EARNEST APPEAL by James White

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 5, 1880

EARNEST APPEAL.

By James White

MINISTERS, TRACT AND MISSIONARY WORKERS: —

Beloved Brethren: At the last General Conference the subject of the more extensive circulation of the writings of Mrs. E. G. White was brought before the members of that body in a manner to make a deep impression. This gave rise to the appointment of a committee to consider the subject, consisting of Elders George I. Butler, S. N. Haskell and B. L. Whitney, who submitted the following report, which the Conference adopted by unanimous vote: —

*"Your committee appointed to consider the subject of the circulation of Sister White's writings, would respectfully present the following report: — "Whereas, Our past experience has fully proved that our prosperity as a people is in proportion to the degree of confidence we cherish in the work of the spirit of prophecy in our midst; and "Whereas, The most bitter opposition we have to meet is aimed against this work, showing that our enemies realize its importance, whether we do or not; and "Whereas, We have found that the most effectual way to meet and disarm this opposition was either to secure the personal labors of the one through whom we believe the Lord has spoken, or to freely circulate her writings; and "Whereas, Great light has shone upon us through this channel, which not only our own people greatly need, but which would be a blessing to the world, remove prejudice, and break the force of the bitter attacks of the enemies of the truth; therefore "Resolved, That we urge upon our ministers and tract societies the importance of making earnest efforts to extend the circulation of the volumes of the Spirit of Prophecy and the Testimonies to the Church among our own people, till these shall be in every family of believers. "Resolved, That we recommend the Publishing Association to issue in attractive form such of her writings as would be of general interest to the reading public who are not of our faith, to be placed in public libraries, reading rooms, and on shipboard, by canvassers and T. and M. workers, where they, as well as our other standard works, may be accessible to the people. "Resolved, That we recommend the Publishing Association to issue in as cheap a form as consistent, the matter substantially contained in volume two of Spiritual Gifts, concerning the earlier life and labors of Sister White, in connection with the rise and progress of this work, for the special use of our ministers in new fields, and among those first becoming acquainted with her connection with this cause. And we further recommend the publication of a small edition of her earliest writings, now out of print, to bring all her writings within reach of those anxious to obtain them. "Resolved, That we consider it to be the duty of all our ministers to teach the Scriptural view of the gift of prophecy among our brethren everywhere, and the relation it sustains to the work of God in which we are engaged. "Resolved, That we advise that efforts be made to complete the raising of the fund of $5,000 voted at the last annual session of the Conference for the purpose of increasing the circulation of these writings; said fund to be used in placing them in public libraries, reading rooms, and other places where they will be open to the reading public, and in such of the families of the very poor as the officers of the T. and M. Society decide should have them."*",

The presidents of all our Conferences are anxious that Mrs. W. should attend their camp-meetings to meet the prejudice in the minds of many, excited by those who have the dragon spirit. For this and other reasons the General Conference recommended that Bro. and Sr. White attend one camp-meeting in each Conference in 1880. Next to the presence and labors of Mrs. W., to favorably impress the people, but far greater in extent, is the circulation of her writings. Of this she speaks, upon the highest authority, in these words: — "The several volumes of the Spirit of Prophecy, and other works of the kind, should be widely circulated. If God has given light from Heaven, his people should act their part well in letting it shine to the world. In every good work should be done in circulating our publications. "The volumes entitled the Spirit of Prophecy are not to be confined to our people. These books should be used to interest those not of our faith. Every ray of light shining from the throne of God is of importance, and should be carefully cherished. "There are many fainting, troubled souls that are hungering and thirsting for the bread and water of life. They long for that which will bring Christ near to them, his light and love into their hearts, that they may have hope, courage, and zeal for the Master and his cause. As this class shall read such works as the Spirit of Prophecy, their minds will be strongly attracted to their Bibles, and they will be brought nearer to the Lord. They will enjoy the precious rays of light shining from the throne of God into their hearts. "Our brethren and sisters can do much in this work of circulating these publications, if they have an interest to do so. In this way that which is a strength to themselves, will become an encouragement to others. This is no time to be exclusive or indolent. A great work is to be done for the world, and we are very slow in introducing light through our publications to those who are in the darkness of error. This work is as essential as the work of the ministry, and in no case should be neglected as it has been."

We now call for a fund of $10,000, to be used in publishing the writings of Mrs. W. and in giving them a wide and judicious circulation. At present we do not solicit the smaller sums from persons in humbler circumstances in life. These all have a part to bear in the general work. We call for one hundred $100 men and women to make up this sum during the year 1880. It will be seen in the Review that this work is well started. Already seven persons have paid $100 each. Ninety-three more are wanted. We briefly state our plans as follows: — 1. To publish the fourth volume of the Spirit of Prophecy as soon as possible. We hope to see it through the press before May next. 2. To circulate the four volumes of Spirit of Prophecy, also, Life of Christ Library, by sales, and by gifts when absolutely necessary. 3. To prepare a volume of four or five hundred pages to contain a brief sketch of the life, experience and labors of Mrs. W., together with selections from her works, to be published in the French, German, Danish, Swedish and other languages. 4. To prepare a new series of volumes, of which her life, Christian experience, and letters to her children would be the first, and her other writings constitute four or five others. These are to be put up in acceptable style to be put in libraries, on shipboard, and to be presented to friends. Knowing how the old, reliable friends of the cause stand upon this subject, as expressed by our General Conference, we feel confident that there will be a ready and liberal response to this call. J. W.