Untitled article by D. T. Bourdeau

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, February 18, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 10

APPEAL TO THE FRIENDS OF TRUTH.

By D. T. Bourdeau

BRO. WHITE'S “Appeal to the Friends of Truth,” in regard to making special efforts to circulate a certain class of our works more thoroughly, is reasonable and compatible with our profession; therefore I most heartily endorse it, and would stand by it in word and in deed, for the sake of the right and the advancement of the cause that we all profess to love.

The value that I place upon the works referred to, from my own experience, would lead me to redouble my efforts and diligence to place them within the reach of others who can be helped by them, and to invite my brethren and sisters to do the same. I am not formal in my remarks; I mean and feel what I say. That I am what I am, is by the grace of God, which was wrought mercifully in my behalf through the mighty agencies of his blessed word, and the productions of the gift of prophecy that is among us, and of which I am not ashamed. These productions stand next to the Bible in my estimation; and how can it be otherwise when I believe them to come from the same source that the Bible does, and when I have received so much help from them?

I believe that the cause demands that I should here state that, though I am naturally skeptical, Sr. White's consistent life, in connection with her writings, has done more toward establishing me in the present truth than any other agency besides the Bible. I make this statement more especially for the benefit of those who are not personally acquainted with Sr. White. It was difficult for me to embrace present truth. I looked upon everything that was new and that purported to be truth, with a cautious and jealous eye, demanding good reasons for every new position. And even after my judgment was convinced, I wanted to see the practical workings of the theory, reasoning like this: If this is the truth, those who live it out, and especially those who are at the head of the work, will be as much better than others, as their profession is higher than theirs. And under this head I had the evidence that I desired. To God be all the praise.

And are there not others who are in the same condition that I was in? and have I nothing to do to help them? Are we, who have received such tokens of love and long-suffering, always to take a passive position, and take no active part in the great work before us? God forbid.

I need not recommend the other works that Bro. White mentions. They have gained a reputation among us. All such works should be fulfilling the object for which they were published.

One idea that Bro. White advances is ponderous to my mind, and deserves the serious attention of this people; and it is how that the energies of our preachers can be saved to be spent in new fields, by scattering these works more thoroughly among the brethren. We are all ready to admit that we need more ministerial help; but are we as ready to preserve that which we already have, to be applied to the best possible advantage? This can be done by having our publications do the work assigned them. But these publications are not conscious, and they will not act alone. They need to be kept moving, and this requires means, and judicious hands to circulate, who need not necessarily be ministers, though these have a great part to act in this matter. How I have longed to not be detained by those professing the truth, that I might use the strength God has given me where the truth has not been proclaimed, and not enter into other men's labors. And this is the case with other preachers.

We have something to do besides supporting our preachers: we must labor and lift with them, that they may not break down under their heavy burdens. A liberal support is appreciated by them, as it enables

them to devote their energies in the cause. But what is money given to ministers in comparison with relief from burdens that others should bear, and which, as they are rolled upon preachers, hinders them in the work of advancing the truth among those without the pale of the church? What is gained in supporting preachers, if they are checked and crippled in other directions? They might as well support themselves in laboring with their hands, as far as the advancement of the cause is concerned, and have the co-operation of the church while they do labor in their office, as to be wholly supported by the church, without having their help in other respects.

Here is a point at which many can step in by their means and judicious labors, to relieve preachers, and save them from premature graves. My soul cries out within me, Lord, stir up thy people on this important subject. Help them to favor thy servants, that other laborers may be thrust into the field. For how can God send more laborers, until the church prepare the way for those already in the field to labor to advantage, until the church work for themselves and with their preachers in every branch of this extensive work?

Again, we all look forward to the time when our works will be scattered like the leaves of autumn, to reach all who can be reached. And why not commence now to bring about this time by raising a Tract Fund? Why not try the experiment now, as far as our strength goes, and not wait for others to do a work that we ought to engage in ourselves? It is too natural to roll our burdens and responsibilities on others. We must work.

But one great object of this move is that our people may become posted on all points of present truth, that we may be enabled to present an unbroken front to the enemy. The Dragon is to be wroth with those who have the testimony of Jesus, or Spirit of prophecy, as well as keep the commandments of God; and how can those stand by the truth then who are not previously settled upon it? There is no evading it. The contest will surely come, and we should prepare for it.

But some will fear to sacrifice. The Devil will tell them to be sure and invest their means in some other enterprise; that those at the head of the work are after their money. Mistaken souls! It is not your money. You are not your own. You are stewards over the means that the Lord has entrusted to your care. He requires that which is his own to advance his precious cause; and if you do not do your duty, others will be raised up to fill your place and wear your crown. God is not dependent upon you, but you are very dependent upon him; and he has made it a part of his wise plan, that to be favored by him here and hereafter you must deny yourself, and sacrifice for his truth. Therefore we invite you to do this.

But many will say, We have no means, and therefore cannot give. This is a nice point to meet; for there are some worthy souls who have but little or no means to command, and from whom God does not require even as much as they are disposed to give. We would be very careful in presenting the subject before such. But nearly all can do something, according as the Lord has prospered them; and very often those who would excuse themselves on the ground of destitution, have had means, and have applied it to their own advantage, without planning for the Lord, to give him his due. They have forgotten that God and the advancement of his cause should be first; and when they are called upon to help with their means, they will say, “Oh, I cannot! let the wealthy who have their thousands come forward.” But will such be excused in the day of Judgment? Will they bring their flimsy excuses then?

But some who have not ready means now, may have it soon, if they will plan and labor as faithfully as they do to pay the debts they owe to man; and they can, in the future, be prepared to respond to calls for help by laying aside occasionally a few mites for the Lord, and by not feeling at liberty to use what they devote to God for other purposes. Is not this the way that even poor people contrive to pay their debts? Why not use the same wisdom with regard to God, to whom we owe all we are and all we have? It is in doing this that many in moderate circumstances outstrip the wealthy in sacrificing for God.

We should learn wisdom from what we pass through. If, as we travel in a new road that we are likely to go over again, we come to a bad place that is difficult to pass over, wisdom would dictate that we try to better it, that it may be easy to pass it the next time. So when we come to a season of the year when we cannot command means as readily as at other seasons, we should so plan in our money matters as to have, as it were, a little balance on hand when we come to it again. Thus we will be like minute-men, prepared to help at any moment.

Oh! that all were imbued with the spirit that David had, when he and his people had sacrificed freely to prepare to build a house for the Most High. On that interesting occasion, David blessed the Lord before the congregation, and said, “Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel, our Father, for ever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers; our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O Lord, our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee.”

D. T. BOURDEAU.