To the Brethren and Sisters of Missouri and Kansas.
By J. H. Rogers
As we have entered upon another Conference year, with duties and responsibilities increasing upon us, and a demand for efforts to be made in the last message of mercy to a perishing world, shall we not see a united action on the part of all in pushing forward this work? During the past year, while we were feeling our weakness and doubt in regard to our Conference sustaining its labor with two tents, and even as the time drew near for our camp-meeting and Conference, our feelings were most intense for the prosperity of our Conference, and a disposition on the part of the brethren and sisters to come out and co-operate in the advancement of the cause. Therefore, it rejoiced our hearts to see them “coming up to the help of the Lord” from many places, and from long distances, and instead of growing weary in their efforts to sustain two tents, take right hold to buy two others; surely, brethren and sisters, this begins to “look like business.” Now the question is, Shall the good work go on? Shall the pledges be paid on the tents? Shall the pledges for the T. and M. Society be promptly paid? Shall our s. b. be kept up, and we begin to consecrate ourselves with all we have to God and his cause? Shall we arouse ourselves as never before, in order to walk out into the opening of his providence, and begin to “let up” on our worldly investments, and really begin to believe in the message we are heralding to the world, that the Lord is coming soon, and go to work in the various departments while we can do something for the Master? The T. and M. Society affords a splendid opening for all to see how much of the love of souls they have in their hearts and a willingness to sacrifice something; and I here predict that such enterprises as the Patrons of Husbandry, and similar institutions, will cease to attract our attention, when we become engaged as we should be in the cause of God, because the object sought after in these enterprises falls so far short of the “eternal gain.” Oh! how Satan would decoy us away from our Master’s cause by the prospect of worldly gain. To the brethren of the different tent companies, I would say, As you are engaging in labor in your different fields, report progress occasionally. We all want to know what the tents are doing. And to all our churches let me say, Be prompt in your remittances, reports, &c. The Treasurer is still J. N. Ayers, Farlinville, Linn Co., Kan.; the Secretary, Smith Sharp, Big Springs, Douglas Co., same State. Let the directors of the T. and M. Society in their respective districts look after the work, see that it starts off right, and that all circulate books and tracts judiciously; and as we all take hold of this work in our respective stations, let us do so with renewed zeal and consecration, praying the Lord of the harvest to bless the labor. J. H. ROGERS, Pres. Mo. and Kan. Conf.
Nevada, Mo., June 15, 1874.