Basic HTML Version
Appeals for Truth and Loyalty
293
The holy principles that God has given are represented as the
sacred fire, but common fire has been used in place of the sacred.
Plans contrary to truth and righteousness are introduced in a subtle
manner on the plea that this must be done, and that must be done,
[360]
“because it is for the advancement of the cause of God.” But it is the
devising of men that leads to oppression, injustice, and wickedness.
The cause of God is free from every taint of injustice. It can gain
no advantage by robbing the members of the family of God of their
individuality or their rights. All such practices are abhorrent to God.
He inspires no such practices as have been entered into by your
councils in regard to the publication of books.
The Lord accepts no such transactions; prosperity will not attend
these moves. Men connected with His work have been dealing
unjustly, and is time to call a halt. Let men deal with men upon
the principles of the Ten Commandments, and not ignore these
principles in business transactions. False propositions are assumed
as truth and righteousness, and then everything is worked in such a
way as to carry out these propositions, which are not in accordance
with the will of God, but are a misrepresentation of His character.
The great and holy and merciful God will never be in league with
dishonest practices; not a single touch of injustice will He vindicate.
Men have taken unfair advantage of those whom they supposed
to be under their jurisdiction. They were determined to bring the
individuals to their terms; they would rule or ruin. There will be
no material change until a decided movement is made to bring in a
different order of things.
Let no plans or methods be adopted in any of our institutions that
will bind mind or talent under the control of human judgment; for
this is not in God’s order. God has given to men talents of influence
which belong to Him alone, and no greater dishonor can be done
to God than for one finite agent to bring other men’s talents under
[361]
his absolute control, even though the benefits of the same be used to
the advantage of the cause. In such arrangements one man’s mind
is ruled by another man’s mind, and the human agency is separated
from God and exposed to temptation. Satan’s methods tend to one
end—to make men the slaves of men. And when this is done,
confusion and distrust, jealousies and evil surmisings, are the result.
Such a course destroys faith in God and in the principles which are