The Church at Battle Creek.
By Editor
TO THE CHURCHES AND BRETHREN SCATTERED ABROAD. DEAR BRETHREN:—You are not wholly ignorant of the burdens which Bro. James White has borne, while the responsibilities of the Review Office have rested chiefly on him; also of the efforts which he has made to be freed from them, and have the Review established upon a proper basis. We rejoice that, as far as the Review is concerned, the object is gained. The Review, Press, Type, &c., are now the property of the Church. The Publishing Committee, who are responsible in the publication of the Review, receive nothing for their services. And those who labor in connection with the Review, receive moderate wages. And here let it be understood, that it was not the Church that removed Bro. W. from his former position; but he refusing to longer occupy the position, and proposing the plan on which the Review is now established, the Church took the matter in hand, and have released Bro. W. of burdens and cares which he never should have borne, and have established the Press on a basis that will not fail to meet the feelings of all the friends of truth. But the object for which Bro. W. has labored, and still labors, is not fully accomplished, and will not be, till the Book concern be united with the Review, as the property of the Church, to be managed on the same principle the Review is now conducted, so that no individual shall have any personal interest in the publishing department. We offer the following reasons why Bro. W. should be released from his present responsibilities and embarrassments, in regard to the Books, and why they should be owned by the Church. 1. He has not the necessary capital to publish, and to re-publish, those Tracts and Books which the cause as it advances, demands. Hitherto he has carried forward the publication of Books with a borrowed and hired capital, which has increased his embarrassments and cares. This he refuses to do any longer, regarding it as not his duty. 2. We think the Church should raise a Fund sufficient to take the Books and Tracts now on hand, off from Bro. W's hands, which would enable him to pay those debts which he contracted in publishing them. This would also enable him to purchase a horse and carriage, which he needs: he having sold his to pay debts, which was given to him by certain Eastern Brethren. 3. We think the Church, (and not any individual, or number of individuals,) should hold, and manage, all property connected with the Publishing department, conducted by suitable persons, chosen by the Church. As this department will have to be sustained in part by donations from its friends scattered abroad, it seems highly necessary that it should be established on such a basis, that the unreasonable fault-finder may be silenced, and that those who wish to advance the cause of truth with their substance, may send their means to the Review Office with confidence that it will be judiciously used to advance the glorious cause of present truth; and that those who might have fears as to the proper use of their means, were the department in the hands of one individual, or more, may be free from such fears. Bro. W. suggests this proposition, and gives as his reason, that the cause be not hindered or reproached. We think the Church should have a fund of at least twelve hundred dollars, to be invested in Books and Tracts, the proceeds of which, when sold, to be used in publishing and re-publishing such works as the cause may demand. There is now at the Office in Tracts, belonging to the Church, about two hundred dollars. To this we hope one thousand dollars will soon be added. We appoint a Committee of three of our number, Brn. Wm. M. Smith, S. T. Belden and Uriah Smith, to take the oversight of this matter for the present, until a General Meeting shall be held, to which we shall submit the matter for the choice of Officers who may best serve the Church at large. We send out a few hundred Circulars to different Churches and Brethren in order to obtain pledges, and wish those who may receive them to present the same to the friends of the cause of present truth, and return them to the Review Office. After they shall have obtained their pledges, those friends of the cause who may not receive the Circular, who wish to aid in this cause, will please give information at the Review Office, of the amount they wish to give, and when they can furnish it. It is desirable that all the pledges may be received by the 20th of March.