THE COURSE TO PURSUE by M. E. Cornell

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 9, 1858

THE COURSE TO PURSUE.

By M. E. Cornell

Bro. Smith: For some time past I have been strongly convicted that much of my own and others' labors have been as good as thrown away. My reasons are briefly as follows:

1. Because of leaving the people right in the height of their interest, before they were decided, and such a relapse has followed, that it was impossible again to raise the interest.

2. By leaving the people and having a stranger come and finish the work. No stranger, even of equal talent can fill the place of the one who first introduces the message; hence the necessity of remaining until the church is fully established.

3. When a church has been established in any place, too much time has been spent within from four to six miles. The messenger has been urged to labor in the adjoining neighborhoods, but in most instances it has been a failure. But when a diligent effort is made forty or fifty miles away, there is success, and another church is established. The Lord seems to bless the effort when made entirely away from the influence of the last meeting. Thus it was in Shelby, Locke, Jackson, Hillsdale, Monterey, Bowne, Wright, Gilboa and Round Grove. In the vicinity of several of these places, there has been much labor without fruit. There does seem to be a clear indication of duty to scatter the influence over the country, (not by laboring a few days in a place, just long enough to state our positions on each point without proof, and then hurrying off Jehu-like to another, but) by holding on in each place until the standard is planted, and the church thoroughly established, and then go on a day's drive where it is needful that there should be another church, exhorting each church to live so that their light will shine at least ten miles around. It is by raising up churches that the cause is hastened forward. In the loud cry one of these posts will run to meet another, and the fire will spread everywhere so rapidly that it will indeed be a "short work."

The churches are so many way-marks, and when they are alive, they have a mighty influence; and when purified and tested they will be so many balance-wheels in the time of the great excitement that will attend the closing work of the message. All should realize that to the preacher all people are alike, and they desire to labor for the general good of the cause; therefore they should not require so much labor in the churches or their immediate vicinity. When an effort has once been made in any place it is of but little use to repeat the lectures, especially if some time has passed and the people have decided against it. Perhaps in the loud cry when there is ten-fold more power, they will have another opportunity, but now efforts in such places generally prove total failures.

In considering this subject I have come to the following conclusions:

1. That from three to five weeks are necessary in a new place to thoroughly plant a church.

2. As a general thing the one who begins the work should stay until its completion.

3. That efforts in the vicinity of churches, generally being with but little fruit, therefore the real tendency is to weaken rather than to encourage, both the messenger and the church.

4. As soon as the arguments are thoroughly presented, the people should be urged by most earnest appeals to decide and obey the truth without delay.

5. That there should be social and prayer-meetings held before the messenger leaves a new church, that gifts may be manifested, fanaticism detected and reproved, and general useful instruction be given as the circumstances may require.

I would be glad to have the benefit of the experience of any of the brethren in regard to the above, or any other points connected with the solemn work in which we are engaged.

“If I am right, oh teach my heart Still in the right to stay; If I am wrong, thy grace impart To find the better way.”

M. E. CORNELL.