Punctuality by T. J. Butler

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 12, 1859

Punctuality.

By T. J. Butler

OUR great and most successful men in the business world unanimously affirm that punctuality is more than capital, better security than undersigners, the best and most ready friend in times of financial crisis, the first and last stepstone in human means to certain success and prosperity. Indeed the punctual man gets all his favors and accommodations many hundred per cent cheaper than his neighbor Slack-pay. We readily discover therefore that if poor men would act from enlightened selfish motives only, (saying nothing about true religious principle) they would be scrupulously punctual, for they would readily see that they could not really afford to be otherwise. It costs too much to be slack. The most wealthy might possibly afford to indulge in the fashionable luxury occasionally, but poor men never. True economy would say that it would be less improvident to work at an anvil and coalpit in gaudy silk costume than to follow debts with a slack hand. Slack hands almost invariably beget empty pockets. They are in ordinary circumstances inseparable comrades. If we would succeed in our callings we must be punctual. If we would be good citizens or good friends to any cause, we must be punctual. The continuance of our publications, the thousands of poor straying souls who are starving for the present truth, our plighted honor as brethren, and the pure principles of true christianity, earnestly entreat and most solemnly admonish us to unwavering punctuality. O brethren and friends of Bible truth, consider your high calling, your solemn responsibilities. The cause is that of down-trodden truth; truth that is renovating, sanctifying and elevating. God would have it sounded abroad from the press, and by his messengers; but upon the shoulders of the brotherhood rests the first responsibility. Let that responsibility be unfelt, undischarged, and the whole machinery by its own inertia and the superabundance of friction thus imparted must have its power and velocity wonderfully diminished, if not destroyed altogether.

You, my dear brethren, must act conjointly as an efficient mighty propelling engine on the great railway, while the press and messengers can only serve as freight cars, to carry the glorious message, the glad tidings of the kingdom.

Brethren, scattered abroad, let me cherish the fond hope that you will be punctual. That will enable the messengers to be punctual, and our mutual punctuality will enable our dear Editor to be punctual. Messengers cannot pay their indebtedness for books till they get the pay for them. Come, dear brethren, let us get all over into the work. Let us make one manly, energetic struggle to live out the apostolic injunction, Owe no man anything. If we would most effectually glorify the Lord with the means with which he has blessed us, it must be by applying it as he has directed.

May the Lord help us all to become living epistles. Yours in hope of eternal life when He who is our life shall appear. T. J. BUTLER. April 29th, 1859.