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

and mingled in society which was corrupting in its
influence. Miss C was a corrupt, evil-minded
woman. Her association with you increased the evil
which was already upon you. "Evil
communications corrupt good manners." At the
present time your condition is not acceptable in the
sight of God; yet you imagine that you have no
desire to live. But should you be taken at your
expressed wish, and your life cease, your case
would be hopeless indeed. You are neither
prepared for this world nor the next.
You imagine that you cannot walk, or ride, or
even exercise, and you settle into a cold, dead
apathy. You are a grief and anxiety to your
indulgent parents, and no comfort to yourself. You
can rally, you can work, you can shake off this
terrible indifference. Your mother needs your aid;
your father needs the comfort you can give him;
your brothers need a kindly care from their elder
sister; your sisters need your instruction. But here
you sit upon the stool of indolence, dreaming of
unrequited love. For your own soul's sake, have
done with this folly. Read your Bible as you have
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