Call from the Church in Sandyville, Iowa.
By James White
Bro. White: We have been waiting to hear of an appointment for a conference in this State, but have heard nothing of it thus far. If we have a correct understanding of it, you were to appoint it. We are very38desirous that it should come off as soon as possible, and that you and sister White should attend it. We wish it held at Knoxville. It is our wish that both tents in our State be manned the coming summer, and we wish you to select an able-bodied messenger to labor with Bro. Brinkerhoff in Southern Iowa, one that is able to stand two-thirds of the labor, Bro. B. not being able to stand severe labor. This little church at Sandyville has taken hold of systematic benevolence in earnest, and I hope will be nothing behind in any duty. By order of the church at Sandyville.
ANDREW J. STOVER. Remarks.—Our brethren at Sandyville must be laboring under a mistake. By the above we learn for the first time that we were appointed to give notice of a conference in Southern Iowa. We have felt the deepest interest for the cause in Iowa, and have done double to help the cause in that State that we have, under similar circumstances, in any other State. And when we were compelled to believe that our efforts were not valued by many, and that a spirit of rebellion was growing against us, we became in a measure discouraged, and finally decided that the rebellion must have its course before much could be done. We now think that too much has been done for Iowa the last two years, in the way of sending a messenger there to either act upon the legislation of those of little experience, or be censured and oppressed by rebellious spirits among them. If the brethren in Iowa want a conference, no one will object. If they decide to run one or two tents, no one should complain. If the committee of the Wisconsin and Illinois conference, or of the New York conference, or any other conference, sends them a minister, or ministers, to labor in Iowa, under the dictation of the brethren in Iowa, we shall not complain; but if the Michigan and Northern Indiana conference committee sends ministers to Iowa, they will want a voice in counseling in regard to their labors. Efforts to organize those in rebellion and confusion we fear have been worse than lost. Nothing but a dreadful extremity should compel us to leave out some Sabbath-keepers in organizing. This has ever been our position. Here is our definite statement one year since, from Review, Vol. xix, No. 6: “There is danger of carrying organization to an extreme, to the neglect of other subjects. In many places believers are not ready. Bro. Cornell says, ‘Strike when the iron is hot.’ This is right. But if you work it cold it will break. We want to preach one Sabbath and first-day to the brethren, and let the warming influence of the present truth soften their feelings, and then affectionately and plainly set forth the evils of tobacco, tea, &c., and entreat all to leave these idols and turn fully to the Lord before attempting to organize. We shall not give these idolatrous souls up till we know they are joined to their idols; then we shall have to let them alone. May we not hope that all who have borne well the Sabbath cross will yet bear every cross necessary to secure the favor of God, a place in the bosom of Jesus, and the full fellowship of the saints? O God, help thy people to bear the cross that they may wear the crown. “Habit is exceedingly strong with some persons. A sister once said, ‘If I must give up one, my pipe or heaven, I must give up heaven.’ She took her dreadful choice, and her course since gives proof that it was a final one. Such have a hard battle. Help them all you can. In your labors for such be firm, but kind. Do not suffer yourself to enter into the spirit of controversy with such. Come near to them. Get into their heart if possible. Stand where you can help them. The Lord bears long with erring mortals. ‘Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.’” We do not think the time has come for us to visit Iowa again. We are doing all we can, and design to work where our labors are appreciated, for there they will accomplish most. On our recent Northern tour of four weeks we drove our team two hundred and fifty miles, attended between thirty and forty meetings, and baptized thirty-seven, most of them the fruits of these meetings. Immediately on reaching home we suffered from a dreadful swelling on the face, which discharged for a week, yet made out full time at the Office when we could not distinctly articulate a word. And when nearly recovered from this affliction, we commenced a protracted meeting in the Battle Creek church, preached every evening, twice on the Sabbath, and have made good time in the Office six days in the week. Brethren, east, west, north, south, we will serve you as well as we can. You shall have all there is of us. And if we do not find a day of rest, as you enjoy, one in seven, in this mortal state, we may enjoy the saints’ rest in the City quite as well. Your counsel we desire, your encouraging words cheer us, and your prayers we must have; but unreasonable cares and burdens thrown upon us when we have all we can stand under, murmurings and complainings when we are doing all we can, we despise.