A NEGLECTED DUTY by J. H. Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 2, 1867

A NEGLECTED DUTY.

By J. H. Waggoner

There is a duty enjoined by the Saviour upon the church which I have often thought of, and which, by my own condition, has been most deeply impressed upon my mind for some weeks past. The readers of the Review will have noticed that every time I have gone out to labor I have returned pressed down with disease and utterly exhausted. Though I felt quite well when I went to Tuscola Co., recently, I had not taken rest sufficient to regain my strength, and again I find myself prostrated after about three weeks' labor. This state of things with me has been of so long continuance that the conviction is forced upon my mind that my labors in this message are about closed. Though I do but little, the question will rise in my mind, Who will do it if I do not? When every laborer in the field has more calls than he can meet, and more duties pressing upon him connected with his own field of labor than he can fulfill, who shall turn aside to fill the little space I may leave vacant? It appears to me that the special duty of the church at this time is to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers.

1. The magnitude and increasing interest of the work demands it. That this work is fast growing on our hands all were convinced at our late Conference. But none realized it as did the committees and ministers, who had to consider the various calls and devise means as far as possible to supply them. California has for sometime been literally crying for help. Every State has its own fields of unsupplied labor. Michigan, against which so many complaints have been made that it has all the preachers, is left in a destitute condition by the present arrangement. Brn. Cornell and Lawrence have enough in their present field to occupy them for the whole season, leaving the many equally urgent calls from other parts of the Conference unanswered; while Brn. Bates and Byington are altogether unable to meet the wants of the numerous churches. And this is about the case in every State, except that some States have scarcely any labor at all.

2. The present is a very important time in which to proclaim the message. The events of the past few years; the present condition and immediate future prospects of the nations and the whole world; the restless, unsettled state of society in all its departments, are calculated to impress the intelligent, reflecting mind that a great crisis in this world's affairs is approaching; and call loudly upon us to make vigorous efforts to improve the favorable opportunity now offered to rescue souls from the impending ruin. That this will become a duty all admit; but most seem to think the time has not yet come. But, I will ask, what circumstances can indicate a duty if the present do not? What mean these many, urgent, long-continued cries for help if the way is not open for the spread of the message? Consider how well the direction of the Saviour applies right here: “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest! behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”

3. Our position in relation to the development of truth indicates this duty. There is a marked contrast between the early labors in this work and those of the past few years. Then the preachers and writers were laboring both day and night to fortify the truth; to establish the doctrine and meet and clear up objections. There was a burden and agony of soul that few now realize, or even understand, to see the present truth shine forth free from all obscurity, and stand above the wily arguments of its many assailants. Though we will not now justify the imprudence, we may all who now enjoy the clear light, be thankful for the self-denial which spent so many nights in patient, earnest investigation, striving through the hours of nature's darkness for the light of heavenly truth. Were all these unseasonable labors counted up they would sufficiently explain the worn, enfeebled state of the pioneers in this cause. But for the last few years it has been different in several respects. Little, comparatively, of a purely doctrinal character has been published. No work has been written for the special purpose of establishing any point of faith; and the preaching has assumed more of a practical tone, and aimed more immediately at self-examination and personal holiness. This is understood by many to indicate that our system of faith is well developed; that it is easy now to present it to an enlightened congregation, as compared with that time, and that the work for the churches has tended to bring them to a position where they may bear some of the burden of this work, and not leave it all to a few enfeebled ministers. I believe the time has come for them to begin to feel the importance of this work, and to act their part before the faithful and true Witness fulfills his threat, and withdraws his favor from them.

4. While the truth shines out more clearly, and souls are embracing the light, our ministerial force is not increased. Why is this? While many are embracing the message, why is it that the burden of this work falls on so few? True, our hearts have rejoiced of late years that some new laborers have arisen, yet my mind now rests upon eight with whom I have been personally connected in proclaiming this truth, who have left the work, most of them standing out in opposition; and two others with whom I have labored now lie sleeping in the grave; and still two more nearly or quite superannuated. The marvel with me is that the churches do not realize these things, and rouse up to the duty so plainly and strongly enforced upon them by the Saviour.

5. They can be supported. Many doubts have been expressed on this point, but they should not for a moment be entertained. As it has been said, so is it of a truth, “Our brethren are getting rich.” Many—very many of them, have more burden for accumulating property, than they have for the progress of the message. Some churches call loudly for help who have not yet adopted Systematic Benevolence as it is taught in the Scriptures, and practiced generally among us. Some put their property down at one-half and frequently one-third of what they consider it worth. Ananias once did the same thing, and these will find it as impossible to deceive God as he did, and as foolish to imperil their salvation for part of the price of a farm. There is plenty of means to support and carry on this work, if it is only consecrated. But how is this to be accomplished? Can we expect that brethren will consecrate and bestow their substance without deeply feeling a burden of the work? And again, will they feel that burden without earnest, heart-searching, and agonizing prayer to God? He will be inquired of for this. If God should raise up laborers in the present indifferent, worldly state of the churches, they would not be sustained, for the blessing would not be appreciated. We have not appreciated past favors and the hand of the Lord was laid upon us to afflict us. We have resolved to humble ourselves; and to do this we must hold in view such objects and such course of action as will glorify God. It is a homely but true saying, that “Talk is cheap stuff;” and we have the cases of the Pharisees before us to assure us that God is not deceived by any affectation of humility though accompanied with long prayers. But let the churches engage heartily, unitedly, and persistently in crying to God for laborers, and the importance of this work would soon be realized, their love for it greatly increased, and their means would be laid upon the altar. God will be glorified in his gifts; and only when we stand in a waiting, expecting, and longing attitude, will we be prepared to give him glory for favors conferred.

6. Though this duty is plainly enforced it has never been done. A few feeble prayers, almost unworthy of the name, have occasionally been offered on this subject, very much in the spirit in which the churches of this age pray for the millennium; certainly expecting it, but not disappointed if it does not come; and in some cases hoping it will not come just yet as it might interfere with their calculations! Is this not too much the case? Brethren, it is humiliating to see the want of interest in this subject.

7. If our brethren neglect this duty much longer they will have to appropriate a season of prayer and fasting for the Lord to continue the labors of those now in the field. Their labors are too heavy; they are overtaxed; they are gradually but certainly breaking down under it. More laborers are wanted now, to co-operate with and sustain those engaged at present, whose knowledge and experience might greatly assist the beginner. This is no small consideration.

Beloved brethren and sisters, our enemies are greatly rejoicing over our afflictions. I do not place this in the list of reasons, for our motives must have a higher spring. Nor would I say one word in return for their reproaches. They may recount the dark providences through which we have passed, and the trials that encompass us, but this need not disturb us. A higher consideration, a more deplorable truth demands our attention; we are not clear in the sight of God. If we can only enjoy his salvation, and keep our hearts in his love, our souls free and filled with pure devotion to his cause, it matters little what opposers and revilers may say. But when we err from the spirit of the message, if gain-sayers are permitted to aid in convincing us of our short comings, we may yet say to our Father, “They are the sword, the hand is thine,” and pity them that no better office is assigned to them by the great head of this holy work! Let us turn to God with all our hearts, and in meek submission we may say with David, “It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day.”

J. H. WAGGONER.

Battle Creek, June 27.