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Economy
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that which is beautiful and artistic; but had not Christ the very finest,
purest, holiest taste? His home was heaven, yet He denied Himself;
humiliation marked all His life, from the manger to Calvary. In
the beginning of the work, we must not reproduce the very things
that the Lord has condemned in America, the needless, extravagant
expenditure of money to gratify pride and love of display. Let
everything of this order be scrupulously shunned.
Maintain Simplicity
In eating, dressing, and in the furnishing of our school building,
we want to preserve the simplicity of true godliness. Many will deny
themselves and sacrifice much in order to contribute toward making
the missionary work a success, and should they see this means
expended upon the finest linen and the more expensive furniture or
articles for the table, it would have a most unfortunate influence upon
these brethren and sisters. Nothing could militate more decidedly
against our present and future usefulness in this country. The very
first lesson to teach the students is self-denial. Let their eyes, their
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senses, take in the lesson; let all the appointments of the school
convey practical instruction in this line, that the work can be carried
forward only by a constant sacrifice.
In every movement let us follow closely the example of our
Saviour. I feel deeply over these things. We must consider in what
lines to work in order to secure success; we must come to the work
with our hearts imbued with the spirit of Christ. Then we shall
realize that our work must be carried forward in a humble way.
Our ministers and their wives should be an example in plainness of
dress; they should dress neatly, comfortably, wearing good material,
but avoiding anything like extravagance and trimmings, even if not
expensive; for these things tell to our disadvantage. We should
educate the youth to simplicity of dress, plainness with neatness. Let
the extra trimmings be left out, even though the cost be but a trifle.
The Wedding Ring
Some have had a burden in regard to the wearing of a marriage
ring, feeling that the wives of our ministers should conform to this
custom. All this is unnecessary. Let the ministers’ wives have the