Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Lt 89, 1900

Those in Responsible Positions in Avondale School

“Sunnyside,” Cooranbong, New South Wales, Australia

June 26, 1900 [typed]

Previously unpublished. +^Note

To Those Who Occupy Responsible Positions in the Avondale School

Dear Brethren:

I have a desire to see you in meeting before I shall pay the bills you present. I have some words to say to you all. I think if you appreciated my position, and what I am constantly doing for the school, you would not present to me such bills as you have presented. I am not as others who may place their cattle in your pasture. I have invested in the land one thousand dollars. Again and again I have had means sent to me for my own appropriation, but in the place of taking the gifts to myself, I have appropriated them for the school, that they might cancel their debts. I have just received a letter from Elder Haskell asking me if I had appropriated for myself these sums which have been presented to me. I have not appropriated one dollar. I have placed it with you to help you in your need. I want no more such bills sent to me. 15LtMs, Lt 89, 1900, par. 1

Even if you did not know in regard to this matter of financial assistance, have you not known how many times our horses and carriages and my hired help have been to the station to accommodate the school? Are you aware that money which has been appropriated to the school has been secured through appeals which I have made? Have you not perceptive faculties to understand that my position in connection with the school is constantly drawing in behalf of the school? I think it would be well for your perceptive faculties to be sharpened up a little. I do not feel under the least obligation to the school for the favors they have done me, but I do feel sad to see how little the constant taxing in one way and another, how little my continual efforts from the time the school was first opened, have been appreciated. 15LtMs, Lt 89, 1900, par. 2

Since the school began in Melbourne, I have invested three thousand dollars in it, beside the money invested to buy the land. I think you need to have some enlightenment. I am one of the firm. My interest is with the school. I draw the funds for the school. I want you to never to send me another such bill. At other times there has been very close settlements with me, but I have said nothing about the matter; but now I will speak. 15LtMs, Lt 89, 1900, par. 3

Let everything, in dealing with one another as God’s people, be done with equity and nobility. There must be no illiberal spirit; there must be no meanness in business management, but a spirit free from littleness and selfishness. Privileges and responsibilities are mutual, and God would have all understand that they should go side by side. Necessity is a bad oracle to consult. 15LtMs, Lt 89, 1900, par. 4