Basic HTML Version
106
Early Writings
did not John see the great red dragon in heaven? Certainly. “And
there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red
[93]
dragon, having seven heads and ten horns.”
Revelation 12:3
. What
a monster to be in heaven! Here seems to be as good a chance for
ridicule as in the interpretation which some have placed upon my
statements.
6. On pages 48-52 is a view given January, 1850. That portion
of this view which relates to means being withheld from the mes-
sengers, applied more particularly to that time. Since then, friends
of the cause of present truth have been raised up, who have watched
for opportunity to do good with their means. Some have handed out
too freely, to the injury of the receivers. For about two years I have
been shown more relative to a careless and too free use of the Lord’s
money, than a lack of it.
The following is from a view given at Jackson, Michigan, June
2, 1853. It related mostly to the brethren at that place: “I saw that
the brethren commenced to sacrifice their property and handed it out
without having the true object set before them-the suffering cause-
and they handed out too freely, too much, and too often. I saw that
the teachers should have stood in a place to correct this error and
exert a good influence in the church. Money has been made of little
or no consequence, the sooner disposed of the better. A bad example
has been set by some in accepting large donations and not giving
the least caution to those who had means not to use it too freely
and carelessly. By accepting so large an amount of means, without
questioning whether God had made it the duty of the brethren to
bestow so largely, too bountiful giving has been sanctioned.
“Those who gave also erred, not being particular to inquire into
the necessities of the case, whether there was actual need or not.
Those who had means were thrown into great perplexity. One brother
was much hurt by too much means being put into his hands. He did
[94]
not study economy, but lived extravagantly, and in his travels laid out
money here and there to no profit. He spread a wrong influence by
making such free use of the Lord’s money, and would say in his own
heart, and to others, ‘There is means enough in J—, more than can
be used before the Lord comes.’ Some were very much injured by
such a course and came into the truth with wrong views, not realizing
that it was the Lord’s money they were using and not feeling the