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

surrounded with good associations and had words of kindness and love spoken to
them.--4T 364 (1879). {2MCP 609.1}
Natural to Seek Companionship.--It is natural to seek companionship. Everyone
will find companions or make them. And just in proportion to the strength of the
friendship will be the amount of influence which friends will exert over one another for
good or for evil. All will have associates and will influence and be influenced in their
turn. {2MCP 609.2}
The link is a mysterious one which binds human hearts together so that the feelings,
tastes, and principles of two individuals are closely blended. One catches the spirit and
copies the ways and acts of the other. As wax retains the figure of the seal, so the mind
retains the impression produced by intercourse and association. The influence may be
unconscious, yet it is no less powerful. --4T 587 (1881). {2MCP 609.3}
Man Formed for Companionship.--The Lord formed man for companionship, and
He designs that we shall be imbued with the kind, loving nature of Christ and shall
through association be bound together in close relationship as children of God, doing
work for time and for eternity.--Lt 26a, 1889. (MM 48, 49.) {2MCP 609.4}
Pride Destroys Fellowship.--They [Christ's enemies] saw that the majesty and
purity and beauty of the truth, with its deep and gentle influence, was taking firm hold
upon many minds. . . .He was tearing down the partition wall that had been so flattering
to their pride and exclusiveness; and they feared that, if permitted, He would draw the
people entirely away from them. Therefore they followed Him with determined hostility,
hoping to find some occasion for bringing Him into disfavor with the multitudes and thus
enabling the Sanhedrin to secure His condemnation and death.--MB 47 (1896).
610 {2MCP 609.5}
Company and Character.--It has been truly said, "Show me your company, and I
will show you your character." The youth fail to realize how sensibly both their character
and their reputation are affected by their choice of associates. One seeks the company
of those whose tastes and habits and practices are congenial. {2MCP 610.1}
He who prefers the society of the ignorant and vicious to that of the wise and good
shows that his own character is defective. His tastes and habits may at first be
altogether dissimilar to the tastes and habits of those whose company he seeks, but as
he mingles with this class his thoughts and feelings change; he sacrifices right
principles and insensibly yet unavoidably sinks to the level of his companions. As a
stream always partakes of the property of the soil through which it runs, so the
principles and habits of youth invariably become tinctured with the character of the
company in which they mingle. --CT 221 (1913). {2MCP 610.2}
A Relationship Everyone Is Bound to Cherish.-- God has bound us together as
members of one family, and this relationship everyone is bound to cherish. There are
services due to others which we cannot ignore and yet keep the commandments of
God. To live, think, and act for self only is to become useless as servants of God.
High-sounding titles and great talents are not essential in order to be good citizens or
exemplary Christians.-- 4T 339, 340 (1879). {2MCP 610.3}