The Burdens upon Bro. White.
By John Nevins Andrews
The cares, responsibilities, and labors, which have devolved upon Bro. White for many years past, have been very great. No one who has not been directly connected with him in the work, can have a just conception of the burdens which it has been his lot to bear. Seasons of vacation and periods of relief do not come. Were it the case that each heavy burden waited till the one before it was fairly disposed of, it would be far less wearing to him than it has been, even though this should allow no space of rest between. But the fact has been that these have come in throngs, and that they never seem to diminish in numbers. We cannot censure Bro. White for feeling at times great sadness and depression of spirit as the burdens of the work seem heavier than he can carry, and the labor so urgent and so unremitting, that no season of rest ever appears. Of late he has felt that relief was an absolute necessity, and that it could not be much longer postponed. For this reason a meeting of the Publishing Association was called in connection with the Michigan camp-meeting at Charlotte, Sept. 18, that some action might be taken that should afford relief. It was the purpose of Bro. White to resign at this meeting the offices which he holds in the Association. But it was decided by the Association that a special meeting of that body was not competent to elect officers, the power to do this being vested solely in the regular annual meetings. But the meeting took such steps as were in its power to render aid in the work to Bro. White. (See the report of the camp-meeting in another column.) There were no ones to dissent from the resolutions adopted, but each resolution met a sincere and hearty response from all the friends of the cause. The action taken promises some immediate help in the work, and gives Bro. W. encouragement to retain, at least for the present, the offices which he has held in the Association. We trust that the effort to secure suitable helpers so that some portion of the burden may be taken from Bro. White and placed upon them will prove a complete success. But besides those already selected, who have accepted the responsibilities assigned them, many others are needed to aid in the work. The brethren at this camp-meeting solemnly pledged themselves to do what was possible toward securing the services of such persons. We believe that they did this in good faith, and that they will not forget this obligation so sacredly pledged. It is not the intent of our people to be unjust. They do not mean to throw heavy burdens and responsibilities upon those who are already bowed down with them and ready to sink from exhaustion and feeble health. Yet it has seemed thus to Bro. White, and he has felt that his situation was not realized nor his burdens appreciated by his brethren. To some extent this is true. And yet it is certain that every one who is made acquainted with the facts deeply feels that there should be a sufficient number of efficient helpers in the business department so that beyond general oversight of the work, Bro. W. should have entire relief. We believe as the result of long experience, that Bro. White should fill the position of general counselor and business agent in this work. We also deeply feel that with these heavy responsibilities there should not be placed upon him the necessity of unremitting toil in attending to the details of the several departments of the general work. It is our duty to recognize the manifest call of our brother to the position which he occupies. But it is not honoring God, who has thus called him, nor doing justice to his servant, that we should leave him to the discharge of the heavy responsibilities that devolve upon him, and not withal place around him men capable of rendering efficient aid in the work. We should dishonor God to pass by those that we have reason to believe best fitted to bear responsibility in his work. We do not mean to do this. But it would be a great fault on our part to leave them to the discharge of these responsibilities without doing all that lies in our power to furnish efficient helpers to aid in the work. Let us be true to God in placing responsibility upon those that are manifestly called to bear the leading part in the general oversight of the work, and with this let us be just toward those that are placed in the forefront of the battle, that we strengthen their hands by support from those who are best qualified to share the responsibility with them. Are not these words just and right? And will not all the people in the sincerity of their hearts respond, Amen?