Overcoming Scandal and Self-Will
Sister A. P. Lawton writes from West Winfield, N. Y., Feb. 9th, 1858: "We have cause of gratitude to God for what he is doing for us, a feeble band. He condescends to meet with us though unworthy. We are praying earnestly and fervently for God to revive us for Jesus' sake, and heal all our backslidings. Through the mercy and goodness of God we have been, and still are, at peace among ourselves, but there is evidently something that hinders us from advancing as we desire. Israel cannot set forward while Miriam is a leper. "Brethren and sisters, let us not hinder those who are ready and waiting to move. Are any of us saying, Lord, Lord, while we are not doing the things he commands us? It may be some of us are indulging in needless talk about the absent; perhaps we speak of a brother as we would not speak to him. This is a great sin, and it must be overcome if we have eternal life. We must not retail scandal even of an enemy. Let the wicked do this drudgery of Satan, we have something else and better to do. I see that I am not as careful in all my words as I should be. My conversation has not always been yea, yea, nay, nay, but I am striving to overcome. This sin has looked very grievous to me of late. God will have a pure people, and he knows when they are so. The gentle, tender Spirit of Christ cannot dwell in the heart that is filled with self and self-will. If we must have our own way, it must be at the expense of eternal life. We should yield to each other, sacrifice our own feelings to those of our brethren when we may without sin; treat them with consideration and kindness, while with ourselves we may be exact and suspicious. Let us not judge one another any more; but let us sit in strict judgment on ourselves. If we will judge ourselves, we shall not be judged. I long to see the church move in unison. My prayer is, for a teachable, meek and quiet spirit. I desire it more than life."