p. 18 | Not Returning Void by O. C. Godsmark

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Mar 17, 1904

Not Returning Void

By O. C. Godsmark

THE promise of the Lord that his word should not return unto him void, but should accomplish that which he pleases and prosper in the thing whereunto it is sent, is being fulfilled to us here in the South. Through the spirit of prophecy the Lord has for several years continually held up this field, with all its needs, before us as a people, and called for proper ones to come South and live out the truth, which is the most effectual way of reaching the people here.

Of late there seems to be a real awakening among our people to do as the Lord has bidden. We are in frequent receipt of letters from friends in the North, asking concerning the best places in which to locate, and the opportunities of making a living in the South. We are glad of this, and hope to see many move into this field, and live out the truth where they locate.

This is, indeed, a delicate question; and because of its complications, many of our Southern workers have not tried to encourage those unacquainted with the circumstances to move South. Many mistakes have been made in the past. Some enthusiastic brother would get a burden to come South, and, when here, would make it so apparent that he had come to convert the heathen, and continually hold up such an unfavorable comparison between this and the North, that the conservative Southerner did not receive the well-intended efforts on the part of the Northerner favorably.

We have here in the South very many people who are as fine, intelligent, and cultured as any to be found in the United States. Customs and conditions here are different, of course, from those elsewhere, and the Southern people do not enjoy being held up in an unpleasant light, any more than would our people anywhere. The soil here, in some parts, is productive, and the markets good near all our cities. The heat is no more intense here than in the North, at least there are not so many cases of sunstroke as in the North, and our winters are much shorter and less severe. In Kentucky we raise the same fruits, grains, and produce as in the North, and berries are more productive than in the North. Any one who can make a living anywhere can do the same here, as prices are good, and a market can always be found for produce.

There is a call for good, Sabbath-keeping families to move here, and help build up this field. We want those to come here who will settle down and go to work making a living, and first get the confidence of their neighbors. When that is obtained, then the way will be opened for them to talk the truth, and to explain the reasons of the hope they have. The South has had such an experience with old-time “carpetbaggers” that anything of a transient nature bearing a Yankee air, is distasteful in the extreme. Come, and come to stay. Come to be one of us. Come to make this your home until the Lord comes, and the people will be glad to welcome you to their midst even if you are from the North.

We are glad to know also that the Lord is stirring up the hearts of our old and tried canvassers; and that they are again taking up the work, and the Lord is blessing them just as he has promised. These, too, are the ones we are glad to hear from. Yes, the South is open to all such. We have a number of places here in this conference where, with just one more good, substantial Sabbath-keeping family, we would feel that we had quite a little company, enough, at least, so we could hold meetings and Sabbath-school.

What real good are you doing, my brethren and sisters, week after week attending some of our long-established churches in the North? Perhaps you are teaching a Sabbath-school class, perhaps

not even doing that. Are you where you expect to live and let your light shine until the Lord comes? Why not hearken to the call that has been sounding in your ears for years past, and come to the South and help us? This is a goodly land; why not come and help us to possess it?

The work is onward here. Souls are accepting the truth; we are getting our publishing house in good shape to do first-class business. Our sanitariums will soon be running, and our schools are already beginning to flourish. The thousands of dollars that have been spent on this field have not been wasted by any means. Results are beginning to be seen. Our workers, the few there are of them, are of good courage, and the work is onward. We expect to see it continue to prosper, and we praise the Lord for it. Will you come and have a part with us? We hope to hear from the brethren and sisters who have a burden to come to this field and live out the truth.

O. C. GODSMARK.

2005 Magazine St., Louisville, Ky.