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Counsels on Stewardship
institution upon an association that is already heavily burdened with
debt. It is best for every sanitarium to stand in its own responsibility.
Those who have charge of our sanitariums should move guardedly.
There are times when they will see little increase. Let them act with
wisdom and tact and adaptability. Let them study and practice the
instruction Christ gave in regard to building a tower. Forethought is of
far more value than afterthought—when a neglect of wise calculation
and careful management is plainly seen to result in failure. Managers
who are slack, who do not know how to manage, should be separated
from the work. Secure the services of men and women who know how
to bind about the edges, so that the work shall not ravel out.
Let all who are connected with our institutions humble themselves
before God. Let them ask God to help them to plan so wisely and
economically that the institutions will take firm root and will bear fruit
to God’s glory. Depend not on men. Look to Jesus. Continue instant
in prayer and watch unto prayer with thanksgiving. Be sure that you
have a close connection with Christ.—
Letter 199, 1901
.
Debt Through Overbuilding
Brother-----, it is not wisdom to become involved in debt. You
are a wise man, and do not need this reminder. A debt is a yoke,—a
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binding, galling yoke. It would not be wisdom to purchase another
place near-----. You have been pressed almost beyond measure in the
effort to build and equip the-----Sanitarium. It would have been wiser
to make the building smaller. I have always thought that it would be
best to cut down the building plans still more than they were cut down,
and then, when means came in, and if more room was needed, the
building could have been enlarged. It would cost much less to furnish
a smaller building,—
Letter 158, 1902
.
Entrapped Through Miscalculation
If we walk in the counsel of the Lord, we shall have opportunity
to purchase for sanitarium purposes, at a reasonable rate, properties
on which there already are buildings that can be utilized, and where
the grounds are already ornamented by ornamental trees. Many such