- The Times of Volume Two
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- Introduction
- Chapter 1—Sketch of Experience
- Chapter 2—Doing for Christ
- Chapter 3—Selling the Birthright
- Chapter 4—Evilspeaking
- Chapter 5—Selfishness and World Loving
- Chapter 6—Flesh Meats and Stimulants
- Chapter 7—Neglect of Health Reform
- Chapter 8—Love for the Erring
- Chapter 9—Everyday Religion
- Chapter 10—Reform at Home
- Chapter 11—A Violated Conscience
- Chapter 12—Warnings and Reproofs
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- Chapter 13—Object of Personal Testimonies
- Chapter 14—Moving to Battle Creek
- Chapter 15—Caution to Ministers
- Chapter 16—Look to Jesus
- Chapter 17—Separation From the World
- Chapter 18—True Love
- Chapter 19—Amusements at the Institute
- Chapter 20—Neglect of Hannah More
- Chapter 21—Prayer for the Sick
- Chapter 22—Courage in the Minister
- Chapter 23—Closeness in Deal
- Chapter 24—Oppressing the Hireling
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- Chapter 26—Burden Bearers in the Church
- Chapter 27—Pride in the Young
- Chapter 28—Worldliness in the Church
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- Chapter 29—The Sufferings of Christ
- Chapter 30—Warnings to the Church
- Chapter 31—Contemplating Marriage
- Chapter 32—Danger of Riches
- Chapter 33—Christian Zeal
- Chapter 34—Responsibilities of the Young
- Chapter 35—Servants of Mammon
- Chapter 36—Sentimentalism and Matchmaking
- Chapter 37—Severity in Family Government
- Chapter 38—A Birthday Letter
- Chapter 39—Deceitfulness of Riches
- Chapter 40—Self-Deceived Youth
- Chapter 41—True Conversion
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- Chapter 43—Letter to an Orphan Boy
- Chapter 44—The Unruly Member
- Chapter 45—Comfort in Affliction
- Chapter 46—A Self-Caring, Dictatorial Spirit
- Chapter 47—A Forgetful Hearer
- Chapter 48—Remedy for Sentimentalism
- Chapter 49—Duty to Orphans
- Chapter 50—Appeal to Ministers
- Chapter 51—Moral Pollution
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- Chapter 52—Christian Temperance
- Chapter 53—Extremes in Health Reform
- Chapter 54—Sensuality in the Young
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- Chapter 56—Importance of Self-Government
- Chapter 57—Industry and Economy
- Chapter 58—Stirring Up Opposition
- Chapter 59—An Appeal to the Church
- Chapter 60—A Cross in Accepting the Truth
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- Chapter 70—Social Meetings
- Chapter 71—How Shall We keep the Sabbath?
- Chapter 72—Christian Recreation
- Chapter 73—An Impressive Dream
- Chapter 74—Our Camp Meetings
- Chapter 75—A Solemn Dream
- Chapter 76—Manners and Dress of Ministers
- Chapter 77—Love of Gain
- Chapter 78—The Cause in Vermont
- Chapter 79—Transferring Earthly Treasure
- Chapter 80—No Probation After Christ Comes
- Chapter 81—Accountability for Light Received
- Appendix
Chapter 25—Combativeness Reproved
When we met you at -----, we were anxious to help you, and we feared you would not receive the help there which you needed. I proposed your coming to our place and associating with us, and others of God's dear children, that you might be learning the lessons so important for you to learn before you could be strong to endure the temptations and perils of these last days. I recollected your countenance as that of one whom the Lord had shown me had been struggling for the mastery over powerful evil habits, which were leading not only to the destruction of your body but to your eternal destruction hereafter. You have gained victories, but you have still great victories to gain; you have battles to fight with internal foes which, unless overcome, will greatly mar your own happiness and that of all who associate with you.2T 162.1
The evil traits in your character must be overcome. You must take hold of the work with earnest, humble prayer to God, feeling your helplessness without His special grace. The belief of the truth has already wrought a reformation in your life, yet this reform is not as thorough as it must be in order for you to meet the measurement of God. You love the truth, but it must take a deeper hold of your life and influence your words and all your deportment. You have a great lesson to learn, and should lose no time in learning it. You have not educated yourself to self-control. Here is a special victory for you to gain. In your organization are more of the elements of war than of peace. You need to cultivate courtesy and true Christian politeness. “In honor preferring one another.” “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”2T 162.2
Your combativeness is large, and you stand braced, prepared to rebut everything where you have a chance. You do not labor to see how near you can make your ideas and views harmonize with those of others, but you stand all ready to differ if there is a possible chance for you to do so. This injures your own soul, retards your spiritual advancement, and not only grieves and wounds those who would be your sincere friends, but sometimes disgusts them, so that your society is not agreeable and pleasant, but annoying. It is as natural as your breath for you to consider the views and opinions of others inferior to yours. You often greatly err here, for you have not all that wisdom and knowledge for which you give yourself credit. You often set your opinions up above men and women who have had many more years of experience than yourself, and who are far better qualified to direct and give words of wise judgment than yourself. But you have not seen these disagreeable besetments, and therefore have not realized the ill and bitter fruit they have produced. You have long indulged a spirit of contention, of war. Your peculiar turn of mind leads you to exult in opposites.2T 163.1
Your education has been deplorable; it has not been favorable to your now having a correct religious experience. You have had almost everything to unlearn and learn anew. You possess a hasty temper, which grieves your friends and the holy angels, and wounds your own soul. This is all contrary to the spirit of truth and true holiness. You must learn to cultivate modesty in speaking. Self must be subdued and kept in subjection. A Christian will not pursue a course of bickering and contention with even the most wicked and unbelieving. How wrong to indulge this spirit with those who believe the truth and who are seeking for peace, love, and harmony! Says Paul: “Be at peace among yourselves.” This spirit of contention is opposed to all the principles of heaven. In Christ's Sermon on the Mount He says: “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” You will have trouble wherever you go, unless you learn the lesson God designs you to learn. You should be less confident and forward in your own opinion, and possess a teachable spirit, that of a learner. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.” Says James: “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”2T 163.2
A spirit of self-confidence is in keeping with your experience. Had you a more thorough experience in the things of God you would realize that the fruits you bear are bad. They contain no nourishment, but fill all who partake of them with bitterness. You must overcome your overbearing, dictatorial spirit. I have strong hope, my dear brother, that you, who have shown that you have moral courage to face an enemy in yourself, and fortitude to battle with the foe of appetite and strong evil habits which girded you about as with iron bands, will go to work right here and gain the victory. You have possessed a reckless spirit, have felt that no one cared specially for you, that almost everybody was your enemy, and that it was of no consequence what became of you.2T 164.1
The truth found you miserable. You saw in it a power that would exalt you and impart to you the force and strength that you had not. You grasped the rays of light that shone upon you; and if you will now yield yourself fully to the influence of the truth, it will thoroughly convert and sanctify you, and prepare you for the finishing touch of immortality. You possess many good traits of character; you have a liberal heart. God wants you to be right, just right. You are unwilling to be dictated to or directed. You want to do all the dictating yourself. But you must possess a humble, teachable spirit, and be affable, patient, long-suffering, full of gentleness and mercy.2T 164.2
We have an interest for you, and want to help you. I pray you to receive these lines with a right spirit, and let them suitably affect your heart and life.2T 165.1