On one occasion the disciples came to Jesus with the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” The little ones here referred to, who believe in Christ, are not those who are young in years, but little children in Christ.HM February 1, 1892, par. 1

Here is a warning for those who selfishly neglect or hold in contempt their weak brethren, a warning to those who are unforgiving and exacting, judging and condemning others, and thus discouraging them.HM February 1, 1892, par. 2

“The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Here the work of Christ is plainly presented, and it is a similar work that his followers are expected to do. It is not the saint but the sinner that needs compassion, earnest labor, persevering effort. Weak and trembling souls, those who have many defects and objectionable traits of character, are the special charge of the angels of God. “Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.” If any injustice is done to them, it is the same as if done to Jesus himself. Christ identifies his interest with that of the souls he has purchased at an infinite cost.HM February 1, 1892, par. 3

Angels are ever present where they are most needed,—with those who have the hardest battles to fight, whose conflicts are with themselves, against their inclinations and hereditary tendencies, whose home surroundings are the most discouraging. Will the followers of Christ labor together with God? Will all seek for harmony, for peace, for oneness in Christ Jesus? Will any one venture to work with Satan to discourage souls who have so much to contend against? Will they, by word or deed, push them upon Satan's battle-field? Jesus assures us that he came to our world to save those that were lost, those that were dead in trespasses and sins, those that were strangers and enemies to God. Then will the very men to whom Christ has shown mercy and forgiveness neglect or despise those whom Jesus is seeking to take home to his heart of infinite love? Christ's work is to ransom those who have strayed from God; and he requires every member of the church to work together with him in bringing them back.HM February 1, 1892, par. 4

If those who by being merciless and unforgiving place themselves on Satan's side, would only listen and hear the reproof of the Saviour, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone,” would any hand be lifted? would not every mouth be stopped? These words of Jesus to the Pharisees brought their own sins to their remembrance. Self-condemned, they went out one by one.HM February 1, 1892, par. 5

Brethren and sisters, if you are workers together with God, there is no excuse for your not working to help, not only those whom you fancy, but those who most need your help to correct their errors.HM February 1, 1892, par. 6

Jesus thus illustrates the work that devolves upon those who claim to believe on his name: “How think ye? if a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.”HM February 1, 1892, par. 7

Wonderful lesson of mercy, forbearance, patience, and love! Perishing souls, helpless in sin, and liable to be destroyed by the arts and snares of Satan, are cared for as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his flock. Jesus represents himself as being acquainted with his sheep. He gave his life for them. And he goes to seek them even before they seek him. There is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance.HM February 1, 1892, par. 8

Let ministers and people work according to God's plan. Let them exchange their way for God's way; then they will be zealous in encouraging and strengthening the weak, not grieving them, or causing them to stumble by a hard, unforgiving, accusing spirit.HM February 1, 1892, par. 9

Brethren, we need to fall on the Rock and be broken. Then we shall have the melting, subduing love of Jesus in our hearts. We shall follow the example of Jesus and of the angels, and not be like the Pharisees, who were proud, hard-hearted, and unsympathetic. God is not willing that even the lowest and most degraded should perish. In what light, then, can you regard any neglect of those who need your help?HM February 1, 1892, par. 10

Christ has laid down rules to prevent unhappy divisions, but how many in our churches have followed his directions? “If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and [tell it to every one you meet?] tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.” If the instructions which Christ has given were followed out in the spirit that every true Christian should have—if each, when aggrieved, would go to the offending member, and seek in kindness to correct the wrong by privately telling him of his fault, many a grievous trial would be averted.HM February 1, 1892, par. 11

When any one comes to a minister or to men in positions of trust, with complaints about a brother or sister, let them ask the reporter, “Have you complied with the rules our Saviour has given?” and if he has failed to carry out any particular of this instruction, do not listen to a word of his complaint. Refuse to take up a report against your brother or sister in the faith. If members of the church go entirely contrary to these rules, they make themselves subjects of church discipline and should be put under the censure of the church. This matter, so plainly taught in the lessons of Christ, has been passed over with strange indifference. The church has either neglected her work entirely, or has done it with harshness and severity, wounding and bruising souls. Measures should be taken to correct this cruel spirit of criticism, of judging one another's motives, as though Christ had revealed to men the hearts of their brethren. The neglect of doing aright, with wisdom and grace, the work that ought to have been done, has left churches weak, inefficient, and almost Christless.HM February 1, 1892, par. 12

Jesus adds to the lesson these words: “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” This assurance, that after the rules of Christ have been followed to the letter, the decisions of the church will be ratified in heaven, gives a solemn significance to the action of the church. No hasty steps should be taken to cut off names from the church books, or to place a member under censure until the case has been investigated, and the Bible rule fully obeyed. The word of Christ shows how necessary it is for church officers to be free from prejudice and selfish motives. Human minds and hearts, unless wholly sanctified, purified, and refined from partiality and prejudice, are liable to commit grave errors, to misjudge and deal unkindly and unjustly with souls that are the purchase of the blood of Christ. But the decision of an unjust judge will be of no account in the court of heaven. It will not make an innocent man guilty, nor change his character in the least before God. As surely as men in responsible positions become lifted up in their own esteem, and act as though they were to lord it over their brethren, they will render many decisions which heaven cannot ratify.HM February 1, 1892, par. 13

May God pity those who are watching, as did the Pharisees, to find something to condemn in their brethren, and who pride themselves on their wonderfully acute discernment. That which they call discernment is cold, satanic criticism, acuteness in suspecting and charging souls with evil intent who are less guilty than themselves. They are, like the enemy of God, accusers of the brethren. These souls, whatever their position or experience, need to humble themselves before God. How can they pray, “Forgive me as I forgive others”? “With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” “He shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy.” God grants no pardon to him whose penitence produces no humility, and whose faith does not work by love to purify the soul. We need to study the example of Him who was meek and lowly, who, when he was reviled, reviled not again. A vindictive spirit will not be indulged by a true Christian.HM February 1, 1892, par. 14

The lessons which Christ has given us are to be studied, and incorporated into our religious life every day. “When ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any.” “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Parents should teach their children to be patient under injuries. Teach them that wonderful precept in the Lord's prayer, that we are to forgive others as we would be forgiven.HM February 1, 1892, par. 15

When the believer, in view of all his transgressions, exercises faith in God, believes that he is pardoned, because Christ has died as his sacrifice, he will be so filled with gratitude to God that his tender sympathy will be reaching out to those who, like himself, have sinned and have need of pardon. Pride will find no place in his heart. Such faith as this will be a deathblow to a revengeful spirit.HM February 1, 1892, par. 16

A view of the goodness and mercy of God will lead to repentance. There will be a desire to possess the same spirit. He who receives this spirit will have discernment to see the good there is in the character of others, and will love those who need the tender, pitying sympathy of forgiveness. He sees in Christ a sin-pardoning Saviour, and contemplates with hope and confidence the pardon written over against his sins. He wants the same work to be done for his associates also. True faith brings the soul into sympathy with God. He who possesses the spirit of Christ will never be weary of forgiving.HM February 1, 1892, par. 17

Mrs. E. G. White

January 1, 1892

July 1, 1892