Dear Brother U: I was shown in the last
vision that you would need to watch yourself with jealous care,
or your peculiar temperament would control you. You erred while
engaged in praying for Sister V, and took upon yourself the same
dictatorial, overbearing spirit which has been the curse of your
life. You bore down on Brother W when, considering your failures
in the past, you should have been unassuming and modest. It will
be very difficult for you to overcome the habit of watching others,
and noticing little things, and speaking out in a decided, censuring
manner. All this you have nothing to do with. Just as sure as
you are overcome in a small degree in this direction, the door
is open for a greater failure. There is no safety for you but
in constantly controlling yourself and possessing your soul in
patience. You cannot accomplish any great work, but, if right,
may do a little good in the cause of God. But your influence
need not injure; if you are guarded and sanctified to God, you
may be able to speak a peaceful word of comfort and to bear testimony
to the great riches of God and the undying love of Jesus.
Let your heart be softened and melted under
the divine influence of the Spirit of God. You should not talk
so much about yourself, for this will strengthen no one. You
should not make yourself a center,
and imagine that you must be constantly caring for yourself and
leading others to care for you. Get your mind off from yourself
into a more healthy channel. Talk of Jesus, and let self go;
let it be submerged in Christ, and let this be the language of
your heart: "I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."
Jesus will be to you a present help in every time of need. He
will not leave you to battle with the powers of darkness alone.
Oh, no; He has laid help upon One that is mighty to save to the
uttermost.
Be not self-caring. Overcome your notions,
your little peculiarities, and seek only to represent Jesus.
When talking or praying in meeting, do not be too lengthy. You
have failed here. You can remedy this. Lengthy speaking and praying
is injurious to yourself and is no benefit to those who hear.
You will have close work to be an overcomer. Yet you can do it
if you engage in the work calmly. Here you need to guard yourself.
You are uneasy, hurried, nervous. This you may also overcome.
You have an earnest, anxious desire to
do right and meet the approval of God. Continue your earnest,
persevering efforts, and be not discouraged. Be patient. Never
censure. Never let the enemy beguile you from your watch. Watch
as well as pray. After you pray, watch thereunto. The effort
is your own; no one can do this work for you. Take hold of the
strength of God, and as fast as you see your errors in the past,
redeem the time.