Evils Resulting from Centralization and Colonization
127
means to turn to the advantage of the Review and Herald office. They
have tried to justify themselves by saying, “I am doing it for the cause
of God.” Human preferences and prejudices have swayed the minds
of those who confederated to sustain methods contrary to the Word
of God. Selfishness has led those who ought to be true to principle to
make crooked paths for their feet.—
Manuscript 29, 1911
.
A Confederacy in Robbing God’s Treasury—The course pur-
sued in regard to wages, at the time under consideration, was a purely
selfish course and was contrary to the principles on which the office
was established, the principles of self-sacrifice and of justice between
man and man. Those who exerted an influence to increase the wages
of the workers connected with the office were displeasing God. There
was a confederacy for the robbery of God’s treasury. One worked to
secure higher wages for others, so that the contrast between the wages
of the workers might not appear disproportionate. All who acted a
part to carry this influence were engaged in a selfish work, which will
[149]
sooner or later react upon themselves unless they repent. Evil angels
exulted; and the Lord said, “Shall I not judge for these things?” “They
have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them,
rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to
receive instruction. But they have set their abominations in the house,
which is called by my name, to defile it.”
The Lord brought me by His Spirit into the very meetings where
you were speaking in favor of the wages of one and another being
raised. Then I was shown that the result would be separation from the
office because of the wrong course practiced in several lines....
After I had witnessed the confederacy for raising the wages of the
workers in the office, the Lord brought me into the meetings of the
auditing committee that settle with the ministers for their labor. Angels
of God were there, making a record of everything done. Brother E’s
voice was the controlling power, cutting down wherever he pleased,
deciding the wages of the workers according to his ideas and feelings.
How little did anyone think that the universe of heaven were noting
every transaction. Brother E was not a poor man; he accepted large
wages for himself and gave his strong influence of securing large wages
for others in the office. But these other workers, whose circumstances
neither he nor other members of the auditing committee took pains to
ascertain, were paid according to the impulse of this one man. This