Lifting Debts on Church Buildings
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seek the mind and judgment of your brethren, and not advance without
their advice, counsel, and cooperation.—
Letter 49, 1900
.
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An Inexcusable Laxness
The lax way which many churches have of incurring debts, and
keeping in debt, was presented before me. In some cases a continual
debt is upon the house of God, and continual interest to be paid. These
things should not and need not be. If there is that wisdom, and tact,
and zeal manifested for the Master that God requires of every one of
His servants, there will be a change in these things. The debts will be
lifted. Self-denial and self-sacrifice will work wonders in advancing
the spirituality of the church. Let every church member do something.
Let the necessity of each acting a part be most strenuously impressed
upon the worshipers.
The----college and church need not be loaded with debt as it is.
This shows unwise stewardship. God calls for self-sacrifice. He calls
for offerings from those who can give, and even the poorer members
can do their little. And when there is a will to do, God will open the
way. But the Lord is not pleased with the management. He does not
design that His cause shall be trammeled with debt.
Self-denial will enable those who have done nothing in the past
to do something tangible, and show that they believe the teachings of
the word, that they believe the truth for this time. All, both old and
young, parents and children, are to show their faith by their works.
Faith is made perfect by works. We are in the very closing scenes of
this earth’s history; yet there are but few who realize this because the
world has come in between God and the soul.—
Letter 81, 1897
.
Building the Church and School at Avondale
There are times when much is to be gained by a united, prompt,
and persistent effort. The time for opening our school had been ap-
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pointed; but our brethren throughout the colonies were looking for a
postponement. They had waited long for the school to open, and were
discouraged. There was much work yet to be done on the buildings,
and our funds were exhausted. Therefore the builders said that the
work could not be done at the appointed time. But we said there must