Mr. W. Well, call when you can stay and have dinner. But I wish to ask you whether you admit persons into your Church immediately on application, or do you keep candidates a certain time on probation.
Elder B. In ancient times candidates were not required to submit to any probation, previous to entering the Church, at least I cannot read so in the Bible, neither do the Latter-day Saints require such a thing. We like men to come up boldly and say they repent of their sins, and wish to be baptized. When men do this, we do not presume to question their sincerity, unless we have very substantial reasons for doing so. We wish to encourage confidence between men, and we do not treat them as suspicious characters, until we have evidence for it. When a man turns from his sins, then is the time that he should be received with open arms by the Church, the blessings of full fellowship should not be withheld, for he is but weak in the faith, and he needs all possible encouragement.
Mr. W. I have no fault to find with your sentiments on that head. I am sure it is very good of you to spend your time in enlightening the minds of the people, by your tracts and conversation. Of course you have a salary from your society to support you.
Elder B. I am not an hireling, sir. I do not preach for hire or divine for money. The hireling is not the true shepherd of the flock. An hireling is apt to look a little more to the fleece than to the flock.
Mr. W. But you cannot live on the air!
Elder B. When Jesus Christ sent his disciples to preach in ancient times, he told them to go without purse or scrip, and their heavenly Father would see that they were provided for. Jesus said that those persons who received his servants received him, and those who rejected them rejected him, and whosoever would give only a cup of cold water to one of the least of his disciples should not lose his reward.—Matt. x. Mark vi. ix. Luke ix. This is how I am sent out, this is how all the Elders of the Latter-day Saints are sent out to preach to the world.
Mr. W. That's noble, certainly.
Elder B. It proves the world, whether they will receive one in the name of the Lord; it proves the servants of God, whether they can put their confidence in Him; and it proves the Lord, whether He will support His servants and open the way for them.
Mr. W. I really wish you would stay for dinner.
Elder B. I would, with pleasure, if my duties allowed.