Chapter 48—The Cause at Battle Creek
Many who have come to Battle Creek have not come for the pur-
pose of bearing burdens. They have not come because they feel any
special anxiety for the prosperity of the cause here, but for their own
interest, because they wish to advantage themselves. They hope to
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secure the benefits to be derived from the institutions located here,
without bearing any responsibilities themselves.
Some who have located in Battle Creek in order to have a more
favorable opportunity to benefit themselves, are guilty of selfishness
and even fraud in dealing with our brethren who have come from
abroad. If there are any advantages to be gained, our institutions should
receive them, and not those individuals who have done nothing toward
building them up and who have only a selfish interest in them. Many
who come to Battle Creek are no strength, religiously, to the cause.
At heart they are like Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and if a favorable
opportunity were presented, they would follow the example of these
wicked men. True, their fraudulent transactions may be concealed
from the eyes of their brethren generally; but God marks their course
and will finally reward them according to their works.
Some who have been long in Battle Creek, and who ought to be
responsible men, are occupying positions of trust in name only. They
have been made guardians of our institutions; but their course of action
shows that they have no special interest in them nor burden for them.
Their thoughts center upon themselves. If we were to judge them by
their works we should decide that they consider their own energies too
precious to be exercised for these instrumentalities of God, unless they
can secure temporal advantages to themselves. These are neglecting
to keep the fort, not because they cannot do it, but because they are
self-caring, and are content to rock themselves to sleep in the cradle
of carnal security.
Men who make it their aim and object in life to please and benefit
themselves ought not to remain at this important post. They have
no right to be here; for they stand directly in the way of the work of
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