Письмо 25
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I can clearly see that you and M.M., out of your love for young N., are completely blinded; you don’t see that she is playing around with you, and then it will be difficult to correct her; maybe I will give an answer to God for allowing this to happen; although I tell you so as not to spoil me, my words have little effect on you and her; and yet I see indulgence; when her mother’s punishment was painful for her, intercession was pleasant; After all, she will completely lose both fear and love for her mother; it is necessary for the mother to directly have power over her, and for her to be submissive and obedient. “Now you are comforted by it, just like little children with a doll; but look what happens after; By instilling this in you, I wish that you too would have a calm conscience and that it would benefit. - N. N. keeps crying and crying that she has no care: she herself does not dare to ask you for this; asked me, but I forgot to talk to you; Now I ask you to take her under your care. Thank God that they are looking for this: otherwise it will be worse when they live according to their own will; you call her, and with motherly love, encourage and instruct her, as God will tell you.
I ask you both to win the love of your sisters with more love; love covers a multitude of sins, and without love all our deeds are worthless (1 Cor. 1, 2, 3); and be merciful to those who sin: judgment is without mercy to him who has not shown mercy (James 2:13). And if you do not forgive men their trespasses, your Father will not forgive you your trespasses (Matthew 6:14).
May the Lord bless your singing during Divine services, and may it be done for the glory of God, and with humility; and not for vanity and showing off to people. God pleases what we do with humility, and not with pride; and N. I advise you to sing and teach your sisters with humility, without being proud of your talent and knowledge; God gave this to her, then she should offer it to Him with thanksgiving and humility; He looks down on the humble, accepts their prayer, but opposes the proud (Ps. 113:6, 36; 20; 35; 36; 38), and everyone who is high-hearted is unclean before the Lord (Prov. 16:5). So, if your undertaking in organizing singing is for the glory of God and with humility, then it will be confirmed by the sending down of blessings from God. I don’t advise you to write out notes, but for now, continue singing according to these, in what way you can correct it; otherwise it will lead more to vanity. And your choir is not large: it’s good to tune the singing, and it’s necessary, but I don’t advise you to try too much. I.M., wishing you all peace, health and salvation. January 21, 1855.
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