I was referred back to our experience in Rochester, New York. I saw that when we lived there we did not eat nourishing food as we should, and disease nearly carried us to the grave. I saw that as God gives His beloved sleep, He is willing to grant them suitable food to nourish the strength. The motive we had was pure. It was to save means, that the paper might be sustained. We were poor. I saw that the fault then was in the church. Those who had means were covetous and selfish. If these had done their part, the burden upon us would have been lightened; but as some did not do their part, we were burdened and others eased. I saw that God does not require anyone to take a course of such rigid economy as to weaken or injure the temple of God. There are duties and requirements in His word to humble the church and cause them to afflict their souls, and there is no need of making crosses and manufacturing duties to distress the body in order to cause humility. All this is outside of the word of God. {1T 205.2}

Jeg blev henvist til vor erfaring i Rochester i New York. Jeg så at da vi boede der, spiste vi ikke nærende mad, som vi burde og sygdomme bar os næsten til graven. Jeg så at Gud, som giver sin gode søvn, er villig til at give dem passende føde, som nærer styrken. Motivet, vi havde, var godt nok. Det var at opspare midler, for at støtte bladet. Vi var fattige. Jeg så da at fejlen var i menigheden. Dem, som havde midler var begærlige og selviske. Hvis disse havde gjort deres del, ville byrden på os være lettet; men da nogle ikke gjorde deres del, var vi bebyrdede og andre gik fri. Jeg så at Gud ikke kræver at nogen gør sig en så streng sparsommelig så Guds tempel blive svækket eller skadet. Der er forpligtelser og pålæg i hans ord der ydmyger menigheden og gør deres sjæle bedrøvede og der er ingen brug for at sætte sit mærke (206) og udøve pligter der bringer legemet i pine for at vise ydmyghed. Alt dette ligger uden for Guds ord.