I am writing these words during my lunch break to remind you of Jas. 4:4: “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

David, who was a man after God’s heart, didn’t have any close friendships with the world and its rulers. On the contrary, he was constantly at war with them.

Father’s letter to you provides me with the opportunity to point out the “unfaithfulness” of having fellowship with Uncle Anton (who is a very ungodly man) and his wife. Why are Father and Mother going to Sweden to see him other than to gratify their carnal lusts? If there is a mountain blocking their way, true faith will move the mountain; but I can scarcely believe that this mountain (possibly a mountain of money) can be moved by faith. While Aunt Beate was living in prosperity, she was often graced with visits from Mother and Berglioth, but now that poverty has come upon her, neither Mother nor Berglioth ever go to see her. That sort of courtship with worldly grandeur and mammon is unfaithfulness to Christ. I have spoken to Uncle Anton about God; he and his wife could hardly stand walking two blocks with me. But Father and Mother can enjoy staying in his palaces and being driven around by his four greatly admired horses. Vanity characterizes our generation. As long as a person still admires the greatness of this world, they should stop any kind of writing and refrain from all spiritual ministry. If Father and Mother had preached Christ to Anton, he would never have dared to invite them. Only a lukewarm—an extraordinarily lukewarm—relationship with God would encourage our enemies to make such advances. Jesus says that he who does not hate his father, mother, brothers and sisters, etc., is not worthy of Him. I won’t write to Father about this as he does not need to know that you forwarded his letter, but you should use the opportunity to present things very seriously to him. Mother has always been lax, so you can’t expect anything of her.

Concerning Br. Gerrard’s admiration for “the man from India,” we must be careful that we do not idolize anyone; that is angel worship. We thereby forsake the head: Christ.

Please send these few words of love further—if possible—to the people concerned.

Your devoted brother,

Greet Br. and Sr. Anthony.