JAMES BELLINGER by James Bellinger

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 14, 1904

JAMES BELLINGER

By James Bellinger

Mississippi

VICKSBURG.—After being on the road a little over two days and nights, we arrived at our new field of labor, and were taken to the home of Brother F. R. Rogers, who has been laboring here for six years. This place is very different from the one we left. Instead of snowbanks, there were green grass and trees, flowers were in blossom, and birds singing everywhere.

We find this a very needy and neglected field. The people are ignorant, and know but little about the Saviour; they need our help. Let us not be content with simply looking on, with simply making resolutions that are never acted upon; but let us do something heartily as unto the Lord, to alleviate the distress of our colored brethren. We are not to say, “Be ye warmed and filled,” but we are actually to relieve the needs of the poor. We have a great work to do for our long-neglected brethren in the South. “Shall we be justified in withholding the precious Word from the ignorant and depraved, when by partaking of it by faith is eternal life? Shall we expend labor most largely for those who know the truth? Shall weeks be occupied in seeking to work up a greater interest among those who have heard the truth of salvation, over and over again, and leave those who have never heard it with no effort for their enlightenment? How much more appropriate would it be for those who have been thus privileged to expend their time, talent, and money in imparting that which they understand to those who do not know God, and have never had the Scriptures opened up before them.”— “Testimonies on the Southern Work,” page 63.

We have a great work to do, and now is the time to do it, while the angels are holding the four winds of heaven. We are living in the perils of the last days; soon the way will be hedged up so we can not work. May God awake his slumbering people to a realization of the great responsibility that rests upon them.

Many canvassers should enter the State of Mississippi at once, men who are filled with the Spirit of God, and who are willing to work as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. The demand is great. We need some good, conscientious, God-fearing school-teachers to enter our little schools, and teach the children to love and obey Jesus. The Lord is not calling so much for those who have a great knowledge of history, arithmetic, and geography, as for those who have the love of Jesus in their hearts, and are willing to sit down and tell the people of him who gave his life for sinners. We also greatly need means.

Some may be perplexed to know just what to do in reference to coming South to work. If such ones will purchase and read a copy of the “Testimonies on the Southern Work,” their perplexities on the subject will be fully cleared up. Study the Testimonies, brethren; they are filled with precious light for us in these last days. May the rich blessings of God rest upon his people, and impress hearts to respond to the call.