Testimony Treasures, Volume 1 - Ellen G. White

favorite theme is the burden of their thoughts and the theme of their
conversation. All the evidence which has a bearing upon that subject is
eagerly seized and appropriated, and dwelt upon at so great length that minds
are wearied in following them.
Time is frequently lost in explaining points which are really
unimportant, and which would be taken for granted without producing proof;
for they are self-evident. But the real, vital points should be made as plain
and forcible as language and proof can make them. The power to concentrate
the mind upon one subject to the exclusion of all others is well in a degree;
but the constant exercise of this faculty wears upon those organs that are
called into use to do this work; it throws too great a tax upon them, and the
result is a failure to accomplish the greatest amount of good. The principal
wear comes upon one set of organs, while the others lie dormant. The mind
cannot thus be healthfully exercised, and, in consequence, life is shortened.
All the faculties should bear a part of the labor, working harmoniously,
balancing one another. Those who put the whole strength of their mind into
one subject are greatly deficient on other points, for the reason that the
faculties are not equally cultivated. The subject before them enchains their
attention, and they are led on and on, and go deeper and deeper into the
matter. They see knowledge and light as they become interested and
absorbed. But there are very few minds that can follow them unless they
have given the subject the same depth of thought. There is danger of such
men plowing, and planting the seed of truth so deep that the tender, precious
blade will never find the surface.
Much hard labor is often expended that is not called for and that will
never be appreciated. If those who have large concentrativeness cultivate this
faculty to the neglect of others, they cannot have wellproportioned minds.
They are like machinery in which only one set of wheels works at a time.
While some wheels are rusting from inaction, others are wearing from
273