The Wrong Direction --Brethren, do not depend on the President of your Conference or the President of the General Conference to think for you. God has given "to every man his work." When men look to the President of the Conference as their helper in all their difficulties, the bearer of their burdens, the counsellor in their perplexities, they are doing the very opposite of that which Christ told them to do.--Undated Manuscript 1-a, p. 1.
Managers and Self-Discipline --Your lack of self-discipline forbids you to take upon yourself such responsibilities as you have contemplated. It means much more than you realise for one to assume that he is fitted for the management of a sanitarium.
My brother, you need to be converted, and to become as a little child. You should be fearful of following your own judgement. Should you in any way become suspicious of one who does not harmonise with you, you would make trouble. When your will and way is crossed, bitter feelings arise in your heart. You cherish a feeling of hatred toward the one whom you think has made a mistake. You forget that when a brother has made a mistake, you should "seek to restore such as one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself lest thou also be tempted." We are out of place in cherishing bitter feelings toward any of the Lord's purchased possession.--W.285-1905, p. 2, 3 (Oct. 2, 1905 to Dr. Wade)
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Control Yourself --We should not be discouraged if things of a trying nature arise. Do not let your passion rise. Control yourself. When things occur which seem unexplainable, which do not appear to be in harmony with the great Counsel Book , do not allow your own peace to be spoiled. Remember that there is a Witness, a heavenly Messenger, by your side, who is your shield, your fortress. Into it you can run, and be safe. But a word of retaliation will destroy your peace, and your confidence in God. Who then is injured? --Yourself. Who is grieved and wounded?--The Holy Spirit of God.
On every occasion be armed and equipped with "It is Written." God is your armour, on the right hand, and on the left. A flood of hasty words may seek for expression, but say, No; no. I will not place my feet on Satan's ground. I will not sacrifice my peace and honour as a child of God. I will keep in the only safe path, close beside Jesus, who has done so much for me. . . .
Do not be surprised if great changes are made. Do not wonder if the men who felt themselves capable of handling the consciences of their fellow men, and of controlling the minds and talents God has given them should go back, and walk no more with these who believe the truth. The truth makes too great a demand upon them. When they see that they must die to self, and practice the principles of self-denial, they are displeased because they cannot gratify their ambitious desire to rule other men. Their true characters will appear. Some will make total shipwreck of the faith. "They went out from us, but they were not of us," said John, and so it will be again.
Hold fast to the truth, the precious, sanctifying truth. You are then in the best of company, and the very highest intelligences are beholding your course of action. You are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. Under provocation, your work is to hold the faith and a good conscience, "Which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck."--Letter 17, 1897 (April 7, 1897)
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Perverted Discipline --"In dealing with the erring, harsh measures should not be resorted to; milder means will effect far more. Make use of the milder means most perseveringly, and even if they do not succeed, wait patiently; never hurry the matter of cutting off a member from the church. Pray for him, and see if God will not move upon the heart of the erring. Discipline has been largely perverted. Those who have had very defective characters themselves have been very forward in disciplining others, and thus all discipline has been brought into contempt. Passion, prejudice, and partiality, I am sorry to say, have had abundant room for exhibition, and proper discipline has been strangely neglected. If those who deal with the erring had hearts full of the milk of human kindness, what a different spirit would prevail in our churches. May the Lord open the eyes and soften the hearts of those who have a harsh, unforgiving, unrelenting spirit toward those whom they think in error. Such men dishonour their office and dishonour God. They grieve the hearts of his children, and compel them to cry unto God in their distress. The Lord will surely hear their cry, and will judge for these things."-- Review and Herald , Volume 72, No. 20, May 14, 1895.
Control Self First --"Those who control others should first learn to control themselves. Unless they learn this lesson, they can not be Christlike in their work. They are to abide in Christ, speaking as He would speak, acting as He would act, --with unfailing tenderness and compassion."-- Advent Review and Sabbath Herald , April 28, 1903.