p. 167 | Suggestions by David Downer

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 9, 1871

Suggestions.

By David Downer

THE REVIEW of April 11 is before me. In it I find some things of universal importance. I notice Bro. White's call for co-laborers to help in pushing forward the work. Now, brethren, we ought to be doers, not hearers alone. Our lay members can extricate Bro. W. from some of his embarrassments by paying up. Ministers can contribute to the paper, even if our contributions are small. Drops of water form the ocean. But we are apt to think that those who are writing will continue to write. Is it justice to compel those who have borne the burden faithfully through the heat of the day, to continue to bear it till, sick and tired, they faint by the way? How many appeals Bro. White has made for help! How many true testimonies he has borne to the people of God, and I fear unless we come to his rescue, he will fall.

Now shall we sit in the shade and see our faithful men wilt under their labors, or will we immediately, like true men, move out into line and prepare for the last great struggle. In future, let us not read the stirring appeals for faithfulness on our part, without acting in harmony with them. United we stand, divided we fall.

I notice on page 133 REVIEW of April 11, Bro. Canright's remarks on the terrible fever for moving, so prevalent in the West; men moving in every direction to better their circumstances. I believe this desire, covetousness, was born in Adam, and has been transmitted to his posterity. Men move and locate only to become dissatisfied. And why? Because they are looking for a second Eden on the present earth. We are always grasping for more territory. God has promised to gratify our desires. “Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.” Matt. 5:5. I think the brethren that have a little home here, would do better to be content until we all move together to inherit the earth. Moving is, or has been, a disadvantage to us as a people; therefore, if we move, let us try to move in harmony with the will of the Lord, and in whatever business we are engaged, lay up treasure in Heaven.

DAVID DOWNER.