Even among those who profess to be walking in the fear of the Lord, there are some who are acting over again the course pursued by the nobles of Israel. Because it is in their power to do so, they exact more than is just, and thus become oppressors. And because avarice and treachery are seen in the lives of those who have named the name of Christ, because the church retains on her books the names of those who have gained their possessions by injustice, the religion of Christ is held in contempt. Extravagance, overreaching, extortion, are corrupting the faith of many and destroying their spirituality. The church is in a great degree responsible for the sins of her members. She gives countenance to evil if she fails to lift her voice against it.

Selv mennesker, der bekender sig til at frygte Herren, bærer sig ad ligesom de store i Israel. De benytter sig af deres magtstilling til at kræve mere, end der tilkommer dem, og gør sig derved skyldige i undertrykkelse. Mennesker, som tager Kristi navn på deres læber, gør sig skyldige i begærlighed og bedrageri; menighedens protokoller indeholder navne på mennesker, som har erhvervet sig rigdom ved uretfærdighed, og som følge heraf er kristendommen blevet bragt i miskredit. Ødselhed, bedrageri og udbytning fordærver manges tro og ødelægger deres åndelighed. Menigheden er for en stor del ansvarlig for sine medlemmers synder. Den samtykker i synden, hvis den ikke fordømmer den.