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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
By a lack of personal interest many things go to waste which a few
moments’ thoughtful attention at the right time would save. “I forgot”
causes much loss to our offices. And some feel no interest in any
work or in anything which does not come under their special branch
of the work. This is all wrong. Selfishness would suggest the thought,
“It does not belong to me to care for that;” but faithfulness and duty
would prompt everyone to care for all that comes under his observation.
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The example of the head workers in the bindery is followed by the
hands employed; all become careless and reckless; and an amount is
wasted equal to their wages. A caretaking person at the head of the
work would save hundreds of dollars yearly to the office in that one
department.
A principle should exist all through the office to economize. In or-
der to save the dollars, dimes and pennies must be carefully treasured.
Men who have been successful in business have always been econom-
ical, persevering, and energetic. Let all connected with the work of
God begin now to educate themselves thoroughly as care-takers. Even
though their work may not be appreciated on earth, they should never
degrade themselves in their own eyes by unfaithfulness in anything
they undertake. It takes time for a person to become so accustomed
to a given course of life as to be happy in pursuing it. We shall be
individually, for time and eternity, what our habits make us. The lives
of those who form right habits, and are faithful in the performance of
every duty, will be as shining lights, shedding bright beams upon the
pathway of others; but if habits of unfaithfulness are indulged, if lax,
indolent, neglectful habits are allowed to strengthen, a cloud darker
than midnight will settle on the prospects in this life and forever debar
the individual from the future life.
One selfish thought indulged, one duty neglected, prepares the way
for another. What we venture to do once, we are more apt to do again.
Habits of sobriety, of self-control, of economy, of close application,
of sound, sensible conversation, of patience and true courtesy, are not
gained without diligent, close watching over self. It is much easier to
become demoralized and depraved than to conquer defects, keeping
self in control and cherishing true virtues. Persevering efforts will be
required if the Christian graces are ever perfected in our lives.
Important changes should take place in our offices. To defer work
which needs immediate attention until a more convenient time is a