System---Order by R. F. Cottrell

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 21, 1862

System---Order.

By R. F. Cottrell

TO THE BRETHREN IN N. Y.

"God is not the author of confusion, but of peace." It is evident from all his works and ways that he delights in order. He is doubtless pleased to see it in his people. "The plan of systematic benevolence is pleasing to God;" and it is self-evident that systematic labor is equally well-pleasing to him. It is just as necessary to be systematic in the use of the Lord's money, as it is in the collection of it. If it is wrong to withhold from the Lord's treasury, it is no less a wrong to squander the Lord's money when collected. There seems to be more responsibility in the use of that which has been dedicated to God, than in the use of it before it is thus dedicated, if there is any difference. It cannot be used systematically, and be rightly and equally appropriated, as I can see, without the organization of Conferences.

We need a State Conference organized in this State. Shall we have it? Who will respond? I believe the cause is impeded in its progress for want of it. It should be attended to without any unnecessary delay. We invite ministers to come and labor in the State. Whose business is it to see that their wants are supplied? In the present state of things it is every one's, and consequently no one's. He may keep accounts; but there is no one to audit them. He may be ready to report and give an account of his labors and his stewardship, but he has no one to whom to report. I have labored a number of years as a minister, and no one has ever known, but myself, how much I have received any given year or years, and consequently whether I have had more or less than I needed—whether I have been economical, or have squandered the Lord's money. These things ought not so to be, and the sooner we reform, the better. In our present state we are not prepared for the great work which is before us.

I heartily approve of the plan sketched out by Bro. White in the leading editorial of Review No. 18, namely, the raising of a Conference fund. It will inspire confidence and courage in all, and faithfulness and zeal in the preachers. And that there may be equality in raising the fund, let a certain percentage of the S. B. funds be paid into this fund, reserving the remainder for church expenses, the poor, &c.

Now, brethren, we can have Bro. White's aid in this matter, if we let him know unmistakably that we want it. Shall we "go forward?" It should have been done before. But all that we can do now is, to repent and bring forth works meet for repentance.

R. F. COTTRELL.

P. S. I wish to correct a misapprehension. I have never opposed, but have always been in favor of, church organization, as the Review some ten years back will show. I would also remind the brethren that when legal organization was adopted, I was represented in the Conference by a letter, which was published in the report in the Review, which will show for itself that I was in harmony with the step then taken. R. F. C.