Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Chapter 82—Patent Rights[456]Many of our brethren involve themselves by engaging in new enterpriseswhich look flattering; but in a short time they find themselvesdisappointed and their means gone, which should have been used tosupport their families and advance the cause of present truth. Thencome remorse, regret, and self-reproach; and some conscientious onescast away their confidence, and lose their spiritual enjoyment, and inconsequence of mental distress their health also suffers.Those who believe the truth should practice economy, live uponplain, wholesome food, always making it a rule to live within theirmeans. Brethren should never engage in new enterprises withoutconsulting those of experience who are good managers in temporaland spiritual matters. By doing this they would save themselves muchperplexity.Brethren would better be contented with a small income, and handlethat little prudently, rather than run risks to better their condition,and suffer continual losses thereby. Some Sabbathkeepers who haveengaged in the sale of patent rights, have traveled among their brethrento save expense, and have induced them to invest their means in patentrights. Such will not be clear before God until they have made up theloss which these brethren have sustained.424