p. 61 | Our Institutions by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 4, 1874

Our Institutions.

By R. F. Cottrell

Yes, our institutions as stewards of the manifold grace of God. They are benevolent institutions. No one is accumulating private wealth by them. The workers only have reasonable wages for their services. Those who have stock in them rejoice at their prosperity. Is the capital stock increasing? The means of usefulness is increasing. The sphere is widening, and we are growing rich—“in good works.”

As an illustration, suppose I put in $75 into the Health Institute some years ago. Since that time, suppose the capital stock of the Institute has doubled. Who is the gainer? I am. I have now $150 invested in the good work. And further, suppose I have paid $100 to the Institute for board and treatment of myself or one of my family, and one-fourth part of it was net gain to the institution. Then I have $25 more invested in the work; and if the capital has doubled since I put this in, it has now become $50. This added to my $150 gives me $200 invested in this benevolent enterprise. Surely, my wealth is accumulating.

Many are receiving benefit in bodily health, and in the knowledge of how to live to preserve health, by this means. But this is not all. Some have been converted to God also; and the day of eternity will doubtless disclose the fact that souls have been saved as the result of the working of this institution. I have a share in this. One soul saved is worth a thousand times more than all the money that has been, or ever will be, put into this institution. My wealth is increasing—I am growing rich!

Let none be envious of this institution; but rather let them take stock. If money is made, your stock will increase; and if good is done to the souls and bodies of men, you will share in the rich dividends by-and-by to be made. It is a safe investment. The bank of Heaven will not break.

R. F. COTTRELL.