In the effort to secure outside patronage
in order to relieve the publishing houses from financial embarrassment,
prices have been set so low that the work brings no profit. Those
who flatter themselves that there is a gain have not kept strict
account of every outgo. Do not cut down prices in order to secure
a job. Take only such work as will give a fair profit.
At the same time there should be in our business
deal no shadow of selfishness or overreaching. Let no one take
advantage of any man's ignorance or necessity by charging exorbitant
prices for work done or for goods sold. There will be strong
temptation to diverge from the straight path; there will be innumerable
arguments in favor of conforming to custom and adopting practices
that are really dishonest. Some urge that in dealing with
sharpers one must conform to custom; that,
should he maintain strict integrity, he could not carry on business
and secure a livelihood. Where is our faith in God? He owns us
as His sons and daughters on condition that we come out from
the world and be separate, and touch not the unclean thing. To
His institutions as well as to individual Christians are addressed
the words, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness,"
and His promise is sure that all things needed for this life
shall be added. Let it be written upon the conscience as with
a pen of iron upon the rock, that real success, whether for this
life or for the life to come, can be secured only by faithful
adherence to the eternal principles of right.