p. 212 | To the Church in Minn by Henry F. Phelps

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 9, 1867

To the Church in Minn.

By Henry F. Phelps

DEAR BRETHREN AND SISTERS: Long years have passed since the cause here was represented by a very few, who had moved from other places. Many and earnest were your prayers that you might have help, and that a people might be raised up here who would keep the commandments of God and obey the testimony of Jesus. Your prayers were not unavailing; partially they have been answered. Many of you in the past, have done nobly. Many no doubt gave liberally of their means to support the cause. But mostly by the liberality of others has the cause been brought to its present state of prosperity,—yes, prosperity, compared with what it was a few years ago; but yet much remains to be done. The cause here is yet in its infancy. Many honest ones are starving for truth, who, could they once hear it, would be living epistles, known and read of all men. But as yet the laborers are few. But God has heard your prayers in this also. Of late two efficient messengers have come into our midst, and now the question is, shall they be supported? or will we by a neglect of duty suffer their hands to be tied, while thousands are perishing around us. If we do, blood will be found upon our garments in that day. May God help us to do our duty. But are all doing their duty? I mean in every particular, but more especially in regard to Systematic Benevolence. Are all doing duty here? I speak from a knowledge of facts, many are negligent, many are far behind. To such the language, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,” is very applicable. Brethren, we profess to be engaged in a systematic work. S. B. is based upon a noble system, by which all bear an equal burden, but how can it be system, when a few pay more than they could in justice be asked to do, and many do not pay more than the one half? (I speak the truth.) Some of our brethren do not put down more than one half what they are actually worth, and even do not pay what they do put down. Let the case of Ananias and Sapphira be a warning to such. Brethren bear with me; but can we expect God will long bless and bear with such individuals? The cause of God is suffering by your neglect. Let us rouse, be zealous and repent, lest the faithful witness spue us out of his mouth; lest we be cast off, and others be raised up to take our crowns; lest it be said of us “Go to now ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten, your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasures together for the last days.”

Let none feel hurt at what I have written. I mean no one but the guilty, and if such will be urged up to do their duty, the end of these few lines will be gained. Some have done, and are still doing nobly; let them continue, and God will bless them; and may many others come up to our next series of Quarterly Meetings, prepared to do likewise.

For the benefit of all who may need it, and by the request of a few, I will here give a plan which I have followed out for some time. I was once alike guilty with others in allowing my S. B. to be neglected; but, since adopting the following, I have found no trouble. It is this. I take one-tenth of all the money I receive, and lay it by. For instance, if I receive one dollar, I lay by ten cents of it, if two dollars I lay by twenty cents, and in the same ratio for any greater or less amount. Let all try this, and see how soon they can pay up all arrearages on their S. B.

Henry F. Phelps.

Pine Island, Minn.