CALLS FOR HELP | AdventAI

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 23, 1867

CALLS FOR HELP.

These are coming in almost constantly from every direction. The more a person loves the truth, the more desirous he naturally is, that it should be made known to his friends and neighbors; and his mind turns at once to the living preacher. Such persons greatly desire the labors of some one capable of presenting the truth; and they do not always realize but what some one can come if application is only made.

For instance, we have just received a letter from a brother, telling how fervently he loves the truth, how interested he is in the reports of the messengers, and rejoiced at the progress of the cause, but feeling almost grieved to think that no one responds to his call and comes to his help.

The principal reason, and in many instances the only one, why these calls are not responded to, is because the preachers are not to be had. It would take twice the number of preachers we now have to meet the calls that come in; while five or ten times the number could find ample fields for labor, where there is a flattering prospect of accomplishing great good. In those parts of the field which are best supplied with help, the Saviour's words are emphatically true, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few;” while in other portions it would only be expressing the truth to give it a still sadder version, and say, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers”—are not to be found.

Meanwhile let those who are so desirous of having the truth proclaimed in their neighborhoods, attend well to the following particulars:

1. Live consistent and Christian lives. Commend the truth by your daily deportment, to all candid observers; so that, if a preacher should at some future time visit your place, he would not be obliged to labor under a vast amount of prejudice against the truth, occasioned by the disorderly walk of one of its professors. A person who is living away from Sabbath keepers, the only representative of the truth in his place, cannot be too careful on this point.

2. Having laid a good foundation, by a godly and consecrated life, then the way is open for you, courteously and on all proper occasions, to try to induce your neighbors to read books and papers, and so disseminate the truth in a measure among them.

3. Pray the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers to go forth into his harvest; and believe him that his promises will be fulfilled, and that your patient waiting and honest efforts will not fail of their reward.