TO THE BRETHREN IN KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE.
By S. Osborn
Dear Brethren and Sisters: God has been gracious to you in sending you the present truth with its solemn warnings. I am satisfied that you love this truth, and many times have been made to rejoice in it. Having been with you from the beginning, and understanding to some extent your feelings, wants, and duties, suffer me to present, through the REVIEW, a word of admonition and exhortation. And first let me speak of feelings. The political differences that have heretofore created such strife between the North and the South have, to a great extent, given way; but time will determine whether these feelings are really being rooted out, or only smothered. Many of our brethren have had strong Southern principles. They are as honest and sincere as any one; but unless we crucify these feelings entirely, and regard our Northern brethren as our true friends and Christian brethren, in times of trial and temptation these old differences will take root again and grow up, will separate us from God and his people, and drown our souls in perdition. As it regards the interest that our Northern brethren have for the South, and their love for us, I need only remark: They have not stood still and simply prayed for us. They have given us the best evidence of their fidelity by donating to us $292 to purchase a tent to be used in these States, and by sending us one of their ablest counselors to attend our first Conference. It is also probable that they will send Bro. Geo. L. Butler to labor in this Conference this season. They ask no remuneration from us. Our Conference is weak, and we need help, and they have shown that they are friends indeed by helping us in our time of need. This should satisfy us that they have no feeling against us. They have shown by their works that they believe this message is one—a world-wide message—whether, east, west, north or south it is the same. O my brethren, let us ever act in full union and harmony with them. One more word under this head. The atmosphere of the North seems to give life and activity to the people, while that of the South seems to produce lassitude and inactivity. Here is where we should press a little. “Be zealous and repent,” says the True Witness. Rev. 3:19. Our people have well-organized, systematic plans to work upon. The object is to bring every efficient, available means to bear in sending this great truth to the world. There are no isolated, individual enterprises connected with it. The property of the various associations is held as joint-stock by the members. The officers are elected annually by the stockholders to fill places in various departments of this enterprise, and their salaries are fixed, so there is no chance for individual speculation. All investments, donations, or appropriations, made to these associations, therefore, are used for the advancement of the cause in its various departments. You will see calls made from time to time through the REVIEW for means to aid in the different departments of this great work. To do our duty when these calls are made, we want an unselfish, sacrificing spirit. We should realize that we are a part of this body as long as we are members, and it is our duty to respond to these calls according to ability. It is very easy to see that if we hold back, and do not do our duty in this respect, the burden must fall more heavily on others, which is not fair. We profess to believe in the near coming of the blessed Lord. He will gather none to himself except those that have made a covenant with him by sacrifice. Ps. 50: 3–6. Weigh this well! I have a few copies of the “Earnest Appeal by the General Conference Committee on the Dangers and Duties of Our Times,” which I can send to any who want to be fully apprised of these dangers and duties. Price 10 cts. And here is our home mission. The cause is weak and languishing for want of means and zealous workers. Who will put their shoulders to the wheel? Who will come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty? The fires of the day of wrath will soon destroy all worldly treasures. Oh! do not let us have any of our possessions left here to be consumed in that great conflagration. Let us do good with them, little by little, as we can spare the means, and lay up treasure in the bank of Heaven. We organized a T. & M. Society at the Conference. Bro. J. S. Milton, of Bardstown, is director for Kentucky, and sister Mary A. Remly, of Edgefield Junction, Tenn., is director for that State. We hope they will soon be able to be out in the field and do their duty. Brethren and sisters, be ready with your means to take hold of the T. & M. work when the directors come around. Hundreds of souls are perishing, or will perish, all around us. Let us save what we can by sending out the silent messengers. S. Osborn.
Hodgenville, La Rue Co., Ky., June 5, 1876.