A WRONG IMPRESSION

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1861

A WRONG IMPRESSION.

A BROTHER, young in the cause, once inquired, as we were offering books for sale, "Does this gospel cost money?" We simply replied that the paper-maker and the printer had to be paid with money, and being poor we were obliged to sell the books to get money to pay them. But this case is only one among many. Just such thoughts and feelings trouble thousands, which they sometimes show out in words when we offer books for sale, or call for just dues on our periodicals, or invite those to whom it is a pleasure to contribute to the benevolent objects of the cause—"Does this gospel cost money?"

We think that this arises in most cases from a wrong impression being given when our preachers enter a new place. It is always right to labor to allay prejudice, as well as to prevent it from arising; but it is equally important to guard against giving a strong impression in a wrong direction, which will not only injure those who embrace the truth under the wrong impression, but stand in the way of our own testimony afterwards.

Some oppose preaching for stated salaries. This may be well, if it be done without giving the impression that those who preach the third message can live upon the wind. It is a fact that our preachers who travel much, some of them with tents, require more, and receive more, than some of the small salaried ministers. And all men, who have sense sufficient to become intelligent Christians, know that our preachers must have a living as well as other men. Therefore, if the subject of preaching for hire, &c., be touched at all, let the Bible doctrine, in connection with the example of the apostles on this subject, be clearly presented, that a right impression be made on the minds of the people.