Shall This Work Be Sustained?
By J. H. Rogers
Dear brethren of the Mo. and Kan. Conference, do we realize as we should that this work and cause are the Lord's? Are we doing what we can to sustain it and carry it forward? Have we faith in the message we are professing and to some extent proclaiming, that Jesus is soon coming? that the world must be warned of the threatened judgments of God's wrath? and that we are playing our part in the last great drama of this world's history? Shall we arouse ourselves to the fact that now is the time to act as never before, in view of the solemn responsibilities that rest upon us, and the shortness of time? Shall we join in the work with those who shall swell the loud cry, and finally have the “Well done” said to us? It is our greatest privilege to do so, while so much can be done for the Master? We believe the Lord is leading his people onward to deliverance, step by step, by these truths; that his ears have been open to their prayers, even when we united in praying the Lord of the harvest to send forth more laborers into the great harvest field. Shall we not “prove him now herewith,” by bringing “all the tithes into the store-house, that there may be meat” in his house, that in thus sustaining his cause we may receive the blessing? Please read the third chapter of Malachi. Will we act on this? Will we exercise faith in God? or will we rob him? It is right that we are left alone by the General Conference to develop in this matter. Then let us come up to “the help of the Lord,” and not, like Meroz, be cursed for doing nothing. See Judges 5: 23. Right here let me say, as I have been treasurer of this Conference ever since it was organized, There has been an utter failure on the part of the Conference to meet the expenses of the ministers sent us by the General Conference, while laboring for us. While it is true that some of our brethren and sisters who have patiently waited for labor, and have received none in their places, have been very prompt in paying their pledges, it is also true that many more whose privileges and opportunities have been greater, and who should be exemplary in this matter, are far behind their pledges. Now, dear brethren and sisters, let us all be ready by the time of our Conference (which will probably not be long), to settle all our S. D. pledges and thereby sustain this work. Let us make a determined effort in that direction, and the Lord will help. Shall we “prove” the “Lord of hosts?” Here we have two tents in this Conference, and men enough to run them successfully, by the blessing of the Lord. Will we sustain this work? Alta Vista, Mo., April 11, 1873.