p. 148 | IS THERE ANY LACK? by James White

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 29, 1860

IS THERE ANY LACK?

By James White

WHEN we introduce the wants of the cause, we are often met with this question, "Is there any lack?" Many perhaps think there is no lack. Their minds are shut up to their farms and home interests, where there is but little or no lack, and have no time or interest to inquire into the wants of our preachers and of the cause generally.

We have been in Iowa three weeks, and have had eighteen meetings, and no one has said a word to us about our expenses, or given us a dime, excepting $2,00 given by a sister to Mrs. W. Our expenses up to this date have been $27,00. And yet the question comes up, "Is there any lack?" But we do not wish to be understood as speaking in our own behalf, but for those who do suffer lack, and for the holy cause of Bible truth.

1. Our poor preachers in the West often lack suitable clothes to make them comfortable, and appear decent. At the time of the deepest mud a few weeks since, Bro. Cornell wore rubbers with holes in the bottoms of them, and has faced the piercing prairie winds with a scanty amount of clothing, much of it thread-bare, darned and mended. He had received only $5,00 in money since he left the tent last fall. And yet wealthy brethren ask the question, "Is there any lack?" We gave Bro. C. $20,00 of missionary funds, told him to throw away his old rubbers, and be sure and not allow himself to suffer for anything that money would buy.

But it may be said that some of our preachers do not always lay out money judiciously. This has evidently been true in some cases, and has had a bad influence on the cause in certain localities; but while other evils are being corrected, we may hope that this also will be put away. In no way can a preacher sooner hurt his influence, and dry up his support, than to make a bad appropriation of means put into his hands, or to feed out to dogs (lazy persons) that bread given to feed his children.

2. The cause needs much means at this time to push forward the work. Read Bro. Morse's communication

in REVIEW No. 17, and open your ears, brethren, to the Macedonian cry which comes down from Minnesota, "Come over and help us." We say, let Bro. Ingraham, or Sanborn, or Stewart, have $100 worth of books, and the Wisconsin tent, and go over in the name of the Lord and help those dear brethren in Minnesota. After $100 is raised for this mission, then the brethren may inquire, "Is there any lack?"

We are glad to see by Bro. Ingraham's letter that Wisconsin is waking up. Hope the brethren there will get the new tent, and send it out into that State on to new ground. There are some half a dozen preachers in Wisconsin, crippled with home cares, and poverty, yet brethren do not see it, and inquire, "Is there any lack?"

Bro. Brinkerhoof of this State turned aside from pleading law to plead the law of God and the faith of Jesus; but last season was a farmer in order to obtain an honest living. "Is there any lack?" If not, why are God's messengers farming? Why do we not hear the cry go up to the Lord of the harvest to raise up laborers? Is it not because those already in the field are not sustained as they should be? Let these be placed where they can labor to best advantage, then with a good grace can the church send up the cry for more laborers.

Brethren in the West, come up to the help of the Lord, and take a start in the cause of Bible truth. Come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty. And while a special effort is being made by the land-poor and moneyless brethren in the West, we are sure that the eastern brethren will also come up to the help of the Lord, and continue to drop into the missionary treasury their liberal free-will offerings. O God, open the hearts of thy people, and bless the means to the rapid progress of the cause of Bible truth, and speed the time when it may be said, There is no lack. J. W.