p. 156 | Untitled article

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, August 20, 1867

OHIO CONFERENCE ADDRESS.

TO THE S. D. A. CHURCHES IN OHIO: In the great mercy of our God we have been permitted to meet again in Conference, and having considered the state of the cause, we feel constrained to address you in this manner.

I. We see no reason why we should feel discouraged in this great work. The Lord has continued to bless us in all our unfaithfulness and unworthiness. During the past year we have been enabled in his good providence to have more labor than usual in this State, and we have all rejoiced over the success which attended it both in new fields and among the churches. Circumstances have hindered the carrying out of the design of having many or all of the churches visited previous to the Conference; but we are gratified to know that they are generally free from difficulties and trials, so that at this time we are not aware of any circumstances which call for the special labor of the ministers among the churches. In these days of darkness, trials, and temptations, we truly rejoice that such a state of peace and outward prosperity attends you.

In connection with these facts it will be cheering to all to know that through the kind consideration of the General Conference we have secured the services of two ministers from Michigan for the ensuing year, who expect to spend the entire year in this State; and not, as has been mostly the case in time past, labor a few months and then return to their own Conferences. This, we trust, will be the means of securing a more permanent, healthy state of the cause.

II. But while we congratulate you on the peaceful state of the churches, we would not have you deceived in regard to Satan’s wiles and devices. We sometimes mistake quiet for prosperity, and think because we have no present, visible conflict with the enemy, that therefore he is not laboring for our overthrow. He works not only with power and signs and lying wonders, but “with all deceivableness of unrighteousness;” and it is often much easier to overcome or stand free from his signs and wonders, than to resist the subtle influence of his mild and pleasing deceptions. As avowed hatred is less dangerous than flattery, so is active persecution less soul-destroying than the seductive arts which soothe and throw us off our watch. As has been written,

“Far more the treacherous calm I dread, Than tempests bursting o’er my head.”

We beseech you not to be deceived by the enemy of all righteousness in this respect. Do not mistake indifference for inward peace. Do not lose sight of the truth that lukewarmness is nauseous in the mouth of the faithful and true Witness. And we urge you to the necessary work of self-examination, to see whether you are indeed active, earnest, zealous Christians; whether you are hungering and thirsting after righteousness; whether the prosperity of God’s cause and the honor of his name are dearer to you than any or all earthly interests. We thus entreat you because we fear that many of you are not as much alive to the wants of the cause, do not realize the perils of the times and the near coming of the Lord, as in days past. Brethren and sisters, “THE LORD IS COMING!” And do we indeed believe it? Is it our abiding incentive to duty? Do we daily and hourly make our calculations in reference to this great truth? Are we really preparing for that day? or for many days to come in this evil state? “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also,” and so will your destiny be decided when Jesus shall come to save them that have made a covenant with him by sacrifice. We do not expect that such as are lukewarm will at once realize it, or understand the danger of the position they occupy; nor do we think that any of us realize the importance of the present hour, the magnitude of the wants just before us, and the weight of our responsibility in relation to them. And we do entreat you all without any exception to review your own position; to examine yourselves with care in the light of God’s fulfilling prophecy, and see whether you stand where he can constantly approve and smile upon you. We may have this testimony that our “ways please God,” and without this, all earthly joys and treasures are but a vain show. We cannot help fearing for the present professors of the third angel’s message. We do not see among many of them that earnestness and fervent zeal that existed among them when their numbers were less and the perils of the passing hour not so great. “The fervent, effectual prayer” of faith is seldom offered. Special or present blessings are seldom sought. Because our wants are not realized we do not press our cases with urgency to a throne of grace. We have settled down in self-complacency because we have the truth, and felt little burden for those around us who “perish for lack of knowledge.” We have cast off the burden of the cause from our hearts, and left the whole work to a few overtasked ministers. This is no fancy sketch, nor is it overdrawn. Have we not cause for fear? God will have a proved and faithful people to carry on his work. Are we striving to be such a people? Do not, we entreat you, pass lightly by this appeal, but

attentively consider it. Examine yourselves before God in humble, fervent prayer, and seek for the enlightening influence of his Spirit to assist you, that you may see and realize how far we are removed from the only source of consolation—the presence of our Saviour.

III. While it is well to look to our standing, it is not well to waste our time with mere regrets. We must arise and get nearer to our Father. We will try to lay before you some of the means whereby, in our judgment, this may be accomplished.

The Saviour directed us to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth laborers. This, of course, devolves upon us wherever the circumstances of the cause demand an increase of laborers. How is it at the present time?

1. There is not a resident minister in the whole State of Ohio; nor is there a supply of lay brethren who feel called or qualified to take charge of the Monthly Meetings of the churches. Thus we are entirely destitute of laborers; entirely dependent on other Conferences for our labor. In consequence of this our labor is uncertain; we are not always able to get such as are acquainted with the field; it is inconvenient for the ministers thus to labor away from their own Conferences; and it is scarcely ever possible to get labor for the entire year. Such is our condition in regard to laborers.

2. Almost every church reports favorable fields in their immediate vicinities, and very urgent calls come from lone individuals, and even from places where scarcely anything is known of our faith. In fact, the calls come up from every direction—the fields are truly white to the harvest, and no laborers to answer to the calls. Now, brethren, we believe the Lord does not tell us to seek his face in vain; we are commanded to pray because he is willing to grant our requests. We believe that the very commandment to ask for a blessing carries with it the assurance that our prayers will be heard. Why, then, is it that these urgent calls for help have met no response from the body of believers in the truth? Why are we so earnest in pursuing our earthly interests, while the greatest interests of the cause are neglected, and so many are calling for help, and we shut our ears to their cries? Why is it that this commandment of our Saviour goes unheeded from month to month and from year to year? Has not the Saviour said, If ye love me ye will keep my commandments? And will our profession of love be accepted with him while disregarding a commandment which is given to draw out our hearts toward God and our fellow-men, and to prove in us that enlarged benevolence which is a leading characteristic of the gospel? If anything can prove that we are lukewarm, and in imminent danger of being spewed out of the mouth of the Lord, it is this disregard of our Saviour’s words on this point, wherein is shown our selfish, cruel indifference to the spiritual wants and eternal destiny of our fellow-men. We consider it quite unreasonable to expect to greatly enjoy the blessing of God, to arise from our lukewarm state, or to see the precious cause of truth revive, till we wake up to the near coming of the Lord, to the importance of the work, and to our responsibility before God in view of his mercy to us in sending us this precious light, and to the faithful discharge of this much-neglected duty to God and our fellow-men.

We wish to record our deep regret that circumstances have caused us to neglect for some time past the wants of the churches in respect to Monthly Meetings, which have been found to be so useful in every State where they have been tried. We have lacked efficient aid to take charge of these meetings. This we regret. But we also regret that a wrong idea has obtained among the churches: viz., that the presence of a minister is necessary to the success of such meetings. From our observation we are convinced that unless something special calls for the attendance of a minister on such occasions, these meetings are most profitable if conducted by a lay brother and the work of the meetings devolves upon the churches. It seems to be natural to look to the minister to do the work when he is present, and thus the members place themselves under a restraint. While the minister may do his work faithfully, and therefore be free before God, the members may be pleased more than benefited. They may go to their homes weak and barren of spirit because they have not been active in their duty. If the churches will look at this matter in a more correct light, and take hold of their duties promptly, the ministers may be filling positions which others cannot occupy, in carrying the truth to other places; and the truth will not only be built up in our hearts, but others will be brought to rejoice with us in the light, and be prepared to meet the perils soon to come. But if the time of the minister is consumed among the churches, the Spirit of God will be grieved away for our lack of Christian benevolence, and we will not be blessed as we would be if we would labor and practice self-denial for the sake of our fellow-men, and for the glory of God in the spread of the knowledge of his word. We invite you to carefully consider this matter. Rest assured that God has made us our brother’s keeper, and his blood will be required at our hands if he is left to perish by our neglect. May the Lord prepare all of our hearts and minds for more active service in the cause of our heavenly Father.

Another means of rising may be found in a more perfect conformity to the adopted plan of Systematic Benevolence. Many are doing well in this respect; others adopt no system, or put their means far below a just valuation. No man can afford to defraud his soul of the blessing of God. We may deceive ourselves; but God is never deceived. He knows our hearts, and we shall all be closely tested at last. But while we are permitted to labor in his cause we should remember that the extent of our works is the measure of our faith. All beyond that is vanity.

IV. While we exhort you to labor more diligently in the cause, and to show your faith by your works, we would again remind you that all our works are but vanity unless growing out of personal piety and consecration to God, or having his love shed abroad in our hearts. While we know that a profession of love to God is nothing without obedience and love of his truth, we may err on the other hand in loving the truth or a theory of the truth without loving God. We fear there are those who show an interest in the success of the truth, and who would do all in their power to extend it, who yet do not draw near to God in their own hearts; who do not enjoy or seek a deep experience in the way of salvation. The truth is not the end we seek, but only the means. Its design is to draw our hearts out toward God; to sanctify and fit us for his holy kingdom. And though we may have all knowledge of its doctrines, and could speak with the tongue of an angel, and give all our goods to support the truth, or suffer persecution in its defense, if we have not love to God, we are nothing. There is no substitute for holiness of heart. If we enjoy this, the fruits will appear, and our works and labor of love will find acceptance with God, and be crowned with abundant success.

V. In conclusion, we would exhort you to bear in mind the resolution passed by our people in General Conference in regard to humbling ourselves before God for our ingratitude for his favors in the past. May the Lord lead us by his Spirit, and support us by his grace, that we may know how to discharge this important duty in his fear, that his smile may return to us; that the joy of his salvation may be restored to us; that sinners may be converted to God and his name be glorified in the earth. OHIO CONF. COM.