A Word to Our Tent-Laborers.
By Geo. I. Butler
As the season for tent labor is now past, I desire to present a few thoughts to our brethren in regard to properly following up the labors bestowed in the tents the past summer. There has been in some Conferences quite a gratifying accession to our ranks, of those who have been brought to see the light upon the Sabbath, and kindred truths, the past season. In Missouri and Kansas, the increase, according to the reports, has been quite gratifying. Those laboring in the southern tent report some eighty, and in the northern tent, also quite a number. If these can be wrought into working members of the cause, they will greatly add to the strength of this weak Conference. The same is true in principle in other Conferences. Many of our ministers who are young in experience need to learn the importance of properly following up the labor bestowed in bringing companies into the truth. Some seem to think if they accept the Sabbath the work is done, and all they have to do is to go to another place, leaving those beginners mainly to look out for themselves. This is a great mistake, and often results in great loss to the cause. Bringing people to keep the Sabbath, is but a link in the great work preparatory to Christ’s coming. Those who embrace it, are thus brought where they can be affected properly, and induced to reform their practice in many things which the Bible teaches. If this first labor is not properly followed up, these are very liable to form an entire misconception of the true nature of the work for the last days, and to settle into that condition where it will be harder to reach them than if they never heard present truth at all; for, feeling that they have now the whole truth, they are not as easily made to see the importance of that which remains. When individuals first take their stand upon the Sabbath truth, their hearts are tender and they more readily receive impressions from God’s truth than ever after. There is always a great danger that many will give up entirely, and go back to the world, if not properly instructed when they first commence. The course of lectures to which they listened seemed clear, as point after point was brought out before them. The minister was there to explain everything in private. A strong influence was brought to bear upon their minds, by means of the strong appeals to their consciences which were being made. As much that they heard was entirely new, and covered over much ground, it could not be expected that every point would be distinct to their minds, and its relation to other points remembered. A degree of vagueness would of course prevail. All their early associations and prejudices would be liable to have an influence more or less. The inconvenience of keeping the Sabbath, and the separation in feeling from friends and acquaintances would exert a powerful influence to make them feel keenly. At this point the tent leaves the place. And as soon as this takes place and the coast is clear, a large number, who have hardly dared to confront the minister, venture to act more openly and decidedly. Ministers come in from all directions to preach against and ridicule the truth, and present their theories in the most plausible light, against the new doctrines. The converts are hardly well enough posted to know how to answer every point, and it is not strange that, in many cases, persons who lack stability go back. It speaks well for the clearness and force of this doctrine that so many stand, under such circumstances, in spite of the current against them. I think it is too bad to leave young converts in this way for long periods. I think the better way, when it is possible, is for laborers to remain in the vicinity, so that they can meet with them from time to time, and lead them on from one point to another, and thoroughly instruct them in the great practical principles of the Christian religion. They should not long be left until all who can be influenced have become converted in heart, and know for themselves what the blessing of God is. Regular religious meetings should be established and all induced to take part in them. Systematic Benevolence should be organized, and all made to feel the importance of sacrificing to support the cause of truth. The great principles of health reform should be set before them, and tobacco, tea, coffee, and pork, routed as far as possible from the camp. All should be made to feel that this is the special work of God, for the last days. It is this, or a terrible deception. If the latter, the sooner we all quit preaching it the better for ourselves and the world. But if, as we believe, it is the former, we cannot impress too strongly the fact upon the hearts of all who embrace it. Very little strength will they ever have in this cause, if they do not believe this. Let them really believe this, and they will attach some importance to the work and the agencies which have carried it on. New converts must be made to feel this in order to be reliable. This is the vital point. We know this by experience. And here is where Satan will contest with us more strongly. We believe every one of our preachers should instruct the people who embrace the Sabbath thoroughly in regard to spiritual gifts, and give them the reasons why we believe God is speaking to us as a people. Some of them will find it necessary to post themselves first, before being able to post others. They will never be full-grown laborers in the cause till they do. **It is too late in the day for us, as a people, to be fearful on this point. Our enemies will force the issue upon us, whether we will or no; and let it come. For one, I do not fear to meet it. Those who embrace this message should everywhere know our views on this subject and the reasons for them. There is no doctrine in the Bible more plainly taught than the perpetuity of spiritual gifts, and their manifestation in the last days. I have no sympathy with the squeamishness of some upon this subject, which arises largely from its being so unpopular. These and many other points should be set before the minds of those who embrace the Sabbath and kindred truths, the first thing after they become thoroughly established in the fundamental positions of our people. And the minister who neglects to do this will greatly endanger the usefulness of his labors to the cause, and run a great risk of losing all he had gained in tent season. Our people, when they become thoroughly established upon the whole truth, are not in danger of being easily overthrown. They can then stand against great opposition. The time of greatest trial is at first, and all our ministers should realize this. When they are first obliged to leave, it should be only for a short time. They should then return and encourage and instruct them. Then perhaps they can safely be absent a longer time. And thus these young converts can be gaining an experience for themselves. In some places I have known a neglect of these obvious suggestions to result in great loss to the cause, and a going back of almost all who come out, when there was no necessity for it at all. Ministers, if possible, should labor for months in the vicinity of these new churches, where they can have a watchcare over them, and help them in the truth of God. Battle Creek, Mich., Nov. 6, 1873.