Laborers in the Field by James White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Oct 28, 1875

Laborers in the Field.

By James White

The call for laborers from all parts of the eastern field were never as urgent as at the present time. Elder Canright has attended Camp-meetings in Kansas, Northern Michigan, Ohio and Indiana, and sees and feels the wants of the cause, and is laying his plans to accomplish the most good possible. When in Vermont he felt that he must labor there, and when meeting old friends in Michigan, the fruits of his earliest labors, and listening to their entreaties, he felt that he must labor in Michigan.

This is all right. How can a true minister feel otherwise? When he meets with a people who feel their need of help, and are willing and anxious to be helped, it is his highest joy to labor for and with them. And it is not his duty to labor where his efforts are not properly estimated.

Those who feel “rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing”; and know not that they are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked,” cannot understand the anxieties and labors of a true minister. This, however, is the present feeling and condition of many of our people, especially of those on the Pacific Coast. A more self-reliant people cannot be found on the globe, and it is no marvel that feelings of self-confidence should affect their religious feelings and course. But little more can be done on this coast until there is a turning to the Lord, and a general feeling of consecration and sacrifice comes into the church.

Elder Canright lays out his work in Michigan like a man that is in earnest. He evidently sees the work to be done, and cheerfully puts in at the hardest place. His reports, and plans, and words of faith and courage, have been great support to the writer in passing through deep trials. Under the caption, Meetings in Michigan, he writes for the Review and Herald:

“There are so many churches in Michigan that it would take one year and a half to spend one Sabbath in a place; hence this is out of the question. Therefore, we shall have to appoint general meetings at the most accessible points, where two or more churches can come together for a two or three days’ meeting. If the friends will make a strong effort, and all attend these meetings, much that needs to be done can be accomplished by them. Then a business meeting can be held during the week with each church to arrange Systematic Benevolence and any other necessary matters. I hope that Bro. Root, the President of the Conference, will be with me in these meetings.

“I wish to call the attention of the brethren and sisters to the objects which we shall endeavor to accomplish by these meetings, so that they may co-operate with us in carrying them out.

“1. We shall endeavor to convince and decide that class of persons—some of whom are to be found near all our churches—who are friendly and, perhaps, investigating. We ask our people to make a special effort to get all such to the meetings.

“2. We shall do our utmost to reach and gather in the unconverted children of our people. We have been made to feel deeply upon this point of late. If the right course is taken, and taken in time, a large share of these dear children and youth can be saved to Christ and to the cause. But if they are suffered to grow up, go out into the world, and form other associations, before they are converted, they are then generally beyond reach. We ask our brethren to make this a subject of prayer and preparation, and to bring all their children with them to the meetings. Have faith in God, and in the power of his grace, and see what he will do for you.

“3. If any have fallen under the power of temptation, are in trial, or have even given up the truth, we shall do all in our power to rescue them. Often these cases are not as hopeless as the church imagine. Let us never despair of any poor soul who has the least love for the truth burning in his heart. Often the very thing that is needed to rekindle the flame in these hearts is a manifestation of kindness, interest, and love, on the part of the members of the church. But, alas! this is often the last thing which those who think they are in the light are willing to do. They find it much easier to censure and condemn them, and let them go to ruin. Let us remember the parable of the lost sheep, the prodigal son, and others, bearing upon this point. Go to these brethren, get them to the meetings if possible, and let us see what the Lord will do for them. Do not be tardy nor faint-hearted in this work. I have seen the Lord work powerfully upon such cases. I believe he will help us now.

“4. There will be an opportunity for baptism at each meeting if any desire it; we will also attend to the ordinances. Let preparations be made for them.

“5. We wish to examine the church records and the s. s. books, to see that they are properly kept, to ordain elders and deacons where it is necessary, and to see that the fittest persons are put in as clerks and s. s. treasurers.

“6. We wish to re-organize S. S., obtain payment on our periodicals, and new subscriptions for them, pledges and payment of pledges on the different enterprises needing help among us, supply the people with books, &c.

“7. We want to see at these meetings the scattered ones who do not usually attend Sabbath meetings.”

The very labor which Elder Canright lays out to do in Michigan is needed in all our Conferences. But there is work in this plan that at least one-half of our ministers will not take hold of, and thoroughly carry out. Just this kind of work will have to be done in this western field when our brethren feel their need, and are ready to fully co-operate with those who have the spirit of labor. J. W.