Workers in Our Institutions
183
Dr. W, I entreat of you that you do not exact a high salary. If
you do this, others will follow your example; and if this is allowed,
we shall soon find that the sanitarium income will all be absorbed for
the payment of salaries, and that there will be none to carry on the
missionary work to be done in foreign countries.
I write you this because I understand that whereof I am speaking.
The Lord is testing His people. My husband and I have passed over
this ground, and because we did not ask a high wage, but were willing
to work in self-denial and self-sacrifice, the Lord blessed us with His
rich grace. If you will pursue a course of self-denial, you will be an
example to others that will be a blessing to the work. In your work in
_____, the most effective sermon you preached was when you lived
the principles of the truth in your own family and revealed your earnest
devotion to the work. I know what I am talking about when I say this.
There should be more equality between the wage of the minister
and the physician than there has been. Our ministers are expected to
set an example of liberality to the church members, and their salary
should be such that they can make many donations.—
Letter 372, 1907
.
Extravagance and Influence
Among our ministers, physicians, teachers, and canvassers, there
is need of an entire surrender of the mind, the heart, and the soul to
[202]
God. . . . Neither dress, expensive homes, nor stylish living gives
character to the work. But a meek and quiet spirit is in the sight of
God of great value. Religion does not make a man course and rough.
The true believer, realizing his own weakness, will guard himself at
every point, and place his whole confidence in God. True Christian
godliness cannot be forced; it is the outflowing of an honest heart....
God calls for minute men, praying men, practical men. Expensive
outward show does not elevate men and women in the eyes of sensible
people. It is not right for a physician to make an extravagant outlay of
means, and then charge exorbitant prices for performing small opera-
tions. God looks at all these matters in their true light.—
Manuscript
34, 1904
.