William C. Dunbar (1822-1905), born in Inverness, Scotland, a perpetual missionary for many years, had already been a member of the Church for ten years by the time he penned this 1850 article for the Millennial Star.

Without Money, and Without Price

In my travels among the Saints I have heard the above text often made use of; some through ignorance, and others, because they have small contracted nut-shell souls.

The Saints generally are, though poor, a benevolent, kind, and open-hearted people, and considering their limited means, it is almost astonishing to see what they can accomplish. But scattered among them are a few drones, who, while others are putting their hand to the work, go buzzing about, and will not be content themselves, neither will they allow others to be, if they can help it; and when an elder makes his wants known in the shape of a coat, pair of shoes, or travelling expenses, or if the president of a conference requires means to take him to the valley, the grumbler buttons up his pocket, opens his eyes as if quite surprised, and exclaims – “The apostles preached without money, and without price. I thought when I came into this church, I would have nothing to pay.”

I really think that some people get baptized under the impression that they will save seat-rent and the price of class tickets. You will hear them speak what a deal they did to the elders that have gone, and in the branch they were formerly connected with. They will talk about laying down their life, facing death in its most horrid forms, and many other things which are not asked of them. And when they find out the awful mystery that the rent of the Hall has to be paid; that the elder and his family live like any other people, instead of by faith alone, and require clothes, food, a place to cover their heads, and money to pay steam-boat and railway expenses; and speak about giving a tenth to build a temple to the Lord of Hosts; where, then, is this mighty champion that made such a noise? He sneaks out of the way, he begins to find fault, stops away from the meetings, his mind becomes darkened, till finally, the god of this world blinds his eyes – he becomes an apostate, and loses his soul.

Jesus, when sending forth his servants to preach the gospel, tells them neither to provide purse nor scrip, nor two coats, &c., and to preach the gospel without money and without price. But did he mean that their clothes would never wear out, and that they were for ever to be without money? No such thing. He wanted to prove his servants’ faith, and also if the world would receive them by obeying their words, feeding, clothing, and supplying them with money, if needful and the people able to do it, and by this means prove if they would receive or reject himself. Hence he said, “He who receiveth you, receiveth me; and he who rejecteth you, rejecteth me.”

If he had established a missionary fund, given them money to pay their lodgings in the next town, and to build a chapel, let out the seats at so much a month or quarter, and a settled salary for preaching, he could not have proved either of them.

But let us see how the apostles preached without money and without price. They assembled at Jerusalem according to the Saviour’s command, preached the gospel, and the first day baptized 3,000 souls, who sold their possessions and lands, and parted them to all men. We read in the fourth chapter of Acts that although they made no charge for preaching, they lacked for nothing. How then did they live? They who had possessions or lands, sold them and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. And one poor man and his wife having sold theirs, and kept back part of the money, were struck dead for lying about it. I do not suppose that this was to be a lasting rule; no doubt circumstances required it.

The gospel is again sent forth to be preached without money and without price, providing neither purse nor scrip. It is not how he may get a living that troubles the Latter-day Elder. He seeks first to build up the kingdom of God, in doing which he leaves country, home, friends, and all; travels thousands of miles by sea and land; many times without a home, shelter, or food, besides anxiety of mind by day and night, for the salvation of the Saints and prosperity of the kingdom of God.

Who then can give an estimate of the value of such labours? If we were to sell our property, lands, everything, and lay the money at the feet of the apostles of these days; if we were to clothe them in gold and diamonds from head to foot, would it restore beloved partners, children, brethren, sisters, who, while mobocracy ruled, through privations and persecution laid down in a primitive grave? Would it be a price for the heavenly intelligence and eternal riches which have been imparted to us by those men, who in the midst of bloodshed and death, beset by apostates and devils in human shape, have nobly stood firm as the mighty champions of Zion? Verily, no, nothing short of a crown and kingdom which fade not away can be a fit reward; they are worthy, and they shall have it.

Let none be afraid then lest they do too much. As they sow, so shall they reap. do not give yourselves concern about the elders saving money. I never knew one to do so. If he gets but bread and water, and knows the people can give him no better, he will not grumble. If he has more than he has use for, he will be first in stretching forth his hand to the needy, or use it in some way connected with the kingdom of God.

I never will deceive people by telling them I want nothing. I will first preach the gospel, and will add to that, that I am without a home, food, clothes, money; that they may have the privilege of providing the same; and yet preach the gospel without money and without price. Let the Saints rejoice in having the privilege of administering to the wants of Christ’s servants, that they may be among them to whom it shall be said, “Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you. when I had no home, ye took me in: when hungry, gave me food: thirsty, gave me drink: Naked, clothed me: Sick and in prison, ye visited me.”