Sectionalism in the Work of God.
By W. H. Littlejohn
Among the many perplexities that surround the servant of God, those are not the least which spring from the necessity of combating a natural disposition on the part of brethren to have their own particular localities favored with the proclamation of the truth. While we would by no means carry the impression that they should feel any less anxiety for their own neighborhoods than they do already, and while we are ready to admit freely that there is a greater responsibility resting upon them to see that those in their immediate vicinity are, at the proper time, instructed in the work of God which is now going forward—we desire simply to confine their anxiety within certain limits of propriety, and to prevent them from defeating by zeal which is devoid of discretion, the very object which they would secure. That there is in the history of every community a period which is especially favorable to the introduction of the message, no one of extended observation will deny. Nor is this fact peculiar to our times. The apostles felt it, and acted in reference to it. And when at times, through indiscretion or want of light, they seemed to have moved contrary to this idea, the Holy Spirit appears to have made special revelations—as in the case of Paul’s vision of the man of Macedonia—for the purpose of bringing them back to action which should be agreeable to this principle. It was not necessary that Paul, in order to obtain hearers for years to come, should leave the vicinity of his birthplace. Labor sufficient to occupy his individual attention, and that of the little handful of evangelists of his time, might have been obtained in the region of Jerusalem, or in the countries of Palestine and Syria. But this would have confined the new light for centuries to a limited district. This was not God’s plan. Hence by scattering the church and by directing through the spirit of prophecy those whom he had called to the work, he caused that even in the first century the gospel should be preached in all the then known world; not indeed in every hamlet or insignificant village, but so generally that in process of time those living among the nations through which the great apostle and others traveled, might obtain through the intercourse of communities the knowledge which they so much needed. By taking an ancient map and tracing the line of Paul’s travels from Jordan through Asia, Macedonia, and Greece, to Rome, you will be convinced that, from the very outset, the grand idea which animated the soul of the indefatigable gospel preacher was that the work in which he was engaged was not one that was to be done in a corner, but rather that the field of its operations was co-extensive with the world. In fact, in the early part of his history, while surrounded with perils on every hand, and burdened with labors which could not have failed to crush a common man, we hear him talking of a proposed visit to Spain and Rome which were separated from him by thousands of miles. Doubtless while he was proceeding in this manner, there were many Christian hearts which, failing to comprehend the scope of his design, and weary with anxious labors for their own neighborhoods, became restive, and almost felt like murmuring that they were called upon to make such great sacrifices for the cause which near and dear friends could not have the privilege of hearing vindicated by the living preacher. But we, after the lapse of centuries, feel like thanking God that these men had a just comprehension of the magnitude of the work, and persisted in pushing it forward to the extreme limit of civilization. Had it not been so, the good news might not have reached us even at this time. Let us, then, learn a lesson from the past. If that which we believe is important, it is because it is true. And if it be true, we are giving the last message of mercy which is destined to go to the whole world. Can we not, then, be patient a little while till God shall have established the plan of campaign by throwing out outposts into the more distant regions, which, in the final struggle between darkness and light, will render mutual assistance to each other, even as the division of an army which, while invading the enemy’s country seem at first to be operating without design, but at last prove the wisdom of the leader by occupying through concert of action the grand object of the campaign. What we want as a people is, first, to look at this matter in all its vast proportions as it relates to States and nations. Having done this, we shall be prepared to attach to the work in our own communities just the importance which its relation to the whole really gives to it. All narrowness of conception will have departed from us, and we shall be saved from the terrible mistake of supposing that there is nothing being done at all, simply because those who are laboring in the field are remote from our doors. We say, therefore, to our brethren, that while we are glad to see them anxious for those among whom God has seen fit to raise them up, they should always remember that his ways are higher than our ways; and that before him the salvation of the soul of one man, no matter where may be his place of residence or birth, is equally precious with that of another. Let them also bear in mind that our preachers are largely dependent upon their judgment as to when a course of lectures should be delivered in the communities where they reside; and, therefore, that should they plead the claim of such places, they will be held largely responsible should the time prove to be an inauspicious one for such a work. No one should ever allow himself to urge unreasonably the holding of meetings at a given point, without first making the subject a matter of serious and prayerful consideration. In fact, should they fasting with their prayers, they would do nothing more than the circumstances of the case would abundantly warrant. Should they question whether we are right in this, let them reflect that while our preachers are devoting their time to these unfruitful fields, the means which are necessary to meet their expenses, as well as the labor which they must put forth, are not only lost to the cause, but, had the same been devoted to other places where there were ears to hear and hearts to receive the truth, they might perhaps have raised up a church of from twenty-five to fifty members, who would not only be prepared for eternal life themselves, but also would swell the number of the little army of those who have entered the service of their Master. If there is any place in the world where sound judgment is required, and where inconsiderate and selfish action should be condemned, it is in the case before us. The consequences of a failure are such that no person should presume to act in the premises until it has become very manifest that there is little liability to mistake. At all events, the representations which are made to preachers, should never be colored more highly than the facts will warrant. Indeed it would be far better to fall short rather than to exceed the truth in this direction. An expression of a desire to hear on the part of a few individuals, should never be mistaken for the unanimous voice of the people. It should also be remembered that it is not an uncommon thing for some to give utterance to these desires simply from an inclination to please those whom they are addressing; and that these same persons are found many times among those really the least desirous of listening, and who are the farthest of all, having heard, from obeying. But above all things, it should be recollected that nothing is more essential to a favorable reception of our doctrines than that the church where they are to be presented, should be living them out in their purity and perfection. If, therefore, they find upon examination that they have not done this, nothing could be more proper than that they should give their first attention to their own spiritual condition. Having done this, and having established among those with whom they live a firm confidence in their Christian integrity, they may then safely conclude that the field is prepared for the seed, and that God in due time will send there one who shall scatter it in the confident hope of reaping a rich harvest. Brighton, Iowa, April 30, 1871.