Helps by Stephen Pierce

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

“Helps.”

By Stephen Pierce

AS THE term which heads this article has recently been brought before the readers of the REVIEW, and elucidated as a spiritual gift, it may be superfluous to further introduce it.

But it appears to some that there is another sense in which it may be brought before the mind with claims as imperative as that in which it has already been presented, if not more so. It is helps in the sense of financiers in transacting the business concerns of the REVIEW Office, and other affairs connected with the cause, which business affairs, in addition to all the other duties incumbent upon him, have unfortunately fallen upon Bro. White, not only to prevent his discharging many other more elevated and holy duties, which no others are so well qualified to perform; but further than this, if not soon relieved, to wear him down suddenly to the grave. We do not believe there is one in all our ranks, but that would say that they believe it to be the duty of Bro. and sister White to attend all our camp-meetings, or at least as many of them as their health will permit; that their superior gifts in this direction, may not remain unimproved. We do not believe there is one of discernment and sanctified judgment who is not convinced that Bro. White should have a general oversight of all the interests of the cause, not only as faithful counselor in our State Conferences; but experienced manager in all the interests of the cause throughout the land. But instead of this, he is left to be worn out by the more menial and subordinate duties pertaining to Office affairs, which others of good business tact might perform just as well. And as a consequence, sister White’s excellent gift is unimproved. But the darkest side of the picture is, that we shall doubtless very soon be deprived of Bro. White’s distinguished gifts as counselor and overseer in the cause of God, because he lies silent in the grave.

Dear brethren of business tact and ability, will you sleep on over this subject, and let the dearest interests of the cause die away; only dreaming of a few paltry dollars, which you, in your present occupation may accumulate, either to be burned up with Babylon and her wealth, or to be squandered in the cause, when our best manager has gone to rest, because too many burdens were put upon him, which others should have borne. For one, I should think this fearful experiment had been already sufficiently tried to have taught us better than to try it over again.

What should we think of a military authority, which, after an able and experienced leader had been appointed by government, should appoint this same commander to fill the place of every subordinate field officer in the army; and thus put upon him so much labor and exposure, as to bring his valuable life soon to a close. Would not every military man inveigh against such a course? Shall a general be burdened with the duties of a corporal? Is not his precious life of more value than several of theirs in this terrible warfare against the powers of darkness?

Who can estimate the difference, so far as the success of this dreadful conflict is concerned? Will picked men whom God wants at Battle Creek conclude that they alone are exempt from sacrifice at this time? They may reply that they sacrifice largely of their means every year. I ask what sacrifice can it be to throw out even largely of means when they have after this, much more than they need for their comfort and convenience? This may be a sacrifice of some of the impertinent aspirations of the mind, and this is well so far as it goes; but when duty marks a course for us which takes the food from our mouths, the clothes from our backs, or deprives us of other comforts which cause sufferings of body or perplexities of mind, those may be considered sacrifices indeed.

We beseech you dear brethren, who were chosen at our last General Conference, not to look at sacrifices, but rather look at the wants of the cause; for it is evident to us that two or three of those picked men placed now at Battle Creek to let Bro. and sister White go free would do more for the promotion of the cause, than for thousands or even tens of thousands of money thrown in here without any one to make use of it.

Who of you, dear brethren, will leave houses and lands, mills or shops, the coming season to accomplish this desirable, this glorious object! Or must this lamentable scripture be fulfilled here, that “all seek their own, and not the things that are Jesus Christ’s.”

Poor preachers, when called, leave what they have, families and all, with cheerfulness, and count it endless gain to do the Master’s will. Who will do likewise that are not preachers, and by and by hear it said, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of thy Lord”?

STEPHEN PIERCE.

Health Institute, Battle Creek, Mich.