Earlier text: WHAT THE LORD HAS SHOWNIn the year 1867, the following appeared in Testimony No. 13:— “Those engaged at the Office should have no separate interest aside from the work. If that attention and care is given to the work in which they are engaged which it demands, they should not be further taxed. They have done all they should do.4If trafficking which has no connection with the work of God engages the mind and occupies time, the work will not be done thoroughly and well. At the best, those employed in the work have no physical and mental energy to spare. They are to a greater or less degree enfeebled. Such a cause, such a sacred work, in which they are employed, should engage the powers of the mind; they should not work mechanically, but be sanctified to the work, and act as though the cause was a part of them, as though they had invested something in this great and solemn work. Unless they thus take hold of this matter with interest, their efforts will not be acceptable to God. “Satan is very artful, busy, and active. His special power is brought to bear upon those who are now engaged in the work of preaching and in the publication of present truth. All in connection with this work need to keep the whole armor on, for they are the special marks for Satan to attack. “I saw that there was danger of becoming unguarded, and Satan obtaining an entrance, and imperceptibly diverting the mind from the great work. I saw that there was danger of those connected with the work at the Office, who fill responsible positions there, getting above the work, and losing humbleness of mind, and the simplicity of the work which has hitherto characterized it. “Satan designs to obtain a foot-hold in that Office, and unless there is a united effort, and thorough watchfulness, he will accomplish his object. Some will get above the simplicity of the work, and will feel that they are sufficient when their strength is5perfect weakness. God will be glorified in this great work. And unless there is deep and constant humility and a firm trust in God, there will be a trusting in self, a self-sufficiency, and one or more will drink the bitter cup of affliction. “As the work increases, the greater the necessity for thorough trust and dependence on God, and a thorough interest in, and devotion to, the work. Selfish interests should be laid aside. There should be much prayer, much meditation; for this is highly necessary for the success and prosperity of the work. A spirit of traffic should not be allowed in any one who is connected with the work in the Office. If it is permitted, the work will be neglected and marred. Common things will be placed too much upon a level with sacred things. “There is great danger of some connected with the work laboring merely for wages. While they invest no special interest in the work, their heart is not in the work, and they have no special sense of its sacredness and exalted character. Another special danger would be of those at the head of the work becoming lifted up, exalted, and the work of God be marred, bearing the impress of man, of the human instead of the divine. Satan is wide awake, persevering, yet Jesus lives, and all who make him their righteousness, their defense, will be especially sustained.”—Pages 23–26. The following, addressed especially to the young, was written in May of the same year:— “Dear young friends who are employed at the6Office of publication at Battle Creek: A burden is resting upon me in regard to you. I have been repeatedly shown that all who are in connection with the work of God in publishing the present truth which is to be scattered to every part of the field, should be Christians, not only in name, but in deed and truth. Their object should not be merely to work for wages, but all engaged in this great and solemn work should feel that their interest is in the work, and that it is a part of them. Their motives and influence in connecting themselves with this great and solemn work, must bear the test of the Judgment. None should be allowed to become connected with the Office of publication who manifest selfishness and pride. “I was shown that lightness and folly, joking and laughing, should not be indulged by those engaged in the work in the Office. Those engaged in the solemn work of preparing truth to go to every part of the field, should realize that their deportment has its influence. If they are, while reading and preparing solemn truth for publication, jesting, joking, laughing, and careless, their hearts are not in the work, or sanctified through the truth. They do not discern sacred things, but handle truth that is to test character, truth which is of heavenly origin, as a common tale, as a story, merely to come before minds and be readily effaced. “While in Rochester, I saw that we had everything to fear in regard to the Office. From a health standpoint, not one connected with the Office realized the necessity of thorough ventilation. Their rooms were7overheated, and the atmosphere was poisoned by impurities caused by exhalations from the lungs and other causes. It is impossible for the higher powers of the mind to be in a healthy condition, and be fully susceptible of the impressions of pure and holy truths with which they have so much to do, unless they appreciate and place the value they should upon the pure, vitalizing air of heaven. “I was shown that those who are so closely connected with revealed truth, and yet their lives, their deportment, give no special evidence that they are made better by the truth which is kept so constantly before them; their lives do not testify to the fact that they are loving the truth and its sacred requirements more and more fervently. They are growing harder, and will be less and less affected by the truth and work of God, until they find themselves destitute of the emotions of the Spirit of God, dead to the heavenly impress of truth, and eternal things are not discerned, but placed upon a low level with common things. This, I saw, had been the case with some connected with the Office, and all have been remiss in this respect to a greater or less degree.” “I saw that the work of present truth should engage the interest of all. The publication of truth is God’s ordained plan, as a means of warning all, comforting all, reproving all, exhorting all, convicting all, to whose notice the silent, voiceless messengers may be brought. Angels of God have a part to act in preparing hearts to be sanctified by the truths published, that they may be prepared for the solemn scenes before them. None in that Office are sufficient8of themselves for the important work of discreetly managing matters connected with the publication of the truth. Angels must be near them to guide, to counsel, to restrain, or the wisdom and folly of human agencies will be apparent. “I saw that frequently angels were in the Office, in the folding-room, in the room where the type is being set. I was made to hear the laughing, the jesting, the idle, foolish talking. Again, the vanity, the pride and selfishness exhibited. Angels looked sad, and turned away grieved. The words I had heard, the vanity, the pride and selfishness exhibited, caused me to groan with anguish of spirit, as angels left the room in disgust. Said an angel, ‘The heavenly messengers came to bless, that the truth carried by the voiceless preachers might have a sanctifying, holy power to attend its mission; but those engaged in its work were distant from God, possessing so little of the divine, and were so conformed to the spirit of the world, that the powers of darkness controlled them, and they could not be made susceptible of divine impressions.’ At the same time these young were deceived, and thought they were rich and increased in goods and had need of nothing, and knew not that they were poor and miserable, blind and naked. “I saw that those who handle precious truth as they would sand, know not how many times their heartless indifference to eternal things, their vanity, self-love, and pride, their laughing and senseless chatting, have driven holy messengers of heaven away from the Office. “The deportment, words, and acts of all in that Office should be reserved, modest, humble, and disinterested, as was their Pattern, Jesus, the dear Saviour. They should seek God and obtain righteousness. The Office is not the place for sport, for visiting, for idlers, for laughing, or useless words. All should feel that they are doing a work for their Master. These truths which they read, that they act their part to arrange to get before the people, are invitations of mercy, are reproofs, are threatenings, warnings, or encouragements. They are doing their work. They are savors of life unto life, or of death unto death. If rejected, the Judgment must decide the matter. The prayer of all in the Office should be, ‘O God, make these truths which are of such vital importance, clear to the comprehension of the humblest minds. May angels accompany these silent preachers, and bless their influence, that souls may be saved by these humble means.’” “The heart should go out in fervent prayer while the hands are busy, and Satan will not find such ready access, and the soul, instead of being lifted up into vanity, will be constantly refreshed, will be like a watered garden. Angels will delight to be near these souls. Their presence will be continually encouraged by those engaged in the work. A power will attend the truths published. Divine rays of light from the heavenly sanctuary will attend the precious truths sent forth, those who read will be refreshed and strengthened, and souls who are opposed to truth will be convicted and compelled to say, ‘These things are so, they cannot be gainsayed.’” “All, I saw, should feel that the Office is a holy place, as sacred as the house of God. But God has been dishonored by the frivolity and lightness that has been indulged in by some connected with the work. Strangers from abroad, I saw, often went away from the Office disappointed. They had associated it with everything sacred; but when they saw the youth, or any one connected with the Office, possessing but little gravity, and careless in words and acts, the impression they took away caused them to doubt, after all, if this is really the work of God to prepare a people for translation to heaven. May God bless this to all concerned.”—Pages 28-32. The following paragraphs are from Testimony No. 16, issued in 1868:— “God requires of all a diligent performance of every-day duties, and especially from those in the Office, who are engaged in a solemn, important work, upon whom rest the more weighty responsibilities of the work, down to the least hand there employed. This can only be done in looking to God for ability to enable them faithfully to perform what is right in the sight of Heaven, doing all things as though governed by unselfish motives, as if the eye of God was visible to all, looking upon all, and investigating the acts of all.”—Page 24. “When I was shown in regard to the spirit of selfishness existing in those who were working in the Office, that there were some who were merely working for wages, as though engaged in any common enterprise, you were both among the number.11You were both selfish and self-caring. Your anxiety was to please yourselves and to obtain higher wages. This spirit has, to quite an extent, cursed the Office, and Heaven frowns upon it. There have been too many eager to grasp means. All has been wrong. A worldly spirit has come in, and Christ has been shut out. May God pity his people. And I hope you will be converted.”—Page 77. In Testimony No. 19, issued in the year 1870, is found the following:— “I was shown men who have been engaged in our Office of publication, in our Health Institute, and in the ministry, who have labored simply for wages. Not all are guilty in this respect. There are exceptions. But few have seemed to realize that they must give an account of their stewardship. Means that has been consecrated to God, to advance his cause, has been squandered. Families in poverty, who prized the truth, and had experienced its sanctifying influence, and have felt grateful to God for the truth, have felt that they could, and should, deprive themselves of even the necessaries of life, in order to bring in their offerings to the treasury of the Lord. Some have deprived themselves of articles of clothing which they really needed to make them comfortable, to give to the cause of God. Others have sold their only cow, and the means thus received they have dedicated to God. They have bowed before the Lord with their offerings, and, in the sincerity of their souls, with many tears of gratitude because it was their privilege to do this for the cause12of God, have invoked his blessing upon their offerings as they sent them forth, praying that they might be the means of bringing the knowledge of the truth to souls who were in darkness. The means thus dedicated has not always been appropriated as the self-sacrificing donors designed.”—Pages 25, 26. “There are many who in good faith have sent in to that Office means which they have had to make a sacrifice to obtain. Some, both men and women, have worked very hard, and consecrated the means obtained by hard labor and the closest economy, to the Lord, and have sent it to the Office to advance his cause. Poor widows have sent nearly their whole dependence, trusting in God to take care of them, and the means has been consecrated with prayers and tears, yet sent with joyfulness, they feeling that they were aiding in the great work of saving souls. Poor families have sold their only cow, denying themselves and their little children of milk, feeling that they were making a sacrifice for God. They have put their means into the Office in good faith. Selfishness and mismanagement have helped to squander this means. God holds those accountable, who have had the handling of it. ‘Give an account of thy stewardship,’ will soon be heard. May the Lord help you to free yourselves from every blemish.”—Pages 90, 91. Below are given a couple of paragraphs from No. 21, first published in 1872:— “No selfish feelings should exist among those who labor in the Office. It is the work of God in which13they are engaged, and they are accountable to God for the motives and manner in which this branch of his work is performed. They are required to discipline their minds, and to bring their minds to task. Forgetfulness is sin. Many feel that no blame should be attached to forgetfulness. There is a great mistake here; and this leads to many blunders, and much disorder, and many wrongs. The mind must be tasked. Things that should be done should not be forgotten. The mind must be disciplined until it will remember. “Those who labor in the Office should learn. They should study, and practice, and exercise their own brains. If the workmen make a failure, they should feel that it rests upon them to repair damages from their own purses, and not allow the Office to suffer loss through their carelessness. They should not cease to bear responsibilities, but should try again, avoiding their former mistakes. In this way they would learn to take that care which the word of God ever requires, and then they will do no more than their duty.”—Pages 8, 9. Later in the same year, the following appeared in No. 22:— “Those in the Office who have professed to believe the truth, should show the power of the truth in their lives, and prove that they are working onward and upward from the basis of principle. They should be molding their lives and characters after the perfect Model. If all could look with a discerning eye into the tremendous realities of eternity, what a14horror of condemnation would seize some in the Office, who now pass on with seeming indifference, although separated from eternal scenes by a very small space. Many warnings have been given, and urged home with intense feeling and earnest prayers, every one of which is faithfully registered in heaven, to balance the account of each in the day of final investigation. The unwearying love of Christ has followed those engaged in his work in the Office. God has followed those connected with the Office with blessings and entreaties, yet hating the sins and unfaithfulness that cling to them as the leprosy. The deep and solemn truths that those in the Office have had the privilege of listening to, should take hold upon their sympathies, and lead them to a high appreciation of the light God has given them. If they will walk in the light, it will beautify and ennoble their lives with Heaven’s own adornment, purity and true goodness. “A way is opened before every one in the Office to engage from the heart directly in the work of Christ and the salvation of souls. Christ left heaven and the bosom of his Father, to come to a friendless, lost world to save those who would be saved. He exiled himself from his Father, and he exchanged the pure companionship of angels for that of fallen humanity, all polluted with sin. With grief and amazement, Christ witnesses the coldness, the indifference and neglect with which his professed followers in the Office treat the light, and the messages of warning and of love he has given them. Christ has15provided the bread and water of life for all who hunger and thirst. “The Lord requires all in the Office to labor from high motives. Christ has, in his life, given them examples. All should labor with interest, devotion, and faith, for the salvation of souls. If every one in the Office will labor with unselfish purposes, discerning the sacredness of the work, the blessing of God will rest upon them. How few earnest prayers have been sent up to God in faith for those who were not fully in the truth who worked in the Office. Who has felt the worth of the soul for whom Christ died? Who have been laborers in the vineyard of the Lord? I saw that angels were grieved with the trifling frivolities of the professed followers of Christ in that Office, who were handling sacred things. Some have no more sense of the sacredness of the work than if they were engaged in common labor. God now calls for the fruitless cumberers of the ground to consecrate themselves to him, and center their affections and hopes in him. “The Lord would have all connected with that Office care-takers and burden-bearers. If they are pleasure-seekers, if they do not practice self-denial, they are not fit for a place in the Office. “The workers at the Office should feel when they enter it that it is a sacred place where the work of God is being done in the publication of truth which will decide the destiny of souls. This is not felt or realized as it should be. There is conversation in the type-setting department, which diverts the mind from the work. The Office is no place for visiting,16for a courting spirit, or for amusement, or selfishness. All should feel that they are doing work for God. He who sifts all motives and reads all hearts, is proving, and trying, and sifting his people, especially those who have light and knowledge, and who are engaged in his sacred work. God is a searcher of hearts, and a trier of the reins, and will accept nothing less than entire devotion to the work, and consecration to himself. All should have a spirit in that Office to take up their daily duties as if in the presence of God. They should not be satisfied merely with doing just enough to pass along, and receive their wages; but all should work in any place where they can help the most. If all in the Office who profess to be followers of Christ had been faithful in the performance of duty in the Office, there would be a great change for the better. Young men and young women have been too much engrossed in each other’s society, talking, jesting, and joking, and angels of God have been driven from the Office.”—Pages 95–99. “From what has been shown me, there should be a careful selection of help in that Office. The young, and untried, and unconsecrated should not be placed there; for they are exposed to temptations, and have not fixed characters. Those who have formed characters, and have fixed principles, and the truth of God in the heart, will not be a constant source of anxiety and care, but rather helps and blessings. And the Office of publication is amply able to make arrangements to secure good helpers, who have ability and principle. And the church in their turn17should not seek to advantage themselves one penny from those who come to the Office to labor and learn their trade. There are positions where some can earn more wages than those at the Office, but they can never find a position more important, more honorable or exalted, than the work of God in the Office. Those who labor faithfully and unselfishly will be rewarded. For them there is a crown of glory prepared, compared with which all earthly honors and pleasures are as the small dust of the balance. Especially will those be blessed who have been faithful to God in watching over the spiritual welfare of others in the Office. Pecuniary and temporal interests, in comparison with this, sink into insignificance. In one scale is gold dust, in the other a human soul of such value that honor, riches, and glory have been sacrificed by the Son of God to ransom it from the bondage of sin and hopeless despair. The soul is of infinite value, and demands the most attention. Every man who fears God in that Office, should put away childish and vain things, and stand erect, with true moral courage, in the dignity of his manhood, shunning low familiarity, yet binding heart to heart in the bond of Christian interest and love. Hearts yearn for sympathy and love, and are as much refreshed and strengthened by them as flowers are by showers and sunshine. The Bible should be read every day.”—Pages 102, 103. “The Lord has moved upon men of other tongues, and has brought them under the influence of the truth, that they might be qualified to labor in his cause. He has brought them within reach of the18Office of publication, that its managers might avail themselves of their services, if they were awake to the wants of the cause. Publications are needed in other languages, to raise an interest and the spirit of inquiry among other nations.”—Page 121. “If those in the Office of publication are indeed engaged in the sacred work of giving the last solemn message of warning to the world, how careful should they be to carry out in their lives the principles of the truth they are handling! They should have pure hearts and clean hands.” “Our people connected with the Office have not been awake to improve the privileges within their reach, and secure all the talent and influence that God has provided for them. There is a very great failure with nearly all connected with the Office of realizing the importance and sacredness of the work. Pride and selfishness exist to a very great degree, and angels of God are not attracted to that Office as they would be if hearts were pure and in communion with God. Those laboring in the Office have not had a vivid sense that the truths that they were handling were of heavenly origin, to accomplish a certain and special work, as did the preaching of Noah before the flood. As the preaching of Noah warned, tested, and proved the inhabitants of the world before the flood of waters destroyed them from off the face of the earth, so is the truth of God for these last days doing a similar work of warning, testing, and proving the world. The publications which go forth from the Office bear the signet of the Eternal. They are being scattered all through the19land, and are deciding the destiny of souls. Men are now greatly needed who can translate and prepare our publications in other languages to reach all tongues, that the message of warning may go to all nations, that they may be tested by the light of the truth, that men and women, as they see the light, may turn from the transgression to the obedience of the law of God.”—Pages 123, 124. The extracts next given are from Testimony No. 27, published in 1876:— “Personal fidelity and individual responsibility are needed in the Health Institute especially, and in the Office, the church and school.”—Page 66. “Every workman in the Office should consider himself as God’s steward, and should do his work with exactness and faithful vigilance. The constant inquiry should be, ‘Is this in accordance with the will of God? Will this please my Redeemer?’” — Page 72. “There is no place on the face of the earth where so great light has been granted as at Battle Creek. Even Jerusalem of old was not more greatly favored with the beams of Heaven’s light shining upon the way that her people should tread. Yet they have failed to walk in the full radiance of the light, by faithful obedience, serving God night and day. A sickly, dwarfed religion is the result of neglecting to follow the revealed light of the Spirit of the Lord. Energy and love increase as we exercise them, and the Christian graces can only be developed by careful cultivation.”—Page 74. “The institutions located at Battle Creek have carried along too many diseased and lifeless bodies for their own prosperity and spiritual vitality.”—Page 76. “Both the young and old who are connected with the Office should be looked after closely, lest their influence should be such as to work directly against the object designed by the Office. If there are any employees whose influence is of a character to lead away from God and the truth, there should not be a moment’s question as to the disposal of their cases. They should be separated from the Office at once, for they are scattering from Christ instead of gathering with him. They are virtually servants of Satan.” “If there are young people connected with the Office who do not respect the authority of parents, and are ungovernable at home, despising counsel and restraint, the curse of God will fall upon them, and not only upon them, but upon the Office, should they retain their services, and give them further opportunity to pervert the young with whom they are brought in contact there. Those who occupy responsible positions in the Office are accountable for the prevailing influence there. And if they are indifferent to the course of the insubordinate and impenitent in their employ, they become partakers of their sin. Those who profess the truth should guard, like sleepless sentinels, the interest of the cause at the Office, and sacredly guard themselves and each other from spiritual contamination.”—Pages 93, 94. “Order should be maintained in the different institutions of our church at Battle Creek. Insubordination should be overruled. None should be retained in the Office who have been instructed by Sabbath-keeping parents, and have been privileged to hear the truth, yet rebel against its teachings. No persons should be connected with the sacred work of God who speak lightly of it, or treat our holy faith with disrespect. Those who have been connected with the Office for quite a length of time, and have had ample opportunity to become acquainted with our faith, yet manifest opposition to the truth, should not longer be retained in the Office. “Their influence is against the truth if they continue to neglect the light, and slight salvation. This very indifference has a chilling influence upon the faith of others, to draw them away from God. These impenitent, unimpressible ones should not occupy positions that might be filled by persons who will respect the truth and yield to the influence of the Spirit of God by being so closely connected with this sacred work. “The influence of our young people in the Office is not what it should be. The young who heed not the warnings of the word of God, and slight the testimonies of the Spirit of God, can only be a living curse to the Office, and should be separated from it. “God abhors the sins that are fostered and concealed by the church, cherished in the Office, and sheltered under the paternal roof. Let parents, and those in authority, earnestly take hold of the work and purge this evil from their midst.”—Pages 99, 100. In No. 29, published in 1880, is the following:— “God would have all who are connected with his institutions show aptness, discrimination, and forethought. He would have them become men and women of cultivated intellect, coming behind in no qualification; and as they shall individually feel the necessity of this, and shall work to the point, Jesus will aid them in their endeavors. As they work upon the plan of addition in securing the graces of the Spirit, God will work upon the plan of multiplication in their behalf. Connection with God will give the soul expansion, will exalt it, transform it, and make it sensible of its own powers, and will give a clearer sense of the responsibility resting upon each individual to make a wise use of the faculties which God has bestowed. “Every one should study strict economy in the outlay of means; and he should exercise even greater faithfulness in handling that which belongs to another than in managing his own affairs. But this is seldom the case. No individual is personally benefited with the profits of our Offices, or made to suffer by the losses incurred; but the property belongs to the Lord, and his cause is materially affected by the manner in which the labor is performed. If the cause of God is limited in its resources, important work which might and should be done is neglected.” “While economy should always be practiced, it should never degenerate into meanness. All who work in our Offices should feel that they are handling God’s property, that they are responsible for the23increase of the capital invested, and they will be accountable in the day of God if through lack of diligence and careful thought it decreases in their hands. All are called upon to avoid waste of time and means. The faithfulness or unfaithfulness of the workers to their present trust will determine their fitness to be intrusted with eternal riches. Every one is required of God to execute the work assigned him with thoroughness and dispatch. The example of each should serve to excite diligence and thoughtfulness on the part of others. By earnest, conscientious faithfulness in everything, earth may be brought nearer heaven, and precious fruit may be borne for both worlds. “The hands employed in the various departments of our Offices of publication do not accomplish the amount of work which they would be required to perform in any other office of the kind. Much time is wasted in unnecessary conversation, in visiting away the precious hours, while the work is suffered to lag. In several of the departments, loss is occasioned to the Office because of persons engaging in the work who have not exercised care and economy. Were these persons engaged in doing work for themselves, some would accomplish a third more work in a day than now. Others would do no more than they now perform. Business hours should be faithfully employed. To be wasteful of time or of material is dishonesty before God. A few moments are squandered here, and a few moments there, which amount in the course of a week to nearly or quite a day, sometimes24even exceeding this. ‘Time is money,’ and a waste of time is a waste of money to the cause of God. When those who profess the faith are dilatory and reckless of time, showing that they have not a heart interest for the prosperity of the work, unbelievers employed will follow their example. If all would use their time to the best account, very much means would be saved to the cause of truth. When the heart is in the work, it will be done with earnestness, energy, and dispatch. All should be awake to see what needs to be done, and apt and quick to execute, working as though under the direct supervision of the great Master, Jesus Christ. “Again, losses occur from lack of thoughtful care in the use of material and machinery. There is a failure to look after all the larger and smaller matters, that nothing be wasted or damaged through neglect. A little squandered here and there amounts to a large sum in the course of a year. Some have never learned to exercise their faculties to save the remnants, notwithstanding the injunction of Christ, ‘Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.’ Material should not be slashed into, to obtain a small piece. A little thoughtful care would lead to the gathering up and using of the little pieces that are now thrown aside and wasted. Attention should be given to saving even so trifling a matter as waste paper, for it can be turned into money. “By a lack of personal interest, many things go to waste which a few moments’ thoughtful attention at the right time would save. ‘I forgot’ causes much loss to our Offices. And some feel no interest25in any work or in anything which does not come under their special branch of the work. This is all wrong. Selfishness would suggest the thought, ‘It does not belong to me to care for that;’ but faithfulness and duty would prompt every one to care for all that comes under his observation. “A principle should exist all through the Office to economize. In order to save the dollars, dimes and pennies must be carefully treasured. Men who have been successful in business have always been economical, persevering, and energetic. Let all connected with the work of God begin now to educate themselves thoroughly as care-takers. Even though their work may not be appreciated on earth, they should never degrade themselves in their own eyes by unfaithfulness in anything they undertake. It takes time for a person to become so accustomed to a given course of life as to be happy in pursuing it. We shall be individually, for time and eternity, what our habits make us. The lives of those who form right habits, and are faithful in the performance of every duty, will be as shining lights, shedding bright beams upon the pathway of others; but if habits of unfaithfulness are indulged, if lax, indolent, neglectful habits are allowed to strengthen, a cloud darker than midnight will settle on the prospects in this life, and forever debar the individual from the future life.” “One selfish thought indulged, one duty neglected, prepares the way for another. What we venture to do once, we are more apt to do again. Habits of sobriety, of self-control, of economy, of close application,26of sound, sensible conversation, of patience and true courtesy, are not gained without diligent, close watching over self. It is much more easy to become demoralized and depraved than to conquer defects, keeping self in control, and cherishing true virtues. Persevering efforts will be required if the Christian graces are ever perfected in our lives. “Important changes should take place in our Offices. To defer work which needs immediate attention until a more convenient time, is a mistake, and results in loss. The work of repairing sometimes amounts to double what it would, had it received attention in season. Many fearful losses and fatal accidents have occurred by putting off matters which should have received immediate attention. The season for action is spent in hesitancy, thinking that to-morrow will do; but to-morrow is frequently found to be too late. Our Offices suffer financially every day on account of indecision, dallying, recklessness, indolence, and, with some, downright dishonesty. There are those employed in these Offices who pass along as indifferently as though God had given them no mental powers to be exercised in care-taking. Such are unfitted for any post of duty; they can never be depended upon. Men and women who shun duties in which difficulties are involved, will remain weak and inefficient. “Those who educate themselves to do their work with dispatch, as well as with economy, will drive their business instead of allowing their business to drive them. They will not be constantly hurried and perplexed because their work is in confusion.27Diligence and earnest fidelity are indispensable to success. Every hour’s work passes in review before God, and is registered for faithfulness or unfaithfulness. The record of wasted moments and unimproved opportunities must be met when the Judgment shall sit, and the books shall be opened, and every one shall be judged according to the things written in the books. Selfishness, envy, pride, jealousy, idleness, or any other sin which is cherished in the heart, will exclude one from the blessedness of heaven. ‘To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are.’ “Our Offices are suffering for the want of men of stability and firmness. As I was shown from room to room, I saw that the work was conducted with indifference. Losses are sustained at every position of trust. The lack of thoroughness is apparent. While some have borne the burdens of care and responsibility, others, instead of sharing these burdens, have pursued a course to increase anxiety and care. Those who have not learned the lessons of economy and acquired the habit of making the most of their time in childhood and youth, will not be prudent and economical in any business in which they engage. It is a sin to neglect to so improve our faculties that they may be used to the glory of God. All have responsibilities to bear; not one can be excused.”—Pages 91–97. “Those who are employed in our publishing houses are not improving as God would have them. There is a want of earnest, unselfish interest in the work in which they are engaged. God requires these28laborers in his cause to advance in knowledge daily. They should make a wise improvement of the faculties which God has given them, that they may become efficient, thorough workmen, and perform their labor without loss to the Office. “The Offices of publication should be set in order. Those who labor in these institutions should have high aims, and a deep and rich experience in the knowledge of God’s will. They should ever stand on the side of right, and exert a saving influence. Every soul who names the name of Christ should make the most of the privileges enjoyed, and faithfully perform the duties assigned him without murmuring or complaining. The conversation of each should be of an elevated character, calculated to lead other minds in the right channel. The little mention that is made of divine goodness and the love of God, shows marked ingratitude, and that Christ is not enshrined in the heart. “The Offices will never prosper unless there are more disinterested, unselfish workers, who are truly God-fearing men and women, self-denying and conscientiously independent for God and the right.”—Pages 99–101. All the hands in our Offices should place themselves in the most favorable condition for the formation of good and correct habits. Several times each day, precious, golden moments should be consecrated to prayer and the study of the Scriptures, if it is only to commit a text to memory, that spiritual life may exist in the soul. The varied interests of the cause furnish us with food for reflection, and inspiration29for our prayers. Communion with God is highly essential for spiritual health; and here only may be obtained that wisdom and correct judgment so necessary in the performance of every duty. “The strength acquired in prayer to God, united with individual effort in training the mind to thoughtfulness and care-taking, prepares the person for daily duties and keeps the spirit in peace under all circumstances, however trying. The temptations to which we are daily exposed make prayer a necessity. In order that we may be kept by the power of God through faith, the desires of the mind should be continually ascending in silent prayer for help, for light, for strength, for knowledge. But thought and prayer cannot take the place of earnest, faithful improvement of the time. Work and prayer are both required in perfecting Christian character. “We must live a two-fold life of thought and action, silent prayer and earnest work. All who have received the light of truth should feel it their duty to shed rays of light upon the pathway of the impenitent. They should be witnesses for Christ in our Offices as verily as in the church. God requires us to be living epistles, known and read of all men. The soul that turns to God for its strength, its support, its power, by daily, earnest prayer, will have noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth and of duty, lofty purposes of action, and a continual hungering and thirsting after righteousness. By maintaining a connection with God, we shall be enabled to diffuse to others, through our association with them, the light, the peace, the serenity, that30rule in our hearts, and set before them an example of unwavering fidelity to the interests of the work in which we are engaged.