EQUALITY by G. W. Colcord

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 18, 1878

EQUALITY

By G. W. Colcord

AN ARTICLE FOR ILLINOIS.

“For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened” 2 Cor. 8:13.

Dear Brethren and Sisters: Can we say that equality is one of the principal features of our work here in the Illinois Conference, so long as the following-described conditions remain undisturbed? Ponder as you read.

1. While some members of our several committees act as though they realized the words: “Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord negligently,” others are not so anxious. They say by their actions, “Nothing very special is demanded at my hands; others can do committee work better than I;” and thus they excuse themselves. Is this equality? No! But further: If all should so reason and act, when and by whom would the work be done?

2. Our ministers should all work for the Master with solemn earnestness. If it is the bounden duty of one to toil wearisomely for the salvation of souls, is not the same true of all the others? Allowing for varied circumstances, the same devotion is required of each. Brethren in the ministry, the Lord is on the giving hand. His grace is bestowed upon us; and we are seeing some fruit of our labor. But we are too slow; too sleepy; too worldly. May God grant us next year a score of men who will go out into the field and gather sheaves for the final harvest. What we need is continuity. “Stick to it!” Be not discouraged at apparent failures. Oh, if all would only work, and work in the field, nearly, if not quite, all of the time, what results would we not see!

3. The laity of the church should give the subject of equality more than a passing thought. The Lord’s ways are equal; and it pleases him to see ours the same. But are they? It is too evident that they are not. Some of our members are learning the important lesson of sacrifice; but others are in danger of losing the crown of life by breaking the tenth commandment. This is a solemn thought. Will you exchange Heaven for earth? Some are ever ready to lend us a helping hand; but others offer us nothing but excuses. Did you never hear of the “proxy saint”? Let it not be thus said of us at last: “In life you served God by proxy, and now you shall enter Heaven only by proxy!” Ay, naught but a personal endeavor, by grace, will bring a personal reward. It is estimated that we have five hundred or more Sabbath-keepers in our State. Now let these five hundred all nobly come up to the work, and what would be the result only the Master knows. I am stirred as I study this theme.

4. The T. and M. society should work, officers and people, as one soul. Who reports every quarter? Who works hard that he may have an encouraging report to record? Who is it that pays a perfect tithe and adds the one-third? There are some in Illinois that so do, and their numbers are increasing. Will you be blessed if you fail to discharge a known duty? Not unless the Lord’s ways are unequal. Then let us all work, and pray, and hope on till we know and realize our duty; and in the outcome of life may we all reach the world of perfect equality. G. W. COLCORD.