God’s Providence in the Selection of Pioneer Workers
By J. O. Corliss
The Experiences of Former Days — No. 7
God’s Providence in the Selection of Pioneer Workers
The third angel’s message was to be introduced to the last generation of men under peculiar circumstances. The multiplication of mechanical inventions and commercial plants was beginning fully to engage the talent of the world. Something startling must therefore be introduced by which to divert attention to the claims of God, if only for a brief period. The announcement of the immediate coming of Christ, at a definite time, was alone sufficient to do this. But even this must be more than a desultory proclamation. Men must be brought forward who could meet the conditions, and arrest attention. Such men were found in William Miller and Joshua V. Himes, who were trained in adversity, and had the courage to sacrifice worldly prospects to enter upon a course of self-abnegation for the glory of God. But these men alone could not have done the work contemplated. Others, just as self-sacrificing and intrepid as they, became associated with them, and were thus trained to carry forward the work which the earlier great leaders were destined to let wane in their hands. For the purpose in view, it is only necessary now to mention the names of Joseph Bates and James White. The former had known the hardships of sea-faring life, having worked his way from cabin boy to master and part owner of a ship. When he embraced the message of the Lord’s coming, he had never acknowledged defeat in an undertaking, and so was prepared to bestow a fortune on the cause his soul loved. James White, a native of Maine, where in early days boys were generally trained in hardships, received his share of the common inheritance. Young, and full of enthusiasm, he received the news of the Lord’s coming at a definite period, with the greatest joy, and threw his whole soul into its proclamation. A born leader of men, he was destined to fill a prominent place in God’s work for the closing generation of men. But these leaders could not have successfully met coming events without the training they had in company with such men as Miller, Himes, Marsh, and others of their kind. When the 1844 disappointment came, and the hearts of those who had before seemed strong leaders, grew faint, these men were prepared to follow the leadings of God’s providence. In order to strengthen their hands, noble young men were found, who through storms of adversity stood by the work, until they fell at their appointed task. One of the first of these was a young man who had suffered affliction from a tender age. When but a mere child, a fever-sore developed on one limb, threatening not only to destroy it, but to take his life as well. As a last resort it was decided to amputate the limb in order to save his life. So, at the age of thirteen, he submitted to the ordeal, without taking an anesthetic; and with the nerve that would have done credit to a wounded soldier, he lay and watched the process of the operation. The relation of this incident is to point out a single lesson, and that is, that at that time of life the boy was revealing the material in him which, with the growth of his manhood, was to mark his persistence in work for the Master. During the seven succeeding years, the boy gave his attention to the attainment of an education, but in the dawn of manhood was led to receive the truth in its fulness. This step in his life was taken in following after a cherished desire. He had long believed that if he could but secure an artificial limb, he would be able to walk without crutches. Partially to satisfy himself, he made a ‘stump’ with which to get about. But it was awkward at best, and he said many times in the presence of his mother, “O if I had a leg with a foot on it!” His mother, knowing of a Brother Martin who had one of that kind, not in use, induced the young man to go with her to Washington, N. H., to attend a meeting at which Brother and Sister White were to be present, under the promise that she would take him round by Brother Martin’s to see if the discarded leg could be secured. On trial, the coveted limb was found to be a perfect fit, and having gained possession of it as a gift, the young man and his mother proceeded to the meeting, where he received the truth in his heart, and from there went home rejoicing. In just such ways, God leads men to accept his truth, that he may use them to his glory. In the meantime the Advent Review had been enlarged, the sub-title And Sabbath Herald being added to it; and the office of publication was removed to Rochester, N. Y. As burdens multiplied upon Brother White, persons were sought who might assist in the editorial work. The call to this work came to Brother Uriah Smith and his sister Annie, when they were both well engaged in public-school work. After mature deliberation, they accepted the call, he leaving a salary of one thousand dollars a year, to work for his board and clothes. Annie lived but a short time after connecting with the paper, but left behind beautiful sentiments in verse, which have kept her memory fragrant with some, even to the present time. Brother Smith became editor of the paper in November, 1855, at the age of twenty-three, and remained at his post until the allotted years of threescore and ten were added to his life, when he suddenly laid down his burdens, March 6, 1903, while going from his home to the Review and Herald Office in Battle Creek, Mich.