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1912 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

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to see the nature of the temptations that come to God'speople! But we are not to judge their hearts, to determinewhether it is a pride of heart or not; for it may bemerely a deception for a time. And even though theymay miss the "high calling," they may get a place inthe "great company." And when we see that the conductis not at all in accord with what we should expect inthose blessed with the Truth, it should make us all searchour own hearts to see to what extent we have the sametraits of pride.Perhaps this quality of pride is nowhere more manifestedthan in some of those who have been in the Truthfor quite a while. Sometimes it is on the part of thesisters. Sometimes they are very proud of what theyknow and very domineering in their manner, seeming tothink that they know it all. Sometimes it is on the part ofthe brethren, in whom a spirit of pride appears. They havebeen placed as Elders. They see that they themselvesare right and others are wrong. Sometimes this leads toan attempt to override the liberties of the congregationand to hold power in their own hands.R5001 : page 111"BE NOT MANY TEACHERS"It may not always be our privilege to mention such amatter. Such things may be matters that belong to aclass. But, as one Pilgrim brother remarked some timeago, "Brother Russell, I sometimes think that, when weget beyond the veil, we shall be astonished to find howfew of those who have exercised positions of prominencein the Church will be amongst the elect." It behoovesus all who are associated in the Lord's work to watchourselves closely, that if we find the slightest tendencyin this direction of pride we may stamp it out as we wouldsome contagious disease, knowing what the effects areupon others. We should be sympathetic with those whoare beset, but not with the difficulty. We are reminded ofthe Apostle's words, "Be not many teachers, knowing thatwe shall receive the greater condemnation." Those whohave seen the Truth clearly and have some talents andopportunities will have the severer trial on that account.Recently we have heard of some trials in the ClassExtension work. The opportunities of Class Extensionhave resulted, in some cases, not advantageously. Someof great self-esteem have felt that they should be in thework, determining that they would tell the Class what todo. Some good brethren may have done this; somenoble men may have done it. But in doing it, they werenot acting wisely, we believe.As we said at first, it is not well for us to judgethe heart. Everyone is privileged to preach as he mayhave opportunity. He may go forth entirely at his ownexpense and opportunity. He may preach all that hecan. Good men have done so. There is nothing

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