that of ——. Will no reproach fall upon you from her? You, who were surrounded with good home influences? You, who had every favorable opportunity to develop good Christian characters, felt no burden of souls. Pleasure, vanity and pride were fostered by you, and you acted your part in disgracing your profession and leading this poor soul, who had been tossed about and buffeted by Satan, to doubt the reality of the truth, and the genuineness of the Christian religion. Your frivolous conversation, in common with others of the young, was disgusting. There was nothing noble and elevated in the turn your minds took. It was common chit-chat and gossip, the silly, vain laugh, the jesting, and the joking. Angels have written the scenes you have acted over and over again. Notwithstanding the most solemn appeals have been made to you, and you have been reproved, rebuked and warned, you are more censurable than other youth. You have had longer experience, and greater knowledge of the truth. You have lived the longest at ——. You were among the first to profess to believe the truth, and to be Christ's followers; and your course of vanity and pride has done more toward shaping the experience of the youth in ——, than any other ones. Those who have been converted to the truth, you have, as it were, taken by the hand and united them to the world. Great guilt and sin rest upon you, and also upon your parents, who have flattered your pride and folly. They have sympathized with you when reproved, and have given you to understand they thought it uncalled for. You, ——, have thought yourself handsome. Your parents have flattered you. You have sought acquaintance with unbelievers. You have acted unbecoming a prudent, modest girl, aside from your profession. But when it is taken into the account that you profess to be a follower of the meek and lowly Jesus, you have disgraced your profession. O ——, did you think those clerks could not see through the gloss you threw about you? Did you think they were so captivated with your pretty face that they could not see beneath the surface, and read your true superficial character? When you placed upon your head the adorning borrowed from Sr. ——’s store, and then displayed yourself as if on exhibition before those clerks, did you think this was not discerned? Did you think that angels of God were in attendance, and that their pure eyes were reading your thoughts, the intents and purposes of the heart, and taking cognizance of every act, and delineating your true, frivolous character? While you were engrossed with your small talk to the clerk with whom you were fascinated, because he flattered your vanity, could you have stood before the looking glass you would have seen the gestures, the whisperings, among those who were observing you, and laughing, because you were making such a foolish show. You were bringing a stain upon the cause of truth. Could you have entered that store unobserved a short time after you stepped out, and have heard the conversation, after you had lingered as long as decency would permit, you would have learned some things you never thought of before. You would have been wounded and humbled to learn how you were viewed by even frivolous clerks. The very one who flattered you to your face, joined in the laugh and sport of his companions upon your vain course.T16 80.2

You might have an influence for good in ——, and honor your Redeemer. But instead of this you have made yourself the speech of flattering clerks and beardless youth. This unbecoming course has been remarked by very many, and those who have noticed these inconsistencies, unbelievers though they may be, and profess respect for you, yet they despise you in their hearts. You are following the footsteps of ——, and unless your parents awake and open their eyes to your folly, they will share in your guilt. Sin is upon them, and upon your sisters, for the course they have taken in fostering your pride and flattering your vanity. If you and your sisters were in a saved state you would all feel the perilous condition of the unsaved. The day will come, unless a great change is wrought in you, when you will hear from many lips, I associated with these Christians, yet they never told me of my danger. They never warned me. I thought that if I was in danger of being lost, these would not rest day nor night without arousing me to see my lost condition. Now I am lost. If I had been in their place and had seen one in a similar condition, I would not have rested until I had made them sensible of their state, and pointed them to the only One who can save them. You have been good and pleasing servants of Satan, while you have professed to be servants of Jesus Christ.T16 83.1

Sr. ——, you have been so exalted by the esteem you have had of yourself that you have had no just sense of the estimate observers have had of your shallowness of character. They count you a coquette, and you have justly earned this reputation. It would have been much more profitable for you to have heeded the exhortation of the apostle, “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning, ... but the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.”T16 83.2

Your parents have greatly failed in the education of their children. They have suffered them to be released from burdens, which it was highly important for them to bear. Because they chose to please themselves they were permitted to remain in bed, dozing away the sweetest and loveliest hours of the morning, while their indulgent parents were up, toiling with life's burdens. These children have not learned to resist their inclinations. They have not learned to wrestle against their own desires. They have not learned to endure hardness. They have been excused in a great measure from home burdens, which has been an injury to them. They have never learned the act of self-denial, or self-sacrifice. To apply themselves to a task which did not meet their taste, they could not submit to do. Their education is greatly deficient. Yet pride, vain, vaunting pride fills the hearts of ——, and —— has had pride to think herself superior to her associates; that they were not worthy of much attention and courtesy from her. With this she has a set will, stubborn to do about as she pleases, regardless of the wishes, conveniences and necessities of others. Her disposition is an unhappy one, which will cause, unless entirely overcome, many a shadow to darken her pathway, and imbitter the life of her best friends.T16 84.1

E. G. W.