At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs.

During this time of great excitement, my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness.

Though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties.

In the midst of this war of words and tumult of opinions, I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, all they all wrong together? If any of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?

While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contest of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did.

At length I came to the conclusion that I must either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James directs, that is, ask of God.

How can one then establish what is really true? Constantly forced into our consciousness is an incessant barrage of council, advice, and promotions.

The best way of finding truth is simply to go to the origin of all truth and ask.