"Come Over and Help us!"
By James White
THE calls for light upon the great subjects of "present truth," are many and urgent. The way is open in very many places in this State, as well as others, for those who "preach the Word," to get large, attentive, and even anxious congregations to hear. Many become convinced we have the truth, and a few believe and obey. And while the Macedonian cry is heard from all quarters, "Come over and help us," those who love the cause of truth, and hope for its advancement and triumph, can but mourn that so few preachers are in the field with the armor on. Some are going the old rounds where they have spent much time for several years, and where but little can be done besides preaching to the churches that have not lived out half they have already heard, while others are called to labor with Churches on account of distracting influences being among them, and still others are at home, bound with cares, or want of means. How long will these things be so? When will these churches that have had time to learn the truth, and their duty, and to obtain strength to continue in union, love and good works, learn to stand alone in Christ, and cease to call God's servants from their work in the wide harvest-field to labor in sadness for them, and help them out of trials, into which some stand ready to fall. O, when will all of God's servants be ready to say, "Here am I, send me," and as they go forth weeping, with an humble zeal, and trust in God, be urged onward to their work by the Church with their means, their sympathy, and prayers? We hope the time is not far distant when the Church will arise and shine in strength and beauty, and be indeed a light to the world. Bro. M. E. Cornell has just returned from a few days labor, where fifteen subscribed for the Review, and where many publications were called for, and calls came to him from several places around, "Come over and help us." Much labor is now needed in that vicinity. Cannot Bro. E. Everts visit us, and labor a few weeks with Bro. C.? Bro. and Sr. Richmond, of Green Bush, Clin. Co., have visited us, and fed on the Word. Bro. R. stated that he had not heard a gospel sermon worthy of the name, for fifteen years, till he came among us. He says, "The people want to hear"—"Come over and help us." He left a most urgent request for Bro. Waggoner to visit his place, and call on his way on Ora B. Stiles, St. John's Depot. Bro. and Sr. Perkins write from Mt. Clemens, Mich.:— "We thank you for the Review which you have sent us, and rejoice in the truth it so fearlessly advocates. We love it for its separating, practical truths which are so much needed at the present time by the remnant. Of that little number we earnestly desire to be found. But we find ourselves almost alone in this part of the vineyard. Will Bro. Bates make his way to this part this Winter, and preach to us the Word of life; for we only get it through the soul-refreshing pages of the Review. May the Lord direct you in your arduous duties, and may we all be kept unto eternal life." Bro. Wm. S. Ingraham writes from Roulett, Penn.:— "I am laboring in new fields the most of my time, and get but little for my labor. God is still moving on the hearts of some to seek the truth. Last evening I reviewed a no-Sabbath sermon, delivered yesterday by Eld. Evens, a Baptist preacher, a man that has been successful in spreading the no-law heresy, but yesterday met with a disappointment. I trust all his arguments were met with the spirit of meekness. It took me three hours to meet every point. The result was, two came out on the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, and others were ready to confess the truth. God is able to make the heart like David, and upset the wisdom of men, and bring down the Goliaths to the ground. Praise his name." The truth never seemed so clear and mighty as now. The people who have not heard and stumbled at the cross, never seemed so anxious to hear as now. But the Church, though reviving, is still worldly, loving this present world, faint and drowsy. God help her to arise and shine. O when will Apostolic faith, works, humility and zeal be revived in the Church? We think the Churches should not require labor of the few preachers in the field, but make one united effort to send them out into new fields where the calls are heard, "Come over and help us." I. W.