- The Times of Volume Three
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- Chapter 1—An Appeal for Burden Bearers
- Chapter 2—Unsanctified Ability
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- Chapter 4—Intimate Friendship With Worldlings
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- Chapter 6—Experience Not Reliable
- Chapter 7—Faithfulness in Home Duties
- Chapter 8—Pride and Vain Thoughts
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- Chapter 12—To Wealthy Parents
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- Chapter 14—The Health Reform
- Chapter 15—The Health Institute
- Chapter 16—Danger of Applause
- Chapter 17—Labor for the Erring
- Chapter 18—The Sabbath School
- Chapter 19—Laborers in the Office
- Chapter 20—Love and Duty
- Chapter 21—The Battle Creek Church
- Chapter 22—Missionary Work
- Chapter 23—Effect of Discussions
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- Chapter 25—Self-Caring Ministers
- Chapter 26—Inordinate Love of Gain
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- Chapter 38—Importance of the Work
- Chapter 39—The State of the World
- Chapter 40—The State of the Church
- Chapter 41—Love of the World
- Chapter 42—Presumption
- Chapter 43—Power of Appetite
- Chapter 44—Leadership
- Chapter 45—Calls for Means
- Chapter 46—Duty to the Unfortunate
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- Chapter 48—The Sin of Covetousness
- Chapter 49—Industry in the Ministry
- Chapter 50—Parents as Reformers
- Chapter 51—“Cannot Come Down”
Chapter 16—Danger of Applause
I have been shown that great caution should be used, even when it is necessary to lift a burden of oppression from men and women, lest they lean to their own wisdom and fail to make God their only dependence. It is not safe to speak in praise of persons or to exalt the ability of a minister of Christ. In the day of God, very many will be weighed in the balance and found wanting because of exaltation. I would warn my brethren and sisters never to flatter persons because of their ability, for they cannot bear it. Self is easily exalted, and, in consequence, persons lose their balance. I say again to my brethren and sisters: If you would have your souls clean from the blood of all men, never flatter, never praise the efforts of poor mortals; for it may prove their ruin. It is unsafe, by our words and actions, to exalt a brother or sister, however apparently humble may be his or her deportment. If they really possess the meek and lowly spirit which God so highly esteems, help them to retain it. This will not be done by censuring them nor by neglecting to properly appreciate their true worth. But there are few who can bear praise without being injured.3T 185.1
Some ministers of ability who are now preaching present truth, love approbation. Applause stimulates them, as the glass of wine does the inebriate. Place these ministers where they have a small congregation which promises no special excitement and which provokes no decided opposition, and they will lose their interest and zeal, and appear as languid in the work as the inebriate when he is deprived of his dram. These men will fail to make real, practical laborers until they learn to labor without the excitement of applause.3T 185.2