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Testimonies for the Church Volume 4
moral power. They will surely wither spiritually unless they change
their course in this respect.
The men who have been placed in charge of our institutions occupy
important and responsible positions. They cannot well be spared from
their post of duty, yet they should not feel that they are indispensable.
God could do without them, but they cannot do without God. These
men should endeavor to work in harmony. If he fills his position
honorably, each must guard the financial interests of the institution
committed to his care. But these men should be exceedingly cautious
that they look not alone on their own branch of the work and labor
for their own department to the injury of other branches of equal
importance.
Brethren, you are in danger of making grave mistakes in your
business transactions. God warns you to be on your guard lest you
indulge a spirit of crowding one another. Be careful not to cultivate
the sharper’s tact, for this will not stand the test of the day of God.
Shrewdness and close calculation are needed, for you have all classes to
deal with; you must guard the interests of our institutions, or thousands
of dollars will go into the hands of dishonest men. But let not these
traits become a ruling power. Under proper control, they are essential
elements in the character; and if you keep the fear of God before you,
and His love in the heart, you will be safe.
It is far better to yield some advantages that might be gained than
to cultivate an avaricious spirit and thus make it a law of nature. Petty
sharpness is unworthy of a Christian. We have been separated from the
world by the great cleaver of truth. Our wrong traits of character are
not always visible to ourselves, although they may be very apparent
to others. But time and circumstances will surely prove us and bring
to light the gold of character or discover the baser metal. Not one of
us is known or read of all men, till the crucible of God tests us. Every
base thought, every wrong action, reveals some defect in the character.
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These rugged traits must be brought under the chisel and hammer in
God’s great workshop, and the grace of God must smooth and polish
before we can be fitted for a place in the glorious temple.
God can make these brethren more precious than fine gold, even
the golden wedge of Ophir, if they will yield themselves to His trans-
forming hand. They should be determined to make the noblest use
of every faculty and every opportunity. The word of God should be