Important Question by Editor

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 12, 1879

Important Question.

By Editor

A BROTHER asks us this question:—"Is it right to fellowship one who will not pay his just debts, nor correspond with the person to whom he is indebted?"

There may be difficulties in the way of obeying any precept. A person may be so situated that he cannot pay, though he is strictly honest, and desires to pay. But in such a case he will certainly be willing to correspond with his creditor, and to give every assurance of his willingness to do him justice.

The commandment, "Owe no man anything," we consider imperative, as much as any other commandment. To contract debts without a reasonable prospect of being able to pay them, is not honest, because it is an act of injustice to our fellow-men. And in this it will not do to presume upon prospects, for there are always contingencies liable to arise which must be taken into account.

On this subject there is altogether too much looseness. Many are ready to buy "on time" that which they would not think of buying if pay down was required. It is a bad habit. It destroys confidence. We have known more than one individual to go to ruin under the influence of this pernicious practice. We dislike to give a positive answer to our brother, for there is such a difference of circumstances. But a refusal to correspond looks too much like a disregard of obligation, and should certainly subject the person to discipline.