[Other communications to D. M. Canright may be found in the following: Testimonies for the Church 3:304-329, August 12, 1873, To a Young Minister and His Wife; Testimonies for the Church 3:516-520, about 1886, Suitable Reading for Children; Testimonies for the Church 3:571-573, An Impressive Dream; Testimonies for the Church 3:621-628, April 20, 1887, A Letter.]
(2SM 162)
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I was made sad to hear of your decision, but I have had reason to expect it. It is a time when God is testing and proving His people. Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. Only those will stand whose souls are riveted to the eternal Rock. Those who lean to their own understanding, those who are not constantly abiding in Christ, will be subject to just such changes as this. If your faith has been grounded in man, we may then expect just such results.
(2SM 162.1)
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But if you have decided to cut all connection with us as a people, I have one request to make, for your own sake as well as for Christ’s sake: keep away from our people, do not visit them and talk your doubts and darkness among them. Satan is full of exultant joy that you have stepped from beneath the banner of Jesus Christ, and stand under his banner. He sees in you one he can make a valuable agent to build up his kingdom. You are taking the very course I expected you would take if you yielded to temptation.
(2SM 162.2)
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Something of this character has been carried on in the negotiations with Dr. U. It is a fraudulent transaction. God sees its tendency and its result. This method of remuneration is not to be carried out in the sanitariums that are to be established. This instruction must pay you a suitable sum for your services. And all who are connected with the institution must receive remuneration in proportion to their services.—Letter 99, 1900.
(2SM 200.1)
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In regard to the proposition made by Brother V., [A $25-a-week salary, 30 per cent on the operations, with a five-year contract, and one month a year off for study and improvement at his own expense.—Compilers.] I look at the matter as you do. We cannot afford to start out on the high-wage plan. This was the misfortune of the people in Battle Creek, and I have something to say on this point. We have before us a large field of missionary work. We are to be sure to heed the requirements of Christ, who made Himself a donation to our world. Nothing that we can possibly do should be left undone. There is to be neatness and order, and everything possible is to be done to show thoroughness in every line. But when it comes to paying twenty-five dollars a week, and giving a large percentage on the surgical work done, light was given me in Australia that this could never be, because our record is at stake. The matter was presented to me that many sanitariums would have to be established in Southern California; for there would be a great inflowing of the people there. Many would seek that climate.
(2SM 200.2)
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We must stand in the counsel of God, every one of us prepared to follow the example of Jesus Christ. We cannot consent to pay extravagant wages. God requires of His under-physicians a compliance with the invitation, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29, 30).—Letter 309, 1905.
(2SM 200.3)
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