Mind, Character, and Personality Vol. 2 - Second Advent Revival

they shall harmonize and form a valuable character, we have a work which no one but
ourselves can do.-- 4T 606 (1881). {2MCP 545.3}
A Noble Character Formed by Stern Battles With Self.--Christ has given us no
assurance that to attain perfection of character is an easy matter. A noble, all-around
character is not inherited. It does not come to us by accident. A noble character is
earned by individual effort through the merits and grace of Christ. God gives the talents,
the powers of the mind; we form the character. It is formed by hard, stern battles with
self. Conflict after conflict must be waged against hereditary tendencies. We shall have
to criticize ourselves closely and allow not one unfavorable trait to remain uncorrected.
--COL 331 (1900). {2MCP 546.1}
Meditation and Action Essential.--Abstract meditation is not enough; busy action is
not enough--both are essential to the formation of Christian character.-- 5T 113 (1882).
{2MCP 546.2}
Develop Good Mental Habits.--If we would develop a character which God can
accept, we must form correct habits in our religious life. Daily prayer is as essential to
growth in grace, and even to spiritual life itself, as is temporal food to physical
well-being. We should accustom ourselves to lift the thoughts often to God in prayer. If
the mind wanders, we must bring it back; by persevering effort, habit will finally make it
easy. We cannot for one moment separate ourselves from Christ with safety. We may
have His presence to attend us at every step, but only by observing the conditions
which He Himself has laid down.--RH, May 3, 1881. (SL 93.) {2MCP 546.3}
Earnest Purpose and Steadfast Integrity Essential. --Thoroughness is necessary
to success in the work of character building. There must be an earnest purpose
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to carry out the plan of the Master Builder. The timbers must be solid. No careless,
unreliable work can be accepted, for this would ruin the building. The powers of the
whole being are to be put into the work. It demands the strength and energy of
manhood; there is no reserve to be wasted in unimportant matters. . . . There must be
earnest, careful, persevering effort to break away from the customs, maxims, and
associations of the world. Deep thought, earnest purpose, steadfast integrity, are
essential.--SpTEd 75, 76, c1897. (CT 62.) {2MCP 546.4}
Keeping the Eye on the Goal.--Peter says, "Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue,
knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to
patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
charity" (2 Peter 1:5-7). . . . {2MCP 547.1}
All these successive steps are not to be kept before the mind's eye and counted as
you start; but fixing the eye upon Jesus, with an eye single to the glory of God, you will
make advancement. You cannot reach the full measure of the stature of Christ in a day,
and you would sink in despair could you behold all the difficulties that must be met and