p. 116 | WORK HALF DONE by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 11, 1878

WORK HALF DONE.

By Uriah Smith

The Great Teacher represents that a wise man will sit down and count the cost before he undertakes to build, to determine whether or not he is able to finish; showing us that it is no part of wisdom to begin a work and leave it, for any cause, unfinished. And who has not seen many sad monuments of miscalculation in this respect? Houses are found all over the land half-finished, perhaps entirely inclosed, perhaps only partially so, unpainted, uninhabited, windows boarded up, the buildings becoming stained and weather beaten, dark, gloomy, and desolate. Somebody has left his work half done. Somebody has miscalculated.

It is a sad fact that churches may be left in the same condition spiritually. The minister may leave his work half done. A body of believers may be left like a house unpainted, with windows boarded up, receiving only damage, alike from sunshine and storm. They may be left like a knit garment unbound, almost sure to ravel to pieces when put to use.

To illustrate: We hear of some churches in the West the members of which are still habitually using pork and tobacco, having never been told that these things are hurtful, and that their use is contrary to the practice of this people. Of course, with such people, tea and coffee are still household articles, wrong habits of life are uncorrected, they pay no S. B. and take very little part in the financial enterprises of the church. They do not take our periodicals, and bear no part in the circulation of reading matter. It is reported that one member, hearing casually that the use of tobacco was contrary to the practice of this people, immediately laid his tobacco aside; but another Sabbath-keeper, of the class above referred to, told him that the preacher who brought them the third angel’s message didn’t tell them anything about that, and that consequently it didn’t make any difference if he did use tobacco; and the individual then took up the practice again.

That a minister professing to be giving the truths of the third message should permanently leave his converts so uninformed upon these subjects, betrays great unfaithfulness in his work.

It may perhaps be pleaded that time was lacking. All these things, of course, cannot be brought out at once; and a judicious workman will watch for the right time and the favorable circumstances. But he should never consider his work done till he has either instructed them himself, or made provision for instruction from others, on these important topics.

Perhaps he may say that some one else can instruct them on these points better than himself. This is a great mistake. Who does not know that the person who first brings individuals to the knowledge of the truth, has the highest place in the affections of those individuals, and the most influence with them? They will receive instruction from that person more readily than from any one else. And, more than this, it will be almost impossible for any one else to bring them forward upon reforms against which the first minister has seemed to cast an influence either by his silence, by his indifference, or by adverse insinuations.

There is a great responsibility resting upon the minister in relation to this point, and to these things; and a little lack here may counteract a great deal of hard labor, and deprive him of a large reward which he might otherwise secure.

The world is perishing for lack of knowledge. People everywhere need instruction. Especially to bring them fully to the truth for this time, there must be instruction, instruction, line upon line, patiently, thoroughly, faithfully given. For the minister who knows this, and yet does not do it, there remains a giving of an account of his stewardship which it would be well for him if he could escape.

But little spiritual life or growth or help to the cause, can be expected from those who are left in the condition above described. But if, in connection with the other great truths of the message, they are instructed in Bible Temperance, to bring themselves into the best physical condition; and in Bible Giving, to repress covetousness and lead them to feel that they have a personal investment in the cause of truth; and if they are shown the importance of taking the periodicals, that they may be brought into communication and sympathy with all parts of the work, and feel the throbbing of all its pulses,—from such, a good report and good fruit may be expected.

May the Lord help all his ministers to gather in, build up, edify, and establish multitudes of precious souls in the truth and work of these last days. And may he raise up laborers of this sort everywhere to go forth into the suffering harvest fields. U. S.