Were we only individuals all would fear
to give one of us credit, for they would think, `he might die',
but nothing will be denied the `Society', for each stands for the other.
Each member must work diligently, since he does not labor for himself alone
but for his brethren, and this will prevent much laziness.
No one must rely on the fact that he understands a handicraft, and so on,
for there is a curse on him who relies on human skill
and forgets the Divine power. No one will be pressed to give to the `Society'
any property which has hitherto belonged to him. -- Each person present
was asked if he had any remarks to make, but there were no objections raised.
Moreover the brethren were told that if one should fall so low
that he not only withdrew himself from the brethren,
but was guilty of gross sin, he would be forced to work for another master
until he had earned enough to pay his transportation here and back again,
for we would not willingly permit such a man to remain in the land
as an offence to the Indians."
It is interesting to observe that care for the poor Indians is the argument
given for the course to be pursued in dealing with a recreant member!
They had come to preach the Gospel to the Indians, and did not propose
that evil should be learned through fault of theirs.
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