p. 136 | Future Labors by James White

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 22, 1875

Future Labors.

By James White

We now expect to spend the Sabbath, May 1, with the church at Battle Creek, Michigan, and should be happy to meet Bro. W. H. Littlejohn at that place at that time. Our tour East can last only to about the 15th of September, when we shall be obliged to return to the California Camp-meeting. And we are anxious to meet with our people in the several Conferences, if but for a few days at each camp-meeting.

We suggest that the Indiana and Ohio meetings be held in May; Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, in June; one in Kansas and one in Missouri in July; two in Michigan from August 3–17; Vermont, Massachusetts, Maine, and New York, to come in before September 15th; California September 23–30.

The above suggestions are for the consideration of our people. If Indiana and Ohio choose to wait till after the Eastern meetings, we shall not be able to meet with them this season.

In view of the destitution of the country the Kansas and Missouri Conference may decide to hold no general camp-meeting until fall, if at all, and in its stead hold two small camp-meetings, one in each State, much easier of access than one for both States. We could attend these in July. At one of these, the Conference could hold its session.

Our object at all these meetings shall be to preach the word faithfully, pray with and for the brethren, counsel with them as to the best means to advance the cause, and labor generally for love and union to continue with the Lord’s people. We are very grateful that we were not suffered to be pressed into leadership delusion, on the one hand, nor left to lose our interest in the cause on the other. We are anxious to help all who need help. We have never claimed higher honors than to be a servant of the church, and to counsel with our brethren.

If we have in our testimony to the people of God ever gone beyond the testimony of the Lord, may he forgive us. If any press matters, we shall give them the road. The field is a wide one. There is an overwhelming amount of work to do almost anywhere in this wide world of ours. Let all study to quietly do their own duty, and give others room to do the same. We press our services upon none, and shall labor only where the way fully opens. We have no controversy with those who differ with us, only to stand in defense of the gospel of Christ.

We feel the solemn power of the message God has given to us as a people. And, as never before, we realize the importance of laying broader and better plans for the rapid progress of the work. We long to speak of the things pertaining to our work to our people in all parts of the wide field. Brethren, in the name of the Lord we are well able to go up. In Christ we shall have the victory. J. W.