Mind, Character, and Personality Vol. 2 - Second Advent Revival

Frankness Encourages Confidence (counsel to a physician).--If there were far
more frankness and less secretiveness, if there were brotherly confidence encouraged,
if there were far less of self and more of the spirit of Christ, if you would have a living
faith in God, the cloud which is now thrown across the atmosphere of the mind by
Satan would be cut away.--Lt 97, 1898. {2MCP 436.1}
Reformers, Not Bigots.--The one object to be kept before the mind is that you are
reformers and not bigots. In dealing with unbelievers, do not show a contemptible spirit
of littleness, for if you stop to haggle over a small sum, you will, in the end, lose a much
larger sum. They will say, "That man is a sharper; he would cheat you out of your rights
if he possibly could, so be on your guard when you have any dealing with him." {2MCP
436.2}
But if in a deal a trifle in your favor is placed to the favor of another, that other will
work with you on the same generous plan. Littleness begets littleness, penuriousness
begets penuriousness. Those who pursue this course do not see how contemptible it
appears to others; especially those not of our faith; and the precious cause of truth
bears the stamp of this defect.--Lt 14, 1887. (Ev 90, 91.) {2MCP 436.3}
Be Straightforward.--In all our dealings, wherever we may be, we are to be
perfectly straightforward. We cannot afford to break one of the commandments of God
for the sake of worldly gain. Who are we? Christ said to His disciples, "Ye are the salt of
the earth: but if the salt have
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lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, but to be
cast out, and to be trodden underfoot of men."--MS 50, 1904. {2MCP 436.4}
Honesty Essential.--In all the details of life the strictest principles of honesty are to
be maintained. These are not the principles which govern our world, for Satan-deceiver,
liar, and oppressor--is the master, and his subjects follow him and carry out
his purposes. But Christians serve under a different Master, and their actions must be
wrought in God, irrespective of all selfish gain. {2MCP 437.1}
Deviation from perfect fairness in business deals may appear as a small thing in the
estimation of some, but our Saviour did not thus regard it. His words on this point are
plain and explicit: "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much" (Luke
16:10). A man who will overreach his neighbor on a small scale will overreach in a
larger scale if the temptation is brought to bear upon him. A false representation in a
small matter is as much dishonesty in the sight of God as falsity in a larger matter.
{2MCP 437.2}
In the Christian world today fraud is practiced to a fearful extent. God's
commandment-keeping people should show that they are above all these things. The
dishonest practices which mar the dealing of man with his fellowman should never be
practiced by one who professes to be a believer in present truth. God's people do great
harm to the truth by the least departure from integrity. {2MCP 437.3}