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Chapter 77—Love of Gain
Dear Brother B,
I have twice commenced a testimony to you, but have been un-
able to complete it for want of time. I must delay no longer, for I feel
sadly burdened over your case. I have written a testimony for several
of the ministers, and as their cases recur to my mind, I fully realize
that their condition is deplorable. Your case is not an exception.
The love of gain, the love of money, is becoming prominent with
many of our ministers who profess to be representatives of Christ.
The example of some of these is such that the people are becoming
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discouraged.
Some of our ministers are standing directly in the way of the
advancement of the work of God, and the people who look to them
for an example are backsliding from God. About two years ago
I was shown the dangers of our ministers and the result of their
course upon the cause of God. I have spoken in general terms in
reference to these things, but those most at fault are the last to apply
the testimonies to themselves. Some are so blinded by their own
selfish interest that they lose sight of the exalted character of the
work of God.
Brother B, your life has been almost a failure. You had talents
of influence, but you have not improved them to the best account.
You have failed in your family; you have let things go at loose ends
there, and the same deficiencies are felt in the church. The Lord
has given you light in regard to your neglect of duty in your family
and the course which you should pursue to redeem the past. Your
deficiencies were pointed out, but you did not feel the sinfulness of
bringing children into the world to come up without proper training.
You have excused their errors, their sins, and their wayward, reckless
course, and have flattered yourself that they would come out right
by and by.
Eli exactly represents your case. You have occasionally remon-
strated with your children, saying: Why do ye so wickedly? but
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