System in the Work of the Lord
By P. Z. Kinne
In order to carry on business to any great extent successfully, it is highly necessary to have it done systematically. This being the case in temporal matters, it must be emphatically so in things that pertain to the cause and work of the Lord; inasmuch as the latter is of greater and more vital importance than the former. If there was no evidence in the Bible that order was requisite to carry forward the truth, it would seem that a thoughtful observer would come to that conclusion by noticing how the blessing of the Lord has attended the work of the third angel’s message as system has of necessity connected itself with it. My mind reverts to the time when the formation of the Publishing Association was being considered. To many, that move appeared superfluous, and really like a lack of trust and confidence in God. But now look for a moment at the magnitude of the work at the present, and think of what it will be in the closing up of the message. Who can question for a moment that the move was eminently in the order and providence of the Lord? Deprive that department of system now and see what a state of confusion would exist. Following closely the formation of the Publishing Association, came church organization, and with it the cry of Babylon—Seventh Day Adventists have fallen, they are becoming like the nominal churches, the call will yet be made, Come out of her my people, &c., &c. But contrary to the expectations and predictions of such, church order has proved a success where it has been carried out. Here has been a great failure in the N. Y. and Pa. Conference. Although the system has proved itself good, yet if it is not properly conducted, the object may not be reached. This, however, does not prove the plan bad. I wish to call the attention of the brethren of the N. Y. and Pa. Conference to a few points where there has been an evident failure. First, in reference to Art. IV. Sec. 1, of the Constitution which provides that, “When any church or scattered brethren wish ministerial labor in their vicinity, their call shall be made to the Executive Committee.” Where there is a failure in complying with the above requirement the following results may occur:— Ministers may be influenced to leave useful fields of labor at a time when they ought not and perhaps be called to do work for which they are not qualified, thus doing injury to the cause besides incurring a waste of time and means. As illustrative of some of the points named, I will refer to a case that came to my notice during the last Conference year. While one of the Conference Committee was in an adjoining county, a letter came to his notice requesting a minister to whom it was addressed to come to the vicinity of the writer and organize a church, &c. The opinion of the member of the committee being asked in regard to it by the minister, an indefinite reply was given which probably caused a delay in responding to the call. Later in the season the same member of the committee fell into company (in another part of the State) with a minister on his way to do the same work—having been summoned for that purpose by the same person. But in the meantime the Conference Committee had made arrangements with suitable persons to look after the interests of the cause in the place spoken of. It so turned out that when the true condition of things was ascertained, it was found to be a work of pulling down instead of building up. We do not charge the brother with intentional wrong; but it is evident that the mistake lay in not applying to the right source for help. Again, the last clause of Sec. 4, Art. II, provides that the Executive Committee “shall exercise a general watch-care over all matters pertaining to the interest of the cause within the bounds of the Conference.” In view of the light that has been given in regard to ministerial labor in the churches in this Conference, I am pained to learn that some of our ministers (not all I am pleased to state) and even licentiates have gone contrary to it. And in view of the responsibility that rests upon me as one of the Executive Committee I wish here to enter my solemn protest against such a course—and will add, that from what was said at our last Conference by members of the General Conference Committee, I cannot see how either ministers or licentiates can expect remuneration for either time or traveling expenses in meeting with the churches, and I design to use my influence to have their suggestions carried out in the matter unless such labor is performed by request of the Conference Committee. Inasmuch as some of our churches failed to send in their S. B. to the Conference treasurer and reports to the secretary the last quarter, I hope such will attend to it and send in money and report for both quarters at the close of this quarter, which is Feb. 1. Brethren, if system is worth anything to the cause let us be faithful in carrying it out and thus secure the blessing of the Lord upon our efforts to build up and advance his truth. At some future time I may speak of system and order as connected with the work of the Tract Society.