- A Word to the Reader
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- Introduction
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- The Danger of Speculative Ideas
- The Charm of New Theories
- The Need for Clear Discernment
- Fanaticism to Appear in Our Midst
- Feeling Not to Master Judgment
- Obedience Versus Emotion or Rapture
- A Call for Old-fashioned Sermons
- Cold Formalism or Fanaticism
- False Ideas of God's Blessing
- All is Quiet, Calm, Unpretending
- The Example of Christ
- A Desire to Change the Present Order
- No Oddities or Eccentricities
- God's Word to Be Uncontaminated by Fallacies
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- Seek not for Miraculous Manifestations
- When the Miracle Worker Disregards God's Law
- None Need be Deceived
- Will Sweep in the Whole World
- Miracles not a Test
- Wonderful Miracles Will Deceive
- How Satan and His Agents Work
- Ellen G. White Worked No Miracles
- Why Miracles are Less Important Today
- Miracles in the Closing Conflict
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- Introduction
- Chapter 19—An Object Lesson
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- Satisfaction and Blessing in Sacrificial Labor
- Not to Demand a Stipulated Sum
- Do the Work and Accept Wages Offered
- Pay to Be According to Labor
- Privilege of Working Versus Wages
- “An Expensive Family”
- An Appeal for Equality
- The Toll of Large Wages
- Higher Wages Proposed for Superior Men
- The Necessities and Comforts of Life
- Free From Worldly Enterprises and Conflicting Duties
- Avoid Cultivating Expensive Tastes
- Spirit of Self-Denial of Early Days Required Now
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- Procuring the Very Best Talent
- Wages for Institutional Workers
- A View of Threatening Dangers in 1890
- The Importance of Self-Denial
- A Threat to All Our Institutions
- A Characteristic Feature of the Work Imperiled
- Physicians and Ministers Called to Self-Denial
- Counsel to a Physician Regarding a Fixed Salary
- A Percentage Proposition Counseled Against
- “Do Not Exact a High Salary”
- Extravagance and Influence
- An Important Interview Regarding Physicians’ Wages
- Meeting an Emergency
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- Chapter 23—Counsel to One Who for Financial Reasons Was Planning to Leave the Work of God
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- Introduction
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- Bereavement Softens and Subdues
- We Shall See Our Children Again
- Children In the Resurrection
- Jesus Says, “Lean on Me”
- Blessed Are the Dead Who Die in the Lord
- Look to the Happy Family Reunion
- Will Be Called in Special Resurrection
- No Sin in Weeping
- He Sleeps in Jesus
- The Lord to Be Your Comfort
- Ellen White in Her Hour of Bereavement
- The Glorious Resurrection Morning
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- Introduction
- Chapter 32—Proper Attitude in Prayer
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- Chapter 34—Useful Occupation Better Than Games
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- Chapter 37—The Aged Who Have No Homes
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- Chapter 39—Counsel on Voting
- Chapter 40—Hops, Tobacco, and Swine
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- Appendix 2—Important Factors in Choosing a Life Companion
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Section 3—Unwise Affiliations
Introduction
Early in her sojourn in Australia (1891-1900) Ellen White was called upon to give counsel to a prominent worker in our publishing house who had become deeply involved in the activities of the Masonic Lodge. The counsel she presented to this brother led him to sever his connections with the lodge in spite of the fact that he had attained the highest degree of honor in the organization.2SM 120.1
Without condemning, Mrs. White pointed out that the Christian cannot serve two masters, or render allegiance to two authorities. Our brother, who had become so involved in lodge activities that his work for the church had been sadly neglected, recognized the simple truth in the Ellen G. White counsels, and his confidence in the message was confirmed as Mrs. White—unbeknown to herself—gave the secret sign used only by members of the lodge. He promptly surrendered his membership in the lodge, although he had stoutly affirmed on a number of occasions that nothing would shake his confidence in the fraternal organization or lead him to break with it. Looking back to this experience in later years, he testified that the Spirit of Prophecy message completely changed his life.2SM 120.2
At this time and in this connection, Mrs. White wrote quite fully concerning the relationship of Seventh-day Adventists to such organizations. This was published under the title “Should Christians Be Members of Secret Societies?” In pamphlet form, it had wide circulation in Australia and in the United States, but it has long been out of print. This pamphlet is reprinted here in its entirety.2SM 120.3
The second chapter is composed of counsels from the pen of Mrs. White relating to the attitude that Seventh-day Adventists should take toward labor organizations. This material was published in 1946 as Section II in the pamphlet Country Living. It appears here in this permanent form for continued and prayerful study.2SM 120.4