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Chapter 24—Oppressing the Hireling
Dear Brother J,
A great solemnity has rested upon my mind since the vision
given Friday evening, June 12, 1868. I was shown that you do not
know yourself. You have not felt reconciled to the testimony given
in your case and have not made thorough work to reform. I was
referred to Isaiah: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose
the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the
oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy
bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to
thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that
thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” If you do these things,
the blessings promised will be given.
You may raise the inquiry, “Wherefore have we fasted,” “and
Thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and Thou
takest no knowledge?” God has given reasons why your prayers
were not answered. You have thought that you had found reasons in
others and have charged the fault upon them. But I saw that there
are sufficient reasons in yourself. You have a work to do to set your
own heart in order. You should realize that the work must begin
with yourself. You have oppressed the destitute and have benefited
yourself by taking advantage of their necessities. In regard to means,
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you have been close and dealt unjustly. You have not possessed
that kind, noble, and generous spirit which should ever characterize
the life of a follower of Christ. You have oppressed the hireling in
her wages. You saw a poorly clad, hard-working person who you
knew was conscientious and God-fearing; yet you took advantage
of her because you could do so. I saw that the neglect of seeing
and understanding her wants, and the small wages paid her, are all
written in heaven as done to Jesus in the person of one of His saints.
As you have done this unto the least of Christ’s disciples, you have
done it unto Him. Heaven has regarded all your closeness to those
who have served in your house, and it will stand faithfully chronicled
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