- The Times of Volume Five
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- Chapter 3—Parental Training
- Chapter 4—Important Testimony
- Chapter 5—The Testimonies Slighted
- Chapter 6—Workers in our College
- Chapter 7—Jealousy and Faultfinding Condemned
- Chapter 8—The Day of the Lord at Hand
- Chapter 9—Unwise Marriages
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- Chapter 11—Laborers for God
- Chapter 12—Agents of Satan
- Chapter 13—Will a Man Rob God?
- Chapter 14—Power of the Truth
- Chapter 15—Our Camp Meetings
- Chapter 16—Brotherly Love
- Chapter 17—Diligence in Business
- Chapter 18—Moving to Battle Creek
- Chapter 19—Worldliness in the Church
- Chapter 20—Shall We Consult Spiritualist Physicians?
- Chapter 21—Looking Unto Jesus
- Chapter 22—Calls for Laborers
- Chapter 23—The Seal of God
- Chapter 24—An Appeal
- Chapter 25—Christian Unity
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- Chapter 29—Influence of Unbelief
- Chapter 30—Deceitfulness of Sin
- Chapter 31—Criticizing Ministers
- Chapter 32—Fidelity and Perseverance Needed
- Chapter 33—Sinfulness of Repining
- Chapter 34—“Praise Ye The Lord”
- Chapter 35—Parental Responsibility
- Chapter 36—The Training of Children
- Chapter 37—Christian Forbearance
- Chapter 38—Worldly Ambition
- Chapter 39—Love Among Brethren
- Chapter 40—Redeeming the Time
- Chapter 41—The Manufacture of Wine and Cider
- Chapter 42—Marriage with Unbelievers
- Chapter 43—The Support of City Missions
- Chapter 44—The True Missionary Spirit
- Chapter 45—Young Men as Missionaries
- Chapter 46—Importance of the Canvassing Work
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- Chapter 48—Business and Religion
- Chapter 49—Worldly-Mindedness a Snare
- Chapter 50—Responsibilities of the Physician
- Chapter 51—The Coming Crisis
- Chapter 52—The Church the Light of the World
- Chapter 53—Joshua and the Angel
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- Chapter 55—Behavior in the House of God
- Chapter 56—Religion and Scientific Education
- Chapter 57—The Education of Our Children
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- Chapter 59—Suitable Reading for Children
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- Chapter 61—Worldly-Mindedness
- Chapter 62—Practical Godliness
- Chapter 63—“Your Reasonable Service”
- Chapter 64—Worldly Influences
- Chapter 65—Needs of Our Institutions
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- Chapter 68—Christian Influence in the Home and the Church
- Chapter 69—An Impressive Dream
- Chapter 70—Daily Study of the Bible Necessary
- Chapter 71—Education of Workers
- Chapter 72—Unholy Ambition
- Chapter 73—“The Appearance of Evil”
- Chapter 74—Love for the Erring
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- Chapter 76—A Letter
- Chapter 77—God's Love for Sinners
- Chapter 78—Acceptable Confession
- Chapter 79—Erroneous Ideas of Confession
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- Chapter 82—Unfounded Reports
- Chapter 83—A Miracle Counterfeited
- Chapter 84—The Mysteries of the Bible a Proof of its Inspiration
- Chapter 85—The Impending Conflict
- Chapter 86—“The American Sentinel” and its Mission
- Chapter 87—Workers in the Cause
- Chapter 88—The Inestimable Gift
- Chapter 89—The Character of God Revealed in Christ
- Chapter 90—The Word Made Flesh
- Chapter 91—God's Care for His Work
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Treatment of the Erring
If a brother is supposed to have erred, his brethren and sisters should not whisper it among themselves and comment upon it, magnifying these supposed errors and faults. Much of this work is done, and the result is that the displeasure of God rests upon those who do it, and Satan exults that he can weaken and annoy those who might be strong in the Lord. The world sees their weakness and judges this class and the truth they profess to love, by the fruits manifested in them.5T 615.1
“Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoreth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.” Here the backbiter is excluded from abiding in the tabernacle of God and dwelling in the holy hill of Zion. He that taketh up a reproach against his neighbor cannot receive the approval of God.5T 615.2
How many ministers, while engaged in a good work in which souls are turning to God and to the truth, are called away to settle some church trial among brethren who were wholly wrong themselves and who had a contentious and overbearing spirit?5T 615.3
This work of withdrawing men from their fields of labor has been repeated again and again in the progress of this cause. It is a device of the great adversary of man to hinder the work of God. When souls that are upon the point of deciding in favor of the truth are thus left to unfavorable influences, they lose their interest, and it is very rarely that so powerful an impression can again be made upon them. Satan is ever seeking some device to call the minister from his field of labor at this critical point, that the results of his labors may be lost.5T 615.4
There are in the church unconsecrated, unconverted men and women who think more of maintaining their own dignity and their own opinions than they do of the salvation of their fellow creatures; and Satan works upon these to stir up difficulties that consume the time and labor of the minister, and many souls are lost as the result.5T 616.1
While the members of the church are in a divided state of feeling, their hearts are hard and unimpressible. The efforts of the minister are like blows upon cold iron, and each party becomes more set in his own way than before. The minister is placed in a most unenviable position; for, though he should decide ever so wisely, his decision must displease someone, and thus the party spirit is strengthened.5T 616.2
If the minister makes his home with some one family, others are sure to be jealous lest he shall receive impressions unfavorable to themselves. If he gives counsel, some will say, “Such a one has been talking with him,” and his words have no weight with them. Thus their souls are armed with distrust and evil surmising, and the minister is left at the mercy of their prejudices and jealousies. Too often he leaves the matter worse than he found it. Had he utterly refused to listen to the colored, one-sided statements of any, had he given words of advice in accordance with the Bible rule and said, like Nehemiah, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down,” that church would have been in a far better condition.5T 616.3
Ministers and lay members of the church displease God when they allow individuals to tell them the errors and faults of their brethren. They should not listen to these reports, but should inquire: “Have you strictly followed the injunctions of your Saviour? Have you gone to the offender and told him his faults between you and him alone? And has he refused to hear you? Have you carefully and prayerfully taken two or three others, and labored with him in tenderness, humility, and meekness, your heart throbbing with love for his soul?” If the Captain's orders, in the rules given for the erring, have been strictly followed, then an advance step is to be taken-tell it to the church, and let action be taken in the case according to the Scriptures. Then it is that heaven will ratify the decision made by the church in cutting off the offending member if he does not repent. If these steps have not been taken, close the ear to complaints, and thus refuse to take up a reproach against your neighbor. If there were no brethren and sisters to do this, evil tongues would soon cease; for they would not find so favorable a field in which to work in biting and devouring one another.5T 616.4