TO ALL THE BRETHREN by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 24, 1861

TO ALL THE BRETHREN.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

I HAVE read Bro. White's remarks on organization in his report of Eastern Tour, and beg the privilege of saying that I do not think he has spoken any too strong. There are some yet in this State (I trust not many) who are afraid of organization, and cry out Babylon! But here is a problem for some one to solve: How shall we come out of Babylon and run into confusion? For want of order the cause has been suffering loss for some time; and it is to be feared that many friends of the work will lose their interest on account of prejudice on this subject, which prejudice would never have existed in their minds had we been properly organized for some time past. And as the evil and danger to the cause is increasing, it is important that the friends of the cause move with alacrity. For want of organization the publishing department has been crippled in its operations for several years; and yet some are in trial now because it is freed from embarrassment, and a new office is being built! Some men are gifted—marvelously gifted—with the spirit of complaint, and they are never satisfied unless the cause goes halting. I know an individual who is deeply embarrassed in his worldly affairs, over which Satan is tempting him almost to ruin, who is excessively frightened because "the world" says we are denying our faith in building a new Office! Now I venture to say, that if this brother was able to place himself in comfortable and easy circumstances, he would do it without questioning "the world" about the propriety of it. And why is this? Simply because his burden for the wants of himself and his family is greater than for the wants of the cause. This must be so.

We have not consulted "the world" thus far, in our labors in this cause; nor do we feel it our duty to do so now. We know, better than they, the magnitude of the work; and all could know that the old frame building was every way unsuited to our purposes; that a new Office must be built, and that brick is most suitable for the nice machinery of a steam press, especially in cold weather. And they might know also that there are individuals professing the faith of the message, who have property enough, at a fair valuation in ordinary times, to purchase the whole Office when it is completed. And what does "the world" say about the course of such individuals? Nothing. O, kind, discriminating world! How tender are its feelings lest the friends of God's truth should mar his work by too much devotion and self-denial! By laboring in this cause for many years we are prepared to appreciate the interest and kindness of "the world" in this respect.

I feel the necessity of organization at this time, according to the plan advised in the conference address of last spring. I shall be obliged to leave the cause in Southern Iowa suffering for want of a conference, which cannot be held, or if held, cannot be fairly represented in our present confused and unorganized state. The main objects for which a conference in this part of this State should be held cannot be attained except through delegates. I am quite well assured that conferences held in the manner in which they have been held in the past have ceased to be a benefit. But a reform to be effectual must be general. When shall it be? What do you say, fellow-laborers in the truth?

J. H. WAGGONER.