Principles of Sacrifice for Denominational Workers
By George I. Butler
stand as the advance guard; as a representative of Christ. If these principles apply to ministers, as all will admit, we say they also apply to every one laboring in close connection with the special work of God, whether they are physicians of our Institute, teachers of our Denominational School, or editors and printers in the publishing work. Especially is this necessary when it is remembered that the funds raised to found these institutions were all contributed as a work of charity. Men who expend charitable funds should be willing, of course, to do so with the spirit with which they were contributed, so that they may go as far as possible to bring about the object of their contributors. Those who have led out in this work in the East, have insisted that these principles should be carried out by all those who have been connected with those institutions. When this has been done, there has been plain evidence of the prospering hand of God. When for a time other men had the management, and these principles were positively ignored, and higher prices were paid, disaster followed. When again those whom God had called to lead out resumed the original plan, prosperity returned, until the question has been settled there forever. Not over twelve dollars per week is paid as a salary to any for their compensation, although at other callings they might, many of them, earn much more. But they are working for God. They are building up his cause. They are sacrificing for the good of their fellow men. Every week they are laying up treasure in Heaven. Their brain, and bone, and muscle, weekly contributes to the grand total of good accomplished. Many would prefer to work for their very board and clothes, rather than to work at any other calling, however lucrative. They are engaged in the most noble work to be found in the wide world; working for God and their fellow men. Here is a test of real faith. Not one of them is obliged to work a day in this manner unless he choses. There is no compulsion. It is a grand privilege to work for God if he will accept us. Some of these have worked for years when the cause was weak, and the paper just starting, and friends few, for mere board and clothes, when they might have had a good salary at other occupations. Would they change for the money? Oh! no. Eternal ages will show they made a wise choice. I now come directly to the publishing work in California. The brethren of this Conference have assumed the important responsibility of establishing an office, and publishing the truth here on the Pacific coast. The work is in its infancy. There are merely a few hundred paying subscribers; while there must be near four thousand of such, before it will be self-supporting. In other words, for months, or years the expenses must necessarily be far above the receipts. Thus they will be eating into the capital stock, and there will have to be benevolence, and sacrifice, everywhere with those connected with the office. It is indeed a great undertaking, and it will require faith. It has been wisely decided that the price of the paper for those who pay for a year, shall be $2.00. This is not one half as high as the weekly papers generally in the State. The reading matter of the SIGNS is far greater than that of most weekly papers, therefore more work will be required on every number. They have a large amount of advertisements which bring in great profit. The SIGNS has none. All its matter has to be set up weekly. Thus it will be seen the expense will be greater, and the receipts far less than ordinary papers. It may be asked why the price should be so low? It is because we desire to get this paper into general circulation. It is not a money making object we have in view at all, but the higher, nobler one of enlightening the people upon the great truths of the times. The world must be warned, and we want every one to hear that can be reached. We want many to hear of this truth all over this coast. It is confidently expected that with so valuable, so neat, and so large a paper, our friends everywhere may find many not of our faith who will subscribe and pay for it. It must be made interesting, full of life and vigor. But under these difficulties, it will be readily seen that there is an absolute necessity for the strictest economy, lest the paper shall cost too much. No one connected with it should expect a salary anywhere approximating those usually paid in this State. Here is one great fear I have in regard to the matter, that Californians have become so accustomed to large prices, and dealing in a lavish spirit, that they will not realize the difficulties connected with this work. I feel to warn them in regard to this. Start in with the strictest economy, and use the means so generously donated in a manner that will inspire confidence in those who have donated, that their funds have been sacredly used as they designed. I feel the more free to say this, because I stood up before the Conference and plead urgently for means, and promised the people if they would contribute, the funds should be used with strict economy. I regard that promise as very sacred. May God help those who have these funds to handle to do it in his fear. It seems clear to me that higher prices cannot be paid in connection with the work here, than are paid in Michigan. The circumstances utterly forbid it. At Battle Creek the Office is established, the paper self-supporting, and things moving prosperously. Yet those laboring there do so expecting to work for less than they could make at other callings. At least some do. But here the work is in its infancy. Every thing has now to be created. The friends of the cause should feel like rallying to the support of the paper. There ought to be young people of intelligence who will be willing to work for their board and clothes for some time to come, till the matter takes a more self supporting position. The brethren living near the Office of publication, should be willing to board those who work in the Office very cheaply. They should be favored, and thus these burdens more equally shared. Every one who can work in to help this great work forward, should esteem it a blessed privilege to do so. Then when the work is placed upon a proper basis, and has grown up strong, and many are being blessed by its influence, they can have the blessed satisfaction of feeling that they have some share in that prosperity. This would not be so if they had been paid for every hour’s work. All should feel like rallying around this enterprise with a true public spirit. Oh! what a glorious work is opening up on this great Pacific coast. With the public spirit already exhibited by the brethren, we have everything to hope for. Now, if we can see the same spirit shown by those who may be more closely connected with the work—those who labor in the Office itself, the success of the enterprise will be assured. This spirit must be shown, or the good work will come to grief. No money consideration should stand in the way of any one who can work acceptably. There are men in this cause who would work any how. Their hearts would be sad indeed if they could not work in the Lord’s cause. What sacrifices they make are their greatest glory. We greatly hope for the success of the publishing work on this coast. We feel now a personal interest in it we did not feel before we came here. When these words shall be read by the friends in California, the writer will be east of the Plains, yet he will watch with peculiar interest the progress of the work on the Pacific coast. May God greatly prosper it is my prayer. San Francisco, Cal., Oct. 31, 1874.