Testimonies on Fair Dealing and Book Royalties

Individual Accountability

From a letter written to Elder O. A. Olsen, from Granville, N. S. W., June 20, 1895. PH102 22.1

I have had this matter presented before me: If one is moved by the Spirit of God to publish a book which is adapted to supply a need, to advance the truth, and the selfish spirit which has been manifested for years by responsible men in the publishing house shall work until the book is brought under their control, and they manage to absorb all the profits themselves, the one who prepares the book is deprived of the very thing the Lord designed he should have in order to do a certain work in His vineyard. This will not be the last of such devising. The beginning is not the end. PH102 22.2

That God who gave His life for the world, has instrumentalities which He will use, that you and your colaborers little suspect. When the Lord puts His hand to the work, let men keep their hands off from the ark. I have been made to suffer keenly in more ways than one from the spirit that prevailed during my stay in Battle Creek. Night after night the Lord presented to me what would be. The council meetings were not of a character to inspire confidence in some of the leading men; they seemed to be so determined and so zealous. The Lord Jesus was looking upon some of these meetings with grieved disapproval. PH102 22.3

The same spirit that led to the course of action which was pursued toward me, has lived, and has been revealed toward others. We know that God is not pleased with your taking so great liberties to bring individuals to the terms you have decided upon in your councils. God is not working with the men who are laying their plans to gain control of everything. The Lord would have His institutions in different parts of the world stand in union with other institutions. But one is not to swallow up the others. Each is to maintain its own individuality, and the weakest are to receive help from the institutions that have the largest revenue. The men who conduct matters in Battle Creek have much to learn on this point. God says, “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.” PH102 22.4

There is a disposition to grasp everything, and to destroy individuality and ignore individual accountability; yet no compunction has thus far been aroused. A state of things is coming in after the mould of men, and not after the Lord's order. When the truth becomes an abiding principle in the soul, then we shall see the words of the prophet fulfilled: instead of the thorn the fir-tree will spring up, instead of the briar the myrtle, and life's desert will blossom as the rose. PH102 23.1

We have had an experience in the work of God. There were times when the enemy came in great power to destroy; from hour to hour the men of faith had to depend on the blessings that came from God. The great topic of interest was how to save the souls of those that were ready to perish. The great plan of salvation drew men close together in unity and love. The social intercourse was profitable. The love of the Redeemer, and the ways and means of saving perishing souls, was the burden of our hearts. Holiness, and the Author and Finisher of our faith, were the interesting subjects. PH102 23.2