Negative relations

Respect for individuals—For years appeals have been made to men in responsible positions, urging upon them the necessity of being kind, tenderhearted, [and always] to deal in a Christlike manner with those with whom they come in contact. . . .PCL 273.1

No one has a right to control another’s mind, and judge for another, prescribing what is his duty. There are certain rights that belong to every individual, in doing God’s service. No man has any more right to take these rights from us than to take life itself. God has given us freedom to think, and it is our privilege to follow our impressions of duty. We are only human beings, and one human being has no jurisdiction over the conscience of any other human being.PCL 273.2

. . . You [J. E. and Emma White] belong to the Lord by creation and redemption. Man has no right to take away that which he cannot give. Our bodies, our souls, and our intellect belong to God. His stamp is upon us. . . .PCL 273.3

God deals with infinite tenderness with His heritage. He is not a tyrant, and no man, whatever may be his position or calling, has a right to be harsh and dictatorial. No one is approved of God in being severe, in bruising the souls of his fellow men.—Letter 92, 1895 (February 17)PCL 273.4

Favoritism—There should be no giving of special favors or attentions to a few, no preferring of one above another. This . . . is displeasing to God.—Letter 6a, 1890 (April); MM 146PCL 273.5

Selfishness—God calls for wholehearted, sympathizing, liberal, unselfish men. Christ’s servants are to have His Spirit; they are to be lifted far above all littleness and cheapness of thought or action.PCL 273.6

God calls for nobility of dealing. He will not tolerate selfishness. All heaven is grieved by the management shown in some lines of His work. I am commanded to say that after sufficient trial, He will remove from His service every one who schemes to secure the advantage over another. God calls this robbery.—MS 99, 1902 (July 12)PCL 274.1

Little differences—Little differences dwelt upon lead to actions that destroy Christian fellowship. Let us not allow the enemy thus to gain the advantage over us. Let us keep drawing nearer to God and to one another. Then we shall be as trees of righteousness, planted by the Lord, and watered by the river of life.—Letter 149, 1903 (December 31); 8T 243PCL 274.2

The efficiency of the movements for extending the truth depends upon the harmonious action of those who profess to believe it. Love and confidence constitute a moral force that would have united our churches, and insured harmony of action; but coldness and distrust have brought disunion that has shorn us of our strength.—Letter 77, 1893 (January 9)PCL 274.3

Ridicule—Caviling, ridicule, and misrepresentation can be indulged in only at the expense of the debasement of your own souls. The use of such weapons does not gain precious victories for you, but rather cheapens the mind, and separates the soul from God. Sacred things are brought down to the level of the common, and a condition of things is created that pleases the prince of darkness, and grieves away the Spirit of God. Caviling and criticism leaves the soul as devoid of the dew of grace as the hills of Gilboa were destitute of rain. Confidence cannot be placed in the judgment of those who indulge in ridicule and misrepresentation. No weight can be attached to their advice or resolutions. You must bear the divine credentials before you make decided movements to shape the working of God’s cause. —MS 61, 1890 (1890)PCL 274.4

A child may ask questions that experienced minds cannot answer. When a man makes criticism and opposition his stock in trade, he should not be placed in positions of trust; for he is as one who places a stone in front of the carriage wheel to hinder its progress, instead of behind the wheel, to keep it from rolling backward.—Letter 79, 1901 (July 11)PCL 275.1

Meddling—By means of one Agency, Christ Jesus, God has mysteriously linked all men together. To every man He has assigned some special line of service; and we should be quick to comprehend that we are to guard against leaving the work given us in order that we may interfere with other human agencies who are doing a work not precisely the same as our own. To no man has been assigned the work of interfering with the work of one of his fellow laborers, trying to take it in hand himself, for he would so handle it that he would spoil it. To one, God gives a work different from the work that He gives another.—Letter 10, 1903 (January 8)PCL 275.2

Harsh judgments—In many cases hard judgment has been measured out when encouragement and commendation should have been given; for the results of the work done have shown that the blessing of God was upon it. Wherever this principle has been brought in, God wants a change to be made; for it is contrary to His plan. When man’s mind is allowed to become the controlling power, both parties are injured—the one who allows himself to be conscience for another, and the one who permits himself to be controlled by human wisdom.—Letter 186, 1907 (May 29)PCL 275.3

Do not treat the workers as if you [Bro. Boeker] could not trust them. Never treat those with whom you work as unfaithful unless you have unmistakable evidence that they are unfaithful. And even when a worker’s unfaithfulness is clearly proved, you are not to deal with him in a manner that will give him excuse for saying, “You were harsh.” You are to do nothing that will provoke the erring to anger. Do not bear down on believers or unbelievers in a way that arouses the worst feelings of the heart. Do not make charges that may be cruelly unjust. By such a course, you may drive souls to perdition.—Letter 196, 1901 (September 18)PCL 276.1

Hatred—The losing of the first love is specified as a moral fall. The loss of this love is represented as something that will affect the entire religious life. Of those who have lost this love, God says that unless they repent, He will come to them and remove their candlestick out of its place. Hatred of their brethren, if entertained and not repented of, will make men blind. Those who cherish this hatred are ready to catch at words and actions and interpret them as injustice against themselves. Unless they repent, the Lord will come unto them quickly and will remove their candlestick out of its place. —MS 1, 1906 (December 24, 1905)PCL 276.2

Criticism—God chooses His servants to do His will and places them in positions of responsibility. But when one in such a position loses his first love, he loses his faith in his brethren and can see nothing valuable in their work. Their every act is regarded with suspicion and distrust. God is dishonored, and the truth is trampled in the dust. God’s servants are made to appear in the worst light, when in reality they are working under the influence of the Holy Spirit.—MS 1, 1906 (December 24, 1905)PCL 276.3

Let not fellow soldiers be severe, unreasonable judges of their comrades, and make the most of every defect. Let them not manifest satanic attributes in becoming accusers of the brethren. We shall find ourselves misrepresented and falsified by the world while we are maintaining the truth and vindicating God’s downtrodden law; but let no one dishonor the cause of God by making public some mistake that the soldiers of Christ may make, when that mistake is seen and corrected by the ones who have taken some false position.PCL 277.1

When a brother who has made a mistake sees his error and corrects it, is it not an indication that he may be trusted not to take a similar false step? Shall his brethren lay open his blunder, and make it appear in as grave a light as possible before his comrades and before warring enemy? God will charge those who unwisely expose the mistakes of their brethren with sin of far greater magnitude than He will charge the one who makes a misstep. Criticism and condemnation of the brethren are counted as criticism and condemnation of Christ.—Letter 48, 1894 (June 3)PCL 277.2