Our Ministers
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of those of experience. But frequently they are the last ones to seek
advice. They think they have superior judgment and will not be taught.
These are often the very ones who are deceived by those sharp,
shrewd peddlers of patent rights whose success depends upon the art
of deception. These should learn that no confidence whatever can be
put in such peddlers. But the brethren are credulous in regard to the
very things they should suspect and shun. They do not take home the
instruction of Paul to Timothy: “But godliness with contentment is
great gain.” “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
Let not the poor think that the rich are the only covetous ones. While
the rich hold what they have with a covetous grasp, and seek to obtain
still more, the poor are in great danger of coveting the rich man’s
wealth. There are very few in our land of plenty who are really so
poor as to need help. If they would pursue a right course, they could
in almost every case be above want. My appeal to the rich is, Deal
liberally with your poor brethren, and use your means to advance
the cause of God. The worthy poor, those who are made poor by
misfortune and sickness, deserve your special care and help. “Finally,
be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as
brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.”
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Men and women professing godliness and expecting translation to
heaven without seeing death, I warn you to be less greedy of gain, less
self-caring. Redeem your godlike manhood, your noble womanhood,
by noble acts of disinterested benevolence. Heartily despise your
former avaricious spirit and regain true nobility of soul. From what
God has shown me, unless you zealously repent, Christ will spew you
out of His mouth. Sabbathkeeping Adventists profess to be followers
of Christ, but the works of many of them belie their profession. “Ye
shall know them by their fruits.” “Not everyone that saith unto Me,
Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth
the will of My Father which is in heaven.”
I appeal to all who profess to believe the truth, to consider the
character and life of the Son of God. He is our example. His life was
marked with disinterested benevolence. He was ever touched with
human woe. He went about doing good. There was not one selfish act
in all His life. His love for the fallen race, His desire to save them,
was so great that He took upon Himself the wrath of His Father, and
consented to suffer the penalty of that transgression which plunged