To Correspondents by J. H. W.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 4, 1873

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 42, No. 21.

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To Correspondents.

By J. H. W.

L. R. Long: We have delayed a reply to your question in hope to find time to give it proper attention.

“WILL you please give your opinion of Ecclesiasticus 26:29 (Apocrypha)? I run a produce wagon.”

A. W.

The verse reads: “A merchant shall hardly keep himself from doing wrong; and an huckster shall not be free from sin.”

It is not impossible for a rich man to be saved: but knowing the heart of man, and the seductive nature of earthly possessions, the Saviour taught that it was dangerous to be rich. It is, however, a danger which few care to shun.

Even so, a merchant may be an honorable man; but the “tricks of trade” are so numerous, that it is exceedingly difficult to carry on such a business, and resist the innumerable temptations to follow in the wake of that which is called honorable by the business world, but is dishonorable according to the standard of Bible Christianity.

A huckster, or peddler, is even worse situated than a settled merchant. It is needless to particularize, but if a man is not strictly honest, and conscientious, distrustful of self, and ready to take the advice of prudent brethren, even to being thankful for cautions and admonitions, he had better lay aside the business of peddling, or resign all hope of a place in the kingdom of God. To “love thy neighbor as thyself” is a great attainment, and to fulfill the obligation needs a happy natural endowment, or more favorable surroundings than a huckster generally finds.

J. H. W.