The Move from Battle Creek
By E. R. Palmer
THERE is success and prosperity in the way of obedience. There is a blessed assurance in knowing that our footsteps are directed by the Lord—that the cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night are leading all the way. To stand with both feet firmly planted upon a sure foundation, with the heart fully reassured by the unfolding providences of God, is the Christian's most precious privilege. The only sure foundation is the word of God, and our only safety is in perfect obedience. Tardy or untimely obedience is not obedience at all. To do the thing which the Lord requires, at the time indicated by him, is the only acceptable way; and this is the way of peace and joy and success. Let us read the words of the Lord to Joshua as he stood with the armies of Israel ready for the last march into the promised land. Nearly forty years had passed since the fathers of this people had stood at the entrance to Canaan; but they did not enter in because of unbelief and disobedience. Their bodies fell in the wilderness; and now their children stood at the same threshold, and faced the same proposition: “Moses my servant is dead; now, therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, thou and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not14fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:2-9. The time has fully come for this people to pass over, and inherit the promises. We have lingered long at the entrance to the promised land; and our stumbling, tardy movements are the cause of delay. This is the word of the Lord to us just now: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.” From time to time since the burning of the Review and Herald printing office, the Lord has spoken to this people in words that could not be misunderstood, directing that the General Conference, Mission Board, and Review and Herald publishing work be removed from Battle Creek. The General Conference in session voted that this should be done; the General Conference Committee resolved to undertake the work; and the stockholders of the Review and Herald, by a strong majority, agreed to the recommendations made by the General Conference so far as they pertained to the moving of the Review and Herald Publishing Association. A committee was appointed to select the new location, and this committee entered upon its work. The first efforts were not successful, and the committee returned to Battle Creek without having selected a place. Then the good Lord took this important matter into his own hands, and directed that the general offices be moved to Washington, D. C. Thus the work of the locating committee was simplified to the point of obedience. O, that we might always be co-laborers with God upon this simple basis! When God directs, and his people obey, the work moves on to His glory. The packing was begun Thursday morning, July 30; the carters began moving the goods Monday morning, August 3; and the work was completed Wednesday evening, August 5. Four large cars had been filled with the furniture, fittings, libraries, and supplies of the General Conference, Mission Board, the REVIEW AND HERALD and Instructor, and the personal effects from twelve private houses. The way-bills showed thirty-six tons of goods. The task was a heavy one, but it was accomplished without the slightest delay or mishap; and when the work was done, and the last car was on its way, we fervently thanked God, and took courage.