Help for the Long Neglected by E. W. Carey

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 6, 1907

Help for the Long Neglected

By E. W. Carey

It is now almost four years since the painful needs of South Carolina began to appeal to the writer. At that time there was not a Seventh-day Adventist minister or Bible worker in the State. I looked through the canvassers' reports to learn if there were any of these faithful messengers carrying the saving truths of the last message to the precious souls of this State. There were none.

Could it be true, a whole State, one of the original thirteen, with a population of 1,340,316, going unwarned, while the vials of God's wrath hang heavy over their heads? Would the strong conferences to the north and west allow this condition to go on, and meet such facts in the judgment? Would not the blood of souls be found upon the garments of some in responsible positions?

The Lord answered prayer, and opened the way for a few laborers to enter the State. On closer acquaintance, we found a small church organization at Spartanburg, another at Brushy Creek, and a few isolated Sabbath-keepers scattered here and there throughout the State. These faithful souls were working in a humble way to make known the solemn message of the third angel to those about them. Elder E. W. Webster and others had labored here about fourteen years ago, and these had with joy received the truth.

The Spartanburg church was in sore need of a place of worship. But real estate and building material were high priced. We believed that God would be honored by having a church building, a memorial for his name and truth, but we found no way to provide one.

This little company had been lifting its full share of the financial burdens of the denomination. If a publishing house in a distant land was sinking under the burden of debt, the Spartanburg church helped to lift it out. Was a sanitarium to be built in a part of the United States where the truth had already gained a strong hold, the Spartanburg church responded nobly to the appeal made to them. When an academy, an industrial school, or a college was to be built, the Spartanburg church was not forgotten. Appeal after appeal was sent to them, and out of the liberality of their hearts they sent their dollars, obtained through sacrifice, to hasten the message they loved.

The foreign work, too, has had their hearts, and much of the contents of their pocketbooks. Their tithe has been a constant tributary flowing into the general treasury. Thousands of dollars have in these ways gone out from this little company to build up and strengthen the work, not in this State, but the work in general.

And now shall Spartanburg in her deep necessity be forgotten? Let the body now strengthen this weak member, and the body itself will be strengthened. South Carolina is the most neglected of all this long-neglected Southland. To help Spartanburg now will do much to help the work onward throughout the State.

In the REVIEW of May 2 will be found an article by Elder R. T. Nash, under the heading, “An Opportune Time for Spartanburg, S. C.” Read it, we pray you, if you have not already done so; and if the Lord moves upon your heart to give toward this worthy and needy cause, send your remittance, as Brother Nash directs, to Elizabeth McHugh, Spartanburg, S. C., or to Mrs. R. T. Nash, Campobello, S. C.

E. W. CAREY.

Luray, S. C.