CALLING FOR HELP by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 20, 1879

CALLING FOR HELP.

By A. S. Hutchins

It is a matter of gratitude that the Spirit of God seems moving upon the minds of people in different parts of Vermont, awakening a desire to hear the truth. The earnest labors of Bro. Sanborn in the south part of the State last year, called the attention of many to the message we bear; and in addition to those who received the truth, others want to hear.

Within a few days I have received two very urgent letters from Jamaica, calling for ministerial help to enter these opening fields. The wife of one of the merchants in the place is keeping the Sabbath, and distributing reading matter to interest others.

In another town where Bro. Sanborn intended to hold meetings before leaving for Virginia, the people call for preaching, and will furnish a house for use. A brother taught school the past winter near Morrisville, where we held our last two camp-meetings; he reports that the people there want to hear preaching. The camp-meetings held at Morrisville left a most wholesome impression upon the minds of the people. The manner of conducting these meetings, the regulations and order upon the ground, and the preaching, were all different from what the people looked for. The editor of the Morrisville paper said at the close of a very friendly notice of our meeting held last September:—

“As a close to this article, we will express the hope of ourself, and in expressing ours we know we do that of all our people, that we may see the seventh-day folks here again another year. Their earnestness in the work of Christ and his pure religion, and their general demeanor toward all, has won the highest esteem of our community.”

An earnest revivalist has been holding meetings in one of our large villages west of the Green Mountains. Some tracts were put into her hands to read, which she gave a passing notice, and then committed to the flames; and she publicly recommended her hearers to do the same, if they should receive any.

Thus advertised our tracts so much that I am informed the people are inclined to read. Bro. Purdon wants the tent to go there another summer.

Bro. O. W. Stone is in the midst of a good interest in Troy, and writes that he must remain for the present. This is right. But preachers cannot do all the work. I am satisfied we are not doing as much in missionary labor as we should do. Who of us will awake to a sense of our duty? Much can be done in our own neighborhoods, villages, and towns by circulating reading matter, where but little or nothing is done. We cannot read the hearts of men, nor have we fore-knowledge. We know not who may be benefited by reading. It is painful to see copies of the REVIEW, the Signs, the Instructor, or Good Health, when read, laid aside to do no one any good.

Some of these are cut up or torn up only a few weeks after publication. Now, why not, after thoroughly reading them, unless we wish to preserve them, lend or give them to our friends, neighbors, or townsmen to read, or send them away?

Two or three copies of the REVIEW were handed some days since to a man in the village from which I write. He read them with much interest, and then remarked to one of our brethren, “I am fully with you in my feelings and convictions as to the Sabbath.” He expressed a desire to hear preaching, and said he must have the REVIEW to read if he could. May the Lord help us to work with his opening providences, at home and abroad. Glorious tidings salute our ears from the East and from the West, the North and the South. Shall we share in the reward given the laborers?

March 5, 1879. A. S. HUTCHINS.