Testimonies for the Church, Volume 2 - Ellen G. White

himself. His influence has rather confirmed many
in their unbelief. With all the help, evidence, and
encouragement that he has had, his standing back
has displeased the Lord, while it has strengthened
the hands of those who were fighting against God
by their opposition to the truth.
Brother P might now be a strong man
possessing influence with God's people in Maine
and esteemed highly in love for his works' sake.
But he inclines to the idea that his backwardness is
a special virtue, rather than a sin of which he must
repent. He has been very slow to learn the lessons
which God has intended to teach him. He has not
been an apt scholar, and has not had a growth and
experience in present truth, which would qualify
him to bear the weight of responsibility that he
might now bear had he diligently improved upon
all the light given. I was shown a time when
Brother P began to make an effort to subdue
himself and restrain his appetite; then he could the
more easily be patient. He had been easily excited,
passionate, irritable, depressed in spirit. His eating
and drinking had very much to do in keeping him
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