The plan of systematic benevolence [See Appendix.] is pleasing to God. I was pointed back to the days of the apostles, and saw that God laid the plan by the descent of His Holy Spirit, and that by the gift of prophecy He counseled His people in regard to a system of benevolence. All were to share in this work of imparting of their carnal things to those who ministered unto them in spiritual things. They were also taught that the widows and fatherless had a claim upon their charity. Pure and undefiled religion is defined, To visit the widows and fatherless in their affliction, and to keep unspotted from the world. I saw that this was not merely to sympathize with them by comforting words in their affliction, but to aid them, if needy, with our substance. Young men and women to whom God has given health can obtain a great blessing by aiding the widow and the fatherless in their affliction. I saw that God requires young men to sacrifice more for the good of others. He claims more of them than they are willing to perform. If they keep themselves unspotted from the world, cease to follow its fashions, and lay by that which the lovers of pleasure spend in useless articles to gratify pride, and give it to the worthy afflicted ones, and to sustain the cause, they will have the approval of Him who says, “I know thy works.” {1T 190.1}

Planen for systematisk godgørenhed* er efter Guds behag. Jeg blev vist tilbage til apostlenes dage og så at Gud lagde planen for hans Helligånds nedstigning og ved den profetiens gave rådførte han sit folk med hensyn til systematisk godgørenhed. Alle skal deltage i arbejdet med at give deres kødelige sager til de som tjener dem i åndelige sager. De skal også lære at enker og faderløse har et krav på deres barmhjertighed. Ren og ubesmittet religion er definerbar: At besøge enkerne og faderløse i deres lidelse og holde sig uplettet fra verden. Jeg så at det var ikke kun at føle med dem med trøstende ord for deres lidelser, men at hjælpe dem, hvis de behøver, med vore midler. Unge mænd og kvinder som Gud har givet godt helbred kan opnå en stor velsignelse ved at hjælpe enkerne og de faderløse i deres lidelse. Jeg så at Gud kræver at de unge mænd skal ofre mere for andres (191) gode. Han kræver mere af dem end de er villig til at udrette. Hvis de holder sig selv uplettede fra verden, holder op med at følge dets skikke og lægger det til side som fornøjelsens elskere bruger på unødige ting der tilfredsstiller stoltheden og giver det til de værdig trængende og støtter den sag, vil de have hans billigelse som siger: »Jeg kender dine gerninger"