WANTED, by Dudley Marvin Canright

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 14, 1868

WANTED,

By Dudley Marvin Canright

Homes and employment for about fifteen or twenty Sabbath-keeping widows, orphans, and homeless children in N. H. and Mass. I know of about the above number of this class of persons who are able to work, but they have no place to earn anything without going away from those of like faith. This they do not wish to do, nor do we wish to have them do it if possible to prevent it. Many of the young, however, are compelled to do it. As they become of age, they leave home as they can have employment there no longer; they go out into the world, get away from the influence of the truth, get ensnared in the world, give up the truth, and are lost forever. This is sad, very sad. What shall be done? If we had means, and men of the right ability, and men who had enough of the spirit of sacrifice, and patience enough, and enough of the grace of God, we might set up some business that would employ them all. But we have not got them at present. We must first use what we have got.

I know of several families who are comfortably well off, are not in debt much, if any, have comfortable homes, good health, and are adding something to their property every year. Can not these persons do something? Most of them never dream that they have any duty to do in this matter. If they were only rich, they say, they would do wonders! We should have more confidence in this if they would do a little with the little they have now. “Oh! we have; we gave $5 or $10 to the Benevolent Association.” This they think frees them from all further responsibility in the matter. What a mistake! what a narrow idea of benevolence! This costs them no care, no burden, no trial of their patience, no sleepless nights or broken rest, no tears, no aching heart, no responsibility. Who shall look after the poor, get them clothes, provide them a home? Who will have a father’s care for the orphans, counsel them, admonish them; correct their faults, teach them virtue and usefulness? Who will take that neglected, poor, ignorant child, and patiently, prayerfully train it up in the fear of God? Oh! some one else must do that. They have given their money, that is all they can do. They have all they can do to live now.

I fear that such know but little of the Spirit of Jesus which led him to humble himself and suffer as he did for ungrateful man. See that humble minister as he goes out to win souls to Christ. If he feels the burden of the work, ask him how much he would give, if money would discharge his duty, and he would tell you, all he has got. He must leave his wife and children whom he loves as well as other men love theirs, he must bid adieu to his home and all its comforts, though as dear as other men’s homes; and as with a trembling voice he says “Good bye,” he knows that long weeks and months of toil must pass before he can view that loved place again; where now blossoms the flower, the cold snow will lie when he returns. He goes as a lamb among wolves. How often his mind is pressed down with cares, his heart burdened with grief, and his eyes run down with tears! See the Son of God. He gave for us something more precious than money; he gave a heart burdened with sadness and grief, long nights of pleading with God alone in the mountains; he gave tears and groans and sighs of grief; his back to the rod, his cheek to the smiter, his face to be spit upon, and his head to be crowned with thorns; and at last he gave his life for us.

Will then a few dollars in money discharge our duty? Never. We must feel some of the sufferings of Christ, or we are none of his. Brethren and sisters, let the Spirit of Christ enter your hearts, then open them and open your doors to some of these needy lambs of Christ’s who are bleating around the fold for shelter. Take them in, in the name of Jesus, and God will bless your dwelling with such light and joy as never entered it before. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

If you cannot make it pay to hire some of these young brothers or sisters, give them a home with you where they may come often and find counsel, light, and encouragement. Try it a spell and see what God will do for you. Oh! that God would raise us up some fathers and mothers in Israel who will work and sacrifice and suffer for Christ’s sake.

D. M. CANRIGHT.