Slackness Reproved
53
exerting themselves to do the best they can, it will be a pleasure for
their wealthy brethren to help them out of trouble.
Many lack wise management and economy. They do not weigh
matters well, and move cautiously. Such should not trust to their own
poor judgment, but counsel with their brethren who have experience.
[56]
Those who lack good judgment and economy are often unwilling
to seek counsel. They generally think that they understand how to
conduct their temporal business, and are unwilling to follow advice.
They make bad moves, and suffer in consequence. Their brethren
are grieved to see them suffer, and they help them out of difficulty.
Their unwise management affects the church. It takes means from the
treasury of God which should have been used to advance the cause of
present truth. If these poor brethren would take an humble course, and
be willing to be advised and counseled by their brethren, and then are
brought into straightened places, their brethren should feel it their duty
to cheerfully help them out of difficulty. But if they choose their own
course, and rely upon their judgment, they should be left to feel the full
consequences of their unwise course, and learn by dear experience that
“in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” God’s people should be
subject one to another. They should counsel with each other, that the
lack of one be supplied by the sufficiency of the other. I saw that the
stewards of the Lord have no duty to help those persons who persist in
using tobacco, tea, and coffee.
Speculations
I saw that some have excused themselves from aiding the cause
of God, because they were in debt. Had they closely examined their
own hearts, they would have discovered that selfishness, was the true
reason why they brought no freewill offering to God. And some will
remain in debt. Because of their covetousness the prospering hand of
God will not be with them to bless their undertakings. They love this
world better than they love the truth. They are not being fitted up and
made ready for the kingdom of God.
If a new patent passes through the country, men who profess to be-
lieve the truth have found a way to raise means and join the enterprise.
[57]
God is acquainted with every heart. Every selfish motive is known to
him, and he suffers things to arise to try the hearts of his professed