MOVING WEST by Smith Sharp

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 8, 1879

MOVING WEST.

By Smith Sharp

It has become a settled fact that Kansas, with all its draw-backs, is an excellent State, and a tide of immigration constantly flows into it. It is not to encourage nor to discourage our people from moving here that I write, but to offer a few thoughts which, if acted upon by those coming, will be a benefit to the cause here.

First, I would say, if you are a member of a Seventh-day Adventist church, do not fail to bring a letter of commendation. If the church has gone down, can you not write to the minister who raised up or organized the church, and get him to certify that you were once a member in good standing? Circumstances in this new field absolutely demand that great care be taken in this respect; and if our people cannot give references, the only way I see is for them to remain out of the church until they have established a reputation upon which they can be admitted. But often there are good brethren, that we want in organizing a new company, that have neglected to obtain a letter. If you will take a little trouble before leaving, you can often save much perplexity after getting here.

Another point I would mention is, putting up with our brethren while on your journey, without offering to pay them for their trouble. Frequently several teams will stay with one of our poor brethren through a storm or over the Sabbath. Of course you feel more at home, especially on the Sabbath, with a Sabbath-keeper than with one of the world; but does not justice demand that you pay him something, even if he does not make any charge? In some instances the wife is not a Sabbath-keeper; and, as a great share of the burden falls upon her, it sometimes begets a dislike in her toward our people.

I have found some perplexities in laboring in the new part of this new State; and it is with a desire to lessen these for those that may labor here in the future, as well as from a sense of duty to our people and the cause, that I write.

SMITH SHARP.