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Testimonies for the Church Volume 6
conscientiously and diligently practiced. The managers must guard
carefully every point, that there may be no needless expense, to bring
a burden of debt upon the school. Every student who loves God
supremely will help to bear the responsibility in this matter. Those
who have been educated to do this can demonstrate by precept and
example to those with whom they come in contact the principles taught
by our self-denying Redeemer. Self-indulgence is a great evil and must
be overcome.
Some have felt reluctant to let the students know of the financial
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embarrassment of the schools; but it will be far better for the students
to see and understand our lack of means, for they will thus be able to
help in the practice of economy. Many who come to our schools leave
homes that are unadorned and where they have been accustomed to
eat simple food without a number of courses. What influence will our
example have on these? Let us teach them that while we have so many
ways in which to use our means; while thousands are starving, dying
of the plague, of famine, of bloodshed, and of fire, it becomes every
one of us to consider carefully, to get nothing that is needless, simply
to gratify appetite or to make an appearance.
If our schools are conducted on right lines, debts will not be piling
up, and still the students will be made comfortable, and the table will
be supplied with plenty of good, substantial food. Our economy must
never be of that kind which would lead to providing meager meals.
Students should have an abundance of wholesome food. But let those
in charge of the cooking gather up the fragments that nothing be lost.
Students should be taught to guard carefully their own property
and that of the school. They should be made to understand the duty to
bind about every needless expense at the school and while traveling
to and from their homes. Self-denial is essential. We must heed the
instruction given, for we are nearing the end of time. More and more
shall we be obliged to plan, and devise, and economize. We cannot
manage as if we had a bank on which to draw in case of emergency;
therefore we must not get into straitened places. As individuals and
as managers of the Lord’s institutions we shall necessarily have to cut
away everything intended for display and bring our expenses within
the narrow compass of our income.
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