Chapter 47—Concealing Reproofs I was shown the course of H and I. Although reproved, they have not corrected their wrongs. The people of God, especially in the State of New York, have been affected by their wrong course. Their influence has been injurious to the cause of God. For the last ten years they have been often presented before me in vision, their wrongs have been shown me, and I have written to them concerning these things. But they were careful to conceal from their brethren the fact that they had been reproved, fearing it would have a tendency to destroy their influence. Those who were affected by their wrong course, should have been benefited by the reproofs which they received. I should have placed these messages in the hands of judicious brethren in the church, that if necessary, all might understand the instruction the Lord saw fit to give His people. But when I related the messages given me for these brethren to anyone but themselves, they censured me in the most unspar…
"He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Both passages deal with the consequences of rejecting reproof. Proverbs 29:1 speaks of sudden destruction, while the EGW passage describes the negative impact on the church and individuals.
"It was pride of heart which led these brethren to manifest so much fear lest others should know that they had been corrected. If they had humbly confessed their wrongs to the church, they would have acted out the faith they professed to have in the visions, and the church would have been strengthened to receive correction and confess their faults. These teachers stood in the way of the flock. They set them a wrong example, and the church have looked to them, and when reproved have inquired: “Why have not these ministers been reproved, when we are following their teachings?” A door has thus been opened for Satan to tempt them as to the truthfulness of the visions. 1T 233.2"
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
The EGW passage directly addresses the principle of confessing faults, echoing the sentiment in James 5:16. The context of the EGW passage emphasizes the importance of confession within the church community, aligning with the biblical verse's call for mutual confession and prayer.
"A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit."
Both passages address the contrast between pride and humility. The EGW passage highlights how pride hinders confession and correction, while Proverbs 29:23 directly states the consequences of pride and the benefits of humility. The connection is thematic and relevant.
"The brethren have been deceived and wronged. They believed that we were in union with these teachers, and followed their instructions, when they were all wrong. I have written to these ministers in anguish of spirit as I have seen the cause of God wounded by their injudicious course. How anxiously have I watched the effect of these messages. But they laid them aside, and the brethren were not permitted to know anything about them, therefore could not be benefited by the instructions which the Lord saw fit to give. 1T 233.3"
"Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."
Both passages address the dangers of following misguided leaders. Matthew 15:14 warns of the blind leading the blind, while the EGW passage describes how the brethren were deceived by following wrong instructions from teachers.
"Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord."
Both passages address the harm caused by leaders who mislead or injure the flock. Jeremiah 23:1 pronounces woe on pastors who scatter the sheep, while the EGW passage describes how ministers wounded the cause of God through their injudicious course.