p. 10 | A Contrast by E. W. Webster

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 20, 1906

A Contrast

By E. W. Webster

E. W. WEBSTER

CONTRASTS are not always pleasing, but are often very helpful. I want to make one or two, not as reproofs, but as lessons. I can do so best by quoting a few words from a private letter from a brother in a strong conference, but one not so strong as a number of others in the United States.

After speaking of money raised for certain conveniences in the home church that they had gotten along nicely without for nineteen years, and of the earnest efforts being made to preach the message in his State, this brother says, “I can not help thinking of the Testimony which says that the ground should not be worked over and over again and again. I can not help seeing the contrast between —— and South Carolina! The first-named conference has upward of a thousand believers, over seventeen thousand dollars tithes, and liberal offerings, a large number of ministers, Bible workers, canvassers, doctors, besides nurses and sanitariums, with only about four hundred thousand or five hundred thousand people to warn; while South Carolina has nearly three times the population, and scarcely any money or laborers or facilities, and only one hundred and twenty-five believers. It makes me feel like asking, Does the golden rule apply to conferences also?

“Yes, I am more interested in South Carolina than in any other field. . . . When I remember that it is about thirteen long years since we were first sent to South Carolina, I am astonished. At this rate how long will it take to warn that State? Now I do not mean to cast reflection on any laborer there.”

With only one hundred and twenty-five believers in the third angel’s message, including laborers and those still belonging to churches in other States; with four churches, seven workers—two ministers, one licentiate, three Bible workers, one general agent—and a few faithful canvassers, and less than twenty-five hundred dollars tithes and offerings,—only this in a population of over one million three hundred thousand, what a contrast appears!

We do not make the contrast to cast reflections, or as a reproof. We are glad for all the advantages the truth has in these older conferences. We are glad for the noble spirit manifested by nearly all these conferences in sending and supporting laborers in needy fields. But we wondered if this contrast might not be used by the Lord to attract the attention of our missionary conferences to one of the most needy fields of the world. We know that the true conditions existing in the Southern field are not known to the brethren of more favored and stronger conferences. Many things that would attract attention to this field can not be written. We are often cut off from the public use of very touching incidents which, if we could use them, would draw eyes and hearts this way. But, aside from communications similar to this, and ordinary reports of labor, our efforts to acquaint our people with, and interest them in, the work of the struggling Southland are confined to private correspondence with a few intimate friends.

We would be glad for the officers of conferences, and leading brethren, to write and make any inquiry they please about conditions and needs in South Carolina, after repeating over the question, “Does the golden rule apply to conferences also?” One good, faithful laborer supported here by a strong conference would be more to our small staff of workers than three or four supported at home would be to your staff, and would bring God’s blessing to both fields. Please write me. All final arrangements will be left with you and the General or union conferences.

Cowpens, S. C.