Board Meetings
505
Worldly policy is not to be classed with sound discretion, although
it is too often mistaken for it. It is a species of selfishness, in whatever
cause it is exercised. Discretion and sound judgment are never narrow
in their workings. The mind that is guided by them has comprehensive
ideas and does not become narrowed down to one object. It looks at
things from every point of view. But worldly policy has a short range of
vision. It can see the object nearest at hand, but fails to discover those
at a distance. It is ever watching for opportunities to gain advantage.
Those who follow a course of worldly policy are building themselves
up by pulling out the foundation from another man’s building. Every
structure must be built upon a right foundation, in order to stand.
Royalties on Books
Brainworkers have a God-given capital. The result of their study
belongs to God, not to man. If the worker faithfully gives to his
employer the time for which he receives his pay, then his employer
has no further claim upon him. And if by diligent and close economy
of moments he prepare other matter valuable for publication, it is his
to use as he thinks will best serve the cause of God. If he gives up
all but a small royalty he has done a good work for those who handle
the book, and he should not be asked to do more. God has not placed
upon the publishing board the responsibility of being conscience for
others. They should not persistently seek to force men to their terms.
The authors are responsible to God for the use which they make of
their means. There will be many calls for money. Mission fields will
have to be entered, and this requires much outlay. Those to whom God
has entrusted talents are to trade upon these talents according to their
ability, for they are to act their part in carrying forward these interests.
When the members of the board take it upon themselves to urge that all
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the profits from our denominational books shall go to the Publishing
Association and the agents, and that the authors, after being paid for
the time and expense of writing a book, should relinquish their claim
to a share in the profits, they are undertaking a work which they cannot
carry out. These book writers have as much interest in the cause of
God as do those who compose the board of trustees. Some of them
have had a connection with the work almost from its infancy.