I have no potency to influence for good in the "things that are touched" [(Haggai 2:12-14)], but am capable of influencing for evil. ... This is a strange principle--rot will encourage rot, but one ripe piece of fruit will not allay rottenness in another. Surely righteousness has the power to make righteous, if it be found in strong enough proportions; but in Israel it was not so. God was not satisfied with their carelessness regarding His house and made their work profitless.