The Publishing Work in California.
It was an important step which the last Conference took, when it resolved to assume the work of publishing on this coast. And it must be admitted that it took hold of the work as though it realized its importance, when it pledged nearly twenty thousand dollars for the purpose. So far the result is good. But now the real difficulties will commence. It is not a small thing to manage and publish a religious paper, when it is certain that the receipts for a long time will not equal the expenses. Such will be the case undoubtedly with the Signs for a period of months or years. While the friends of the cause have shown a willingness to contribute of their means, and have empowered their Conference Committee with the management of their funds, and of the new paper, they will of course expect to hold them to a careful account for the manner in which they are paid out. It is very proper that they should do this. Those who plead for means gave solemn assurance that the funds raised should be managed with strict economy, and nothing can be more sacredly binding than such assurances upon those who make them. In nothing are men more particular than in the manner in which their money is spent. They ought to be. If they are induced to pay out their hard earnings, nominally for benevolent purposes, it is no small thing if they are squandered. They have a right to expect them to be sacredly applied to the purpose for which they were designed. The work of religion always demands sacrifice. God has made it necessary on the part of those who would labor for the salvation of their fellows, that it should cost them something. A religion which costs us nothing is not the Christian religion; for if we follow Christ in our efforts to save others, it will cost us labor, pain, and earthly loss, to be, however, more than compensated in heavenly gain. God could have written his truth upon the open heavens, sent angels to preach it, or rained down golden eagles for its support; but he has not chosen to do so:— He has made it obligatory upon men to sacrifice as their Master did, and thus show their practical appreciation of the principles which actuated him. He ever acted upon the great principle, that it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” To labor for others’ good is the highest motive possible for us, so far as our duty to man is concerned. All should participate in this good work. Laymen will have to learn to do good, and learn to love to do it. The highest motives of benevolence and practical piety they must learn. We have taken upon us the responsibilities of this truth, and as a people we must discharge them in the fear of God. We are glad the brethren in California have given such plain evidence that they realize this obligation. But if such a spirit is obligatory upon those who are to labor merely in a private sphere, how much more is it demanded of those especially connected with the work of God—those who are to be examples to others! Ministers who take upon themselves the work of teaching others, must always expect to set an example of sacrifice. It would be as proper to have a coward for the general of an army, as a selfish man for a minister. Courage is the one great qualification in war. The spirit of sacrifice is the most important principle in the religion of Christ. It especially characterized the ministry of our Lord. He left Heaven and all its glory, to come here and elevate us in the scale of being. Ministers stand as the teachers of this religion. Benevolence is the one grace above all others demanded of them. Take that element out, and there could be no true representatives of Christ at all. It is not for them to look for their reward in this life. They are to go ahead and set the true example, looking beyond this world for their recompense. If they are unwilling to do this, they should not place themselves in that position, but choose some other calling. The infinite reward before them of shining “as the stars forever and ever,” will compensate them millions of times over, for all their losses here. Here is a great, and high, and holy calling presented before men; and if they have faith and trust God, they will never let the matter of money stand in the way of accepting such a position for fear they or theirs will not be provided for. God will care for every one whom he calls to the work. He should