| 472 succor them by other hands, while condemnation will fall upon those whose duty it is to minister to them.
"The reports of elders from every part of the vineyard show that doors are open on every side for the word to be preached; and the cry from across the sea is, 'Come over and help us,' and still but few comparatively are in the field. Why is this? The reasons are, that most elders have families, who look to them (very properly) for the necessaries of life. This is the first duty of every head of a family, and the Lord holds such responsible for its faithful discharge, and while God recognizes this obligation, he has imposed another, viz.: to travel and preach the gospel. Some are required to do this continually; and that they may do so, without neglecting their duties to their families, the Lord has commanded a law of consecration and tithing for this very purpose, among others, that the hands of those bound may be loosed. The Lord has said that this is a day of sacrifice and tithing of his people, that the day of tithing precedes the day of burnings, and a promise is made that those tithed shall not be burned. In view of the law of God upon this subject, and the requirements of the work, and the responsibilities resting upon us to 'execute the law of tithing,' through much travail of soul and patient hearing of reason through words and arguments, and prayerful seeking unto the Lord for wisdom and for truth, we have unanimously presented our exposition of the law in question, in a resolution that will accompany this, which we believe is in unison with the letter and with the Spirit, as we believe we have been led by the Spirit; and in name of the Lord it shall bear testimony to you also.
"While we regard a tenth as what the Lord requires, we also recognize the right and duty of all who tithe themselves to exercise a prayerful watchcare over its uses, that all may be done agreeably to the will of the Lord. Those who possess nothing beyond the needs of their families, can have no surplus; and as this is the beginning of the tithing required by that law, such cannot strictly be regarded as subjects of the law of tithing. And such as have over and above, or a surplus, of them the Lord requires this surplus, which the
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