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of Satan, but resist the Spirit of God; and in many cases wrong habits
have become so firmly fixed that the greatest effort on the part of the
managers would not result in molding their characters in the right
direction.
Those who stand in positions of trust in the publishing house have
weighty responsibilities to bear, and they are not fitted for these places
unless they are day by day gaining a deeper and more reliable Christian
experience. Eternal interests should be made the first consideration,
and every influence which would help in the divine life should be
welcomed. Men to whom the Lord has given the charge of business
matters connected with His cause should be spiritually minded. They
should not neglect to attend religious meetings nor consider it a task
to speak often one to another of their religious life and experience.
God will listen to their testimonies; they will be recorded in His book
of remembrance; and He will favor His faithful ones and “will spare
them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.”
Those standing at the head of the publishing work should remember
that they are an example to many; and they should be faithful in the
public worship of God, just as they would have every workman in
every department of the office faithful. If they are seen in the house of
worship only occasionally, others will excuse themselves on account
of their neglect. These businessmen can at any time talk fluently and
intelligently on business matters, showing that they have not exercised
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their powers in this direction in vain. They have put tact and skill and
knowledge into their work, but how important it is that their hearts,
their minds, and all their powers be also trained for faithful service
in the cause and worship of God; that they be able to point out the
way of salvation through Christ in language eloquent in its simplicity.
They should be men of earnest prayer and firm reliance upon God;
men who, like Abraham, will order their households after them and
will manifest a special interest in the spiritual welfare of all connected
with the office.
Those who make Christ first in everything can be trusted. They will
not be self-confident, nor will they sink their religious interest in their
business. Has God entrusted men with sacred responsibilities? then
He would have them feel their own weakness and their dependence
upon Him. It is unsafe for men to lean to their own understanding;
therefore they should daily seek strength and wisdom from above. God