Where Are They? by D. M. Canright

California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists · Oakland, Cal. · Dec 17, 1874

Where Are They?

By D. M. Canright

At our recent California Conference, nine persons received licence to preach in this State for one year. Nearly three months have already passed, but we see no reports of work by any of them. So far as we can learn, only one has attempted to go out and lecture. Do these brethren mean to use their licences? If so, for what are they waiting? The conference will not grant licences year after year to those who make no use of them. One year is enough to prove whether a man has talent, energy, and a burden of the work or not. So far as I am acquainted, those who have ever amounted to any thing have given good proof of their calling the first year by raising up one or more new churches. Indeed, our ablest ministers have had the best success the first year or two.

Those who fail to accomplish something the first year seldom do any thing afterwards. Hence we feel anxious to see our brethren here go to work soon. Now is the best time to do it. The evenings are long and the people have leisure to attend, and time to read. Why not begin now? Some are waiting till they get their debts paid; others till they get their business all settled up, so that they can give all their time to it. This is a mistake. It is not certain that any of these brethren can succeed so well that the conference can afford to assume the support of their families, and they are not able to live without receiving something. It is unwise therefore, to throw up their business and cut off all income till they have tried what they can do.

It is unwise for these poor men to go where they will have to board at a hotel, hire a hall, and have other expenses. Go out to some school house, which you can obtain without cost, and near enough so that you can board at home. What if you do have to ride or even walk, several miles each lecture? Begin Friday evening, and continue till Sunday night, then you can carry on your ordinary work and support your family. This will be as often as a beginner ought to lecture.

Then if you don't raise up a church, you have not lost anything, while you have gained some experience that may help you another time. The first effort I made I had to quit the fifth evening for lack of an audience! I immediately went to another little school house, but had to close the third lecture for the same reason. I went in another direction and tried it again. This time I held out till the tenth lecture. By this time I had learned something and had gained some idea of how to go to work.

Brethren, don't wait to make some grand effort which will require you to break up your business, leave home and pay out your means for board, hall rent, &c. Enter the first opening you can find within reach, if you can't get more than ten hearers. Accept a private house, get a few of the neighbors together and see if you can interest them. Do it now. How many forty foot tents shall we buy next spring? But the conference will risk nothing on those who do nothing this fine winter. Will, life, energy are what are needed. If things don't "turn up," take hold, in the name of the Lord, and make them turn.

D. M. CANRIGHT.

Some people have softening of the brain, but the world suffers more from those who have hardening of the heart.